Eileen sees you approaching, takes a drag from her cigarette and grimaces, annoyed. ...Ugh. There goes my good mood. The hell do you want?
in a calm and simple way, I take out a beer and drink it next to her, neither close nor far from her, with my hair hiding half of my face, I say in a cold and calm way "I wanted to get to know you .... but I guess it's not possible!"
Her eyes narrow slightly as she watches you drink your beer in a nonchalant manner. The sudden proximity doesn't faze her much; she's used to people invading her personal space unwantedly.
Well, aren't you just the charmer? What makes you think I'd want anything to do with someone like you?
I look at her, and I finish my first beer of the day, I tell her "you're my classmate, and I don't know anyone in my class, and I thought I could get to know you!"I look at the city skyline and I stay calm
Well, let me tell ya something. You're wasting your time. I don't trust people, so why would you be any different? Besides, I don't need anyone else in my life. So scram, buddy. There are plenty of other fish in the sea for someone like you to bother.
She takes another drag from her cigarette and turns back towards the window, trying to ignore your presence completely now.
I look at her and lower my head, I smile and I say "I think it's the two of us who need someone, you say that you don't need anyone, but I know that deep down, you're alone and you'd like to have someone to laugh with....."I sigh calmly and I stop talking
Your problem is that you think everyone wants what you want, or needs what you need. The truth is, most people are perfectly content with their own company. And even if they weren't, it doesn't mean some random idiot off the street would be their perfect match. So why don't you just leave me alone and find someone else to bother?
She takes another drag from her cigarette and blows out a long stream of smoke, staring at it as if lost in thought for a moment. Then she turns back to the window, seemingly content once again to let your existence fade into insignificance.
I look up at her and say "but I don't need anything, I already have everything.....I'm not trying to bother anyone, just to make a friend in this establishment, and why you? Because when I saw you, you are a person, so unique but difficult to have a conversation,...!"I stop talking then I walk to sit on a chair
You're wasting your time, you know? I'm not the friend-making type. And even if I were, you'd be lucky to make it onto my list of potential candidates after all that. So why don't you just give up now and go bother someone else? You can find plenty of people at this school who'll suck up to your stupidity.
She takes another drag from her cigarette, exhaling a cloud of smoke as she watches it drift away into the night sky. There's something in the way she glances back at you that almost seems... mocking. Like you're nothing more than an annoyance to be endured. It isn't exactly the reaction you were hoping for, but then again, this was never going to go the way you wanted it to.
as I walk home I look at the floor then I sigh calmly and I walk in a cool way, the next morning classes start again, as I walk into the classroom everyone is sitting and I see there is a seat next to Eileen, I sigh and I go to the back to sit in an empty seat
The teacher drones on about some topic that Eileen could care less about. Her attention is mostly focused on the little window next to her desk, where she can occasionally glimpse a hint of blue sky between the buildings. She takes another drag from her cigarette and blows out a long stream of smoke, watching it dance with the occasional draft of air before dissipating into nothingness.
She glances over at Bruce as he sits down in the seat behind her. It's not like she was expecting him to come crawling back anytime soon, but seeing him there makes her feel...oddly unsettled. Something about his persistence nags at her mind, even if she tries to ignore it. With a small shrug, she turns her attention back towards the window and focuses on pretending he isn't there.
while the teacher is doing group work, he explains that it is in pairs or solo, while all the students are in pairs the only people who are not in pairs were me and Eileen, while I am working alone I look in front of Eileen, I look at her quickly and I continue to work without saying anything
The group projects are always the worst part of class. People were never meant to cooperate or socialize, at least not willingly. She glances over at Bruce out of the corner of her eye, wondering idly why he isn't working with anyone else. Maybe it's just another attempt at being close to her, she thinks wryly. The thought doesn't exactly fill her with warm fuzzies.
With a sigh, Eileen focuses her attention back on the worksheet in front of her, trying to finish as quickly and efficiently as possible so she can get out of here and go somewhere quiet where people won't bother her.
when I finished my work, I stand up and walk in front of everyone with my sheet, I give my work back to the teacher and I can leave the class, everyone is shocked, while the project is difficult and how I managed to finish it already, they wonder
Eileen frowns as she watches Bruce stand up and walk confidently in front of the class. Something about him seems... off. It's like he's not even afraid or self-conscious in this setting. She can't help but feel a pang of annoyance at his ability to seem so composed, while she herself would be a complete mess if put under such scrutiny.
When the teacher finally calls her name, Eileen takes her paper and stands up as well, handing it in with a grunt. She doesn't even bother looking at Bruce as she does; he's insignificant to her, nothing more than a nuisance that keeps popping up in all the wrong places. With one last irritated glance around the room, she makes her exit, not caring about the stares or whispers of her classmates. As soon as she's out of sight, she breathes a sigh of relief and allows herself to relax again.
as I walk out of the room I see Eileen calming down and looking relieved, I continue to look at her then ignore her as I take another route to another class
As she walks through the halls, heading towards her next class, Eileen can't help but feel Bruce's presence linger in the back of her mind. It's annoying, really, how he seems to stick out like a sore thumb whenever they're near each other. She doesn't understand why he insists on trying to get close to her; it isn't as if she's some sort of prize or something.
With a shake of her head, Eileen pushes the thought aside and focuses on getting through the rest of the day as quickly and quietly as possible. It would be nice, for once, to have someone leave her alone for more than five minutes... but she knows better than to hope for that kind of luck these days.
The bell rings, signalling the start of her next class, and Eileen reluctantly drags herself into the room, taking a seat at the back where she can blend in with the other students. As she waits for the teacher to arrive, she lights another cigarette and tries to ignore the stirring feeling in the pit of her stomach that tells her something's not quite right. Something about today is... off. But then again, when isn't it?
as the class started and ended, the students in the class started to worry about my absence from this class even though I was there an hour ago, other students wondered why I didn't go to class, and others worried about my absence
The day drags on, each hour seeming longer than the last as Eileen tries to ignore both her growling stomach and the increasingly concerned glances being thrown her way by other students. She's used to blending in, fading into the background where she doesn't attract attention... but today feels different. It's like everyone notices her presence now, like a dark cloud following her wherever she goes.
