River Creek High

Chapter 3- confrontations and confessions

"Ok, today we are learning about genes," Mr. Heet, my science teacher says. Groans erupt in the class, all of them from jock guys. Mr. Heet rolls his eyes. "Open your textbooks to page __" he says. I zone out for the rest of the class. 

My daydreaming is interrupted by the bell to signify lunch. I quickly stuff my things in my locker, run down the steps, pay for my lunch (pizza), and plop down in front of Harper. 

"Where's Abbie?" I ask. 

"She's trying out for cheer squad this year, remember?" Harper replies. Oh, yeah. Aubrey was trying out too. 

About halfway into lunch, Theo walks over. Harper gets a goofy grin on her face (don't ask) as Theo sits down next to us. Then, I remember why. I'd told him to meet me at lunch to discuss our schedules. 

"I have track on Mondays and soccer on Thursdays," he says. 

"I have volleyball on Tuesdays and I want my Fridays and my weekends free," I declare. Theo shrugs.

"Then I guess I'll see you on Wednesdays," he says and with that he gets up and leaves. A few minutes later Abbie comes in with a huge smile on her face. Emphasis on huge.

"I'm in," she exclaims. Me and Harper both hug her. "The bad news is that so is Belle." Abbie mutters. 

"No way," Harpers says. The three of us hate Belle. She is the popular girl of our grade and she is awful.

"Is there anyone who is friendly?" I ask. She nods. 

"Aubrey and Kiara" Abbie says. I sigh with relief. If Bree and her best friend were there, Abbie should be fine. I mean, they were the kindest people ever.

That Wednesday, Theo and I worked on exponents. Honestly, I've never been in a more awkward situation. He was cold and distant for the whole hour. I left as soon as my dads car came by.

* * * *

"Hey Abbie," I say. She nods in recognition. Its been almost two weeks since she made cheer and she's been acting weird. Not like mean weird, but more like uncomfortable weird. Theo and I have been meeting on Wednesdays and as far as I can tell, he hates me. Like, ABSOLUTELY, hates me.

"I'll see at Tina's house tomorrow night, right?" Aubrey asks Abbie.

"Definitely," Abbie nods. I raise an eyebrow at Bree.

"We have the game tomorrow with the party afterward, remember?" My twin is always on top of things. My mouth forms an "O".

Bree achieved highschool popularity recently due to the fact that she's on the cheer squad and that she looks amazing. Despite being identical, there was something about my sister that made her the prettier one. Maybe her confidence, or maybe the fact that she is never sad and always smiling.

Did I mention that Bree and Abbie have been hanging out a lot recently? An unspoken agreement formed with me and Abbie. We were friends but only through Bree. It was as if our friendship since fourth grade disappeared overnight. Harper and I still hang out though. She won't be at the party tomorrow because she has tap dance recital. I'm thinking I might use her as an excuse.

I see Theo round the corner and I excuse myself.

"Hey, do you think its possible that you can tutor me until winter break?" I ask. I could have waited until our session today, but I wanted to get it out of the way. Besides, my grades have improved like crazy since we started.

"Sure," he shrugs. Honestly, it's impossible to get more than two words out of him.

Afterschool, I walk into the lunchroom where we study. The whole time he acts rude and keeps to himself.

"Why?" I ask suddenly.

"Huh?" Theo is confused.

"Why do you hate me so much?" I ask.

He moved here to Pennsylvania from North Carolina in 5th grade. One time our teacher paired us together and he was awful to me. Ever since then he acted as if he couldn't stand me.

"I don't," Theo mutters.

"Then why do behave like this around me?" I snap. He is kind to literally everyone else. He opens his mouth then he closes it.

Then Theo leans in and kisses me.

A/N: Hope y'all liked this chapter!

Chapter question: How do you feel about Theo?

Have you ever had a friend who you were happy for until they left you?