The Underground Kids

Realizing His True Colors

Tuesday Afternoon
Lunch Time

"Ugh. The lunch lines didn't have my usual."
Jessica said in a whiny voice.

"And whats your usual?"

"A caesar salad with light croutons, diced egg, bacon bits, sliced cucumbers, and a side packet of ranch."

I just shook my head and continued reading my book.

"Why are you always reading?"

"Why are you always whining?" I responded.

Jessicas mouth is dropped open in offense.

"Im sorry jess, im just....not really feeling this week. Monday was a bust, and today feels no different."

"Awe....well if it makes you feel any better, the homecoming football game is tomorrow night."

"It doesn't."

"Why not?"

"Because the last football game i went to, i got stuck choosing between two guys, and the one i chose, broke up with me the next day. Yeah, so excuse me if football games arent my thing anymore."

"Oh...right."

"Yeah."

"Well aren't you the slightest bit happy that we got our dresses? They looked so cute in the store when we tried them on."

"Yeah i guess so. Have you spoke to Vinnie?"

"Quite frankly, no I haven't. And its weird because it doesn't feel like we're fighting, but we kind of are, but we haven't spoken to each other since, and after the fight at Mel's, i haven't seen nor spoke to him. Honestly, im really just confused on what we are at this point."

"Yeah that sounds confusing."

"Yeah.... you worried about you know who?"

"Who, Leroy? No not really. I had a lot of thinking time these past couple of days since the night of the party. Ive grown to just let things be. Don't question it, don't force it, just move forward."

"Thats my girl. Always taking the high road. Well from what ive heard around school, Luke doesn't have a date."

"Oh wow. I guess the school hottie isn't so hot anymore after his fight with Leroy at the party."

"I know right? Its like ever since that night, i haven't heard or seen any girls flaunting over him like they usually do. Its kind of sad really."

"Him not getting flaunted over? Jessica please. That should be the least of his worries right now."

"No not that.....Well kinda. Just let me explain. Luke use to be the guy all the girls wanted and all the boys wanted to be. And now, after one fight at a party, defending you, he's lost all his social hierarchy. Risking his reputation to defend the girl he loves? Its kinda poetic."

"Wha- no. Theres nothing poetic about that. You guys are looking at this all wrong. He wasn't 'defending' me because he 'loved me', he was fighting because he got his nose all into a conversation he knew nothing about, and acted on his emotions. Thats what happened. Nothing more, nothing less. And Luke doesn't 'love me' okay? He loves himself."

"Well im just saying. Thats how everyone sees it. I mean everybody knows how he feels about you."

"Yeah well duh, the football game."

"Yeah but not just that. He talks about you to people, he writes and sings songs about you. He even went to Melissas party knowing he doesn't care for her, just so he could see you. That boy is crazy about you Jas."

"Since when did you start liking Luke again?"

"I dont, i just....i see him making an effort and I applaud him for that. I don't see much of that effort coming from Leroy."

"Yeah well i guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. You know, some of that stuff Leroy was talking about was the truth you know. How  Luke is always trying to be there to save me when he sees the slightest tear fall from my cheek. Or the fact that he tries to make it seem like if i chose Leroy, i was settling. When Leroy said that Luke only wanted me because i was the one thing he couldn't have, he was telling the truth. Whether or not Luke'll admit it, i know it for myself that its true. He finds out i was the only girl in school who didn't have a crush on him, so he flirts and tries to ask me out.  I refuse his home visit apology, so what does he do? He serenades me in front of the whole school, just for me to turn him down again.He comes to comfort me after the argument with Leroy, and whats his plan? picks a fight with him to show me that he's 'the better man'. Luke isn't poetic, or careless, or down to earth. He's selfish. And he makes his ways look like he's doing it for the benefit of you, but its really for himself. Can't believe i wasted my time with him."

"Well look on the brightside."

"Which is?"

"You now have standards that future boyfriends will have to respect, you know what you dont want in a guy, and you can help future girls who may take an interest into them."

"No, i dont wanna be that girl who bashes her ex's just so girls dont go out with them. It'll make me look psycho and bitter. If someone comes up to me and asks, then I'll tell them the truth, the good and the bad. But other than that, you wont hear a peep out of me about those two."

"Well good for you, being the bigger person."

I shook my head.

Me and Jess start to hear cheering and clapping over in the furthest part of the courtyard. A guy had asked a girl to homecoming with a proposal.

"Awwee." Jessica said in admiration.

"Yuck." I responded.

Seeing that proposal just reminded me how i was going to my junior homecoming alone. I mean, I've always known, but it would've been nice to go with someone else other than Jess. Like seriously. Im going to homecoming with Jessica. That screams desperate and alone. I really thought that me and Leroy would work out. Not so much Luke, but Leroy's who i had my bets on. It just sucks that we're no longer acquainted, thats all.

AUTHORS NOTE: THESE NEXT FEW CHAPTERS ARE GONNA BE KINDA LONG BUT HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF DRAMA AND INFORMATION, SO PLEASE TRY TO KEEP UP.