chapter 2

Meeting the Girls

Noel's introducing me to the girls he was talking about in the morning. Football practice is over, and I'm heading over to his locker room locker right now. He's setting his football helmet into his locker, and freshening up. I made sure to put on extra cologne and deodorant. I don't want to smell like shit around this girl. I know we probably won't be more than just friends, but I want to keep my sexy status up. Having a girl call you ugly can seriously hurt your rep. This girl has to think I've got a lot of swagger, or my popularity is gonna go down the drain.

"Ayy, Mike!" Noel exclaims. "I'm done freshening up here. You ready to meet the babe? You're gonna fall for her."

"No I won't. She's just another girl. I've had plenty of girlfriends, and girls that I've liked, and they've ended up nowhere," I tell him. "She's just going to be another girl I'll probably like, maybe kiss, and then let go of. She'll be just another Hanna."

"Okay, Hanna's not your type, but this girl is!" Noel says.

"You don't even know her. You just want to be double date with me." I roll my eyes.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever. We're betting five bucks on this, so let's just head the hell out. Don't wanna keep Jessica waiting." Noel grins.


"Hey Jessica," Noel says in a flirtatious voice. Jessica giggles.

"Hi there, Noel," Jessica says between a giggle. She re-gains herself and speaks. "So, you're Noel's best friend Mike, right? I'm Jessica Alan."

"Yeah, I'm Mike," I nod. "Mike Montgomery, to be exact."

"I've heard a lot of good things about you at Rosewood High," Jessica says.

"So I have a good rep?" I smile.

"You do," Jessica nods with a chuckle. "Anyways, sorry my friend is taking so long. She's probably just nervous to see you, Mike!"

I laugh. Jessica's a charmer, huh? I see why Noel likes her so much. I think Noel might like Jessica more than ARIA! And he's always been crazy about my sister. I used to think he was just friends with me for Aria, but he's not. Even after he found out Aria was with Ezra, he hung out with me.

"Hi I'm here!" A blonde girl rushes in. "Jessica, I'm so sorry I'm late- Oh... Hi guys. You're here."

"Yeah, we're here," Noel says. "You're Jessica's friend?"

"Uh-huh, she's like my bestie," Jessica smiles. "Introduce yourself."

"I'm Gianna Davis." She says. "And you guys are?"

"I'm Noel Kahn," Noel smiles.

"Mike," I say. "Mike Montgomery."

"So what's the plan for today?" Gianna asks.

"We were just going to hang," Jessica shrugs. "Coffee? Movie? Anything, really."

"I'm all up for some coffee!" Noel exclaims. "Coffee's great."

"Yeah!" Jessica agrees. "Coffee's like my life."

"I know, right?" Noel grins. "So, coffee it is."

We all head out to The Brew to grab some coffee. I know it's weird... but I have a good feeling about Gianna. She seems sweet, and she's really pretty. I know Noel would get all defensive if I said this to his face- but I think Gianna's prettier than Jessica! Gianna's gorgeous. She has lengthy, dirty-blonde hair, hazel eyes, more gorgeous than Aria's eyes, an award-winning smile that makes my heart race.

"So Gianna, can I take your order for you?" I ask. "It's on me."

"Really?" Gianna seems stunned. She has a smile on her face. Did she think I was going to be a selfish asshole?

"Yeah, of course," I say. "So what do you want?"

Gianna gives me her order, and Noel gets Jessica's order. We both go up to the counter and give the barista all the coffee orders. When I turn around, Gianna and Jessica are conversing. I hope Gianna's putting in a good word about me...

I see them conversing, but I can't hear what they are saying. Damn, I really want to know what they're talking about! Oh well...

The barista finishes up the orders and hands them back to us. I balance two of the drinks, and Noel balances the other two. I thank the barista for their services, and we head back over to the girls, who are smiling and taking a seat. I set Gianna's coffee down in front of her, and Noel sets Jessica's in front of her, too.

"Thanks, Mike," Gianna smiles at me. "That was really sweet of you."

"Oh, no problem," I shrug it off. "I couldn't let you pay. That would just be rude of me."

"No, it wouldn't have been rude," Gianna shook her head. "That would have been the thing a normal guy would have done... but you're better than normal. What Noel and you did for us was just plain sweet!"

