Christina-
I got ready, seeing as it was Friday. I was excited and went to the kitchen, my parents smiled at me. My mom's dropped.
"What are you doing?", she asked.
"Getting ready for school", I said.
She sighed.
"No, I'm pulling you out today", she said.
I stopped.
"You can't, not yet. Give me a week or two days, at least to say goodbye to my friends", I begged.
"Chris, please understand", she started.
My dad stopped her.
"We can give you till next Friday", my dad said.
I went over to hug him.
"Thank you dad", I said.
My mom rolled her eyes at him, leaving the room. Cora came in. She was still mad at me. She was sitting at the table pouring herself a bowl of cereal. My dad smirked, knowing his youngest well. I sat down.
"Pass the cereal please", I said to her.
She picked it up and slammed it on the table, making me jump. My dad chuckled.
"Thanks", I said.
I poured some in my bowl then milk. I put a spoonful in my mouth. I sighed. My dad folded his newspaper and placed it o the table. He nudged me before he left the kitchen. He wanted me to fix this with Cora.
"I'm doing the treatment Cora", I said softly.
She looked at me quick.
"Really?", she asked.
I nodded softly. She got up and hugged me.
"Thank you", she whispered.
I nodded. We continued to eat. I felt a pair of big hands cover my eyes. I dropped my spoon, hearing the clink as it hit my bowl. My hands going over these hands.
"Ready baby girl?", he asked.
I giggled, my sister did too. He removed his hands and took a seat next to me. Hearing a honk outside.
"That's for me. I'll see you later Chris and bye Joe", Cora said, rushing out of the kitchen.
He waved at her. He took my bowl and ate a spoonful.
"Hey", I said.
He smiled and chewed. He pulled out a sandwich bag. I laughed.
"Are you serious?", I asked.
"Very. What? Are you scared to fall in love with me?", he asked.
His arm rested behind my head on the chair. I took the sandwich and looked at him.
"You didn't poison it did you?", I asked.
He laughed.
"Only with love", he smirked.
"Weirdo", I said.
I took a bite. Nodding.
"Joe, I think", I said.
He smirked.
"I think this is the worst PB&J ever", I said.
He laughed. His face was close to mine, feeling his warm breath.
"Just kidding, this is really good, but I usually put banana in it", I said.
"What? You're messing with the best recipe ever", he said.
I laughed and took another bite. He smiled.
"I'm done. Are you sir?", I asked him.
He ate another spoonful of what was left of my cereal and then got up. Taking my bag for me, we walked out and to his car. He opened my door. Getting to the school. He didn't leave my side. His girlfriend glared at me.
"You should go say hi to your girl before she kills me", I said to him.
He chuckled then nodded. He handed me my bag and went on his way. I went to sit with the girls.
"Girl, how do you have Joe giving you rides when his girlfriend hasn't even been in his car yet?", April asked.
"He's a friend and it explains why she's been giving me the evil eye", I said.
They all smirked at me. I laughed.
"This is my last week with you girls", I said.
"What, why?", Karla asked.
"Does this have anything to do with what I hope it's not?", Jenny asked.
Joe-
I kissed Lucy. Her arms folded over her chest.
"I understand you have a report to do, but why do you have to give her a damn ride Joe. I want to spend time with you too", she said.
"I know, but with football I need to get it done. I'm sorry", I said.
I pouted and she pushed me playfully. She pushed herself up and kissed me.
"That's what I thought", I said to her.
She giggled and pushed me playfully.
"So how about after practice? You and me spend a little time together", she said.
Her finger trailed from my chest down to the button of my jeans. I licked my lips. The bell rang before I could answer and I dropped Lucy off at her class. I was walking towards mine when I saw Chris. I went over to her.
"Hey baby girl", I said.
"Hey. How was your girlfriend?", she asked.
"Good news, I talked her out of killing you", I said.
She laughed.
"Good, I was getting worried there", she said.
My cousins Jon and Josh came over. They eyed Chris. Winking and smirking at her. She chuckled and I rolled my eyes.
"Who's your friend?", Jon asked.
"Chris. Chris this is Jon and Josh, my cousins", I said.
"Nice to meet you pretty girl", Josh took her hand, kissing the top of it.
I pulled him away from her. Jon stepped close to her and his arm around her waist pulling her into him.
"So you and my cousin dating? If not, I'm single", he said.
Chris laughed. I groaned, I knew they were joking, but I didn't like it.
"Hands off", I said, pulling him back.
I stepped in front of her.
"We get it cousin, she's taken", Josh said, winking at me.
They knew me too well.
"Glad you got rid of Lucy", Jon said.
"We'll see you two later", Josh said.
The walked backwards, winking and making kissy faces. I groaned and Chris laughed.
"Interesting cousins you have", she said.
"Wait till you meet the rest", I said.
Christina-
He bit his lip.
"Hey listen, I know I asked you to come to practice, but I can't hang tonight. Can we work on it this weekend?", he asked.
"Oh yeah. My dad said no anyways so", I turned to get my book.
I didn't understand why him canceling on me bothered me so much.
"You sure?", he asked.
"Yeah my dad said he would feel safer with me at home", I said.
He nodded.
"You're lying", he said.
I looked at him confused.
"What?", I asked.
"You're lying", he said again.
"Joe", I sighed.
I looked at him serious.
"Do you not want to hang out with me?", he asked.
"You're the one that said we couldn't hang out and your getting mad at me", I said, slamming my locker door and walking away.
He grabbed my arm and pinned me to the lockers. I sighed. His hand leaned against the locker, the other ran through his short hair.
"I want to hang out with you, I do, but I have to deal with some family trouble", he said serious.
"Why didn't you just say that?", I asked.
He shrugged.
"I can give you a ride home though", he said.
"Ok", I said.
He surprised me by kissing my cheek, his face lingered close to mine. I looked into his eyes, his lips inching closer to my lips.
"Joe", I said softly low.
He pulled away.
"I'll walk you to class", he said.
"No, its ok. I'll see you after", I said, walking away fast.
I finally swallowed. What just happened? Did I imagine him about to kiss me?
Joe-
We were at lunch. Laughing and talking about next weekend. Our first game was next Saturday. I saw Lucy with her friends, they stopped at Christina's table. She smiled at Lucy and then I saw it fall. I stood, watching.
"Dude, what is your girl doing?", Danny asked.
"I don't know", I said, not taking my eyes off of them.
Chris and her friends stood up to leave. I saw Lucy grab Chris's arm, turn her and slap her. I took off towards her and pulled her away from Chris.
"What the hell is your problem Lucy", I yelled at her.
"Don't act like you two didn't kiss. I saw you by her locker", Lucy yelled.
"We didn't, I told you", Chris said, her hand on her cheek where Lucy hit her.
Tears in her eyes. I wanted to wrap my arms around her and hold her close. I looked back at Lucy.
"Nothing happened", I yelled at Lucy.
Mr. Anderson appeared.
"Lucy come with me, Christina and Joe you too", he said angry.
He took us to the office. They talked to Lucy first and then Christina. I was last. The principal nodded after I explained what happened. Lucy texted me that they suspended her. I texted back that it was over. Our last class came, I saw Chris in her seat. I sat down next to her.
"Baby girl", I said softly.
She closed her eyes.
"I'm so sorry, please talk to me", I said.
Mr. Anderson cleared his throat. I looked at him.
"Mr. Anoa'i take your seat please", he said.
I nodded.
"So?", Danny asked.
"She won't talk to me. This is all my fault", I said.
"I hate to sound thirteen, but write her a note", he said.
I sighed and did.