The Story of Us.

I sighed, resting my head over my right hand softly as guilt built in the pit of my stomach. Looking down at the pale desktop in front of me, I took in the blank Statistics worksheet I picked up on my way in ten about ten minutes ago and felt my frown deepen. Closing my eyes, I breathed in deeply and reluctantly allowed yesterday’s events to flash behind my eyelids. I really thought I was over this, but yesterday proved me wrong by the way I snapped at everyone. How could I be so mean to the closest people to me?

Sighing heavily, I shook my head at myself and glued my eyes back onto the short worksheet. It’s so easy for me to forget that Ashley is the only one in the group that knows everything about me. Sometimes I can’t help but get upset about being different, but that doesn’t mean I should take it out on my best friends. Or anyone else for that matter.

“Oh my God.” I whispered, smacking my forehead lightly as embarrassment rushed through me at the thought of the boy I ran into.

Flashes of the encounter flooded my mind and I pressed my eyes shut in attempt to force them away. Thinking about how rude I was makes me feel sick to my stomach, but so does thinking back to his behavior. Who has the guts to do drugs on school grounds? Literally ten feet away from the back doors where anyone could’ve caught him. Not to mention he gives off a jerk vibe. Or maybe he was like that because I was being a jerk? Dude, are you fucking deaf or something?!

“Oh my God.” I hissed to myself, feeling completely mortified as my own words echoed in my head.

Squeezing my eyes shut again, the only picture that seemed to stay in my mind was the attractive boy pulling his beanie up to show me that black and blue earpiece that has me feeling like a complete bitch all over again.

“Hey, about yesterday.”

I jumped at the sound of Ashley’s voice, opening my eyes to find her twisting around in the seat in front of me until her eyes soft gaze met mine. I forced everything out of my mind, shaking my head immediately before she could get any more words out.

“I overreacted.” I apologized, clenching my fist tighter under my chin while I glanced around the empty classroom. “I just. I took what Katie said completely wrong and twisted it up in my head. I know she didn’t mean it how I-”

“You can’t keep doing that to yourself, Lynn.” She scolded lightly, glancing around the small room herself before looking back into my eyes. “I know exactly what was going through your mind, believe it or not.”

I swallowed thickly, slumping in my seat and locking my eyes on my galaxy belly ring. I dropped my hands over my waist, feeling my foot tap lightly on the floor while another twist formed in my gut.

“I know it’s hard, but cut yourself some slack. You can’t keep thinking like that, that’s like bullying yourself and it’s completely unnecessary.” She continued, holding her hands out over my desk. “You gotta stop distancing yourself and thinking like this. When you choose to let your walls down and let yourself feel something, whoever he is will love you for you and not-”

“Don’t say it. I know what you’re going to say and I’m sorry, but it’s not true.” I whispered, the presence of my constricting panties more noticeable than ever as I moved my gaze to the gap ripped into the thigh of the baby blue skinny jeans covering my legs. “Can we stop talking about this? It’s making me feel...”

I trailed off, trying my best to ignore the way my skin itched uncomfortably. The way it does every once in a while. The way it does when I’m forced to remember what’s disguised between my legs. I shivered, feeling the heat rush to my face as my naked body appeared in my mind.

“Hey.” She called, pulling my chin up with her palm. “What you have down there at the moment doesn’t make you any less of a girl than me.”

“I know.” I sighed, slumping my shoulders a bit. “I just wish I was eighteen already. I want to feel one hundred percent normal for once.”

“You are normal, baby.” She reassured, running her fingers along my chin for a few seconds before pulling her hand away. “Your parents just want you to-”

“I’m most definitely positive that I don’t want it a part of me, Ash.” I muttered, glancing towards the open door when light talking from the hall sounded. “No matter how little it is, I want it to be gone. It’s not supposed to be there and I’ll never change my mind. I want to be able to wear my skirts and dresses and our cheer uniform comfortably, not with all the extra spandex and-”

“I know, Lynn.” She cut in, ending my rambling. “It’ll happen. You’ve been waiting almost seventeen years, you don’t have much longer to go and I’ll be right there with you just like I was when you got your FFS.”

“Sorry, I just. I’ve been thinking about it a lot and I kept the thoughts bottled up.” I explained sheepishly, twirling the ends of my hair between my fingers. “I think that’s why what Katie said got to me so bad.”

Ashley gave me a small smile, nodding in agreement while she flipped her straightened hair over shoulders. I blinked, taking in the exposed side of her face and furrowing my eyebrows at the odd red standing out against the straight black hair.

“She just meant that we know you wouldn’t do anything with Riley. At least not without telling us.” She added once my eyes met hers again. “He’d be lucky to bed you, Mrs. Barakat.”

“In his dreams.” I scoffed, rolling my eyes playfully as the slight tension from yesterday evaporated between us. “What’s on your ear?”

“I’m sure that’s exactly what his dreams consist of.” She winked, turning to my left to give me a good look. “They’re new headphones. Cool, right?”

I raised my eyebrows, taking in the bright red outline wrapped around her left ear before my gaze fell on the black center hovering over the opening of her ear.

