James & Stacie

I

~James~

Beep! Beep! Beep

I slam the button of my alarm clock. I look up: 5:45. Why do I get up so early? School doesn't start till 7. I roll off my covers and onto the floor.

"Damnit..."

I get off the floor and walk to my bathroom. I begin to brush my teeth and hear a banging at the bathroom door.

"James! Get out the bathroom!" My little brother was yelling.

"I'm busy, Marcus." I'm really not in the mood to deal with him. Nonetheless, he continues to bang on the door, so I do the reasonable thing, and zone him out.

I spit the toothpaste and wash my face. Again, I look in the mirror, straightening the small gold chain I wear. I open the door and Marcus nearly falls in.

"You knew that was eventually gonna happen, right?" I ask him.

"Shut up." Was all he said as he slammed the door.

On cue, dad yells. "James!"

"It was Mark!"

He doesn't respond so I go back to my room. I grab some jeans and find an undershirt and jacket. Zipping up the jacket, I send a text.

Walking to school. Wbu?

I slip some shoes on and hear my phone vibrate.

Sure. 6:45?

I type a quick, yea, and grab my backpack. Walking out, a running Marcus shoots down the stairs almost tripping on the last few. I slowly follow him. I wave mom a good morning and make breakfast.

"Hey mom, I'm gonna walk today." I said before eating more cereal.

"That's fine. With Stacie I take it?" She smiled at me.

"....Yes.."

Marcus decided to chime in. "Aww James has a girlfriend!" He rants on and on. I get up from the table and, as I walk past him, pinch the nerve behind his collarbone. He cringes and starts to whine.

"Ow! Stop stop stop!"

I let go of the nerve smirking.

"Then shut up." I put my things in the dishwasher then grab my bags.

"Mom! Dad! I'm going!"

"Have a great day!"

"See ya later, son!"

I close the door and start walking to Stacie's house. I look up at the sky and think to myself. Why does everyone think I'm with Stacie?! My mom. My dad. My little brother. The whole damn school! I ball my fist. This is getting annoying. Well whatever. Almost there. I send her another message.

A block away.

~Stacie~

I read the text from James and grab my stuff. I kiss my parents and head out the door. Before I close the door, I hear my mom yell, "You need to tell him, Stacie!"

The door shut. But I stood there. I'm afraid of telling him. We have an amazing friendship and I... I don't want to ruin it.

I feel tears brimming in my eyes as I look down the road. There he is. James walks to me as I hurriedly wipe my tears. I put on a smile for him. He smiles and motions me to his side. I skip to him and look up. He gently pat my head and I blush. He always did that with me.

"Hey James, why do you always do that?"

"Do what?" He asks. My face keeps heating up.

"Pat my head..." I feel myself get redder.

"Hmm... I guess I always do that with things that are small and cute." He smiles and starts to walk to the school. I stand there dumbstruck. Did he just call me...cute?