Spare Me

Back to school after the summer break, with a new year ahead of us. I’m stoked.

I pass through the hall doors with new energy, my two best friends, Giselle and Amy, beside me. Everyone’s staring at us like we’re some kind of catch.

But then I realize they’re staring right through us, at a tall, tanned, handsome, dark-haired bad boy. He’s definitely new. He’s got the vibe. And with him are two other boys, one blond and the other brunette. They look like they’ll fit right in here.

- Watch it, he says as his shoulder brushes mine.

I roll my eyes and turn to my friends

- He’s got some nerve.

The girls giggle.

- He’s hot, Giselle admits.

- I prefer the blond one, Amy adds.

- Enough with the boy talk already. Let’s go to class, I say as the bell cuts off anyway.

We stop at our lockers to drop our things and then head to the main hall, where we’re given our new class schedules.

- Shit, we don’t have many classes together, Amy sighs.

- Don’t worry girl, we’ll be catching up between breaks, Giselle reassures her.

Giselle and I have all of our classes together, thankfully. Though that’s not surprising, since we favor the same subjects. That’s also why we’re placed in classes a year above us: science and biology. So exciting. We get to explode and mix things without getting detention. What more could we ask for? And all that with my partner in crime, my beloved Giselle.

We’ve been friends since we were eight. We met Amy when we were thirteen in the most random way. Giselle stumbled into her at an ice cream shop, spilling her milkshake all over her. A strange way to make a friend, but ever since then we’ve been the core three.

It’s time to actually make our way to our first lesson, so we split up.

First subject: English. We take our seats, and the two hours pass with a quiz to test what we remember, followed by a short lecture on what our main focus will be this semester.

After the first few lessons, we move on to biology.

Giselle walks in first, and I follow behind her, holding her hand. I guess they are wondering what we’re doing there since we’re younger, but it’s not our fault we’re smart.

We sit in the back when I catch the boys from earlier out of the corner of my eye.

- Hey, look who’s in the same class as us, I whisper to Giselle.

Her eyes immediately fall on them.

- Things just got interesting, she grins.

- I’m sure they’re trouble. We shouldn’t bother.

- Oh, come on. It won’t hurt to introduce ourselves.

- Maybe at some point, but let it slide for now, please, I ask, and she nods.

By the time we’re out, Amy is waiting for us in the cafeteria and waves at us.

- Finally. I was so bored. I couldn’t wait for it to be over.

- Nothing interesting happened, then? Giselle says casually. Well, you won’t believe who’s in biology with us. The sexy newbies.

Amy laughs.

I cut them off.

- Speaking of which... why are they staring at us? Awkward, I turn my head the other way.

- Don’t freak out. Here they come, both of them prepare me.

Before I can react, they slide into the chairs at our table like they own the place.

- Hey, I’m Michael, the brunette says. And this is West and James.”

- Nice to meet you, ladies, West adds.

The other boy stays quiet, offering only a small smile.

- So... do you need help with anything? What are you doing? Amy asks sassily.

- Don’t be mean Amy, let the boys chill, Giselle interrupts.

- Sorry. We just saw you two earlier in our class and wondered--

I cut Michael off.

- Wondered what sixteen-year-old girls have to do with biology?

James finally joins in.

- No. You just caught our attention, and we thought we could be friends.

I smile at him.

- Friends, huh? You’ve got to earn that spot, Giselle announces.

- Bring it on, West agrees.

For a while, we stay there getting to know those guys, and I start warming up to James. At first he seemed cold, but now I’m really enjoying talking to him.

Time moves quickly, and the girls and I need to go change into our cheerleading uniforms and head to the field. Official school hours are over. Now the fun begins. Sports time.

We need to lead our baseball team to victory, so we’ve got to bring our A-game to practice. Before leaving the boys, we invite them to the Saturday’s first game of the season. They promise they’ll be there, and we’re off.

To my surprise, I see James on the field auditioning for the baseball team. I’m impressed. He’s really good.

- Hey, here, have some water, I say as I pass him a bottle. I thought you could use a break.

- Thanks, he says with a smile. So you’ll be cheering for me from now on, huh?

- Does that mean you made the team then?

- Did you doubt me?

- I wouldn’t know. I just met you, but good luck. I’ll be cheering you on, I say, bursting off.

I catch him laughing at my words.

- What’s up with you two? Amy and Giselle ask.

- Nothing. I just really enjoyed getting to know him. I think we could be friends. All of us. They’re cool, I admit.

- Great. That’s what I wanted to hear, Giselle says excitedly.

Obviously, she fancies West. There’s no doubt about it.

We’re in the changing rooms, tired from practice and getting ready to go home, when James comes in.

- Hey, sorry to interrupt. What are you doing later?

- Who? I panic.

- All of you. The guys and I thought it would be fun to go out, play some bowling, and get drinks. What do you say?

- Sure, why not, the three of us agree.

- Great. We’ll pick you up at eight just send me your address, he says, handing me his phone.

- There you go, I say, handing it back.

He winks at me and disappears.

- Okay, so I guess we should get going, get some rest, and meet later at yours, Scarlet, Gisselle advices.

Amy and I share a look and walk out of the changing rooms to the parking lot.

- See you later, babes, I wave at the girls as I get in my car and drive away.

- Can’t wait, their voices fade.

Why am I blushing right now? It’s like any other hangout, right? Either way, I have to think about clothes.