BACK IT UP
You can tell Amen doesn’t know what to say to me. He’s sitting there trying to fit pieces together. Why am I so afraid of the word… well, that word? There’s basically only one explanation, and he obviously hasn’t figured it out yet. I look away from him, but his eyes bore into the side of my head. I bite my lip because I know he’s about to say something.
Amen > “Mickey, what happened to you?” He’s not meaning that in the “you used to be so awesome, so what happened” way, but the “I know something happened in your past that you’re not talking about it” way. I despise that way. I’m not ready to talk about it, but I’m obsessed with this guy! I at least owe him my trust. He would never do anything to hurt me. But who really knows? Amen could be a secret serial killer on the FBI’s most wanted list for all I know! He could be picking off my classmates one by one, storing their dismembered heads in his locker. Thinking about this possibility (and I’m dead serious, this is a real possibility) makes me shiver. He pulls me closer. Now he’s starting to remind me of Will. I wiggle out of his arms and stand up, hugging myself. He stands up too, never taking his eyes off of me.
Me > “Stop looking at me.” I say softly but sternly. My voice is so harsh, his eyebrows lower and he stares at me even harder. I try to looked pained and take a step backward, away from him. Geez, I’m gonna rearrange this dudes face very soon. He better take those big brown puppy dog eyes off of me! A minute later, you can tell it clicks for him. I’m surprised I don’t see a light bulb go off above his head.
Amen > “Whoa whoa! Back it up!” he says, disbelieving. Well that took him long enough. “You were kidnapped in Ohio.” He whispers, more to himself than to me. I’m still standing there looking at him. I wish one of my cruel jokes would come out. Something to lighten the mood just a little. But I’m speechless, and so is he.
Me > “Amen.” I say simply. I mean the prayer amen now, if anyone is confused. He reaches for me, but I run. As fast as I possibly can. 
THE WAY THINGS ARE
No one has talked to me for 4 days straight. I enjoy it. Will’s probably with his gangsta posse, telling them how he’s officially ditched me, and being presented his certificate of gangsta-ness or something. Amen has probably finally started hanging out with the skaters. I was wondering how long it would take him to realize I wasn’t anything special. Nothing worth going after. Not that it was a big game of cat and mouse or anything. I melted like butter. I’m such a moron.