"Be safe tonight. Not too late out." I smirked down at my phone resting on my lap as I sat in the girls locker room waiting for Mandy in the shower. There was a lot of arm twisting Mandy had to do to convince me to go out with her and James and a few other people. After school ended I had a million and one things to do. I tried to get involved with every club at school and it almost overwhelmed me. Almost. The only think I didn't participate in was sports. I went to events, especially because Mandy was head cheerleader but I honestly got bored at them. So while she went to practice with the football players, I dealt with the newspaper, the debate club and theater. When I finished up at 5 I ran into Mandy who made me sit down in the locker room while they talked about their upcoming season. And before she took a shower she told me James and Carlos, and unfortunately Logan wanted to go grab some dinner and I was invited. I told her my parents would never let me on the first day of school, but I just got the text from my father. Mandy must have talked to him. "Hey Emma." I glanced up and smiled at the beautiful girl walking towards me. Camille. She had bouncy, curly brown hair and flawless skin. And right now she was wrapped in a towel sitting on the bench across from me. "So…I think I found your first big story of the year. All these freshman girls…uglier than the art in the theater." I frowned, quickly typing a thank you into my phone to my dad and tensed up watching her towel drop to the floor. I wasn't prude…okay maybe a little. But mostly I was self-conscience. These girls were knock outs. Perfect bodies, and perfect ego's to match. Except Mandy. She was modest and shy. Sometimes. "So…" I glanced up cautiously and watched Camille step in a pair of black laced panties, matching the bra she was already wearing. She turned to me, smile wide and set her manicured nails on her hips. "You and Logan." I looked down quick and set my feet on the ground nervously tapping them. "I've heard some stuff. You broke up with him?" I laughed but nodded pulling my newest book I checked out form the library, out of my bag. I was a huge nerd. I liked to read for fun. "So does that mean he's available?" Did I mention how much of bitch Camille was? "Cause…no offense girl but he is definitely not the type to just sit around and wait for sex. He's a ball of raging hormones waiting to burst. And you apparently couldn't handle that."
"Camille…you are such a bitch." I smiled big at Mandy as she sauntered in, still soaking wet, also only in a towel. But she saved me. More so she saved Camille but whatever. "Just because Emma has this thing called class doesn't mean you have to be a cunt."
"Ouch bitch." I stared up between the two who were smiling. Camille laughed as she pulled on a pair of black jeans and a plain red shirt. Cut low in the front. I looked to Mandy who gave me a sad sympathetic smile. "If you guys are still dating I won't do anything. But no one as good looking as Logan should be alone too long."
"Well…he's a big boy. And he's not my property. If you want to date him, be my guess." Mandy smirked at Camille who was staring at me brushing her hair.
"I know you love those sloppy seconds Camille." Camille flipped Mandy off but they both giggled. I've been a girl for 17 years, and yet I missed the part where were bitches to each other but remained friends. "Besides…the new guy has his eyes locked on Emma already. Which if I wasn't with James…" I kicked out to Mandy's leg as she dropped her towel. She looked back at me as she pulled on a bra and panties. "All I'm saying is he's got this way about him…like he glides through here. He's untouchable. And quiet bangable."
"So not Emma's type." The blood drained from my face and Camille laughed grabbing her bag, slipping some flats on her pretty feet. "See you girls tomorrow." She turned quick and rushed past some girls, yelling at some younger girls to get out of her way. I crossed my arms over my chest and looked at Mandy who was lotioning up her arms smiling small.
"She is such a bitch." Mandy shrugged pulling on a little yellow sundress she had hanging in her locker. I sighed out shoving my book back in my bag looking at the note I had hidden from everyone except Mandy. I ignored it again and closed my bag standing up slowly. "My dad told me not too late tonight. How'd you convince him?"
"I told him we were going to be cutting Logan's dick and balls off and each taking a piece to feed to a pack of wild boars." I smiled small and watched her run her fingers through her hair, grabbing her black purse. "I promise I will never leave your side tonight." I nodded letting her link arms with me and lead me out side.
The fresh air hit around my face hard and it helped clear all the horrible things Camille had said. I breathed out hard and noticed the group of football players huddled around each other. They all laughed loudly and split apart, most of them going to cars. When more than half the group disappeared I was left staring at four guys. I frowned looking to Mandy who was also frowning. "Took you long enough!" James was running towards us and it made Mandy squeal. She let me go and rushed to him jumping in his arms. He held her up high and started kissing her face and neck. "Sexy dress." I rolled my eyes walking past them and heard her moan quietly. So much for never leaving my side. I refrained from gagging and begrudgingly walked to the three other guys. Logan was smiling small at me. Carlos was standing outside his open SUV rap music blaring loudly. And then there was Kendall. He looked super relaxed and just like all day through gym, he was smiling at me. Big. He had his hands in his pockets and was leaning against Carlos SUV. "So!" I jumped slightly, turning away from Kendall and watched James walk towards us, Mandy over his shoulder, ass in the air. I gave him a dirty look, but he simply smirked setting her softly on the ground. "Were gonna all car pool with Carlos and then come back her to get cars. Everyone down with pizza?" I shrugged slightly and felt an arm around my waist walk me to Carlos's car. I tensed up thinking it was Logan but sighed out seeing James. "Jump in nerd girl." I elbowed his stomach hard making him grunt but climbed in Carlos's SUV. I went all the way to the third row seating and sighed out shoving my back pack in the trunk behind me. As I looked straight ahead, expecting to see Mandy, I blushed hard. Kendall was struggling to get his long legs to bend to climb in the back with me, but he managed. When he sat down next to me he breathed out hard and set his bag on the floor by our feet. I was hit instantly with something that smelled delicious…his cologne. I looked over to the side of his face and before I could look away, he turned to me smirking. I smirked back but looked to the front watching everyone else get in.