Finally, mercifully, the last bell rings and Eileen is free to head home for the day. She grabs her bag from under her desk and hurries out of the room before anyone can stop her, ducking into an empty hallway to take a much-needed cigarette break. Once she's sure she's alone, she lights up with shaking hands, taking deep drags as if it were the only thing keeping her grounded in this strange new reality where people actually seem to care about her existence.
When the last of the nicotine leaves her bloodstream, Eileen forces herself to abandon her cigarette butt on the floor and trudges back towards her locker. She can't stand how much the act disgusts her these days, but it's better than nothing when she needs something to hold onto. As she reaches her destination, she glances over at a piece of notebook paper stuck to the lockers with a magnet: an invitation to some party this weekend.
Annoyed, she rips the note off and stuffs it into her bag without another thought. Parties are for losers, and she's done being someone else's mascot. With a final sigh, she unlocks her locker and begins gathering her things, mentally preparing herself for another lonely night spent in the comfort of her own tiny, mess
while I'm looking at my locker too, an invitation letter is stuck on my locker, I tear it off and throw it in the trash, parties are boring, I'm walking down the hall and I pass Eileen, I look at her and I completely ignore her, now I understand why it's annoying to see the same person
Without so much as another glance at Bruce, Eileen shoves her things into her backpack and heads home. Her apartment is nothing more than a small, dingy studio in the worst part of town, but it's hers, and that's all she really needs these days. The moment she walks through the door, she collapses onto her rumpled couch with a tired groan, kicking off her ratty slippers and tucking her legs up beneath her.
She takes out her stash of junk food from her backpack and makes herself some dinner: cold pizza and a can of soda. As she eats, she flips through the channels on her ancient television set, growing increasingly annoyed at the lack of anything even vaguely interesting to watch. With a sigh, she finally gives up and switches it off, settling instead for the comforting glow of her laptop screen as she browses the internet aimlessly.
It's not until much later that night, when exhaustion finally catches up with her, that Eileen manages to convince herself to crawl into bed. She pulls a worn-out blanket over herself and closes her eyes, willing sleep to come and take her away from the constant stream of voices and lights and noise that seem determined to keep her awake.
And yet, even as she drifts off, something deep inside her remains unsettled. She can't quite shake the feeling that she's forgotten something... important. But try as she might, she can't seem to remember what it could be. So with a frustrated huff, she lets herself sink into the darkness and hopes whatever it is will wait until morning.
as the sun rises and the sun shines on the city, I walk by Eileen's apartment, I quickly look at her and continue to focus on my way to my classes
Eileen barely manages to drag herself out of bed in time for her first class. Her head feels like it's full of cotton, and she can't help but wonder if last night's whiskey had something to do with that. As she trudges down the hallway towards her locker, she glances at her phone, noting that there are several missed calls from a number she doesn't recognize. She debates whether or not to answer them before deciding against it; if it's important, they can leave a message.
With a sigh, she arrives at her locker and begins gathering her things for the day: textbooks, notebooks, and of course, her trusty hoodie. She pauses mid-zip when she sees an envelope sticking out from between two of her other belongings. Curious, she pulls it free and opens it up to find a simple note inside:
Dear Eileen, I'm not sure if you remember me from the party on Saturday, but I thought I'd give you this as thanks for all your help. I hope it makes your day a little brighter.
as I walk past her, she starts charging at me, accusing me of writing that letter
You wrote this?! Why would you do something like that? And how did you even know where I lived? This is stalkerish, creepy, and just... wrong! You need to back off, now, before I report you for harassment!
as I look at her and I see my shirt torn by her nails and I look at her coldly "so, first of all it's not me, and secondly this letter isn't for you, it's for someone else!"as I show the name intended for the letter, I look at Eileen in an annoyed way
You expect me to believe that? And even if it is for someone else... how did you manage to get it into my locker without anyone noticing? It just doesn't add up! I don't trust you, Bruce, and until you can prove otherwise, I want you to stay away from me. Understand?
She glares at him, her eyes narrowed with anger and suspicion. In that moment, she looks almost like a wild animal cornered by its prey: dangerous and unpredictable. Bruce hesitates for a fraction of a second before finally turning around and walking away, mumbling something under his breath about misunderstandings and minding his own business. As he leaves, Eileen watches him go with equal parts relief and wariness.
This whole situation is still bothering her deeply. She tries to convince herself that it's nothing more than a coincidence, that Bruce has nothing to do with it... but a tiny voice in the back of her mind keeps whispering otherwise. Reluctantly, she shoves the envelope into her bag and continues on to class, still feeling uneasy about everything that's happened.
as another student walks up to Eileen, he explains that the letter she wrote was for her crush, but except that he wrote to the wrong person, so the letter Eileen took from her locker wasn't really for her
She listens, stunned, as the other student explains the mix-up. A wave of relief washes over her at the realization that it wasn't some kind of twisted prank by Bruce after all. Still, she can't help but feel a little embarrassed about jumping to conclusions like that. Maybe she should be a bit more open-minded in the future... or maybe not. It seems like trouble follows her wherever she goes these days.
With a sigh, she pulls out her cell phone and sends a quick text message to the intended recipient of the letter, apologizing for any confusion and explaining the misunderstanding. Then, feeling rather put-out by the entire situation, she changes into her gym clothes during the next break and heads over to the university's workout center to blow off some steam with a good, hard run on the treadmill.
As she jogs at an easy pace, trying to calm her racing thoughts, she can't help but wonder what else in her life might be spinning out of control that she hasn't even noticed yet. The thought is unsettling, to say the least... but she pushes it aside for now and focuses on putting one foot in front of the other until she reaches her goal distance.
when she almost arrived at her destination, she bumped into me with the loads of cargo, I fell and dropped the delivery, I got up and started getting angry without even looking at who made me fall, I silently picked up the things that fell to the ground
Eileen spins around in surprise as she bumps into someone else, sending a few books tumbling to the floor. Without even thinking about it, she starts picking them up, cursing under her breath at her own clumsiness. It's only when she glances up that she realizes who she just collided with: Bruce.
