Dear High School, F*ck Off!

CHAPTER SEVEN

"Nothing says romance like stalking your crush on her first date."
-

I walked into school with a sigh, carrying my heavy ass backpack over my shoulder. It was literally weighing me down. The teachers had been assigning more and more work, resulting in us having to bring more things home. Whoever said freshman year was going to be drastically different than middle school work wise was not lying.

Since I had been late that morning, I didn't go to the cafeteria because the Stupid Hoe bell had already rang. So, I just made my way downstairs to the deep, dark basement with no service and went to my locker. It was kind of weird because I thought my friends would have waited for me in the hallway or something but I guess they just had to get to class or something.

Speaking of my friends, the tension between us was so obvious at this point, I just knew everyone felt it. Kiara was barely around, and Pope showed up less than often. More than Kie, at least. Most times it was just, me, JJ and Sarah. When she didn't have cheer practice, of course.

I still loved my friends, obviously, and they would always be my favorite people, but I couldn't help but feel like something was happening to us. I had no doubt in my mind that we would be fine, though. I had heard stories of middle school friend groups breaking up when they went to high school, but it would never happen to our group. We were too close for that.

I made my way to my locker and put in the combination quickly, watching as it opened with ease. Beside me, a kid cursed as they struggled with their combination, eventually going to find a teacher to help them. Not to brag, but I got my locker open the first day we got them. I'm not like those other freshmen. I'm built different.

I grabbed my books for first and second period, closing my locker. When I did, I almost jumped backwards because Sarah was standing behind it, a panicked look on her face.

"Sarah, you scared the hell out of me," I said, shifting my books into a different arm. "What's wrong? Shouldn't you be in class? And why do you look like Mr Riter just said we were doing the pacer test?"

"John B, I need your help," She said, putting a hand on my arm. I tried to ignore how happy it made me to feel her touch, after so long. "I have a real problem."

I rose an eyebrow in confusion. "Okay...? What does that mean? You're gonna have to elaborate."

She sighed, looking even more anxious now. "Um...well...I like someone. Like, like like someone."

I felt my heart drop and ascend at the same time. What are the chances that it was me? Probably not very high. But I did remember that Sarah was usually extra affectionate towards me, sometimes for no reason. Plus, no offence to JJ and Pope, but she seemed to like Kiara and I the most out of everyone. Could it be me...? Was I finally going to get the chance to be with Sarah Cameron?

"Who?" I asked, trying to downplay how nervous I was. The last thing I needed was for me to make her uncomfortable and not want to tell me anymore.

"It's Topper." She responded and I felt my whole world go crashing down.

Of course it was Topper. Why would I ever think it would be me? Topper was cool, popular, had a lot of friends, and he was on the football team. And Sarah was a cheerleader. She was gorgeous, also popular. She and Topper were perfect for each other. Sarah would have never dated the weirdo in her friend group who had liked her for years.