"So tell me something." I felt him move around next to me, almost scooting closer and looked back to him. "You aren't interested in sports…yet you're in a car full of jocks."
"And one nerd girl apparently." I frowned and he laughed. He leaned back in his seat and swiftly raised his arm and put it behind my head on the head rest. I frowned crossing one leg over the other and pulled on my seat belt feeling the car move. "I had almost every class with Carlos. He was nice and introduced me to some of his friends. He then invited me to watch practice and then dinner with all of you. I'll suffer with the jocks if it means I can talk to you." I rolled my eyes at his line and desperately wanted to reach out in front of me and hit James in the back of the head. I knew this was his doing. "So tell me something." I looked over at him quick and watched him lean in to my ear, his hot breath making the hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention. "What is a girl like you doing in a car full of jocks? And the weird new guy?" I laughed quietly as he locked eyes with me. I blushed and glanced up to the front. Mandy was looking back at me as James, of course, was sucking on her neck. I looked back to Kendall who was staring intently at me.
"Well…James has been my best friend since diapers. Our parents our best friends. Mandy has been stuck to my hip since 5th grade and the two up front I've known since 7th." He nodded slowly and looked out the window as we sped down a dirt road.
"And you and Logan…" I tensed up looking up to the passenger seat where Logan was looking through his phone, changing the music every now and then. He was laughing at something Carlos was telling him, and looked happy. To me, that just dug the knife deeper in my back. "James told me Logan wasn't very nice to you. In fact what he told me…I can't believe you're in the same car as him." I tucked some hair behind my left ear and looked down at my lap. Flashes of me throwing Logan out on Friday night came flooding back to my brain but I pushed them out of my head hearing talking up front. I looked up and saw Mandy shoving James off her, as she situated herself around and leaned back to where Kendall and I were sitting.
"Were going to the lake after we grab dinner…I need help with my math homework." She pouted her long eyelashes at me an di smirked knowing she didn't need help with her homework. She needed to talk. That was always our safety word, that we needed girl time. I nodded slowly and watched her turn back to James who literally shoved his tongue in her mouth making her giggle and lay back on the seat. I sighed out glancing out my window and chewed on my bottom lip.
The car ride was loud. Rowdy teenagers and a nice stereo system in Carlos's car…I'm surprised we didn't get pulled over. And it got worse when Carlos and Logan got out and grabbed two big pizza boxes from one of the few pizza places in town. As we drove again, I kept seeing Kendall looking over at me but stared straight ahead. When we finally made it to the lake everyone got out quick. I followed after Kendall who as soon as he jumped down, extended his hand to me. I grabbed a hold of it softly and felt him squeeze my fingers as I stepped out of the car. I smiled small up at him and opened my mouth to thank him. But I was grabbed by my other hand and dragged away. Mandy led me to a picnic table away from the boys and set her bag down. She took my bag from me and shoved her hand inside. When she pulled it out I frowned seeing the note Kendall slipped in it earlier. "I think you should go out with him." I laughed pulling myself up on the table and looked to the guys. I spotted Kendall a little away from the other three and felt a rush of…excitement run through me. He was smoking. And he was talking on his phone. "You are looking at him the same way you used to look at Logan." I turned to her slowly and shook my head. "Although I don't like the smoking…" She frowned and pulled herself up on the table next to me. "From what Carlos told James who then told me…you got the guy head over heels." I blushed and looked back over to him. He was standing right at the edge of the lake with a cigarette hanging from his mouth. He looked so sexy it hurt. But…
"I can't Mandy." We turned to each other and I smiled setting my head on her shoulder. "I just broke up with a guy I thought loved me. I'm still really hurt and it wouldn't be fair to Kendall to start something with him, knowing the only reason I am, is to get back at Logan." We linked arms together and she sighed out shaking my arm gently.