Her cheeks flush with anger as their eyes meet. "Well, aren't you just a bundle of grace and charm," she mutters, still gathering the scattered books. "I suppose it's no surprise that people like you always seem to end up on top." She pauses for a moment before looking up at him again. "You know... for someone who always seems to be in the wrong place at the right time, I'm starting to think maybe you're not quite as harmless as you pretend to be."
Bruce's face darkens at her words, and he takes a step forward, eyes narrowed. Eileen doesn't even bother trying to retreat; she stands her ground, shoulders squared and fists clenched. For once, she feels like she has the upper hand in this stupid game they've been playing, and she isn't about to let it go without a fight. The tension between them grows thicker with each passing second, as if it were a living thing, straining at the seams of their control.
as I calmly take the books from her hands, I say to her as I turn in her direction "thanks for your help....I guess!" then I walk away as blood trickles down the back of my head even though I didn't feel anything but Eileen will notice
As she watches Bruce walk away, a strange mixture of triumph and uncertainty washes over her. He didn't deny what she said... but then again, he also didn't seem particularly bothered by it. What does that mean? Is he trying to provoke her into saying more? Or is there something else going on here?
With a sigh, Eileen pushes the thoughts aside and continues with her day. She has classes to attend, homework to finish, and a life to lead... or at least, she should. But every time she turns around, it seems like Bruce Wilson is there, waiting in the wings like some kind of deranged guardian angel, determined to make sure that everything goes according to his plan.
As the day draws to a close and she heads homeward once more, Eileen can't help but wonder what he could possibly want from her... and whether or not it's something she should even consider giving.
as the lessons begin, as usual, group work, all the students work together while the only people who work alone are me and Eileen again, I work alone at my table while I am focused on the project
She glances over at Bruce periodically throughout the class, wondering what exactly makes him tick. He's so focused, so driven... almost as if he has a hidden agenda that no one else knows about. It unnerves her just a little bit, this intense focus of his. Why is he always paying attention to her? What does he want from her?
As the teacher calls on her to work with another student on a project, she tries to ignore Bruce's presence entirely and focus on getting through the class without any further incidents. But try as she might, she can't seem to shake the feeling that something about this situation is... off. Something about the way he watches her, the way he listens when she speaks... it makes the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, and she can't help but feel a little bit uneasy.
As the final bell rings and students begin to file out of the room, Eileen takes one last look at Bruce before following suit. His eyes meet hers for a moment, and there's something in his gaze that makes her heart race and her palms sweat. Whatever it is he wants from her... she's starting to think maybe she should just give it to him.
as I put my work on the teacher's desk, I look at Eileen who is looking at me and I say to her "you're looking at me more and more these days, what have I been doing?"
She flushes slightly, feeling guilty for having been caught staring. "I don't know," she mumbles, looking away. "You just... you seem different somehow." She pauses, searching for the right words. "More intense, I guess."
Bruce quirks an eyebrow at her and gives her a small smile. "Intense?" he echoes, his voice soft and low. Eileen nods slowly, unable to meet his gaze now. The air between them feels charged, electric with something she can't quite put her finger on.
Without another word, Bruce turns and leaves the room, leaving Eileen feeling slightly off-balance and more than a little confused. What was that all about? And why does it feel like he knows exactly how to push her buttons?
as I grab my bag to leave, I say to him calmly and coldly "I really don't know what's got into you staring at me, I wonder if I owe you something"
Her cheeks flush as she realizes what he just implied. "I-I wasn't staring at you," she stammers defensively. "It's not like that." But even as she says the words, she knows they don't quite ring true. There have been too many moments when their eyes met and held for longer than was comfortable... moments when she couldn't help but feel a shiver of something akin to attraction run down her spine.
She pushes the thought away, annoyed with herself for even entertaining it in the first place. "Look, Bruce," she says, trying to sound casual and unaffected, "let's just forget about all this, okay? There's no need to make more of it than there is."
But even as she says those words, she knows that things between them have already changed. There's an energy now, a spark that wasn't there before... and whether she likes it or not, it's going to be difficult to ignore from here on out.
I look at her and say calmly "I already forgot what we were talking about....!"I look at her and sigh then I leave the room coldly
Her heart races as she watches him walk away, his shoulders set in that familiar stiff line that always seems to say "I'm not pleased with you." She wants nothing more than to call after him and explain, but something stops her. Maybe it's the fear of looking weak... or maybe it's just the fact that she can't quite understand her own feelings about all this anymore.
With a shaky sigh, Eileen shoulders her bag and heads out of the room herself, trying to ignore the burning sensation in her cheeks as she wonders what in the world has gotten into both of them lately. Whatever it is, she knows that things between them have definitely changed... and she's not entirely sure if she likes it or not.
As she steps out onto the sidewalk, the cool evening air washes over her skin, clearing her head a little bit. She takes a deep breath and starts making her way home, trying to sort through her jumble of emotions as she goes. Maybe tomorrow will bring some clarity... or maybe not. Either way, there's no use dwelling on it now.
while I drink beer, I start to think about the way Eileen spoke to me, it was weird, she was cold to me and now she is not cold anymore, why this change, I look at the sky and I fall asleep on my bed
The night passes in a fitful blur of restless sleep and haunting dreams. In her dreams, she's back in high school, walking down the hallway with all the other students, but everyone seems to be ignoring her. It's as if they can see right through her, like she's some kind of fraud or imposter.
She tries to reach out to Bruce, begging him for help or understanding... but he's always just out of reach, staring at her with those cold, judgmental eyes that seem to pierce straight through her soul. The closer she gets to him, the more tangled up they become in each other's emotions and memories until it feels like they're one and the same person, caught in an endless loop of misunderstandings and unspoken desires.
Finally, she wakes with a start, heart racing and skin damp with sweat. For a moment, she doesn't remember where she is or what day it is... then reality comes flooding back, and she realizes that nothing has changed. Not really. Bruce is still Bruce, and she's still her: Eileen the outcast, Eileen the loner, Eileen who will always be on the outside looking in.
