Chapter 6

The next day I was walking to my first class as slow as humanly possible without being late. Why you might ask? I guess I was a little worried to see Ashley. Ok a lot worried! I didn't know if she was still going to be angry with me. Actually I didn't know how she was going to act at all. You can never tell with that girl. I already knew that about her.

I finally arrived, still early however, because I did not want to wear that stupid hat again! Ashley wasn't there, thankfully. I let out a sigh of relief and took the seat I sat in yesterday in the back.

There was about a minute left before the bell would ring, and Ashley would be late. Maybe she's not coming to class? I started to relax at the thought of that. I leaned down to grab my book and notebook, out of my bag, that was sitting on the side of my desk. All the sudden I saw two feet walk next to Ashley's desk. That's weird... she's wearing the same shoes Ashley had on yesterday. My eyes started wondering up her legs, I tried to skip her a and failed, her torso, her shoulders, and finally up to her head. Oh no... it's her.

Her back was turned towards me so she couldn't see my obvious staring. I noticed she was talking to one of the girls she was having lunch with yesterday. A moment later she sat down and I quickly turned forward as my heart began to race. Oh shoot! I hope she didn't notice me staring at her! I regained my composure and pretended I didn't know her at all. Out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of her looking my way. It gave me butterflies in my stomach for a second. I could have sworn she was about to say something to me, and then the teacher started class.

Fifteen minutes into class I had managed to sneak a couple glances her way. She looked gorgeous as usual. Does she just wake up like that every morning? It's hard to believe but I think she does. She just has this natural beauty about her. It's so stunning I can't even describe it. Darn! What the heck am I saying? Suddenly, I saw a folded piece of paper fly across my desk and almost hit me in the head.

I looked at her with confusion. She then mouthed the words, "Read it please." I looked at the teacher to make sure she wasn't looking our way. I opened the note and began to read it.

Spencer,

I'm really sorry about yesterday. I feel horrible about everything. I really need to talk to you about something. It's very important! Will you please hear me out?

I wrote back, What do you want to tell me?, and threw it back to her.

Can we talk about it at lunch?

Oh like lunch was yesterday? No thanks. How about you just tell me whatever you need to now. I didn't want to be mean, but I'm sure as hell not setting myself up to get made fun of again.

I swear it won't be like that this time Spencer. It'll just be me and you. Please! I'm like begging you here!

Fine I'll be there. That's what I said anyway. I don't know if I'm ready to talk to her yet. She looked at me, whispered thank you, and smiled. Darn that smile! I looked away not wanting to start another day dream about her perfect features.

I looked at the clock and realized class was almost over. It's a good thing I'm already good at math, otherwise I might fail this class due to my lack of paying attention. The bell rang and I was out of there, without falling this time I might add. I wanted to get as far away from Ashley as I could incase she wanted to talk sooner than lunch.

While walking to my locker I passed that sign asking for tutors again. It reminded me that I needed to go sign up in the student services center. I was actually really excited about becoming a tutor. I felt like it was something I could do really well. I figured it would be ok to go now because my next class is study hall. So I headed off to the student services center.

It took a little while because I was still trying to figure my way around this school. I got there and walked up to the front desk. "Hi. I wanted to sign up to become a tutor." I said to the woman sitting at the front desk.

"Ok I can help you with that." she smiled. "What subject were you thinking of?"

"Math." I said simply.

"Ok... and what's your name?" she asked already typing information into the computer.

"Spencer Carlin."

"Ok I just have to check your grades and see if your qualified."

"Alright." Ppssshh I know I'm qualified... at least in math.

"Well everything looks good. All you have to do now is sign this contract saying you promise to be a reliable tutor for the rest of the year." she said while sliding a piece of paper and a pen towards me.

"Ok." I took the pen and signed it.

She took the paper back and put it in a file. "Now here's a couple more papers for you to keep. They just have the rules you have to follow and how much you get paid, etc. etc. We will call you to let you know when we have someone for you to tutor ok?"

"Ok sounds good. Thank you." I said while taking the papers and walking out. I wonder how long it will take until I get my first student to tutor? Hopefully not too long.

I went to my study hall and sat there with nothing to do. I had already done all my homework last night. I'm kind of a nerd, I know. At least this class gave me time to think about if I should meet Ashley at lunch. Despite my rudeness to her earlier, I really did want to talk to her. I was so curious to know what she had to talk to me in person about. What could it be? It's not like we really know each other so it couldn't be anything personal... could it?

As I became consumed with my thoughts, the rest of my classes flew by. It was time for lunch now, and I had made up my mind about this whole Ashley situation. I was going to meet her at lunch and talk to her.

