C2 Six years ago

"You can't sit with me" she protested. I gave no reply just sinking next to her. I'd been watching her. She doesn't go to the cafeteria, she's always on her own, sitting by the tree staring at the fence blankly.

She looked like eleven, she'd probably be eleven.

She was uncomfortable, I made her uncomfortable. Instead of leaving, like every good boy will. I was selfish enough to scoot closer to her.

She had green eyes, but it was always shielded by her glasses. It seemed like she was hiding from life.

"What's your name?" I asked her staring at her face, too directly and she flinched moving away from me.

The urge to protect someone had never been stronger, I wanted to gather her in my arms and soothe her.

Funny, coming from me. I was what she should run from.

I decided to do the speaking for both us.

"I'm Reggie, I think I'm a year ahead of you — I don't bite yunno" i said picking pebbles and throwing them at the fence.

I could feel her gaze on me but decided not to pay attention.

"I have no friends" i laughed humorlessly "— the people around me wants something from me, it's not easy being the heir of a billion dollar fortune..

They all fucking need something" I laughed again.

"You're using a bad word" was her timid reply. Yeah, she was scolding me. Why in hell does that feel good?

I glanced at her, she was pretty. Not Bianca kind of suffocating pretty, but a nice change for a start.

"Thank you" i said, i didn't miss the surprise that crossed her face for a second. I rarely said 'thank you', seems like my reputation had preceded me... Again.

"Charlotte" she muttered. Her name. That was her name but i pretended not to understand.

"Hmm? " I asked still throwing the pebbles but my eyes were on her face that I didn't miss when she rolled her eyes.

It was... Cute.

"My name, dumbhead" she said, her eyes widened before she clasped a hand over her mouth.

My lips twitched and i chuckled.

Dumb head? I'd always been told, I was a smart kid and she called me a dumbhead.. Ha

She stood up, grabbing her bag.

"Sorry, I'm sorry" she apologized, before i had a chance to say anything else.. She was gone.

I watched her go, why do I like her so much?