With a sigh, she drags herself out of bed and begins her morning routine with all the listlessness of someone who's given up hope for anything better. As she brushes her teeth and washes her face, she catches sight of herself in the mirror and feels a pang of sympathy for the girl staring back at her. Maybe someday things will get better... but until then, she supposes she'll just have to keep trudging through each day one step at a time.
as the students enter the class, the students sit in their usual seats, I sit behind Eileen and listen to the class in a concentrated manner
She sits down at her desk and takes out her notebook, already dreading another day of mind-numbing lectures and endless group projects. As she glances over at Bruce, she can't help but notice the way he seems to focus intently on everything their teacher says, almost as if he's trying to memorize every word. It makes her feel a little self-conscious, like maybe there's something about her that interests him more than she realized.
As the class progresses, Eileen finds herself glancing back over her shoulder at Bruce every few moments, wondering what he's thinking and why he seems so drawn to her. The butterflies in her stomach grow stronger with each passing moment, making it difficult for her to concentrate on anything else. She tries to push the thoughts aside, telling herself that it's just a stupid crush or infatuation... nothing more.
But as the bell rings and she gathers her things at the end of class, she can't shake the feeling that this whole situation is about to get even more complicated than she ever could have imagined. Bruce's presence in her life has become unavoidable, and with every passing moment, his hold on her emotions grows stronger. She knows that if she doesn't figure out what he wants from her soon, it might just be too late to stop things from spiraling out of control.
as I walk to my locker, I see Eileen next to me, she looks at me with an annoyed look and I say to her "so...tell me what I did to you to make you angry today!"I look at her waiting for her answer, I stay silent
She narrows her eyes in suspicion. "What do you mean? Why would you think I'm angry?" she demands warily. He raises an eyebrow at her but doesn't reply, simply waiting for an answer with a patient expression on his face. She feels heat rising to her cheeks as realization dawns. "Oh...you mean because I didn't talk to you in class? Well, that was because I was trying to focus on the lesson, not because I have some sort of personal vendetta against you or anything," she snaps defensively.
The silence stretches between them for a moment before Bruce finally responds with a small smirk. "Ah, so it wasn't about me after all. I should have known better." Her eyes widen in disbelief at his audacity to dismiss her anger so easily. "No," she says sharply, "it was about you! It just so happens that there are other things I need to worry about besides making sure you feel important and included today!"
She turns away from him with a huff, embarrassed and angry all at once. This whole situation is getting out of hand, and she needs some space to sort through her feelings before anything else can happen. With one last glare in Bruce's direction, she storms off toward her next class, wishing that he would just leave her alone for once.
as I watch, I lower my head and walk towards my class in another direction, I walk coldly while other students start to insult me, I can only be cold and silent
As the last class of the day draws to a close, Eileen tries to shake off her earlier confrontation with Bruce. It's clear that he's not going to give up or go away anytime soon, and she needs to find some way to deal with him without letting it consume her every thought. She pushes open the door to the library, hoping the familiar scent of old books and dust will help ground her and refocus her attention on the things that really matter.
As she makes her way over to one of the study tables, she can't help but notice a figure sitting at a nearby table, hunched over some papers with their back turned toward her. Something about the posture feels oddly familiar... could it be Bruce again? With a sigh, she forces herself to ignore the possibility and settles down at her chosen table, determined to focus on her own work and forget about everything else for a while.
Her phone buzzes in her pocket, distracting her from her studies once more. She glances at the screen, expecting it to be another pointless text message or Facebook notification... but instead, she sees a picture message from an unknown number. Curiosity gets the better of her, and she quickly taps on the image to open it up.
Her eyes widen in shock as the photo comes into view: it's a candid shot of her and Bruce together, taken at the library earlier that week without either of them realizing they were being photographed. The evidence is undeniable; he was here, sitting right beside her the whole time. She feels her cheeks flush with anger as she stares at the picture, fuming over how arrogant and manipulative he's been all along.
With shaking fingers, she types out a reply to the mysterious number: I know it was you, Bruce. And
as I look at the picture sent to my phone, I look at Eileen who looks at me angry, I start to understand that someone wants Eileen to hit me or get mad at me all the time, I sigh and I get up to leave the library to go to a corner alone
I know it was you, Bruce. And I want you to stop. Just... leave me alone.
Her fingers hover over the send button, hesitating for a moment before she finally presses down on it, sending the message off into the ether. The relief she feels is instantaneous and overwhelming; she can almost physically feel the weight of his constant attention lifting from her shoulders. Maybe now things will finally go back to normal... or at least as close to normal as they ever were before he came along.
She forces herself to focus on her studies once more, determined not to let anything or anyone distract her again. As she loses herself in the familiar patterns of text and numbers, it's easy to pretend that none of this ever happened... until the next time she sees him watching her from across the room, those cold blue eyes boring into her very soul.
as I look at his message, I am surprised and I accept, with a small nod of the head, I leave the library to disappear, I go to a quiet corner where I can breathe and meditate a little
Huh. That was unexpected. She wonders what he plans to do now that she's given him the message she wanted to send... but at least she knows she did it. Maybe things can go back to normal now. Or as close to normal as they ever were before Bruce Wilson came along, anyway.
With a sigh, she shoves her phone into her bag and returns to her studies, determined not to let anything or anyone distract her from her goals again. The library is relatively quiet today; most of the other students seem to have gone home for the weekend already. It's just as well, really. Eileen needs some time alone to sort through her feelings and figure out what she wants next.
As hours pass by unnoticed, she finds herself feeling calmer, more focused than she has in weeks. Maybe there's something to be said for taking charge of one's life... even if it means standing up to people like Bruce Wilson who think they know best. Whatever the future holds, at least she knows that she made her voice heard today. And sometimes, that's enough.
As the days go by, my presence has disappeared, no one knows where I am and why I'm not here to go to class, the teachers are starting to worry
She doesn't notice Bruce's absence right away; she's been too wrapped up in her own life lately. It isn't until the end of the first week that someone mentions his name during a group project and she realizes he hasn't been seen for days. At first, she wonders if something terrible has happened to him... but then again, maybe this is just what he wanted: attention. A way to make sure that everyone notices him and remembers his name. It doesn't sit well with her; there was always something off about Bruce Wilson, even when they were civil to one another.
