There's a Reason

Chapter Three

The bell rang signaling class had ended.  I was rushing to get outta here. I grabbed my bag and just as I turned around I smacked right into someone.

“Ooof.”  This person put their arms on my shoulders to steady me from falling.  I look up and see Matt’s chocolate brown eyes.  I gaze for like a second.  Snap out of it Mandy!  I shake my head and look down.  “Sorry,” I mumbled.  I knew my cheeks were going slightly red from embarrassment.

“Look, we’re already partners so there’s no need for you to pretend to run into me and stuff.  Don’t worry.  We’ll be spending a lot of time together.”  He lifted his left hand and brushed a strand of my hair.  I just stared at him with wide eyes.  “And maybe you should brush your hair,” he added.  With that he and his friends went and left the classroom.  This jerk is so cocky!  Just cuz he’s the star player of the basketball team, he thinks he can get any girl he wants!

But that’s the sad truth.  He really can get any girl he wants.  I remind myself that I will never fall for that pompous, conceited boy.  If he thinks he can get under my skin.  He’s got another thing coming.

Matt’s POV

I left the English class with my friends Ethan, Drew, and Jose.  We’re all team mates on the basketball team here at Rupert High.  So meet Ethan Cray, my right hand man and best friend.  He’s my brotha from another motha! Hahaha I crack myself up.  He’s been with me through thick and thin.  He’s just like me when it comes to the ladies.  But of course, I get more.  Then there’s Drew Hart.  The goofball of our group.  Sometimes I don’t know if he’s faking stupid or if he really is just that dumb.  And then Jose Gonzalez, he’s the youngest of the group but he’s proven himself to be pretty awesome.

“Man did you see the look on her face!” Jose said.

“You missed it bro!” Ethan said.

“And then when she bumped into you her face was all like,” Drew said as he mimicked her reaction from earlier.

We all bust out laughing.  “Well, you know, ladies just can’t get enough of me,” I replied.

“I gotta give it to you Matt, how do you do it?  How do you get the ladies to just.. throw themselves at you!” Jose asked.

“When you’re this handsome and talented, it ain’t that hard,” Ethan answered for me.

Yup, what did I tell you he and I are more alike than you think. 

“And then when you told her she should brush her hair! Classic man! Classic!” Drew added in.  His face was red from all the laughing.  “Can’t believe you got partnered with that nerd.”

“Maybe it was because you decided to tiptoe out of class that you were cursed to work with her for the next coming months!” Ethan joked.

Then they started talking about how awesome that trick was and how they’re gonna use it next time they’re running late.  But I remembered what Ethan had said.  I’d be stuck with Frizzhead for the next three months.  There couldn’t be anything interesting about her!  She’s a nerd! They just read and do homework and stuff.  I mentally groaned inside my head as I headed to my next class.  Shoot me now why don’t you.

Mandy’S POV

LUNCH TIME

The cafeteria was bustling with students all shouting and shoving foods in their mouths.  Ugh, I can’t believe they can even eat this stuff.  I grabbed my tray and was looking over the steam table.  Yum, sloppy joes or processed burritos.

“I’ll take the sloppy joe, please.” I said to the cafeteria lady in a quiet voice.

She dumped the so called food on my tray.  I got some chocolate milk and an apple then paid for my meal.  I slowly turned around when someone bumped into me.  Man I’m bumping into a lot of people today!

“Ugh! This loser touched me!” she said.  Then she stuck out her hand and said, “Sanitize me.”  Then one of the other girls that followed her sprayed her hand with alcohol, I think.  “Next time, watch where you’re going!

I just nodded and backed away.  There was no way I’m going to get into a fight with Angela White.  The richest and most popular girl in school.  Probably would be the prettiest too if she didn’t have such a rotten attitude.  She thinks that just because daddy can pay for anything, she has the right to treat people like dirt.  One day, I will stand up to her.  But for now, I’m just going to quietly back off and let her be.

I searched for an empty table and saw that once again I’d be sitting in the back corner of the cafeteria.  I don’t know why people don’t like to sit there, but I don’t mind.  I’m left alone there and I don’t have to deal with these barbarians.

I set my food down on the table and pull out my book.  I’m reading my favourite book, A Walk to Remember, by Nicholas Sparks.  He is a brilliant writer and I can’t get enough of his books.  I’m so engrossed in reading when all of a sudden a shadow hovers over me.  I slowly put my book down and see Matt.

“So uh, listen, Melissa? That’s your name right?  When do you wanna work on this project?  You know I’ve got a lot of stuff to do, girls to attend to, you get me right?”

I just looked at him.  Still surprised that he’s talking to me.  This jerk has been my classmate since elementary school!  Did he just call me Melissa?!   My brain was telling me to correct him and tell him my name was Mandy but instead a little voice came out saying, “I..I.. yea, I understand.  Wh-Whenever you’re free then?  Uhm, this weekend maybe?”  I mentally slapped myself for that stupid reply.

He gave me one of his cocky grins before eyeing my hair.  I followed his gaze.  And then he snapped his fingers and pointed at me, “Sweet. Catch you later Melissa.” And with that he walked back to the popular table with his friends.

“It’s Mandy,” I whispered.

A couple seconds later, Chase slams his hand on the table making me jump.  “What the heck was that all about?  Why did HE come over here?  Did Jacobs actually talk to you?”

I rolled my eyes at him.  “He is my English partner for a stupid project Mr. Donald decided to make in order for us to ‘get to know one another.’ I swear Mr. Donald is out to get me and make my life a living hell!”

“Mands, you’re over reacting.  But I don’t like the way he’s your partner.  He’s a certified playboy sure to just toy with your feelings.”

I nearly choked on my milk. “Excuse me! CHASE COLLINS!” I whispered yelled, “Did you just make the accusation that I, Amanda Hansen will fall for that player?!  I should smack you upside the head!”  I hissed.

“Ah, but you love me, therefore you won’t,” he said while grabbing my apple and taking a huge bite out of it.  So for the rest of lunch we just talked about what happened in our previous classes and he went on and on about how excited he was for his date.  I feel the green monster coming out everytime he mentioned Eva’s name but I just smiled politely.  He’s my best friend, I reminded myself.  This is what makes him happy, let him.

As Chase continued to blab, (I swear he can be so talkative sometimes), I couldn’t help but get the feeling that someone kept looking at me.  I searched the cafeteria until I found a pair of eyes staring back at me.  But it was only for a split second.  Because he turned back to chat with his friends. 

Why was Matt Jacobs looking at me?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There you guys go!  Here's chapter three! What do you think??  I have a couple ideas in store for this story so hopefully you guys stay tuned.  There are probably a lot of mistakes but that's because I don't edit it. Yet.  Maybe I'll have chapter four up by tonight, but I can't promise anything.  It is Christmas Eve here as I said!  I want some chocolate.  Comment! Vote! Fan! :)  There's a picture of Matt on the side.