I listened eagerly to Rachel as she narrated the latest dirt in the corridors.
Nicole, some noodle head in one of the senior classes apparently wasn't paying attention to her formulas and teacher and ended up causing a minor explosion which trigged the fire alarm.She also managed to spill a test tube of hydrogen peroxide on herself on that same day.Like who does chemistry practicals with approximately three inch nails?She was lucky Mr Hoff didn't give her an F.
Nicole was a really snobby girl with no respect for school authority.This could be proven by her lack of compliance to the school dress code.Wearing the shortest skirts and the most revealing tops was her thing.
Rumor even had it that it was one of the reasons her quarterback boyfriend , Aiden Sanders dumped her along with some other excuses that she was sleeping around with a bunch of other guys.
"Hey ladies,can I jam here for a while? "Fahd asked taking
a pointed look at Harry . I wriggled my eyebrow suggestively at Harry, a small smile appearing on her face.Our gossip spree was momentarily paused.
"Sure,you can."I answered for Harry since she deliberately busied herself stirring her tub of yogurt.Playing hard to get, wasn't she?
"Hey Angel."Chad said airily his soft breath brushing against my cheeks slipping in the seat beside me.I grew a light shade of pink by his proximity and Rachel rolled her eyes mouthing that the two of her friends were both smitten.Chad's friend Eric took the seat next to Rachel starting conversation right away.
Chad was a typical jock in all sense but he was me and Rachel's friend at karate class so that little friendship we developed then still lasted. Fahd and Eric were on the school basketball team too but Chad and Eric were the friends from the trio.They never hung together with Fahd though,it was just that they sometimes all magically popped up at our table.
"So what stuff are you two lovebirds giggling about?"Eric asked in fascination shifting his gaze between Harry and Fahd,that boy had a way of making every situation awkward.
Harry grew pink as she left the table after having mumbled something about going to the washroom.
" Dude stop eyeing the chick's ass."Eric mumbled. It was unfortunate since we all heard it and went into a complete state of hysterics.
No one missed Fahd checking her out but Eric being the loud mouth that he was spilled it out.
Fahd run his fingers through his arabian curls and gave Eric a glare.
"She's my chick.I've got the right to." Fahd retorted stubbornly.
"Dude but not in front of us." Chad responded gleefully.
I cocked my head to the side and watched them in amusement. Listening to their banter was so exciting.They made us laugh so much.
I finished with my lunch and was taking my tray to the bin when Chad offered to do so.I protested and eventually found myself doing it with him and then walking to my next class,literature with him.Luckily, he had literature too.
We sat in groups of eight to discuss our drama topics during literature.Me ,Harriet, Rachel, Fahd and Chad were in the same group together with Mabel and Eric. Our group was an odd bunch since we needed a last member to make us even.We needed a boy precisely to help achieve that aim.But there were no spares left or anyone who wanted to change a group so we were stuck being seven.
I glanced through a Wuthering Heights paperback to kill time since the teacher hadn't arrived . I realized my binder went loose and my papers were flying all over.I bent down to retrieve it when my eyes met with a pair of sea blue ones.
I scanned Jay's features and he looked away surprised that I had caught him staring my way. I used this time to study him.He had this calm and composed countenance yet with a mischievous guy -ish swag.He was wearing skinny jeans with a grey sweatshirt. He completed his dressing with a pair of Nike trainers. He was charming.Simple but hot.
He suddenly picked his bag from the floor and got up from his seat sending me looking in the opposite direction.
From peripheral vision,I could see him make his way to our group looking pointedly at me.
I snapped my attention back to the book in my hands.From the corner of my eye I could see he was still walking towards me.My heart raced as he finally made it to the group.I tried my best to avoid eye contact by trying to concentrate on my book.
"Hey," Jay waved to the group which was almost full now except for Eric ; hell knew where that boy was.
"You're new right?My name is Harriet." Harriet volunteered stretching her hand out for a handshake in bid of friendliness.
"Do you have a group?You can be in ours?" Mabel cut in dropping her bag on the floor making space for Jay to sit.
"I was coming to that."Harry muttered with an eye roll.
"Thanks." Jay said taking the empty seat near Fahd.The disappointment was evident on Mabel's face.
I could feel his intense gaze run me up and down before a smirk was put in its place.I read the first line in the new chapter I'd flipped to for about six times consecutively before I sighed ;How could I possibly concentrate with him staring me down.
I scoffed not before I put the book down and looked at him to give him a piece of my mind.That was weird;He drifted his gaze away.I looked at him for a considerable amount of time feeling stupid in the act.He wasn't even staring at me yet I worked myself out?I turned away embarrassed.
"Wuthering Heights, hm ,so you're into literature?"
I looked up from the book not quite certain of who he was talking to.His gaze on me never wavered.
"Yeah, got a problem with that?"I snapped going back to my book.He looked at me for a considerable amount of time in thought until that look was replaced with smirk and a gleam of mischief in his eyes not before he muttered something inaudible.
Thankfully, the teacher came just in time preventing any further banters.