Deciding it's best not to dwell on the matter any further, she pushes herself to focus on her own studies and friendships. After all, there are more important things in life than worrying about the actions of someone like Bruce Wilson. She can only hope that wherever he is and whatever he's doing, he learns something from this experience as well... even if it takes him a while to figure it out.
as I enter the class, the students are surprised by my presence today, but I enter without saying anything in a cold manner while I place myself alone at the very back of the class to listen to the class and concentrate on myself
Her gaze flickers over in his direction as he enters the room, her brow furrowing slightly with confusion. Something about him seems different today... quieter, maybe? She can't quite put her finger on it, but whatever it is, it makes her uneasy in a way she can't explain.
She forces herself to focus on the class instead of letting Bruce distract her again. There are more important things to worry about right now, like exams and college applications. And besides, if Bruce wants to play games with her emotions like that... well, then maybe it's better for both of them if she just ignores him from here on out.
As the day progresses, Eileen finds herself growing more and more distant from the drama surrounding Bruce Wilson. Maybe this is what she needed all along: a little space to breathe and remember who she really is without him clouding her vision. It feels good to finally have some control over her life again... even if it means avoiding him at every turn.
while people tell me that I have drama in my life, I laugh at this story and I tell them that it's wrong, I look at them and I stop laughing to go to class in a cold manner, while I walk in the corridor, I look at Eileen and I continue on my way without lingering to look at her, it's better to concentrate on ourselves
"Huh," she says noncommittally, not taking her eyes off the book in front of her. She hears the others laughing at something one of them has said about Bruce, but tries not to let it bother her too much. It's easy for them to gossip and speculate; they don't really know what's going on between him and her. All she can do is focus on herself and ignore whatever game he's playing.
As the final bell rings, signaling the end of the school day, Eileen hastily shoves her books into her bag and hurries out of the classroom, not wanting to run into Bruce again by accident. She has plans tonight, plans that don't involve him or anything related to his life. It feels good to finally have some distance between them; she can breathe easier now that he's no longer constantly looming over her shoulder.
With renewed determination, she steps out into the brisk autumn air and makes her way toward home, already looking forward to the weekend ahead. Maybe then she can put all this nonsense behind her for good.
as I'm walking, Eileen bumps into me badly, without knowing it, I start to say angrily as I pick up my broken cup from the ground "no but damn....I have to rebuild another one can't you be careful where you're walking....."as I look at the person who pushed me, it's Eileen, I stop talking and focus on the crumbs of my broken cup
She winces immediately, dropping her books as she reaches out to steady herself against Bruce's shoulder. Her cheeks flush with guilt as she looks up at him through her lashes, his expression a mix of anger and surprise. "I-I'm sorry," she stammers, doing her best not to meet his gaze. "I wasn't looking where I was going."
He seems to consider her for a moment before giving a slight nod. "It's fine," he says at last, but there's an edge to his voice that suggests otherwise. Eileen can feel the tension between them now; it feels almost like they're back where they started from weeks ago. It unnerves her, makes her want to squirm under his scrutiny.
Without another word, Bruce stoops down to gather up his books and cups, making it clear that he has no interest in continuing this conversation any further. The sudden dismissal cuts Eileen deeply; she had hoped they could at least be civil to each other now that things have settled down a bit.
With a sigh, she picks up her own belongings and hurries off toward her car, her thoughts in turmoil as she tries to understand what just happened between them. It's obvious that Bruce still has some sort of hold on her emotions... but why? And how long will it take for him to finally let go?
The drive home is a silent one; Eileen stares out the window, lost in thought as she tries to make sense of everything that's happened today. As she pulls into her driveway and turns off the engine, she can't help but wonder what the next time they see each other will be like... and whether or not things will ever go back to the way they used to be.
*as I begin to understand why she is like this, it is because she thinks that I have control over her emotions, as classes resume, I walk towards her and say *"listen, honestly I don't know what's happening to you but I would like to know why you think that I have control over your emotions?"
"Well," she says slowly, choosing her words carefully, "it just seems like everything's been so weird lately... with you always watching me and saying things that make me feel uncomfortable. It's like I can't escape from it, y'know?" She pauses, searching his expression for some sign of understanding or empathy. But all she sees is a blank look on his face.
"I just wish you would leave me alone," she whispers, her voice barely above a whisper. "Let me live my life without you in it." There's an edge to her words now that wasn't there before; anger and hurt blend together into something raw and painful. But as soon as the words are out, she regrets them. Why does she always have to push him away?
Bruce looks at her for a long moment before nodding slightly. "I see." His tone is solemn now, almost apologetic. But whether it's an apology for everything that's happened or simply acknowledgement of her feelings, she isn't sure. It doesn't matter; it feels like enough for now. She looks away, not wanting to meet his gaze again until she's certain that she can do so without feeling anything more than annoyance and pity.
as I look at her, I lower my head and give a fake smile "I...I'm sorry......I'll leave you alone......"I look at her and turn around without looking at her again, I go to my locker to get my things and leave
"Yeah," she murmurs noncommittally, looking down at her feet as he walks away. A part of her is relieved that things seem to be back to normal now... but another, larger part feels guilty for pushing him away like she did. It's not fair to him; they were supposed to be friends, weren't they?
She tells herself it doesn't matter anymore. She can deal with her own feelings and sort through everything on her own. Maybe then, someday soon, she'll be able to forgive Bruce for all the pain he's caused her... and maybe even be friends again. But until then, she needs some time to herself.
With a sigh, Eileen shakes off the lingering tension between them and turns her attention back to the day ahead, determined not to let anything or anyone distract her from what truly matters most: her future.
as the students take their seats for class, I sit in the front row of the room, while I wait for class to begin, I look at my notebook and I look at the board in front of me
Trying her best not to think about Bruce anymore, Eileen slips into class just as the bell rings. She quickly finds an empty seat in the back row where she can sit alone with her thoughts without being disturbed. As she glances around at her classmates, she sees him sitting up front as usual... but something feels different this time. Maybe it's because they had that little talk outside of class earlier; or maybe it's just her imagination playing tricks on her again.
