Love is Tricky
"Spencer, hurry up or you'll make your brothers late for school too!" Paula Carlin called up the stairs to her sixteen year old daughter.
"Sorry mom" Spencer Carlin responded rushing downstairs in jean shorts and a tank top "I'm not used to this absurdly hot weather I couldn't find anything to wear! This shirt is from 7th grade"
"Thats obvious" Mrs. Carlin said, her eyes taking in the frayed jeans and the two sizes too small shirt that hugged Spencer's curves a little too well. "Maybe you can be late because there is no way you're wearing that to school on your first day! We just moved to LA we don't need people judging us yet"
"Mom, it's LA" Spencer rolled her eyes as she grabbed an orange from the bowl on the counter.
"Spence I really think th-" but before she could finish Mrs. Carlin was interrupted by the loud sounding of a horn.
"See I can't change. Glenn's already about to have a coronary from being away from all the "California Ten Girls" Spencer mocked her brother's obsession with girls. He acts like he's never seen a woman before. "And you know Clay is dying to get to Chemistry on time" She joked referencing her adopted brother Clay's infatuation with all things school related. "And I am DYING to get out of this heat." Spencer called as she made her way to the door.
"Your father is out right now talking to the AC repair men it'll be fixed this afternoon so don't expect to wear those clothes much longer!" Mrs. Carlin called as Spencer scuttled out the door with a mumbled "Love you"
"Finally" Glenn Carlin said anxiously rubbing his hands together "I have arrived ladies"
Spencer rolled her eyes as she watched her brother Glenn interact with three cheerleaders. He was talking animately and she could only imagine what sort of disgusting pick up line he could be using right now.
"I never understood how he does that" Clay voiced from Spencer's right. "He's always so calm around girls and I freeze up whenever I see someone remotely attractive"
"Hey! Are you saying I'm not attractive!" Spencer joked playfully punching her older brother in the arm.
"Haha of course I'm not. Although it'd be weird if I froze up around you! I mean you are my sister!"
"Haha I know, don't worry! I was just kidding" Spencer said flashing a warm smile.
"Alright well I have class so I'll see you at home Spence" Clay said as he rounded the corner to one of King's High's many hallways.
"Damn, this place is big" Spencer thought running a hand through her blond hair. "I wish I had some sense of where I was going." Right as the words left her mouth Spencer spotted a tall slender brunette girl making her way right towards Spencer.
She was wearing a mini skirt and a hot pink top. She had her eyes locked on Spencer and a somewhat welcoming smile on her face. "Ashley Davies" The girl said extending a manicured hand for Spencer to shake. "I've been assigned to show you around and make you feel at home here um, what was your name again?"
"Spencer Carilin" Spencer said raising her eyes at Ashley "And how did you know who I was?" she asked as she released her hand.
"It's protocol for all ambassadors. We get a picture of the applicant's face and we need to "Make them feel warm and welcome, so they don't feel pushed aside in our community" Ashley said in a mocking tone. "We basically need to stalk your life so we know who you are immediately. But clearly I didn't do the best job because I forgot your name. I just remembered your face."
"Well good job" Spencer giggled "I was just thinking about how much I needed some help"
"Cool because that's what I'm here for. And trust me you lucked out getting me. I'm just doing this because my mother's new boyfriend decided I should be more involved in school. So it was this or math club, and i can't do math. So be grateful you could've been stuck with Carolyn Collins" Ashley jerked a finger toward a girl in an ankle length pale pink skirt complimented with a starch white turtle neck.
"How the hell is she not dying of the heat?" Spencer questioned as she watched Carolyn bound over towards a frightened looking girl a basket of muffins in hand.
"Because shes secretly satan, so she thrives on heat." Ashley suggested shrugging her shoulders. "Seriously though that cheery goody good attitude has to be an act. Nobody cooks for the homeless, cleans for the elderly and bakes for her friends birthdays with THAT good of a nature." Ashley spat as she eyed Carolyn. "Anyway, since I'm supposed to show you around come with me"
Ashley grabbed Spencer's hand as they weaved their way through the crowd.
"We've got about five minutes before homeroom starts so i'll show you the social life of King High."
Ashley had stopped right in front of dozens of green picnic tables strewn with teenagers on the quad.
"These" she motioned to guys in varsity jackets hitting each other in the arm. "Are the mindless jocks". Spencer glanced over to the jock table just in time to see her brother smacking hands with his new best friends.
Spencer could hear Glenn shout "Aiden, my man" as he settled next to a dark haired boy. Spencer groaned inwardly at her brother's stupidity and followed closely behind Ashley.
"Drama chicks" She waved a hand at a bunch of girls dressed in black. All of them had their heads buried in a script and didn't even acknowledge the other's presence.
"Band geeks" Ashley sighed as a loud trumpet pierced the air. Spencer winced at Ashley's dismissive nature. When Spencer was younger she used to play a mean violin.
"And finally" Ashley paused as the unmistakable scent of Victoria Secret body spray found Spencer's nostrils. "The cheerleaders."
It was like all time and motion came to a screeching halt. These girls were the most beautiful, in shape girls she had ever seen. All of their faces were flawless and outfits perfect. They were whispering amongst themselves and that's when Spencer noticed a girl sitting slightly away from the group.
She was perched on top of the picnic table and bore all resemblance of a cheerleader but wasn't partaking in their gossip. She had her headphones plugged into her i-pod and she was lightly singing along to a song Spencer couldn't quite make out.
The girl moved a lock of blonde hair from her eyes and Spencer couldn't breathe. Spencer took in the girls piercing green eyes that had now locked her own blue ones. Her eyes scoured the girls thin body and toned legs. She couldn't stop starring at this breathtakingly beautiful girl until Ashley waved a hand in front of her face.
"Jeeze Spencer, I didn't realize you wanted to become a cheerleader."
"Sorry" Spencer replied snapping out of her trance "I've just never seen so many pretty girls together. It's kinda intimidating"
"Oh" Ashley's voice softened "I understand" she continued placing a hand on Spencer's shoulder. "But lets go or we're going to be late for homeroom."
"Right" Spencer said shooting one last fleeting glimpse at the cheerleading table. To her surprise the beautiful blonde was still staring at Spencer, a slight smile playing on her lips. She lifted one hand in the air, waved and Spencer's heart immediately melted.