I could tell he was getting pissed off at me and I loved every second of it. We haven’t really gotten along since I stole his girlfriend three years ago. So I tormented him every single chance I got, just to get a rise out of him.
I decided to leave him alone and let him get ready for school. As much as I loved to piss him off, we had another important game tonight and I had to focus my attention on that.
On my walk to school I received a text from Amber.
Blondie: Hey, I know this is last minute, but I’d like to hang out again after school today.
Me: Can’t, I have a game.
Blondie: What time?
Me: Six, feel free to come and watch.
Blondie: Offer accepted. C u then.
***
Zeke
I was on cloud nine today. Nothing, not even Zach, could bring me down. Max and I connected on such a deep level last night, it was surreal.
All we did was share a huge half-pound burger and talk under the stars all night, but I felt so comfortable around her. I felt like I could be myself, talking to a beautiful girl, not my teacher.
I made sure I left the house after Zach this morning. I wanted a peaceful walk, alone. Not an interrogation session on my way to school.
***
“You look awfully happy today, Zeke,” said Rachel.
“I guess you could say that.”
“Don’t forget, we have our first Mathlete competition in two weeks! I hope you’ll be able to focus then.”
If only she knew how hard that would actually be. The person who was responsible for my distraction was going to be there.
***
Zach
Amber and I were really starting to hit it off. She actually showed up at my game last night and we hung out all night afterward. I never really got to know a girl before I met her. Usually we’d bang and that would be the only connection we had.
This almost felt like it was too good to be true how well we clicked.
I was on my way to lunch when she yelled my name from the opposite end of the hallway. Chris was with me and he gave me the go ahead to leave. I sprinted down the hall, trying not to seem so desperate to hang with her.
“Hey, Amber.”
“Hey, I figured since I’m still pretty new around here, we could sit together at lunch.”
“Sure, sounds good.” She smelled so good, good enough to eat. Her hair was in a ponytail and she had a tight pink sweat suit on.
We walked into the cafeteria together and all eyes were on us. I was used to it, but it was clear she wasn’t. Whistles and cheers went surging through the crowd, and she grabbed my arm clinging to it. “What’s wrong, Amber?”
“I have severe anxiety. I’m not used to this many eyes on me at one time.”
“Well, welcome to Sheercrest. If you chose a less popular guy to walk in with, this would be no big deal. But you chose the star quarterback babe, so you get the royal treatment now,” I laughed.
Chapter 12
Zach
“So Zach, who’s the blonde you’ve been hanging with?” Chris questioned.
“Amber. She’s smokin’ right?”
“Yeah. Is she new? I’ve never seen her around here before.”
“Yeah, I met her at the diner a few nights ago. She came up to me and handed me her number.”
“Hmm, seems suspicious.”
“What do you mean, Chris?”
“I don’t know. A smokin’ hot chick meets you at the diner, hands you her number and y’all have barely even said more than two words to each other?”
“True, I didn’t even question it. I’m so used to random shit like that happening.”
“I know. I still smell a set up bro, so be careful.”
“Will, do. See you at practice tomorrow.”
Coach had finally given us a night off. He wasn’t totally over the Highlander loss last week, but he could tell we were exhausted.
I went to toss my books in my locker and forgot I left my football in my Creative Writing class. I went back to get it but the door was locked. I knocked a few times, and could hear someone moving, before they finally came to the door.
“Yes.” Ms. Sheppard asked.
“I forgot my football, can I have it back?”
“Uh-sure. Give me one sec, okay?” She locked the door back and I heard her fumbling around.
“Are you all right, Ms. S?”
“Yes, I just hit my foot on a chair. I’ll be right there!” She came back to the door and opened it just enough to hand me the football. Curious to what she was up to, I pushed it and saw him, sitting behind her desk.
“Zeke? What’s going on here? Are you two—banging?”
“No, why would you think that?” she said with a suspicious look on her face.
“I don’t know. The door was locked; there were a lot of weird noises coming out of here. Looks pretty suspicious if you ask me.”