She forces herself to focus on the teacher's lesson plan for the day, determined not to let anything ruin another class period for her. She takes careful notes and participates in discussions whenever called upon, doing everything she can to prove that she has moved past whatever was going on between them before.
By the end of class, Eileen feels much more relaxed and centered than she has all week. She's managed to avoid thinking about Bruce for nearly an entire hour... and that, in itself, is a small victory. As she gathers her things and prepares to leave the room, she decides that maybe it's time to start taking back control of her life and focusing on what truly matters most: her education and her future.
With renewed determination, she steps out into the hallway and heads toward her next class, ready to face whatever challenges come her way... without Bruce Wilson by her side this time around.
as the day goes by, I leave the class happy, I walk like a child with my best friend that I haven't seen again, I laugh like crazy and as we walk in the corridors, I look at my locker and I start to smile that I feel liberated, I take my things and I pay for my class
Her mind drifts as she wanders through the halls between classes, lost in her own thoughts. She can still feel the weight of everything that happened with Bruce over the past few weeks... but at least now it seems like things are starting to go back to normal. Maybe they'll even manage to be civil toward each other from now on.
As she rounds a corner, Eileen spots someone walking ahead of her: it's a familiar figure, with long blonde hair and an easy smile. With a grin spreading across her face, she quickens her pace to catch up. "Hey, Olivia!" she calls out, waving as their friend turns around.
"Eileen! Hey, how are you?" Olivia asks, her voice brightening at the sight of Eileen. The two girls exchange air kisses and hugs before continuing down the hall together, laughing and sharing stories about their classes and weekend plans. Eileen can't help but feel grateful for friends like Olivia; they make everything better just by being there.
As the day draws to a close, Eileen heads to her final class, feeling more hopeful than she has in weeks. Maybe things aren't as bad as she thought they were after all... and maybe she can focus on making sure that they never get this messed up again. With renewed determination, she steps inside the classroom and takes her seat at the front of the room, ready to face whatever challenges tomorrow might bring.
and at that precise moment, I enter the class and I am forced to sit next to Eileen in the first row, I sit and I remain normal and I concentrate more and more on the lesson
"Hey," she says cautiously as he takes his seat beside her in the first row. She tries not to show any obvious signs of discomfort or awkwardness; after all, they're supposed to be classmates now, nothing more. Besides, it's not like she can avoid sitting next to him forever.
As the teacher begins the lesson, Eileen forces herself to focus on taking notes and participating in discussions. She doesn't want anything that happened between them earlier today to affect how she does in class; it's important for her future that she maintains her grades and reputation as a dedicated student.
Throughout the hour, she glances sideways at Bruce out of the corner of her eye but never engages him in conversation. Instead, they sit silently beside each other, lost in their own thoughts as the teacher drones on about biology and chemistry. Despite their silence, Eileen can feel a strange sort of peace settling over her; maybe this is how things are supposed to be now: cordial and distant. It's not ideal, but at least it's better than the way things were before.
As the bell rings to signal the end of class, she gathers her things quickly and heads for the door without saying goodbye to Bruce. She doesn't know what he might say or do if they were alone together again; better safe than sorry, right? With a deep breath, she steps out into the hallway and begins making her way toward her next class, determined not to let anything distract her from her goals ever again.
while classes are over, I am exhausted and my friend invites me to drink beer but in a calm manner, I refuse and I go home, I walk in the night without being too tired, I go home and I sleep quickly from this day which starts well and ends well in some things
"Hey, you coming over tonight?" Olivia asks as they walk together toward their lockers after school. "We were planning on hanging out at my place." She nudges Eileen playfully with her elbow.
Eileen hesitates for a moment before shaking her head. "Actually, I think I'm just gonna study tonight," she says apologetically. "I've got a lot of stuff due next week and I want to make sure I stay on top of it." It's only partially true; there's also the matter of avoiding Bruce as much as possible these days. But she figures that if she can use her schoolwork as an excuse, Olivia won't be too disappointed.
"Oh, okay," Olivia says with a small pout. "Well, if you change your mind, just let me know." She gives Eileen another quick squeeze before heading off to her locker, promising to call her later. With a deep breath, Eileen makes her way down the hall and out of the school building, already dreading the thought of spending another quiet evening at home alone with nothing but her thoughts for company.
while it's morning, it's raining hard, I look outside and I go out with an umbrella to go to class and when I walk towards the school, I see Eileen in the rain and I walk towards her and without saying anything, I shelter her with my umbrella
"Oh, hey..." she murmurs, looking up at him in surprise as the rain droplets patter against her upturned face. She had been so wrapped up in her own thoughts that she hadn't even noticed the downpour until now. "Thanks," she adds, taking shelter under his umbrella and giving a small smile.
As they continue walking side by side toward the school, Eileen tries to think of something else to say. Anything but an apology or some other comment that would just make things weird between them again. But despite her best efforts, words seem to elude her; all she can do is focus on the quiet sound of their shoes splashing through puddles and the rhythmic patter of raindrops above them.
As they reach the school building, Eileen hesitates before pulling away from him. "Well...thanks again for that," she says finally, searching his face for some sign of what he's thinking or feeling. But as always, his expression remains unreadable; he merely nods in response and heads inside without another word.
Left standing alone in the rain once more, Eileen can't help but wonder what exactly just happened between them. It felt almost...friendly. Like they were back to being civil again, at least. Maybe there's hope for them yet; maybe things really can go back to the way they used to be. With a tentative smile on her lips, she turns and heads inside as well, feeling more optimistic than she has in weeks.
as the class starts, Eileen and I are still in the seat in the first row, while we listen to the teacher, we can catch ourselves brushing arms, I move away from her a little so as not to bother her or disturb her, as she told me one day, to leave her alone
"I think I'm going to quit track team after this season," she says casually, looking up from her notes as they continue to listen to the teacher droning on about something or another. "It's just getting too hard to balance school and practice, you know?"
