Chapter. 5
"Where's grumpy ass at?" Nick ducked coming in, immediately eyeing Hyde's empty seat and looking at the split up classroom. My eyes shot over to Katie, seeing the slow grin that spread as she locked gaze with me. I gave her a pleading look and she shook her head at me and turned away. When I looked away, Donovan's attention was on me for a second before breaking off and glancing back at Katie. He didn't miss a thing apparently. I internally screamed at myself and angled my body around to stare back at Nick. He looked oddly out of breath in gym shorts, a tank with gapping sides and tousled hair with beads of sweat coming from it.
"You look like you've been lifting camels in the desert," Katie observed bluntly and everyone chuckled. "Where you've been?" She turned the question around, almost sounding like a scorning mother. I watched him with admiration, he was still trying to catch his breath and figure out why the class was the way it was and didn't really focus on the people in front of him. Like me, I turned away from my sour thoughts and watched at Donovan unhitched himself to go stand by his friend. Probably more like best friends at this point. Another girl commented on the shirt he was wearing and giggled. My cheeks pinked and looked away.
"Well I was in body conditioning with Ras, just going over some form and stuff," he waved his hand dismissively. "And apparently my watch is fifteen minutes slow, so I had assumed I had enough time to go for a mile run on the track and got caught up." Nick groaned and wiped off a cupful of sweat away from his dominant chin. He got caught up in running? I looked at him incredulous and impressed he would go for a run just because he had the time at school. Or thought he did.
"You didn't hear the bell ring, dork?" Donovan chuckled, squeezing Nick's hard bicep, knowing he was sore. He patted his sticky back with the other and Nick went over to punch him in the gut then stopped last second, both laughing like boys in the sandbox in elementary school. The affection was shocking, not from Nick but from Prez. The girls to my left had bleeding noses and the assumed-brothers jumped off the desk to hopefully join in the testosterone.
"I had-" he ducked away before Donovan could grab his neck. "Headphones in. I need my Beyoncé when I run, bro." He started to hum Single Ladies and smack his hips into Donovan who gave a genuine laugh and pulled away, a spot of pink touching his cheeks and I was shocked again. The other boys weren't afraid to get into it and they sang the parts they did know and mumbled the rest. Everyone was laughing or awkwardly trying to sing a long. I couldn't stop the smile from my face and kept smiling even after they were done goofing off. Nick sighed, his eyes sleepy and Donovan pulled his friend over to a desk next to him. I sat quietly, watching Donovan's and Nick's head pull tightly together, both of each others hands gesturing while they talked. They were entirely zoned out.
And I was entirely focused on him. The way his neck muscles popped when he would turn his head and the veins running underneath his flushed arms, dark hair covering the top of his forearms. His long defined legs jutting off the desk and touching the ground easily. The two dark brown freckles he had underneath his bottom lip and his asymmetrical eyebrows, the adorable crinkles he got around his almond-shaped eyes and the smack of perfect teeth. He blinked, abruptly turning away from Donovan and glanced at the back corner of the classroom where my bag sat lonely on my desk. I wasn't sure what he was looking for but Donovan's face fell flat.
"Hey, where's-" His head swiveled around, his thumb pointed over his shoulder and his eyebrows furrowed. Our eye's collided as he scanned the remaining side of the room. "Oh." His confusion turned to a pleasant smile and everything wanted to run away and freeze on the spot simultaneously again. Then his face fell before I could get over the suffocating feeling in my chest. "Oh god. You were there the entire time huh? You saw all of-" he crazily gestured to the spot by the door where Donovan had stopped him to wrestle and sing. "That huh?"
"Queen B, all the way," I covered my face with my hand to cover the loud laugh that came out. Katie howled like a hyena and Nick's face darkened as he smiled ruefully. "It was very entertaining, don't sweat it," I tried to be reassuring but the last part "don't sweat it" made everyone laugh harder and Donovan's eyes narrowed into knives at me. I blanched, my hand reaching forward as if to grab the words that fell out. "That was unintentional." I muttered and tried to look sincerely at Nick. He immediately brightened up, over the embarrassing moment already and was laughing with us. He looked over at me and shrugged, offering me a reassuring grin full of teeth.
