Ordinary

There was a girl I saw at school every morning. She was a few inches shorter than I was and had a beautiful head of black hair that always was pulled up. I noticed her signature colors lied somewhere between red and pink. She had beautiful blue eyes and a smile that never left her face. Although her looks were subtle, it was hard to miss her skipping down the hallway singing a tune to herself.

I laughed as I watched her do just that. The girl slowed her pace when the halls began to crowd, but she didn't stop singing.

"Hey, Mack."

I jumped in surprise, glaring at my best guy friend, Brady. He snickered at my reaction and I punched him on his arm, "You scared me!"

"I saw."

My head turned back to look at the girl. My blonde guy friend followed my gaze, a sly smile on his face as he noticed the lovesick look on my face.

"Lela Gray, huh?" He crossed his arms, "I don't blame you for having a crush on her. She's pretty cute."

I wasn't even fazed by his comment. Brady knew I was into girls, and he was just saying that to tease me.

"Yeah." I smiled at my friend, "But I haven't ever talked to her before."

He walked with me to Marine Biology class (which he had with me) and watched me as I continued to stare at Lela.

Brady grabbed my shoulder and leaned close to my ear, "You should ask her to be your partner."

My face flushed red, "WHAT?"

He burst out laughing, "Not like that! I meant your partner on the science project."

"N-No, I couldn't do that."

"Sure, you can." He grabbed my arm and pushed me in Lela's direction. I lost my footing and fell, only to be caught by her.

"Are you alright?" She asked, helping me up to my feet.

"T-Thanks."

"Your welcome!" Lela squealed, smiling up at me, "What's your name?"

"I'm...I-I-I'm…."

"Her name's McKenzie, but everyone calls her Mack." Brady cut in.

"Oh! Nice to meet you, Mack. I'm Lela." She turned to the surfer boy, "And your Mack's boyfriend?"

He shook his head, "No, no. We're just friends. Because believe me I am so not her type."

The raven-haired girl nodded and started to sing under her breath, causing me to laugh. Brady smirked at me then stepped forward, "Hey Lela, here's an idea- why don't you and Mack be lap partners for the project?"

I ducked my head nervously, playing a few strands of my hair.

"Sure!" Lela answered, flashing me a smile, "Only if Mack wants to."

I turned around to walk away but he grabbed both my shoulders and forced me around, "She'd love to."

I looked up at the sly boy, "I hate you." I muttered.

He smirked, "Sure you do." Brady let me go, "I'm going to go see if that girl over there will want to partner up with me." He winked, and I gagged.

"Brady, oh my god no!" I whisper-shouted.

He cackled and walked away to speak to his best friend Devon at the lab table adjacent to ours.

Class was a blur for me. I was way too busy trying to contain the fact that I was a nervous wreck.

"So, we'll meet up at your house later today?" Lela handed me her cell phone, "Give me your number so you can text me your address."

Hands shaking, I took the phone and punched in my number.

"Awesome. I'll text you after class, bye!" She patted my shoulder and bounced away, leaving me frozen in the classroom.

"Nice." Brady commented, picking up his backpack and swinging it over his shoulder.

"What just happened?" I asked in amazement.

"I think Lela's coming over to your house after school."

My jaw dropped.

I ran straight home after school. I had to get home and clean my room, panicking when I saw all the sheet music lying around. My guitar was sitting on my bed, and my microphone was in front of my bed, my keyboard lying next to it.

I began to pick up my music but then, looking down at it I had an idea.

My phone chirped, and it was Lela. I had forgotten to text her my address. Thumbs rolling across the keypad, I texted it as quickly as I could before getting back to what I was doing.

I pulled my guitar close and strummed it to make sure it was properly tuned. Satisfied, I played a couple notes and began to sing.

"The day started ordinary, boys walking by." I smiled and scribbled that down onto a fresh piece of paper, "It was the same old story, too fresh or too shy. I'm not the kind to fall for a guy who flashes a smile."

I bent down and scribbled a note that read backup vocals.

"Don't usually swoon, but I'm over the moon."

I took notes as I continued to sing, "And now I'm falling for ya, falling for ya! I know I shouldn't, but I just can't stop myself from—"

"Wow."

I dropped my guitar and nearly died from shock when I saw who was at my bedroom door.