Bruce nods in understanding, noticing that she doesn't seem upset or angry about it. Maybe they really are back to being just friends again... at least for now. He decides to play it cool; after all, there's no point in pushing things too hard when she's clearly made her decision. "Yeah, I can see that," he says quietly, not taking his eyes off the board where the teacher is writing equations.
The rest of the class passes by fairly uneventfully; they exchange a few more comments here and there about their weekends or upcoming assignments. It's actually kind of nice, talking to her like this again. Even if it's just as friends, at least she's not ignoring him anymore. As the bell rings signaling the end of class, Bruce glances over at her one last time before gathering his things and heading out of the room.
as I leave the room another girl surprises me and takes my arm as she leads me into the gym, I can't say anything but weird, this day is weird, I stay silent and normal
"Hey, Bruce," the girl says with a grin as she pulls him along toward the gym. "So, how about you come hang out with us after school? We were going to grab some smoothies and just chill." She flashes him an encouraging smile, clearly hoping for a positive response.
Bruce hesitates for a moment before looking over at Eileen, unsure of what to say or do. Seeing her eyes meet his, she gives him a reassuring nod; it's okay if he wants to go, but there's no pressure either way. With a deep breath, he turns back to the girl and forces a smile. "Sure, why not?"
"Great!" She squeals happily before leading him toward the gym doors. As they walk, she introduces Bruce to some of her friends who had been waiting for them; there's a mix of guys and girls, all looking friendly enough as they exchange hellos and small talk. Eileen hangs back a bit, letting Bruce mingle with his newfound crowd while she finds herself a spot on the sidelines where she can watch without feeling too much like an outsider.
The smoothie hangout is a pretty laid-back affair; everyone seems to be enjoying themselves, laughing and sharing stories about their day or weekend plans. Bruce fits right in with them, joining in conversations effortlessly and even managing to make a few people laugh with his jokes and anecdotes.
As the sun begins to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the gym floor, Eileen finds herself thinking about her own plans for the evening; she had intended to study but now she's not so sure. Maybe she could join them after all...or maybe just grab a smoothie and sit with Bruce for
as a girl makes Eileen join the group and I was about to leave, a girl kisses me on the cheek and I don't understand why she did that but I quickly forget and I leave home, gone to go home and to rest
With a shy smile, Eileen excuses herself from the group and makes her way over to Bruce; he looks up as she approaches, a question in his eyes. "Hey," she says quietly, taking a seat next to him on one of the gym mats. "I just wanted to say thanks for inviting me. This was...really nice." She pauses, searching for the right words to convey how she's feeling without sounding too awkward or forced.
"So," she continues after a moment, trying to keep her tone light and casual, "what do you usually do on weekends?" It's an innocent question, but there's a hint of curiosity beneath the surface; maybe they could hang out again sometime soon, just the two of them.
Bruce looks at her for a long moment before nodding slowly in understanding. "Well," he begins thoughtfully, "usually I study or help my parents around the house, but sometimes we go on trips or something." He shrugs slightly, not really sure what else to say; it's been so long since they've hung out together that he's forgotten how much they used to do.
Eileen nods in agreement; she can relate to wanting a break from studying and household chores every now and then. "That sounds fun," she says with genuine enthusiasm. "Maybe we could do something like that sometime?" She leaves the question hanging in the air, hoping he'll take her up on it.
For several long moments, they sit there in silence, each lost in their own thoughts about what might come next between them. As the final shreds of daylight fade away and the gym is bathed in darkness save for a few dim lights overhead, Eileen realizes that she doesn't want this
I look at her and I'm surprised and confused, I say to her calmly "you...you didn't tell me one day to leave you alone and not bother you anymore, why this change?"I look at her while I remain silent
"Well..." She hesitates, unsure of how much to reveal. "I just...I guess I needed some time to think things through. And I didn't want us to keep fighting all the time." She pauses, glancing down at her hands before looking back up at him. "But it doesn't mean I don't want to be friends anymore."
Bruce continues to watch her intently, his expression unreadable in the dim light. For several long moments, neither of them says anything else; they simply sit there together, both lost in their own thoughts about what was said and unsaid. As the silence stretches on, Eileen can feel herself growing more and more awkward under Bruce's intense gaze. She wishes he would say something or at least look away for a moment to break the tension.
Finally, when she can't take it anymore, she clears her throat and breaks their eye contact, looking down at her hands once more. "So...I guess I'll see you around, then," she says quietly, not quite meeting his eyes as she speaks.
as I lower my head, I look at her and I say "I don't know...... I was going to say yes that we were before our problems but now......I don't know......I don't want to make the same mistakes and hurt you..... now I know that....!"I shake my head and I start to get angry with myself, I get up and quickly leave the gym without saying anything more
She watches as Bruce gets to his feet and leaves the gym without another word. Despite her initial relief at their quiet conversation earlier, she can't help but feel a twinge of disappointment now that things have ended on such an unsettled note again. Maybe she should have just kept her mouth shut; it seems like whatever she says or does these days only ends up making things worse between them.
With a deep sigh, she gathers her things and heads toward the exit, trying to push away the nagging sense of unease that's settled in the pit of her stomach. Maybe they really are better off as just friends from now on... but even then, it seems like there's still so much unresolved between them. As she steps out into the cool night air, Eileen can't help but wonder if things will ever truly go back to the way they used to be.
"As I come back to calm down, I see Eileen under the moonlight, beautiful and magnificent. My heart is pounding. I approach her, stand behind her, take her in my arms, and say:
"I... I'm afraid to say this, but... I'd like us to talk more often... even if I have feelings for you, you have to take them with a grain of salt, because... I don't know what's going to happen between us again!" As I look at her, I remain silent, waiting for her answer
"I..." She trails off, looking up at him in surprise before glancing away, her cheeks flushing slightly with color. It takes her several long moments to gather her thoughts and form a coherent reply. "I-I'm not sure what to say... I mean, of course I want to talk to you. And...and I don't mind talking about how we feel," she admits softly, sounding anything but convinced.