"Alright, alright!" The harsh barks that followed was Hyde entering the room and everyone scrambled off the desks. He gave all of us an even glare, muttering things underneath his breath. He suddenly turned away, burying his mouth in his throat to cough up a piece of lung into it. He pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket -like all old guys do- and wiped his nose, groaning. "Because no one in the school district knows how to properly communicate, you guys don't get a sub today." He wheezed and I plopped into my seat, ducking my head like if he was going to use me as a virgin sacrifice to the devil. I flinched at the term, quickly shaking my head out of it.
"Soto," Hyde threw his head back, jutting out his adam's apple. "What on God's green earth are you wearing?" I scanned the class, confused who he was talking to and then Nick weakly answered.
"I have body conditioning before this class, sir. I was running late and didn't have time to change." At least he didn't lie. Hyde took in the dark red shirt with holes cut out from the sides, sweat still drying.
"Go take a shower and change, you're just going to fall asleep for this next part anyways." He snapped, turning on the projector that hung from the ceiling and the smartboard. Nick didn't complain and picked up his backpack and left.
"Take notes, hand them in as usual." Hyde ordered the rest of us and opened a notebook up, almost irritated I was watching another movie.
"Hey Charlotte," my eyes widened and I looked over to the girl who sat next to me. "Could I have a sheet?" she pointed to the notebook and I nodded. She was one of the sophomores in the class. The lights dimmed and the projector streamed the open credits. He didn't bother explaining what the show was about but I assumed it was a documentary about a professional photographer. Suddenly, Bill Nye popped up with science exploding out of his head and the entire class cheered and sang along. Hyde hissed like a snake and we whispered.
"Thanks," she beamed at me for a second before her face went somber. "You're okay now, right?" Yesterday's memory of me crying came back and I looked down at my desk, embarrassed.
"Yeah, it was just a long day," I shooed the topic away with my hand and she offered me an encouraging smile.
"I'm no Nick Soto but if you ever need someone to hang out with, feel free." She shot me a wink and I focused on the show in front of me, sinking in my seat.
The bell rung and everyone groaned, standing up and herded into the hallway for our hour lunch. I thought about the lunch in my car and the email I needed to read. Donovan stood, blocking my way of the aisle and I gave him a look. He glance at me, easily having a foot on my height and I had to crane my neck to finish giving him my glare. Second day at school and I already had the most desired and popular kid in high school abhorred me. Great. And it seemed to be just me. I had seen him in the halls with other new kids and friends in general. But by "friends" that meant half the school and being first-name basis with the teachers and faculty. And I was the only one he couldn't stand. In all honesty, I didn't like him the fist time we had meant either. I remember yesterday's strange distaste I had first seeing him. I figured it was just me shuffling my hate for the school onto him and being petty because of his envious looks. But apparently, in another ancient life, we had to be enemies or some bullshit to be so strongly against one another. If only he knew how bad I wanted to stay out of his life more than he wanted with mine. Dustin came to mind and with my mandate to hook him up with my aunt. I had to help my aunt. We would be seeing each other a lot more than he wanted, Nick's face popping up over Dustin's and made me flinch. I refused to be immature over this sudden grunge. I cooled my features, slinging my bag over my shoulder and turned away. Walking long the back and up the other side of the room, stopping from the cramped space. I backed up, deciding to wait instead being so heavily close by people. I saw the streaming lines of students in the hall and took a breath, looking down.
"Where do you think you're going?" My head shot up and I pushed my bangs away, seeing a pair of bottle-brown eyes and a serious scrunched up nose and eyebrows. I pointed my thumb to the thinning hall.