"I'm better than normal?" I ask with a small smile.

"Sure are," Gianna nods. "So, do you play any sports?"

"Oh yeah. I'm on the school football team with Noel," I tell her. "I also used to be on the lacrosse team, but I quit that so I could have more time to play football. Over time, football's become my true sport passion."

"A football player?" Gianna smiles. "That's really awesome. Did you like lacrosse, though?"

"Of course. I loved lacrosse," I say. "Yeah, but football's my life now. I'd pick it any day over lacrosse. I still play lacrosse for fun sometimes, with friends, but it's not my main sport anymore. Football is. And you... Are you on any teams at school? I don't want to just talk about myself- I want to know more about you."

Gianna smiles at this. Am I doing a good job?

"Does being charming run through your blood?" Gianna jokes.

"Maybe," I smirk. "So, teams? Sports? Anything?"

"Of course! Rosewood High has so much to offer," Gianna says. "I'm on the swim team and cheer squad. I have time for both, since practices for cheer and swim run on different days. It's a lot to balance, but I'm okay with it. I love doing both."

"Cheerleader and swimmer?" I grin. "You've got a good status, don't ya?"

"I guess, but so do you," Gianna chuckles.

Just then, Aria's friend Emily walks by. She greets Gianna. I guess they know each other from the swim team, right?

"Hey Gianna!" Emily exclaims. "I didn't see you there."

"Emily?" Gianna smiles. "What are you doing here?"

"I recently got a job as a barista here," Emily tells her. "So you're here with... Mike?"

"Well, we're kinda all out together," I tell her. "Noel, Jessica, Gianna, and me."

"Are you two... dating?" Emily asks.

"No, no," I shake my head. "We're just friends. We barely just met, you know."

"Alrighty then, I guess I should get back to work. Boss doesn't like it when I take too much time off shift to socialize," Emily sighs. "Bye Noel, bye Jessica. I'll see you around, Mike. Oh, and I'll see you at swim practice, Gianna!"

"Yeah, bye Em!" Gianna exclaims as Emily leaves.

Gianna turns her attention back to me.

"You know Emily Fields?" Gianna asks.

"Kinda," I shrug. "She's my older sister Aria's friend. I think they're like best friends or something..."

Just then, Spencer and Toby walk in. What? Why are they here now? Toby's a great guy, and we're friends now, but I want to have some time to talk and be alone with Gianna!

"Spencer! Tobes!" Gianna exclaims and gets up to give each one of them a hug. "Hey! What's up? I didn't know you were going to be here today."

"Oh hey Gianna," Toby smiles. "Spence and I just wanted to grab a coffee."

"So you're on a date?" Gianna laughs.

"Well, since she's my girlfriend, I'd consider it a date," Toby shrugs.

I can see that Spencer gets happy when Toby refers to her as his girlfriend. I kinda wish I could have told Emily that Gianna and me are together, but I couldn't do that. I don't know Gianna all that well. We just met!

"So Gianna, who are you on a date with?" Spencer asks.

"Well... I'm kinda on a date with this guy, but I don't think he really considers it a date," Gianna sighs.

WHAT? This is a date to Gianna? I'd definitely call it a date! Noo! She thinks I don't like her, doesn't she? I do like her! I like her a lot already!

"So, who's this mystery guy?" Spencer asks with a small smile.

"Aria's younger brother Mike," Gianna says.

"You like Aria's little brother?" Spencer laughs.

"Hey, Mike's a cool guy," Toby defends.

"Baby, you're friends with him now?" Spencer asks with a smile.

"Yes baby, I am," Toby says as he puts his arm around Spencer.

"Well, I should probably get back to Mike now," Gianna says. "I feel like I've been keeping him waiting."

Yes, yes she has! She should get back here.

"Yeah, that's a good idea," Spencer nods.

"Oh, you're just saying that because you want to make out with Toby," Gianna jokes.

Spencer gives her a playful glare. "Quit your jokes, Gianna! But, that doesn't sound like a bad idea after all."

"It doesn't?" Toby smiles as he leans in to kiss her, and they begin making out.

"Umm... I'm definitely going to go now," Gianna laughs. "Bye guys. I guess you won't say bye since you're making out and all..."

"Byeee," Spencer mumbles between one of their kisses.

If only I could do that with Gianna right now...