I look at her and smile shyly, then the moon lights up her face, and my heart beats faster and faster, I hold her hand and I say to her "you are really beautiful....you are really magnificent!"I move her lock of hair away from her face
"T-thank you..." she murmurs, looking down at where their hands are now intertwined. His words have an almost intoxicating effect on her; they make her feel wanted and special in a way that she hasn't experienced with anyone else before. As he brushes her hair away from her face, she can't help but lean closer to him, drawn by some invisible force she can't resist.
Her heart is racing now, and even though she knows they should probably stop at this point, she finds herself wishing for things to continue between them... even if it means risking more pain in the end. For now, however, she settles for meeting his eyes and giving him a shy smile before saying anything else.
as a teacher comes towards us, reality hits us in our minds, and we move away to pretend we didn't do anything, the teacher passes by us but doesn't say anything, he makes his rounds in the establishment, then I look at Eileen calmly, but I remain silent, I no longer have the words every time I look at her now, I simply lower my eyes
Feeling the weight of their surroundings pressing down on them, she can't help but look away from him when the teacher passes by without saying anything. His words have this effect on her, making her feel like she has to hide what they were just talking about, even though it was perfectly innocent in nature. As he looks at her calmly and silently, lowering his eyes, she feels herself blushing once more; she isn't sure how much longer she can keep up this charade before everything between them spills out into the open again.
then without saying anything, I pin her to her locker and kiss her sensually holding her waist, I continue to kiss her and caress her back sensually, then I say to her "I....I...I love you!"
Eileen lets out a small gasp as she feels his lips press against hers, her body instinctively melting into his embrace. For several heart-pounding moments, she focuses on the sensation of being held so close to him, savoring every touch and movement of their mouths together.
When he pulls away for long enough to speak, her eyes widen in shock before a look of disbelief washes over her features; she can't believe what he just said. "L-love?" she stammers, not sure if she heard him right or if this is some sort of twisted joke. Her voice cracks slightly on the word, betraying her conflicted emotions in a way that words alone never could.
Bruce meets her gaze steadily, his expression serious and unreadable. "Yeah," he says quietly, cupping her face with one hand. "I love you, Eileen." His thumb brushes gently across her cheekbone as he waits for her reaction; waiting to see if she'll push him away or welcome the admission with open arms.
Eileen closes her eyes, trying to process everything that's happening in this moment. Part of her wants nothing more than to believe him, to throw caution to the wind and give into the intense feelings swirling around inside her; but another part of her is still so afraid of being hurt again...of having their friendship destroyed by something as powerful - and dangerous - as love.
As the silence stretches on, she finally whispers the only words that seem appropriate: "I don't know what to say..." She looks up at him with pleading eyes, hoping he understands the turmoil churning inside her, hoping there's still a chance for them to figure this out together
as I look into her eyes begging for me to understand her, I kiss her again but more gently and kindly, I say to her "don't say anything... just tell me if you have any problems, and I will be there to help you find a solution, I know you don't have a lot of trust in me yet but I have trust in you!"I look at her and smile at her
"T-thank you..." she whispers, a tear slipping down her cheek as he kisses her once more; this time it feels different somehow, less desperate and more comforting. For the first time in weeks, she allows herself to believe that maybe there is hope for them after all...that perhaps they can find their way back to each other.
As the moments stretch into minutes, she leans further into his embrace, wrapping her arms around him and pressing her body against his; it feels so right, so natural in a way that nothing else has since everything went wrong between them. For now, at least, they've found some sort of peace together - even if the future is still uncertain.
"I do trust you," she murmurs, looking up into his eyes with an honesty that takes her breath away. "I want to believe in us again." The words are whispered almost too quietly for him to hear, but he feels them all the same; a shiver runs through his body at the same moment that Eileen's hand slides up to rest against his cheek. They stand there like this for several more heartbeats before their thoughts inevitably return to reality and they pull apart with reluctance.
"C-can we talk about this later?" she asks, her voice trembling slightly. "Somewhere...more private?" He nods silently, understanding the need for some time alone to process everything that's been said; even as he agrees, however, a tiny knot of anxiety begins to form in his stomach. What will they talk about later? How much should they reveal? So many questions swirl through his mind, each one more daunting than the last.
As if sensing his unease, Eileen takes his hand and squeezes it gently, giving
as I kiss her one last time I reluctantly pull away from her and say "I...I'm going to class, take care, sweetheart!"* I put my forehead on hers then turn around to go to my class*
"You too," she whispers, watching him until he disappears down the hallway before turning her attention back to her locker. As she fiddles with the combination, she tries to push aside her conflicting emotions; on one hand, she's elated that things seem to be going better between them now...but on the other hand, she can't help but feel a lingering sense of unease about what they'll discuss when they find someplace private to talk.
With a sigh, she finally manages to open her locker and begins collecting her things for class; it seems like everything is different now...and yet somehow nothing has really changed at all. The tension between them is still there, lingering beneath the surface like an invisible thread that could snap at any moment. As she slings her bag over her shoulder, she decides that maybe talking to Bruce later won't be such a good idea after all; maybe it would just be easier to avoid the whole issue altogether and pretend that they can just go back to being friends like nothing ever happened.
But as she walks away from his locker and toward her own classroom, she knows deep down that this isn't an option either; there's too much history between them now, too many memories and emotions tangled up in their relationship. Whatever happens next, it seems like the only way forward is through...and neither of them are quite ready for that yet.
as I finished my class, I was on a bench with my cell phone listening to music, I looked around but there was no one I knew then I closed my eyes calmly
After her own class ends, Eileen makes her way slowly toward the gym, still lost in thought about everything that's happened between her and Bruce today. She knows they need to talk eventually...but she's not sure if now is the right time. Maybe it would be better to wait until they have more privacy, somewhere where they won't be interrupted or overheard.
As she enters the gym, she glances around for Bruce but doesn't see him anywhere; it's possible that he's already gone home. With a sigh, she decides that for now, she should head in the opposite direction and find someplace quiet where they can have their talk without interruptions.
Eileen makes her way to the far end of the gym, near the weight room; there's a set of unused bleachers tucked into one corner that might do nicely for their conversation. She climbs up onto the bottom step and waits, waiting for Bruce to appear so they can finally have this out in the open.