"Um, lunch?" My tone hitching a question.
"Try again." Katie leaned back impatiently, crossing her arms and pulled her lips shut. I was dumbfounded.
"Am I forgetting some sort of meeting or prearrangement?" I panicked, my mind racing and pulling a blank. The pixie unfolded her arms and laughter exploded from her body.
"Prearrangement," she shook her head and looked at me with weird fondness. The last remaining kids passed us, including Donovan who gave Katie a warm rub on the shoulder before readjusting his backpack and walked out with his hands in his pockets. Katie now looked awestruck. I saw the pain flash in her eyes before coming back to reality. "I think you're having lunch with us today, Mecham." Dropping a wink, she walked a head of me and beckoned with her hand to follow.
"Katie," I sighed, keeping up with her brisk pace in the hall, becoming aware of my moving body and reddened. "I really can't." I thought of being with more people, more talking, more embarrassing things. My shoulders tightened and I pushed past the nausea. If they only knew, a darkness whispered in my mind.
"Yes you can. It'll be really fun, just some of us kids, like the ones you met in the classroom. We all really get a long and they all seemed to like you. Sorry about Prez though, he get's kinda shy but don't tell him I said that," she giggled mischievously and curiosity pulled at me. I knew it wasn't him being sheepish. Whatever he had against me, it wasn't being timid, that's for sure. "I invited another new girl, she's really chill as well." Katie and I had reached the commons, several groups were still hanging around and a horde of them were in the lunch line, filling up the tables and yelling loudly. My gut squeezed.
"He's fine," I muttered, pushing my thoughts of Donovan away. Of course Katie noticed his off-behavior, she didn't drop a beat with him. "I don't do well in groups, really Katie. I even had a lunch in my car, already paid for." I stopped in our tracks, seeing we were heading towards the main bench in the commons area. Right underneath the stairs leading up to where the math and science classes were. And it so-happened to have the biggest group of kids, all sporty, funny and popular. Someone brushed passed me, bumping my shoulder and shouted a name in the dozens of kids. Did it look as ominous as it did in my eyes or did others find it just as intimidating? I shivered and several faces turned at the sight of Katie, the looks pushing me back like an invisible puppet master pulling on my strings.
"I'll get you one of these days," she pointed a finger at me, her nails done in a matte black with gold and wine colored lines on them. "I don't take no's for a legit response." She gave me a piercing look that said she wasn't remotely kidding. Relief flooded through me and I figured this was her tactic that got her to Vice. That and her adorable viciousness and charming venom. I waved bye to her and turned around, walking around a cement pillar, proclaiming something about a Last Beginning of the Year Pool Bash decorated in the senior's graduating year and contact information. It was sometime next week and I heard Mags encouraging cheerleaders screams.
I pulled away and headed to the parking lot, relief flooding through me with an overpowering sense of exhaustion. I groaned, resting my head carefully on the steering wheel, safe from people and tight spaces. I had a thin sheen of sweat over my forehead and palms, my heart sputtering in my chest and a light tremble in my leg. I groaned, pressing my eyes together and breathing. Why didn't I stick to homeschooling? Online wouldn't be nearly as stressful. I remembered my mother's adamant argument over it, getting so riled up, I had zero choice in the matter. I was fine in the moment, being inside the building and focusing on going through the motions. Afterwards, anxiety shredded my body and mind. Finally calming down, I turned on the music and clicked on the Gmail notification, reading through my late-twenty-somethings aunt's sweet email, occasionally laughing as she described her hellish last couple of days being a preschool teacher and Shawn's dorkiness. I would respond later, probably bringing up the no-good pixie Katie and how my schoolwork is going along. I could sense her hesitation on Thanksgiving, being the youngest and most distant from her eldest sister, it would be understandable. If I had brought my mother in on it, Cecil wouldn't be as reluctant. They were the closest, my mother practically raising CeCe herself while my grandparents ran their snazzy law firm, disappointed none of their kids would one day be running it. Plenty of other cousins and relatives were already invested into it, but in my grandparent's eyes, it wasn't going to be the same without one of their daughters taking over. I think for a slight moment in time, they had even considered me as their heir, but dropped that when they realized my rebel side. Cecil had a little boy, just turning seven the past summer, and I could already see them sharpening their talons and beaks for the kill. Shawn worked for the firm (unrelated) -it was how he met Cecil- and my grandma and grandfather just needed more patience with their grandson.
