Build Me Up

I watched as Kenny walked onto the bus after the other boys.

My eyes followed him until he stopped next to me. I smiled up at him, scooting over so he could sit down.

I was listening to my music as always, but took out an earbud and gave it to Kenny so he could listen.

He smiled brightly at me, accepting the earbud, and plugged it in his ear. This Town by Niall Horan started playing and it made me think of what I wasn't saying to him. By the time I heard 'yesterday', I leaned into his side. My head hit his shoulder and my eyes fluttered closed. I felt so tired, so emotionally and physically tired, I didn't feel real. I could feel his eyes on me, probably confused.

Then, I felt his body lean into mine slightly, making me relax. When the bus pulled into the school, I opened my eyes and moved my head away, looking towards Kenny.

He pouted at me but stood up to get off of the bus. I followed him and into the school. Walking by my side, he nudged me.

"Heard there was a dance this weekend. It's Halloween-themed too. Are you going?"

My eyes wandered to his, my nose scrunching up a little. Was I going to that dance? Like hell I was, I would so get grounded.

"I don't think I'll be going..."

"Aw c'mon, Buttercup. It'll be sooo boring without you there to cause some chaos." Kenny chuckled slightly, his parka showing his brilliantly crooked grin.

"What are you going as?" Even if I did go, I had no costume. Halloween was this weekend.

"Well, apparently Wendy assigned some costumes to people she knew, said it was going to be hilarious or something. She's telling us today at lunch."

I imagined Ken in some kind of messed-up costume like the new Harley Quinn. That'd suit him. Picturing that made me snort.

"What's so funny Buttercup?" Kenny tilted his head towards me, his smile growing bigger when I covered my mouth, trying not to burst out laughing.

"It's just- I was imaging you in some short shorts and a torn-up shirt that has the words: 'Daddy's little monster'."

"Well, I'm glad you think of me like that, Buttercup." Kenny snickered and winked. His sideways smile showed the little gap between his teeth. Why did I always notice his smiles?

Rolling my eyes, I replied, "Hey I'm just saying, you'd probably rock it. Y'know with the tips of dyed hair? I think it'd look pretty uh cool."

The warning bell rung cutting off Kenny's response.

"See ya' later." I waved bye and went the other way towards my first-period class.

Time flew by and I found myself surrounded by people I never talked to. Wendy was handing out tiny slips of folded paper to classmates at random, but I had a feeling she knew what she was doing.

"These are just recommendations, but if you wear these costumes you don't have to pay to get into the dance. No telling what your costumes are unless you come up with it on your own. So either way, have fun!" I decided to eat lunch instead of waiting because I wasn't even going to the dance.