***
I sometimes stayed back after school to do the editing and rewriting of article submissions for the newsletter committee.Today was not any different.
I busily scribbled away with my pencil and jotted down some notes as Jessica,my editing partner sat opposite me engaged in the same type of exercise.The other team members also had days assigned to them to sort out files and do the typing.We were at it for nearly twenty five minutes when I heard the door creak and we both looked up in surprise noticing the boy at the doorway.
I looked at Jay for a moment thinking that he probably got lost trying to find his way somewhere.That my friends,I was totally wrong about.He didn't back out or ask for directions.He only gave a little salute and dragged a chair to our desk sitting down on it.I looked at him in utter shock. Why was that boy everywhere that I was?Students were not even allowed on campus after the close of school unless it was for some authorized reason like clubs or another school team.
"What do you want?" I asked incredulously.
"Don't you mean ,welcome and how may I be of assistance?"
"Huh?"
"Are you the new photo editor for the school's newsletter?"Jessica asked instead.
" There it goes."He said looking at me then Jessica to emphasize that it was the kind of approval he wanted. I resisted the undying urge to roll my eyes.
"Yeah." He answered flashing her a dazzling smile.I swallowed at his well chiselled jawline snapping immediately out of it.
"But we are supposed to be in pairs !" I stated looking at him unbelievably wondering how he could have possibly got in.
Then I remembered,his Aunt was the Principal.
"Well maybe you can forfeit your spot and leave me here alone with your friend since she doesn't have a problem with us being a trio.Do you?"He asked Jessica coyly .
Nuh uh.I wasn't going forfeit my spot on the school editorial team.I liked that honour and Mum totally shipped it once she found out it was a way to help me escape from the tiring exercise Dad usually gave me and Benji,my big brother after school.Thankfully,Benji was the one going through all that now which explained why he was so ripped.That man made me do Karate for some years ,It was where I totally became friends with Rachel.
" No I don't ." Jessica replied looking up at me to at least let him in.
" Whatever," I said with a slight wave of my hand .
"Welcome to the team." Jessica offered stretching out her hand for a handshake flashing him a wide smile.Jay looked at me as he took her palms in his giving it a firm shake.
He outstretched his palm toward me for a handshake after withdrawing it from Jessica's.I looked at him in amusement battling the thought of it in my mind.Did he think I was that cheap to go about offering to shake hands with the enemy slash egotistical jerks like him?
I gave him the benefit of the doubt anyway and stretched my hand out to meet his.Our palms were nearly touching when he withdrew his ,a victorious smirk on his face.
"I was asking for the drafts." he announced simply acting as if nothing had happened ,a winning grin on his face .
I rolled my eyes and handed the sheets over,that boy was insufferable.
He studied the contents of the document for a while before giving it back to me.Whipping out a pretty black camera from the bag he had slung on his shoulder,he started uploading pictures onto a laptop.I ignored him focusing on the work infront of me. I felt him taking shots of someone or something though ,probably it was Jessica who had a high fashion sense always looking like she stepped out of the Vogue.Anyway,I was too distracted by the work in front of me to realize that it might not be her.
I grabbed my bag as soon as I was done with my edits for the day and walked out of the class quickly.
I arrived at home pretty early since I wanted to watch the season finale of the Good Doctor ,I had left my phone on charge this morning since it was five percent and it couldn't last the whole school school day.Now I was missing its climax because,the house key was not in its usual position under Mum's yellow flower pot.
I went over to our neighbour, Mrs. Brookes' residence but it wasn't with her. I stayed on with her until her twins got home and I had to babysit.
Her twins Isla and Alya were adorable and did almost everything together.
"You're invited to our teaparty. " They chorused pronouncing teaparty in cute British accents
I put the magazine I was flipping through down on the center table and spent a whole half hour playing rounds and rounds of Barbie doll house with them.
I noticed Benji drive past and took my leave after goodbyeing Mrs.Brookes.The twins looked sad to see me leave so I promised to take them to the park some other time.
"You didn't put the key in it's usual place dimwit!" I said as soon as I got close to talking distance.
"Relax .I forgot." Benji explained picking his bag from the front seat and slamming his car door shut.
"I bet if The Good Doctor will still be running." He smirked.I glared at him.So he'd done that intentionally.
"Sicko! "I muttered with an eye roll.
" Keep rollin'em.Bet you'll find the brains you seriously need back there."He teased barging his way past into the house.
I trilled my lips in mock fashion.Why was my college attending big brother so immature?
***
We all started taking notes as soon as Mr Manhart started the lesson.He told us to write on the works of some great writers in the making.
Jay sat right next to me this time since he claimed he had trouble catching up so I think Mr.Manhart recommended me to him.
He made a representative of each group come to the front of the class and pick a writer from a transparent glass bowl filled with possible writers.Rachel went for our group.She picked Jane Austen.
It was admirably interesting as we as a group summarised most of her books and unearthed its themes and heritage.
When it was time to do the group presentation our group did wonderfully.Wow!Guess which group had a whooping A+?