I pulled out my bag of food, feeling guilty for the white lie I had told Katie. Yes, the food technically was already paid for. The bread, jam and peanut butter bought weeks ago from the store. And the granola bar and Caprisun the same. But taken out of context and it sounded more urgent than it was. I picked around the food, not trusting my sensitive stomach and watched kids come in and out of the parking lot. Some just sat in the bed's of trucks with fast food and laughed and talked. Others, like this morning jammed out and kept to themselves. I was in the furthest parking here, avoiding other vehicles as allowed. Only a few of the jackasses revved their engines, peeling out of the parking space and almost crashing into neighboring cars. I gave them a heavy glare as they passed. I saw a two-door deep violet Wrangler whip around the corner, hauling ass before slowing down and coasting through. I internally gave the driver a nod of approval, watching with curiosity to see the face. The roof had been removed, the weather apparently warm enough to drive with it off. I would no doubt freeze in the mornings and definitely hopping to get in. It was raised, not enough to assume they were overcompensating for something, but enough to mess around in through streams and rocks. There was evidence of that on the sides and hood. I squinted my eyes, seeing them park in the section up from me and dropped a swear word. I immediately ducked, looking for a way out and realized I was in my Durango. I swore again. The right side of the Jeep was facing me and I saw lean legs drop easily to the ground, an easy-breezy look on his face as he bent over to fix his tousled hair in the mirror, adjusting the layers and flattening his shorter sides. He wore aviators, unrightfully looking perfect in them. He plopped them back down on the seat as his friends came around, jumping out of the back carelessly and suddenly my heart dropped. The one emerged from the passenger side, put into a dark green V-neck and boardwalk shorts and beat up Vans. Somehow, he looked just as good as he did in work-out clothes. He wore aviators too, matching his best friend, and the two slapped each other on the back, both beaming at each other. Nick Soto and Donovan Saunders. The three other guys that crawled from the backseat were strangers to me, one wearing a cardigan like the president and I could barely make out "secretary'" embroidered in gold letters.
Seconds later after parking and unloading, another car sharply took the corner without slowing down and did a wide arch to miss the boys. It was a Nissan Altima, in a dangerous shade of red and last years model. I blinked, captivated with what was going on. The car door swung open and diminutive Katie came hurling out. She was pissed. Nick and the three others dodged, scattering like bowling pins and Donovan tipped-toed backwards with his palms facing up, impressively at a quick speed Katie couldn't keep up with and a earsplitting grin on his face. Girls emerged from the car, shaking their heads and looked half-irritated and half-amused. Seeing the only violent one was Katie, they herded together and watched. She chased him around his Jeep and in-between the parked cars. I just wanted to know what had happened that made her so feisty. They didn't stop until she was laughing her ass off and out of breath, hunched over and heaving. Several other students looked on and watched as well, shouting out things and making cat claws gestures with their hand at Vice. I eyed the time, groaning and knew I was getting caught eating in my car by Katie. I bucked up, refusing to feel like a child and quickly got out before I lost my edge. I swung my messenger bag over my shoulder and tucked my phone into the pocket on my sweatshirt. Without the music, I could hear the teenagers loud laughs and the shouts they made. Katie was still hunched over, giving Prez a glare that had no foundation to it. Knowing she was out of steam, he approached her, bending down to her eyelevel that had her shooting up in indignation. With one hand on her hip and the other screwing a fingernail into his sternum, she started lecturing the shameless Donovan.