As I was walking to the cafeteria I ran into Derek. "Hey Spencer." he said putting his arm around my shoulders.

I smiled. "Hey Derek. What's up?"

"Not much. I thought I would introduce you to my sister at lunch."

"Today?" I asked as we kept walking. But I was going to meet Ashley.

"Well yeah... that's what we talked about last night right?"

Oh yea I forgot about that. "Yeah I remember." Well I guess Ashley can wait. I have more important things to do now. "Alright let's go." I smiled. However, I couldn't help but feel guilty about blowing Ashley off. I tried to push that thought out of my mind and focus on Derek.

"Ok cool. Don't worry you two will get along great!" We walked into the lunch line and got our lunches. Derek offered to pay for mine. He really is a nice guy. After getting our lunches we walked outside.

"Oh there she is." Derek pointed to a tall, skinny, blonde haired girl sitting by herself at a table off to the right. Wow she looks like a model. Ashley is way hotter though. "Hey Whitney." he yelled as we got closer.

"Hi brother!" she got up and gave him a hug. "So this is your new girlfriend huh?" she said while looking at me.

"Shut up Whitney!" He yelled playfully and then started blushing. I smiled at how cute he looked.

"Oh I'm just kidding you don't have to get all red!" she laughed. "Well hi I'm Whitney." she said looking at me and smiling.

"Hi I'm Spencer." We all sat down after the introductions were over and started eating our lunch. Derek sat in the middle of us girls.

"So you're new huh?" she asked me while putting a French Fry in her mouth.

"Yeah I moved here from Ohio during the summer."

"No way I used to live in Ohio!" she said excited.

"Really?" I was extremely surprised. I didn't think I would meet anyone from back home over here.

"It's true. My Mom and I moved here about 5 years ago when my parents divorced."

"Well it's nice to meet someone I have something in common with. I feel like I'm on another planet almost." I admitted.

"Yeah I did too, but you'll get use to it. I doubt you'll ever want to go back after awhile." she said reassuringly. "Besides this guy's a ladies man... you won't want to leave him." she laughed and playfully hit him.

"Ok thanks Whit." he smiled bashfully. I laughed along with her.

The rest of our lunch period went on just like that. Whitney and I talking, while Derek was stuck there, in the middle, listening to our conversation. I was so glad Derek introduced me to her. We found out we had a lot in common. I knew she was going to be a great friend after we started talking for a few minutes. I was finally feeling accepted, and I had no thoughts of Ashley the whole lunch period. When lunch was over me and Derek went one way and Whitney went another.

"I'll see you guys later." she waved goodbye.

"Yeah see you." I said and also waved goodbye.

"Damn I couldn't get a word in the whole lunch period with you two." Derek said in a pretend sad voice.

I laughed and put a hand on his arm. "I'm sorry. I guess I just got caught up in the conversation. Whitney sure can talk a lot."

"No one knows that better than me. I was just kidding though. I'm glad you two got along. I always knew you would."

"Thanks for introducing me to her. I think she'll be a great friend." We continued walking and stopped at my locker.

"No problem. I just wish I could've gotten to talk to you more."

I opened my locker and took a different book out. "I'm sorry Derek." I looked at him with a sad puppy dog face.

He smiled. "I know a way you can make it up to me."

"And what's that?" I asked intrigued.

"You can come to my game on Friday and then come to this party with me after." I paused. I wasn't sure if I should, but did I have anything else to do on a Friday night? He grabbed my hand with both of his and squeezed it. "Please?" he said with the cutest smile I ever saw.

I looked down so he wouldn't see that I was blushing. "Ok. I'll go."

"Sweet! Thank you Spencer... you won't regret it." he said while walking off to his next class. "See you in class later!"

"Bye!"

I closed my locker and started walking to my class. I can't believe I already have a date for Friday. After only two days at this new school. Wait... is it a date? He didn't say the actual word, date, he just said hang out. Maybe I should ask Whitney to get a little information for me. We exchanged numbers during lunch. I think I'll just call her later tonight.

The rest of the day went great. I didn't bump into Ashley, thankfully! I have no idea how she would react to me ditching her at lunch. I was kind of scared to find out since she is supposedly crazy. I had fun in Food class with Derek again and then headed home with my brothers.

I noticed the more I wasn't around Ashley, the less drama there was in my life, and I liked that. Maybe I just won't even talk to her again. Who am I kidding? I know I can't do that. I still feel guilty for ditching her. I really wish I didn't feel this way, but I don't think it will go away for awhile. Hopefully I can just ignore it.