leftovers on the table, strangers on the tv.

James stood outside the school waiting to see the girl he had seen earlier. She was obviously younger than him. He debated grabbing one of his cigarettes to smoke, but didn't want to get in trouble. Didn't want to miss her. He's been waiting awhile. She could have left already. He hoped not.

“I wish you'd ask for help sooner, Camille. You always do this.” A teacher said as she opened the big metal doors that led them outside. It was grey, gloomy and muddy out.

“I know, Mrs.Greene. I'm sorry. I really am. I just thought I could figure it out.”

“There's no shame in asking for help. In fact, I would argue asking for help makes you seem cooler actually. Because you know suffering in silence helps no one.” Mrs.Greene said, trying to be helpful. James rolled his eyes. Why are teachers always so cheesy?

“Alright. Shoot! I forgot my… my… my- uh- paper spiral in class.” Camille looked flustered.

“Paper spiral? Oh! You forgot your notebook! Okay! I'll put it on my desk and give it to you tomorrow! Have a good day, Camille!”

“You too!” Camille waved to the teacher and started walking in the direction of where James was standing. His heart was pounding so hard in his chest he could hardly stand it. She was even prettier up close. She had her hair tied into a high loose ponytail. It really showed off her round face and that drove him nuts.

“Hey, Camille.” James choked out. He hoped she wouldn't notice how nervous he was.

“Hi… Do I know you?”

“Not yet. Uh, I heard that teacher say your name. I'm James. But I like it when girls call me Jamie.” He said holding his hand out.

“Okay. Hi… Jamie. Nice to meet you. I don't really have any nicknames. My brother calls me ‘sister’ in Spanish.” Camille said quietly. She wasn't looking James in the eye. Normally that would bother the hell out of him but for some reason it wasn't.

“That's alright. How old are you Camille?”

“Thirteen… You?” He noticed that she stopped walking. Did she not want him following her? For some reason that pissed him off.

“Fifteen. Are you going to head home or?”

“I'm in middle school…”

“Technically we're all in one school.”

“Yeah… But still…”

“What? Don't like older guys?” He was being more genuine than he cared to admit. He wanted her, so he was going to have her. She blushed at his question.

“I mean, I do. They just don't like me…”

“Hm. Never had a boyfriend then?”

“Nah. Ever have a girlfriend?”

“Lots. Usually at the same time. But I've never seriously dated anyone. I mostly care about fucking, but I mean, at this age, who doesn't?” He snickered. Her eyes got big and she shook her head quickly.

“You've had sex?!” She looked terrified.

“Woah, geez Camille! You can't just ask someone that, what are you, stupid? Anyways, I'm walking you home.” He said firmly.

“Hey! Don't call me stupid! I'm not stupid! And no! You can't walk me home, Jamie! Not after being mean to me…” Camille sounded like she could cry.

“Look, I'm sorry alright. It's how I am. Now let's go. I don't want you to get in trouble.” James gestured for her to start walking. She sighed and nodded, starting to head in the direction of her home.

“I wouldn't get in trouble. My parents aren't home.” She shrugged.

“Are they at work?”

“Nah, they don't got any uh… uh- ya know, you go there to make money? That place.”

“Jobs?”

“Yes! They don't got any jobs.”

“How the hell do they take care of you then? My bitch of a mom at least gets another job once she loses one because she's too busy letting some loser blow her back out to go to work.” He grumbled.

“Jeez. Don't like your mom?”

“No. Not a bit. You like your parents?”

“Not really. If I'm being honest…” Camille admitted quietly.

“Hey there's nothing wrong with that.I don't think we have to like our parents, ya know?”

“I don't think they like me much either. I was an accident and they never let me forget that.”

“I'm sorry, Camille. That fucking sucks. My mom worships the ground I walk on. It's because I'm a guy. If you're a guy she thinks you're better than sliced bread.” He groaned.

“I'm sure that isn't fun.”

“Nope. Especially for my sister, Janice.” Camille smiled a little but he couldn't see it all too well. “What?” He asked, sounding amused.

“James. Janice. Both of you have ‘J’ names. That's cute. Does your mom have a ‘J’ name too?”

“Nah. Her name is Cheryl.”

“Oh?”

“I genuinely think it was a coincidence.”

“Does your mom not like your sister then?”

“She kinda does. Like that's her daughter and all but she's too busy trying to groom her into being a good wife. Janice hates it. Says she's never gonna get married because of it. I just think she doesn't wanna marry a man.” James snickered.

“Your sister's gay?”

“Beats me. We're not really close like that. I protect her from the creeps mom brings home and we hang out sometimes but honestly, my best friend Devon is more like a brother to me than Janice is a sister. Oh and before you ask, I don't care if she's a dyke. I'll love her all the same. Probably be good for her anyways.” He said with a shrug.

Camille was quiet for a couple seconds.

“You're not supposed to say that, Jamie. That's a bad word.”