"We agreed the main roads, Saunders!" She was lecturing as I came into hearing range. I hadn't been noticed yet and I skirted the big group but slowly so I could hear. Donovan was biting back a smile and I was taken off guard with how... fun he looked like. Still more collected and calm, but not in the dark and brooding way I always saw him in my head. I stiffly glanced away and looked up, hearing something that sounded like-
"Curls!" It was the worst whisper in the world and I blushed, pausing in my tracks as Shrek saw me. He easily was the tallest guy here, a towering almost seven foot and broad shoulders and legs. He wore his hair long, falling to his muscled neck in dirty blonde waves with a rugged face, scruff and a crooked nose that Owen Wilson would be proud of. He was tan from the summers being spent outside and his shirt pressed against his arms as he waved me over. I went to pick up speed, refusing to be anywhere near the asshole, and suddenly Nick was joining in, his hands beckoning to come watch. I was weak willed apparently, I slumped my shoulder and walked over. The group was small, only consisting off the original people from the cars and then Shrek, Savannah and her boyfriend, and two others joined. Since Katie wasn't running around, a lot of people had left and went back inside the school before the bell rung.
"Yeah Yeah! We got Curls in the house!" Shrek cheered in a deep voice and I dropped him a withering look. He gave me a jock-laugh and winked at me.
"Curls?" Nick looked at my hair, piled up on the top of my head and nodded. "That's cute. I still prefer Charlotte though." Nick gave me an encouraging sweet half-smile and my response caught in my throat.
"I did stick to the main roads," Donovan piped up in his defense even though you could hear the false note. "Just because you didn't know about it, doesn't mean it wasn't a main street."
"Donovan Saunders," Katie seethed but it didn't reach her eyes. "You know damn well that was a back road and next time, you're not going to win. I promise you that."
I blinked, taken a back again. "It was a race?" I asked, incredulous. Everyone nodded around me, this was old news to them.
"They race weekly, sometimes twice," Nick lowered his voice and I was caught up in the smoothness. "I can't even remember how it started. I think, what? Sophomore year?" He glanced up at Shrek to get his feedback but he wasn't paying attention anymore.
"How come?" I frowned, confused. Even in my reckless days, I didn't want those big fines associated with speeding. "I mean, I've assumed they've gotten caught."
Nick pursed his lips and nodded. "Oh, for sure." I stared at him, still puzzled.
"And they still have their licenses?" It hit me this was the longest Nick and I had talked since we met at the mall. I realized how close he had gotten towards me, naturally so I could hear him and I took a step back, shaking my head out of it.
He gave a loud laugh, tilting his head back and then down at me. "I honestly forget you're new, Charlotte," that was the second time he had said my name and it sent chills through me. "Katie's father is the Chief of Police and grew up with the officers like older brothers. Her mother is some brain surgeon at the McKatie Hospital and is very involved with the community," he gestured towards the arguing firecracker, having one hand across his chest and the other pointed. He compensated again for the space and leaned over, giving me a whiff of musky cologne that smelt like lemons and oak. "She's the head cheerleader and Vice President, and with the help from her parents has done several fundraisers for the homeless shelters and the new elementary school they built last year. She's earned several awards and scholarships from the school and wants to be the State Senator when she's older after graduating from Princeton," he gave a pause, letting all of that settle. "Would you want to be the cop that tickets Katie Lundrigan? He gave me a knowing smile and I let out a low smile.
"It's not fair though, getting treated different than anyone else." I commented, not that I had a problem with Katie, I just had a problem with fairness. Nick shrugged and turned his lips up ruefully.
"She's great though, a blast to be around and it's a give and take with her bossiness." He chuckled and lightly bumped into me. I jerked back and he reached other to catch me- thinking I was falling instead of flinching- and I raised my hands, showing I was stable. But dying on the inside.
"Sorry," we said at the same time and started laughing. I flushed and my eyes shot to the ground, looking at my shoes against the cracked black ground. What was I doing?
