Monday ends up being more of a struggle than usual. Maybe it's because the jocks don't get to torture me three out of the five days now - even though they do everyday at gym - but I guess one class isn't enough for them, so on this Monday they find me in the morning before class. They surround me at my locker and throw my books to the ground. They shove me against the lockers and then grab a hold of me to drag me who knows where. As we reach a janitor's closet, I spot Joey headed down the hall. I don't call out to him because I don't want him mixed up in this or have any other students know we're friends. I just pray maybe he will see me in these last few seconds as they shove me into the closet and slam the door. I reach for the handle and try to push the door open, but they are clearing holding it shut. Then, I hear the door lock with a key. I can only guess they managed to steal the janitor's key somehow. I try to open the door again, but it's definitely locked.
"Hope you make it out in time for your precious chess club today," I hear Chase taunt me from the other side of the door.
"I hope not!" Brett scoffs. They both laugh loudly.
They bang on the door which makes me jolt backwards and then they're gone.
The hallway sounds are dissipating as the bell rings and everyone is getting to first period.
I consider banging on the door, but realize I doubt anyone will be around since class just started. I wonder how long it will take for the janitor to open this closet. I sit down and sigh until I hear a soft voice.
"Chandler?"
I jump up quickly.
"Joey?" I whisper back.
"Hey, what're you doing in there buddy?" he softly jokes.
I bite my lip into a smile.
"Oh, you know, needed some peace and quiet," I reply sarcastically.
"Hold on, I got a paper clip," he tells me.
"Great, I don't have any papers."
"To pick the lock smartass."
I smile even bigger.
I hear him maneuvering the paperclip into the key hole. This goes on for a couple more minutes.
"Do you know what you're doing?" I finally ask.
"Hey, do you want my help or not," he threatens.
"Ok, sorry," I sigh realizing we are both going to be in so much trouble for missing class. I feel bad Joey is going to be punished for helping me when he doesn't have to.
He's still struggling with the lock.
"Listen, just go to class, you might not get in trouble if you go now," I tell him through the door.
"Shut up, I almost got it," he argues.
I rest my forehead against the door, wishing he wasn't so perfect. Why does he have to be my perfect knight saving me.
My thoughts are getting the best of me and I'm still leaning my forehead on the door that I don't expect it when Joey successfully picks the lock and swings the door open. I fall into his chest and he catches me, holding onto my arms so we both don't fall. I stand back up abruptly and step back, instantly embarrassed that I just fell into him and have never been that close to him and completely enveloped his entire scent. I'm lightheaded and dizzy with embarrassment and fuzzy feelings.
"Told you I'd get it," Joey notes casually as if nothing just happened.
"Thanks, you didn't have to do that," I comment.
"You'd do the same for me," he says and I smile, knowing I'd do anything for him.
We walk to our first period classes even though we're both super late.
I get detention for missing half of the class.
Looks like I am missing chess club today and not because I'm leaving early.
When the last bell of the day rings, I tell Joey I'm headed to detention.
"Wait for me will ya," he says.
I sigh guiltily.
"You got detention too?" I moan regretfully.
"It's not your fault," he tells me.
"But actually it is," I correct him.
He just rolls his eyes and leads the way to detention.
We get to detention and it's being run by one of our history teachers. There are only two other kids in the classroom. Joey and I sit next to each other.
The teacher doesn't say a word, there's no assignment or lecture, just silence. The chalkboard reads: "DETENTION: No Talking, No Food, No Fun".
I look at Joey and he rolls his eyes kiddingly this time to say how pointless this is.
Eventually, the teacher falls asleep. One of the other students instantly put his head down and I assume he's about to nap for the rest of the hour long punishment. The other girl has been drawing in a notebook since we got here and hasn't looked up once. I look over at Joey and figure it's safe to talk. I speak in a very quiet whisper.
"This is my first detention," I tell him.
"Nerd," he teases me in a whisper.
I hold back a smirk.
"How many times for you?"
"Four," he says.
"You're a total rebel," I say in a flat tone, unimpressed.
He smiles at this, which makes me smile for real.
"I wonder how they stole that key?" Joey suddenly wonders aloud about the jocks.
"Me too."
"I could probably ask Brett tonight at dinner," Joey grumbles.
"He's coming over?"
Joey nods with an annoyed expression.
"That sucks," I express.
"Yeah, I'd rather be here," he half smiles at me.
"No you don't."
"This is already better than listening to Brett go on about how his schoolwork is just as important to him as football."
I pretend to almost gag at this and it makes Joey laugh accidentally. He covers his mouth when the sound echoes a bit too loud. We both look up at the teacher and luckily he's still snoring. We both smirk at each other.
"I can't believe your parents fall for that crap," I remark.