“A headphone?” I repeated cautiously, leaning forward for a closer look.

“Yep.” She nodded, turning back to face me. “Jason gave them to me this morning. They’re pretty cool and I guess they’re new. You just hook it over your ear and connect it to your phone. No plugs or anything. I really-”

I gawked quietly to myself, droning her out a weird feeling of hurt and anger flickered through me. Heat crept up my neck from the embarrassment poking through me from being so gullible. All feelings of remorse for being so rude and the intention of apologizing profusely in English all but left my mind.

“Lynn, did you even hear me?” Ash laughed, bringing me out of my mind just as the final bell rang.

“Yeah.” I smiled, pushing everything from yesterday to the back of my mind. “So, can I try out the best headphones in the world?”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Come on guys!” Mrs. Rivers cried, patting her hand on top of the dark brown podium she stood behind at the front of the classroom.

I leaned more onto my hand, feeling the cat-eared beanie slip from my head just enough to add onto the annoyance building up from observing everyone around the class sit still and look down at their desks. Sighing, I readjusted it comfortably before re-situating my first under my chin while my right hand fidgeted the mechanical pencil back in place between my thumb and pointer finger.

“This is the easiest question of them all and it’s only your third class of the day.” She continued, looking around the room with her blue eyes as wide as they could possibly go. “You all cannot be this tired. We all know who the founder of America was, yes?”

I bit my tongue, pinching the pencil harder between my fingers while I looked around for someone to answer the simple question so she doesn’t decide to call out names and make us participate.

“I’m assuming everyone knows since you’re all staring at me.” She mused, pointing her finger back and forth with a smile. “So, how about-”

I held my breath, praying for her to pick anyone but me when a loud knock sounded at the closed door. I sighed in relief, watching her drop her hand and immediately walk over to the door. I glanced down, skimming over my notes for the thousandth time while she dealt with the interruption. Anxious butterflies bubbled in the pit of my stomach and I grimaced, trying to memorize all of the information more than I already have in the past forty minutes of class.

“Oh my, is it nice to see a new face for a change!” Mrs. Rivers exclaimed, taking my attention from the words that kept leaving my memory. “What’s your name, young man?”

I looked up, immediately taking in the appearance of the boy standing with his back to us while Mrs. Rivers looked up at him. I hummed to myself, soaking in his height before my eyes trailed over the beanie covering his head and down his broad shoulders. The dark grey hoodie clung to his hips and hung from his sides loosely while the dark blue jeans sagged enough for me to know his boxers must be hanging out like almost every other guy’s. Blinking slowly, I looked him over again and tried to figure out why he seemed familiar. There are tons of guys around, but not many stretch as tall as him. I furrowed my eyebrows, unable to look away like I usually do when someone walks in the room when he turned around. I froze, feeling heat rush up my neck and over my cheeks when I met light brown eyes behind thick black glasses.

“Alright everyone, settle down!” Mrs. Rivers instructed, instantly quieting the light chatter around the room. “We have a new member to welcome into our class and we will all treat him with respect, correct?”

A chorus of yes ma’ams and yes Mrs. Rivers came from all directions of the room while I nodded silently, flickering my gaze to the only vacant seat in the small classroom.

“Good!” She cheered enthusiastically, clapping her hands while I moved my gaze back to the front of the room. “This is Alexander.”

I made eye contact with him again, shrinking back in my seat when I noticed his emotionless face staring absently around the class. I pressed my lips together, watching him turn his back to us again while Mrs. Rivers pointed to the empty seat to my left. He glanced over and nodded his head, crossing his arms over his chest silently while he slowly made his way around the rows of desks until he was making his way down the aisle next to me.

Alexander.

I crossed my right leg over my left, keeping my eyes glued to the front of the room instead of keeping them on the desk. Even if he is on the attractive side, he’s definitely an asshole. Biting my cheek, yesterday popped through my mind and helped me fight the urges to make eye contact with him again. I’m definitely not interested in being acquainted with a drug addict that has a sick sense of humor.

“Yo.”

I ignored the whisper, keeping my eyes glued on Mrs. Rivers as she moved some papers around on top of her podium.

“Did you win the race?”

I scowled, crossing my arms over my chest loosely while my gaze finally flickered to his. Turning towards him already had the faint smell of weed flowing up my nostrils and I scoffed, glaring at his amused face.

“I get it, you crushed some more kneecaps-”

“Stop talking to me.” I snapped quietly, ignoring his quirked eyebrow. “I don’t like liars.”

“Now that things are settled,” Mrs. Rivers announced, thankfully before he could respond. “Who can tell me when America was founded?”

I sat up straight, holding my breath lightly once again as my nerves reappeared. I know the answer. I should be able to raise my hand and put everyone out of their misery, yet my throat is going dry and I feel like I can’t find my voice anymore.

“Lynn?” Mrs. Rivers suggested loudly, causing my heart to leap into my clogged throat. “I haven’t heard from you all year.”