Ours
Which explained why I was in a good mood today during the newsletter editorial.
Jessica didn't find it amusing since her group totally messed up.
I sorted the articles out by issues they raised and gently packed them into a shelf.Jay seemed to be staring at me but whenever I turned to confirm it,it looked as if he was staring through me as in deep thought or something like that.I hurried with my edits and was done in a few minutes.
I hurried out of the door not wanting to spend another minute in there with Jay and his attractive face and rotten attitude.
I was in the car park in less than a minute and was opening my car door when I realized Jessica waving me over to stop.
"Camilla are my keys with you?"She asked worry wretched on her face.
"No,I don't think so." I replied as she dumped the contents of her bag on my car trunk searching endlessly for them.
"You know Troy Sanders made a move on me last night."
"No way,Shut up!"
"Do I look like I'm feigning it?" She asked scrunching up her nose and looking up at me from her key searching.
Troy Sanders was Aiden Sanders' little brother .Troy was a sophomore like us too and wow!He did have flings with different girls everyday. His brothers fame had sort of rubbed off on him.
"What did you tell him?" I asked curiousity getting the better of me.
"Well duh,I declined his offer."She said all seriousness.Jessica had her own friends and her own crowd but sometimes we did share stuff in common on the job ,gossip.I said nothing waiting for her to elaborate.
"I told him I liked someone else."She replied.I couldn't help but feel this sudden uneasiness overpowering me.
"Who?"I asked trying to keep my voice steady.
"Jake."
I froze as I tried to let everything sink in.I felt a thug at my heart as I swallowed the lump gradually growing in my throat.
"Him!" I finally stuttered.
"Yeah him,you're making it seem as if he's not attractive enough."
"No!I don't mean he's not attractive it's just that I'm surprised."I fumbled.
" So you don't like him then?"she asked raising an eyebrow.
"Na uh,not even a little bit."I said but regretted as soon as the words came out since her next utterance made me stop dead in my tracks.
" Sure then,you'll help me with him right?"
"How!"
"Well, just snoop around to see if maybe he likes me back or something."
"I don't think it's a good idea for me to meddle.." I started all seriousness.
"Oh,crap,they were in my hands all along." She laughed as she looked fondly at the keys in her palm. I bared my teeth out at her in an effort to smile.
"C'mon Camilla, you're the only girl I can trust you know.The other girls are all drooling over him but you seem to have it under control."She begged taking my hand and looking at me expectantly.I couldn't help but see the longing in her eyes for him.I looked at her speechless still trying to think of something to say.
"See you tomorrow then."She smiled hugging me and running off to her car.
***
"Tell her you can't help her.You're not her match maker." Harry stated firmly when I narrated my deal with Jessica the previous day to her.
"But she'll think I'm jealous or something."
"Just tell her your mind is set and you're not willing to."
"I'll try." I mumbled as Fahd caught up with us and entwined his fingers with Harriet's.She smiled and gave him a playful punch.They looked so adorable together.
Harriet waved me goodbye as Fahd said hi to me and pulled her away.I couldn't help notice a shadow lurking by Fahd as he pulled Harry away.
"Camilla." I turned startled.It was Jay smiling up at me.There was this way he mentioned my name which made my insides churn.I was yet to figure out why that always happened.
I looked up at him as he handed me a bunch of articles that he'd edited.
"Can I get it through PDF?" I asked not wanting to type the whole thing again after editing.
"Oh,so you want me to have your socials?" He asked looking smug.
"No,it's just that I'll be able to edit it better." I defended.
"Yeah,yeah," He said with a tone which showed he didn't buy a bit of what I said.He took my phone from my numb fingers and swiped it open revealing the colorful don't touch my phone lockscreen.
"Password?" He asked and I typed it in as he took my phone back.
"Here,I've texted myself on your phone so I can have your num too."
"Thanks ."I mumbled looking up at him quietly.Was it that easy to get an attractive guy's number?
" Wanna grab lunch?"He asked looking at me uncertainly,his hands tucked in his jean pockets bringing out this incredibly shy part of him.
"Sure," I nodded.Atleast it was better than me walking alone to lunch.
We made our way to the cafeteria bustling with teenage activities.The whole cafeteria gawked as we walked in.
I ignored their stares as we walked past them to our table.
Jessica caught my eye and waved at me hoping I'd bring Jay over to her table or something but I was preoccupied with all those stares that I didn't oblige.I just waved back at her faintly.
Harry gave me a wink as Jay seated himself next to me.I saw a mop of blonde hair rise up and start making way towards our table,it was Jessica.
"Hi," She waved holding her lunch tray and looking at me to invite her to the table.Her stare was so icy I had no option but to invite her to sit with us.I was a bit taken aback by her change in countenance just because I hadn't brought him over to her table.
"Oh,I hope I'm no bother." She said to Harry and Rachel slipping in beside Jay.
Rachel just returned the same icy look she had given to me earlier and Harry nodded .It was obvious we weren't okay but she still sat on hogging Jay through the whole conversation.