"And Donovan? What about him? I'd ticket him." I muttered darkly and immediately bit my lip. "Sorry, again. I didn't mean that." I internally smacked my face.
Nick chuckled, raising his hand to stop me from saying anything else. "You're honest about your feelings. I like that," he beamed and turned his attention back on his best friend. "Let's see, good ol' Donnie. Mother is the best lawyer in the state, pretty much. Always in the papers, being equally professional and ruthless at her job. Mayor Saunders is his grandfather, his grandmother is on the school district and his aunts run several small businesses in town and along the coast. The Saunders founded this town forever and a half ago," Nick rolled his eyes and I sensed it was from the big time name. "School's President, quarter back, soccer captain and he plays in the city's rugby team. We've gotten State every year so far. He's been on every sports team at least once or has somehow helped manage and to practice with them. He volunteers at an animal shelter and has written several pieces for the town's newspaper that really impacted how the city take cares of strays. Oh! Dustin!" He exclaimed and smacked his forehead. "His uncle, sorry. A big deal here, he's not on anything official but he helps run a lot of programs with education and sports. He's kind of like the school's unofficial official chaperone and party host." He chuckled, smiling fondly at old memories. I remembered my aunt just explaining this morning how well-known the Saunders were. She could have been more specific with the titles though. I thought of the gorgeous and direct Cameron, pinning her as a lawyer. Was that his mother? And what about the dad? Nick didn't mention anything and from the pictures on the mantel, Cameron was very much single and content with it staying that way.
"Party host?" I raised an eyebrow, picturing Dustin's charming face and his dark hair graying on the sides in a sophisticated way. I didn't know how wise it would be to share that I had already met him so I kept it to myself.
"Every year he's hosted the Last Beginning of the Year Pool Bash, always decking out his backyard with cool games and prizes for us seniors. I mean, plus the pool. And he's chaperoned a lot of dances and activities. The parents trust him and he's a super cool dude. Hey!" like lightening, a thought hit his face and I jumped, refocusing again. "You should come with us to the party! Just ignore Donovan, he's just being stupid." He added when he saw the look of trepidation and thought it was Donovan. I whitened, panic blossoming in my chest and I pulled away. Just like with Katie, I had to refuse. Abruptly, the bell sounded and we looked back at the school.
"Don't think about it, just say yes." He gave me a pointed look, his eyebrows arched and mouth set in a serious line. I muttered something and before he could respond, Shrek had him in a head lock and Donovan came over to dig his knuckles into his head. Fighting and shouting names, they ran off and the look Donovan gave was unmistakably directed towards me. I timidly headed towards Berkley High, lost in my thoughts as I crossed the parking lot and let the breeze play with my bangs. Across from the high school was the natatorium, chlorine from the pool water being already smelled, and several swimmers walked in and out. Neighborhoods full of houses surrounded the school as well as some small burger places and a donut shop, always busy from the high school students. I wandered aimlessly into the school, the close proximity of bodies making me lightly jump and twitch as if I was being pricked with needles. I passed the tan lockers and the empty classrooms being filled again, my mind lost in thought. I plopped down in the art room, the classroom part with desks that had the capability to lift up into a artist's easel and a drawer filled with colored pencils and pens. I chose the front row, knowing very few would sit here and unloaded my bag in the seat next to me. Today, we were going over some techniques and watching videos about some famous YouTube artist. I always had a mild passion for art and the like, I went to several museums during the summer with my aunt and was drilled religiously on the proper way to study art and pick up on an artist's style. I was sure ceramics had the same concept, maybe a twist of the rules, and I was confident. Ahead of me was Alsop's desk, filled with canvases, paintbrushes and pencils. On the front of the wall, pinned into the carpeted surface, hung student's latest pieces. It must have been a higher leveled drawing class for students who took it like my talented aunt did. Outstanding acrylic still life's were matted and displayed; a white porcelain vase with a single budding carnation, three weathered books of jade green, levi blue and gray laid next to it and a red apple came in front. Each was stunning and held the same basic concept, but totally original and individual. I wondered what my aunt would be enthusiastically muttering into my ear, her voice naturally dropping an octave when around art from working at a museum. I shifted uncomfortably, tearing my eyes away and pushed the abrupt home-ache away. The teacher came in, radiating energy with jerky movements as he hustled the wandering students into their seats and slapped off the lights. Alsop was on the younger end of the spectrum, being no older than thirty-four and had that fresh I-adore-my-job-and-love-kids attitude you rarely found in the seasoned teachers. Gangly with dirty blonde hair and a proud Roman nose, he was known to randomly break out in different accents when talking and made it adamant to never touch his pupil's artwork. I had tried and failed miserably with my pinch pot yesterday and he cooed me, saying that was the beauty of art. I had rolled my eyes and thought of Mags.