"They eat it up, it's the stupidest shit I've ever heard," he tells me.
We both go on, shit talking Brett and all the jocks when the hour eventually comes to an end.
We walk through the front doors to begin our walk home.
"Well, that sucked," Joey remarks, stretching his arms out in the fresh air.
I won't admit this, but I loved it. Getting detention meant spending an extra hour with Joey.
I don't say anything.
"So, how are you gonna tell your parents?" Joey suddenly questions me.
I look over at him confused.
"Your first detention, that's gotta be big news for a nerd," he teases me, but he always calls me a nerd now.
"Do you really think I'm that nerdy?" I ask sincerely.
Joey's grin fades.
"I'm just kidding around," he tells me.
"Yeah, but you mean it don't you? I mean I am a nerd, I know that," I argue.
"It was a joke," he reasons again.
"Okay, but it stems from the truth," I point out as if this is a real debate.
"Chandler, I didn't mean it," he groans.
"You can be honest with me - what level of nerd am I?" I test.
Joey smiles and shakes his head at my question.
"Uh, probably a perfect ten," he smirks.
His words make me blush even though I know "a perfect ten" is referring to my nerdiness, it still thrills me to hear the guy I like call me a perfect ten.
"Wow, I didn't know I was such a high level nerd," I chuckle.
"What level douchebag am I?" Joey asks me.
"You're zero douchebag," I answer honestly without thinking.
"Every jock is a little bit of a douche," he debates.
"Well, you quit the team," I attest.
"I'm still a jock - in essence," Joey fights like this conversation matters.
"Well, you've never been a douche to me," I say.
"Not true," Joey says softly.
I already forgot how we met – that Joey followed the jocks around and watched them torture me, maybe even helped sometimes - I can't be sure. I haven't thought about him in any other way other than the only friend I have currently or my undeniable crush at the moment... in a very long time.
"Well - forgiven," I claim awkwardly.
We walk a moment in silence.
"So, how long have Brett and your sister been dating?" I change the subject to hopefully get rid of the uncomfortable silence.
"Eight months."
"Oof, that's a while," I note surprised by how long Joey's had to deal with Brett.
"Yeah... do you have a girlfriend?" he suddenly asks me.
"No," I say, feeling my face blush for so many reasons.
"A... boyfriend?" he seems to consider this aloud and I'm very surprised when he does.
"Umm, I wish," I answer honestly and feel my face grow even redder.
"What's your type?" he surprises me again by asking.
"Heh, uh... I don't know," I choke out nervously because I can't tell him that he is my type! That I'm so into him it's not even funny.
"Come on, everyone does," he presses.
I bite my lower lip.
"Erm, not me, I like a lot of types," I try.
"Even the jock type?"
I don't look up, my heart starts pounding. He isn't talking about himself, is he?
"Jocks and I usually don't get along," my voice cracks a bit when I answer.
"We get along," he points out.
"Huh, yeah maybe we should try dating!" I speak in a preposterous manner to make it known I'm kidding, but Joey stops walking.
So, I stop and look at him and he's looking at me. What's happening, why isn't he saying anything? Why is there suddenly so much tension? Something can't be happening, there's no way.
"Wanna hang out at your place?" he asks.
I gulp down a bundle of nerves.
I'm about to answer yes - a million times yes - until I realize that I never came clean about living on the opposite side of town! My face drains all of its color.
We have to go back to my house, what if he's making a move! There's no way in hell Joey is making a move on me. But if there is even one percent chance he is, I need to take that chance. I need to just admit I lied and get him to my house.
"Yeah - my house, well the thing is..." I start so embarrassed I'm about to tell him the truth. "I uh, don't actually live like here... per say," I spill out.
"Where do you live?"
"Thirty minutes that way," I point behind us and smile like a guilty lunatic.
He looks confused.
"Why did you lie?" he asks.
I rub my hand through my hair and down my face, I really have to admit this don't I.
"I uhh, wanted to spend more time with you," I mumble it so low, I hope he does't hear me, but he does.
He doesn't say anything and so I try to make it sound a little better.
"I don't have any other friends," I state, making it one hundred times worse instead.
Joey looks like he is processing this.
"Sorry, wow that made me sound like a such a loser didn't it? I mean, I am, but I hope you're not creeped out - ugh, it's definitely creepy. Look, you can never talk to me again if you want —" I'm rambling on and on until Joey steps closer to me and put his lips on mine. He literally kisses me! The boy I've obsessed over for months now just kissed me and I'm in complete shock, I can't move. He pulls back after only a few seconds.
"Do you still wanna go to your house?" he asks casually - AGAIN AS if NOTHING MONUMENTAL JUST HAPPENED!
Of course I want to go back to my house where we can be alone and do more of that!
"It's this way," I tell him and start walking very quickly.