Jonah had been walking me to all my classes, and I'd been eating lunch with him, Todd, Lacey, and Sunny. Todd and Sunny seemed to be getting really close, and I was glad because she seemed really cool. I had many classes with the sixty and Alicia's group, and they both spent most of class staring at the back of my "pretty little white blonde head", as Jonah put it. Luckily with him, my brother, the two senior girls, and Layne &Co. on my side, I wasn't having a terrible time, despite the snide remarks I would get in the hall, or the not so accidental trip while passing out papers in class. As Layne put it, was it possible that the two cliques were (gasp!!) coming together to bring me down? Her theory was that even if I hadn't turned them down rudely, I would still be getting it because I hung out with "Hott senior boys!!" and they didn't. Not that I don't think Jonah was hot. But it's kind of awkward to judge your own brother like that. Overall, though, I felt like I'd had a pretty good first week.

--

The doorbell rang at around ten on Saturday morning, and I groggily went downstairs to answer it, seeing as my parents were out and Todd probably would not get off the couch in the basement where he played videogames. I rubbed my eyes sleepily and looked down at my pajamas: a plain tight white cami that showed my midriff and a pair of girl boxers with the red sox logo all over them. My hair was hanging loosely down my back, which never happens except for when I'm sleeping. I decided that I was semi presentable and whoever was dumb enough to show up on my doorstep at ten on a Saturday would have to deal. I probably should have looked out before opening the door, but hey, hindsight is twenty-twenty. Because there, standing on my doorstep in full soccer gear, were Derrick, Cam, and Josh. Cam whistled perverted-ly as Josh sucked in his breath and Derrick averted his eyes upon seeing me. Glad to know at least one of them is still loyal to their queen bee; I thought sarcastically and rolled my eyes while shutting the door.

But Cam stuck out his foot to stop it from closing all the way, and I was forced to ask an exasperated "whaaaaat?"

"Claire," Josh started, and I made a split second decision to let them in. I opened the door wider, and they shuffled in awkwardly.

"Wait here," I ordered, the changed my mind. "To-odd," I sing-songed, leading the three boys down into the basement. He looked up from the couch and raised his eyebrows when he saw the boys. I rolled my eyes and sighed an "I know." Then I turned to the boys. "Wait here. I'm gonna change."

Cam pouted, eying me again, and Todd said, "Watch it," in a warning voice, making Cam shy away. I sent him my best thank you grin, and walked up to my room. I heard Derrick ask to play, Todd was playing MLB 2k7, and Todd grunted as a response. When I returned five minutes later, I assumed Derrick had taken Todd's grunt as a yes, because he was playing on the couch next to him. I had on a simple turquoise, purple, and gold skirt, as well as a grey wife beater and gold hoop earrings, nothing fancy, nothing designer, but still nice. At least I thought so. I was makeup free like always, with my hair in its signature ponytail. Cam didn't look half as excited as he had before, but Josh still looked in awe. I rolled my eyes and giggled at Todd's facial expression. We communicated telepathically for a minute: don't go anywhere without yelling down; scream if Cam tries anything funny; ok, cool; haha I doubt he will but sure; until Josh cleared his throat.

"Uh, oh. Yea, let's go upstairs," I suggested, and Josh followed me.

"Dude! We gotta go!" Cam said to Derrick before following me and josh up the stairs. In the living room I sat down in one of the La Z Boys while Cam and Josh sat on the couch. Derrick trudged up a few seconds later.

"Soo," I asked awkwardly once they were all seated. "Where's Massie?" I asked, trying to start a conversation so that hopefully they would end up telling me why they were here so they could leave.

"At the mall. Where else?" Cam scoffed. "She always has to take bazillion years to find the perfect designer outfits, and then an hour to get dressed in them. I have no idea how you managed to look that good with no designer in five minutes," he added, genuinely this time, instead of perverted. Derrick glared at him. "Sorry man!" Cam exclaimed on the defensive, "but you know it's true."

"Kind of…" Derrick conceded.

"Anywayy," I said trying to move them along.

"Right. Well. We came here because…" Josh started with his hand on the back of his neck, and looking at the ground.

"Dude. This century! We're missing warm-ups, and Kristen will probably tell Massie we weren't there."Derrick said, exasperated.

"Fine," Josh said. "Claire, come to our soccer game today. I'll tell you after."

"And why exactly would I want to do that? You guys have already wasted a good twenty minutes of my morning." I complained, before remembering that Jonah had said something about a soccer game. I immediately lit up. "Ok, I'll come." I said, grabbing my purse and stuffing in my phone, ipod, money, and keys. Following the boys out the door, I couldn't help but wonder about what would happen at this game.