"Logan isn't the end all be all. I know it hurts baby girl but…" I raised my head and turned it to her. She smiled and wiped away a tear I hoped she wouldn't see. "You love him don't you?" I nodded and put my head back on her shoulder closing my eyes letting tears come out. It had been a rough day and since Friday night, breaking up with the love of my life hadn't hit me until now. Especially knowing he was spreading rumors about me. It hurt me bad. "You just give me the word and I'll filet his cock in two." I laughed wiping my face hearing someone walking over to us on the sand. "Go away. She doesn't want to talk to you." I turned my body quick hearing Logan sigh and then heard more footsteps. I locked eyes with Mandy who shook her head biting her lip. "Maybe if you just talk to him…once, he'll drop it and leave you alone." I frowned but nodded softly. She let me go and jumped off the table walking to James who was staring at me concerned. I shook my head and wiped my face turning to Logan. He was only in his white shirt and blue jeans. In his hand was his jersey. I frowned and wiped my face again.
"I'm sorry about today. I got cornered…I'm a douchebag. I understand you're pissed. And I'm going to give you space. But if you find it in your heart to give me a second chance…" He paused and looked down swallowing hard. I slipped off the table and walked to him. I gently tugged his jersey out of his hand and he looked up hopeful. To hopeful in my mind but it is what it is.
"You want me to wear this?" He only shrugged looking back down shoving his hands into his pants pockets. "Just a warning…Camille is going to try to pounce." He looked back up confused and tried to hide my smile. "She thinks she'd be better suited for you."
"Not my type." I laughed loudly hugging Logan's jersey into my chest and stomach. "You're my type." His hand went to my face and I tensed up but didn't move. This was dangerous ground. I could easily crumble under his touch, and I think he knew that. His other hand held the other side of my face and he lifted it. We locked eyes as he stepped closer. I braced myself as he got too close and quickly backed away. His hands left my face and he turned around facing the calm water.
"If you want…I'll wear this. You know I love this old thing…" He crossed his arms over his chest and I frowned feeling guilty. "You have to give me space Logan. And time."
"With Kendall?" I rolled my eyes shaking my head and gently threw his jersey to my bag. I started walking back over to the group who were sitting around a table the pizzas open. I stared at the back of Mandy's head, ready to pull her away so we could sit and talk but something…someone caught my eye. Kendall was sitting across from James with Ray Bans on and a weird look on his face. I frowned gently sitting on the edge next to Mandy who simply scooted over taking a bite of her cheese pizza. I looked at the greasy pie but didn't feel hungry. It got worse when Logan sat across from me and whispered something into Carlos's ear. Carlos turned to him quick before standing up grabbing a slice with him. They both walked towards the car and I chuckled out looking down at my hands in my lap.
"James?" I looked around Mandy and smiled at his face as he appeared. "I give you my blessing." He frowned and just as Logan and Carlos reappeared I sat up straight. "To beat the living shit out of Logan." The whole group went quiet and I smiled up at Logan. He laughed to himself pulling his shirt off and quickly threw it to the ground behind him.
"Watch out Mandy. She might take your thrown of queen bitch." I stood up fast but so did James and Kendall. Logan smirked at Kendall walking right by him. "I wouldn't try anything with her bro. Giant fucking cock tease. And a world class bitch at that." Mandy grabbed James quick and I felt tears threatening to spill out. But watching Kendall pull his sunglasses off and turn to face Logan made me suddenly very nervous. Kendall laughed setting his glasses on the table and turned to Logan who caught a football from Carlos.
"Damn dude…it must be hard to have such a tiny dick. Probably why you were trying to force yourself on her…wanted to feel like a big man." I swallowed hard watching James cautiously walk out, putting himself between Logan and Kendall. Logan however only laughed. Probably because he knew James and Carlos would never let anything happen. A tiny part of me wished it would. I kept trying to convince myself to love Logan but…
"Hey Kendall…what I do with my girlfriend is none of you God damn business." I pushed away from the table fast and walked to Logan. I felt someone grab my arm but I focused on Logan. He only looked at me shrugging holding the football tight. "You took my jersey. That tells me you still want me. I'll just wait until you actually say it." I yanked out of whoever was holding me and shoved Logan hard. He almost fell back but caught himself. He threw the ball down and frowned reaching for me. I shoved him again.
"I'm not your girlfriend!" I shoved him once more before I started hitting him. With all my strength. I could tell it wasn't even hurting him. That pissed me off more so I hit more. Until I was grabbed around the waist and picked up and turned. I struggled in the strong arms, I knew were James's until he set me down next to Carlos's car. I wiped my face and breathed out hard turning to James. He was staring at me with wide eyes and an open mouth. I crossed my arms over my chest and looked down kicking at the sand. "Seriously…Beat his ass." I heard nothing so continued looking down. "How could he be so mean? I just…" I sobbed out quietly covering my face squeezing my eyes shut hard. "I just want to be loved." I was pulled softly into James who wrapped a hand into my hair and rested the other on my back. I opened my eyes wrapping around James and looked at the grey shirt on his chest. He made me feel safe and I found that reassuring. But he wasn't Logan. No one would be able to come close to Logan. And whether I wanted to admit it or not, I didn't want to be without him. It's just my pride is too strong. On the same hand…"I just want to be loved."