I swallowed hard, feeling my fingers shake stupidly while the correct year stayed glued to the tip of my tongue. Come on, Lynn. Say it. It’s only four numbers. Just spit it out fast. You can talk to people around you. You yell cheers in front of crowds every week dammit, you can answer a simple-

“Yes, Alexander?” Mrs. Rivers called, knocking me away from my conflicted thoughts. “Do you know the year America was founded?”

I allowed my gaze to fall beside me, taking in the side of his straight face. Relief filled me at the sight of his barely raised hand falling back onto the desk and I loosened my grip on my pencil as everyone’s attention centered on him instead of me.

“Fourteen ninety-two!”

I jumped, feeling my eardrum vibrate from the volume his voice took on while my eyes widened from the brief shock hitting me.

“You didn’t have to blow out our eardrums, dumbass!” Kc shouted from the desk right in front of Mrs. Rivers’ podium.

Laughter erupted throughout the room and I looked over at his confused face, making my face burn with embarrassment for him. I covered my mouth, feeling my stomach flip when he looked around with his eyebrows pinched together as everyone kept laughing.

“Kc!” Mrs. Rivers scolded loudly, attempting to shush the class. “Knock it off, guys!”

I leaned over the top of my desk, keeping my hand over my mouth as an awkward atmosphere formed in the air surrounding us while I subconsciously kept my stare on his face. His eyes shot to mine and I barely caught the wink he shot at me before he was laughing along with everyone else, the sound making my heart skip harshly in my chest. I blinked slowly, trying to comprehend exactly what is happening when the shrill of the bell dismissed the class.

“I didn’t end class just yet!” Mrs. Rivers argued, unable to stop everyone from jumping from their seats and rushing towards the door. “This is not respectful!”

I bit my cheek, still feeling the warmth in my cheeks as I slowly packed my things up. I zipped my bag closed, slipping from my seat slowly and pulling it over my shoulder. Clearing my throat, I shot another look beside me only to find the seat empty already.

“Look, Mrs…”

I shot my gaze over to Mrs. Rivers’ podium, finding Alexander standing there with his book in his arm while he leaned beside her lazily. I looked over curiously, slowly inching up my aisle while my ears perked up.

“Mrs. Rivers.” She informed softly, flickering her gaze to me as I got to the front of the room. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Lynn.”

I bit my cheek, stealing another glance to Alexander while he waited patiently by her side. I nodded, taking the que to leave and hurrying from the classroom. Once the door shut behind me, I looked through the small window and furrowed my eyebrows when I saw Mrs. Rivers unamused facial expression.

“Lynn!”

I jumped, stepping away from the door in surprise and turning around just in time to face the one and only Riley Owens. I rolled my eyes, forgetting all about what just happened in class after looking over his signature smirk and felt a scowl take over my mouth as he stepped closer to me.

“What do you want?” I asked, clutching my bag more loosely.

“I just want to talk, girl.” He flirted, lifting his hand to brush my hair over my shoulder.

“According to you, we’ve done way more than talking.” I confronted, watching his smile falter for a split second before he waved his hand carelessly.

“Just stupid shit Jimmy started.” He chuckled, shaking his head.

“So you weren’t sitting in class, explaining all of the juicy details that never went on between us?” I confirmed, raising my eyebrows.

He ran his hand through his black spikes, scoffing lightly before standing up straight. He looked around the busy hall, straightening his jersey out before snapping his green eyes back to my dark brown pair with a frown.

“Look, I didn’t mean for it to get out like that.” He started, making my eyes roll into the back of my head a second time. “I’m serious! It’s only because they see me making eyes at you all the time. I had to give them something!”

I bit my lip, trying to focus more on the pain from my teeth than the way his words affected me. I fought the blush off hard, avoiding all eye contact with him for a good few seconds before I let my head lift back up a little bit.

“Making eyes at me?” I prompted, a wave of excitement piercing through me at the pink tint taking over his cheeks.

“You’re beautiful, Lynn.” He complimented, rubbing the back of his neck. “What can I say?”

I smiled, taking the ends of my hair in my free hand while his compliment ran through my mind. A bout of happiness filled me and I sighed in content, biting back the grin wanting to take over my face. Maybe Ashley’s right about what she said earlier, about letting myself develop feelings. I’ve never really thought about letting myself crush on someone, let alone date them. Maybe if I let my guard down-

“You could ask me out.” I suggested before I could talk myself out of it. “You know, maybe actually talk to me before making things up?”

I gulped, tightening my grip on my hair while my heart beat sped up in my chest. I pressed my lips together at his sudden silence, only looking up when I felt strong hands slid up my exposed sides. Riley stared down at me with a grin, nodding his head enthusiastically.

“Yeah.” He chuckled, licking his lips. “I could do that.”

I smiled, ignoring the flipping in my stomach while I twirled my hair almost frantically.

“Lynn Barakat, would you do me the honors of being my girlfriend?” He asked smoothly, gripping my sides gently.

“Riley Owens,” I started, pushing all nerves to the back of my mind. “I would love to be your girlfriend.”

Notes

Shorter chapter, but kind of a filler hinting Lynn's feelings about herself and boys. A little bit of Alex, but on't worry. He makes plenty of appearances next chapter. :D Things about him will get cleared up soon!

Lynn

Alex