Blood in the Water

Chapter 8

I drove Mike home earlier that morning before school so his friends wouldn't question why he didn't come in his car. I head back to my house and I sit on my bed, my elbows on my thighs with my hands on the back of neck. This feeling, this feeling of I think I like someone for the first time in a long time, is making me nervous with anxiety. 

"I don't want to like him. I can't like him." I tell myself in a hushed voice. "When he figures out your secret..." I don't want to torment myself with that thought, so I decide to get my books and such ready. I forgot to do last nights homework, so I'm gonna get bashed for that but that is the least of my worries. I look through my phone and notice all my buds texted me and Mike with a picture of us last night. I throw my phone into my bag because if I don't, I'll break it and I don't want to do that. 

I get into the shower before I head downstairs and into my car. I hardly ever shower in the morning, but what can I do? I can't go to school smelling horrible. I step out of the shower and slightly dry my hair off before I realize I have five minutes to get to school. 

"Bye, dad!" I shout out in a hurry. I drive to the school without going over the speed limit and rush into the school just as the bell rings. Everyone is starting to head to their classes and I look like a deer in the headlights. I quickly remember where I'm going and head to my ELA class and sit by Charlie.

"Bro, what are you wearing?" Charlie asks me in shock.

I look down and notice my shirt is inside out and gasp. "God damn it!" I grunt. 

I set my bag down and I take my shirt off quickly so hopefully the teacher doesn't notice me changing. I see Mike come into the class as I do this and his face drops to the floor but quick enough so no one notices. I fix myself and sit down in my chair and run my fingers through my slightly damped hair. 

"What is up with you?" Charlie questions. 

"I...I don't know. Grief?" The conversation ends as the teacher walks into the room. 

"Mr. Killips?" He asks me and leans against his desk. 

"Yes?" 

"Opinion on Romeo and Juliet?" 

"Didn't you guys learn about this already, like in eighth grade or something?"

"We did, but we are reviewing it again. Now answer my question."

"Well, I think Romeo and Juliet is not a love story." Gasps fill the room and some people look at me like I'm crazy.

"Why do you think that?" The teacher asks.

"It is, what, a three day relationship between a 13 year old and a 16 year? That caused like seven deaths total?"

"So you don't think that's love? That the 13 year old and 16 year old killed themselves because they didn't think they would see each other again?"

"Not really, no. To be honest, I don't believe in love and not just because I've gotten heartbroken. Love is just something I've never experienced."

"Okay, okay." Is all the teacher says and moves on to the next person. Charlie makes eye contact with me with a look of confusion and sympathy, like he wants to ask me why I think this. I just look at him and lay my head down on my table. I make it through until lunch and meet my friends in the cafeteria. 

"Hi, guys." I say as I sit down. 

"I want to ask you something." Melanie says abruptly. 

"And that is?" 

Oh no, she knows, she knows

"Do you know that Mike likes you?" She whispers across the table.

"What? How do you know?" I'm in shock.

"I saw him writing something in his notebook today,"

"Yeah, how do you not know?" Charlie butts in.

"What's that suppose to mean?" I ask.

"You clearly didn't see what he does when he sees you shirtless. Both times his face just drops so quickly you think it doesn't happen but it does. It's kinda cute seeing how he always made fun of me."

"Wow, I never noticed. That's cool, I guess." 

"So, will you go out with him?"

"I might, I don't know yet." With that the conservation ends and we finish up lunch and go to our next classes. 

I'm in my final class when Mike throws a piece of paper at me from across the room in study hall. I unfold it and read it to myself.

Hi, Maxie, can I call you that? I'm gonna call you that whether you like it or not because I am that person. I just wanted to say that you looked good today when you were shirtless but I hid my face well, I hope. Yeah and that I like you but I am pretty sure you already knew that. I hope you got the picture I sent you this morning, I'm not gonna show it to anyone anytime soon, just a fyi. Anyways, have a great day and I'll hopefully see you later?

I make eye contact with him from across the room and smirk. I flip the paper over and write my response on the back. 

I do not approve of the name Maxie, Mike. I noticed your face early, just for a split second though. If you want to, you can come over to my house after school with me and my buds, all up to you though. Also, when in the hell did you take that picture of us? Also, hide that picture well, you don't want your friends to find out about it yet. 

I fling the paper in his direction and he quickly reads over it. He nods his head in response to my question so I know he's coming over. The bell rings signaling time to come home. I meet my buds outside by my car and say Mike is gonna meet us at my house. 

"Oooo!" They gasp and I jokingly flip them off. We head over to my house as Mike follows us. 

"Hey, dad, I'm home!" I shout but I don't hear a response. "I'm gonna go check his room real quick." I tell my friends and head upstairs to his room.

"Hey, dad are y-" I open his door to a horrid sight.