"Hey! C'mon now, simmer down 'dere." He went with a thick western accent and several kids giggled before quieting. He reached into his paint stained pockets, muttering a curse word that only I heard and my eyes widened. He seemed more scatterbrained than usual. He adjusted some things on his desk, found what he was looking for ad aimed the remote at the projector above on the ceiling and turned on his SmartBoard. I groaned, more videos. I silently hoped biology and history were different. With the lights off and the introduction music playing, my thoughts wondered, only my hand moving smoothly over a piece of paper for doodling made it seem like I was paying attention. I thought of the information Nick said to me, seeing Katie and Donovan in a new light. Neither were just a pretty face, both had amazing credentials and hard workers. I felt myself slightly shrivel on the inside, like a uncomfortable tug at the bottom of my stomach. Why did it make me so upset with how successful they were? The gnaw painfully turned into self-disappointment. I wasn't even sure I wanted college and Katie was going to Princeton. Donovan -his name making the pain worse- probably had so many other university offer, his mailbox was overflowing. My mind softly landed on Nick and I wondered what his plans were. I didn't know him well enough to ask about his future goals. Stupid, Mecham! I scorned myself and then suddenly wondered if he even wanted to discuss his future with me. My eyes shifted downward, my hand stopping the twists and shapes on the dimly lit paper. I remembered the people surrounding Katie in third period, the adoration everyone gave Donovan and the warmth Nick shared and received tenfold back. Like a tidal wave delicately sucking me under, I realized I had no place with them. Even the snobby Donovan, who wanted nothing else to do with me anyways. I was correct turning down Katie's lunch offer and just like her, I wouldn't be going to the School Bash either. Comforted by my decision, I squared my shoulders and refocused myself, staring at the screen ahead as the Asian man in front of me mesmerizingly formed a massive serving bowl on his wheel and shaped it delicately with his fingers.
The bull rung and all of us silently picked up our things, glazed over by the long and hypnotizing video. It was Katie and the treasurer who stopped by, he gave me an appraising full-bodied gaze and I stiffly smiled, plucking at my sweatshirt and leggings. He was a thicker guy and average in height, with styled blonde hair and blue eyes set in a smirking baby face. I instantly read him as cocky and shifted my gaze at Katie who beamed at me.
"Chaaarlotte," she said, carrying out my name as she bounced over. "This is Tyler, I brought him with me because he wanted to know all of the new kids," she leaned over conspiringly at me, her eyes smoldering. "But he really just wanted to know what the fuss was all about." My eyebrows shot up at the last part. Fuss? What fuss? A thousand meanings of what she meant flew across my mind in the seconds it took for Tyler to warmly offer his hand politely.
"Charlotte Mecham, correct?" He tried to be smooth but I just dumbly nodded.
"Tyler, right?"
"Just call me Ty, everyone does." He smiled warmly and I nodded again. A rare awkward silence spread over, Katie gone and talking with the teacher -probably flirting more than anything- and the student council member just oddly stared at me while I fiddled my thumbs and pretended not to notice.
"Sorry about that guys," Katie said unapologetically and motioned for us to move into the hallway. I was once again the leader, which made me only fiddle more with my hands, and the other two discussed the upcoming football season.
"Well, how is Grayson shaping up? I don't think we'll get very far with another shitty defense."
"No, No. If Coach did that, we'd be screwed!"
"Two-a-days?" Tyler scoffed and I vaguely understood he was talking about workouts. "I think that would burn us out quicker than anything. What does Saunders say?"
My ears pricked up.
"Pfft! Perfect practice makes perfect," Katie remarked and I rolled my eyes, of course that would be her motto. "And Dee doesn't really care, he works out like a beast anyways. I think just as long as it doesn't interfere with the team's studies and too much of their social life, he'll be golden." Katie chuckled ruefully and then her eyes went to mine, suddenly saddening. Dee? How many nicknames does this guy have?
"Sorry hun, I didn't mean to exclude you. Were you on any sports back at your previous school?" She turned up her lips again and I was aware of Tyler's eyes boring into me.
"Err, I did a few years of volleyball. That's about it." I murmured, remembering the horrible and mean girls. I shuddered.
"Oh really!" A look darted across her face and she smiled like the vixen she was. "I know I couple guys who dig volleyball players. I could introduce you if you wanted." She leered at me and my hands shot in the air. Oh Jesus no. The biology room came around the corner and I never felt more relief to escape a conversation. Ty excused himself and continued walking as we stopped and leaned against the brick wall. I was thankful he left.
"Um, that's okay, Katie," I smiled forcefully at her. I suddenly remembered this afternoon at lunch and gave her a small smirk. "I would hate to be the guy that ever pisses you off." I chuckled and she gave me a puzzled expression.
"I saw what happens when men don't play fair at lunch." I giggled and she slightly blushed, a first for her probably.
"Freaking Donovan," she muttered, peeved all over again. "More like immature boys who just look like they're worth a damn." She scoffed, playing tough but I knew differently. I'd only been around her the last two days but I could tell she had it bad.
Brazenly, before I could bite my tongue and check my curiosity, I blurted out a question. "Were you and him ever a thing? You seem close." Code for, "I can totally tell you're into him but what's up with the friendzone thing" and she looked down at her feet like a little girl caught trying to sneak a cookie.
"Yeah," she gushed, looking utterly drunk as she looked back up. "I mean, no. No. It's not like that." She corrected abruptly, cold water being dumped on the conversation.
"Well, that contradicted." I laughed shortly and her hands fluttered in exasperation. I shrunk back.
"No, no, it's not you," she corrected, seeing my hurt. "I'll have to explain later, it's a long story. Hey, you're coming to the Senior Bash right? I'll pick you up! I know exactly where it is!" She gave me her full Katie Lundrigan grin and I thought back to Nick as well. I flinched, giving myself a swift reminder of what I decided in art, and shook my head.
"Water really isn't my scene." I made a face but it was totally honest.
"I'll save you a spot by Niii-iick," she bribed in a sing-song voice. "You can even cuddle during the movie." All my lunch threatened to shoot up and I whitened right when she said those words.
"Hey, I really need to head in," I changed the subject, turning away. "I'll see ya tomorrow." I saw the perplexed look on her small face but I went in, taking a seat in the back of the room to collect my self.
Science and history blew over, filled with stupid note taking and open book quizzes. I had no idea what the rest of the semester was going to be like, but I silently prayed it wouldn't be so dull. The last bell of the day rung, sounding like a benediction, and everyone groaned with relief. I slumped my bag over my shoulder and glared at the endless rooms and hallways that were somehow too small when you needed it to be massive and too roomy like when you were walking by yourself. I busted out the front doors, welcoming the drops of rain on my scrunched up face and breathed. I survived the first two days of school. Two-hundred-and-something more to go.