James & Stacie

III

~ James~

We walk to the gym. We, as in our group. (Me, Stacie, Connor, Emma, Steven, Nicole, Marie, and Zack) (Yea two people might recognize some names;)) I feel Stacie's hand on my backpack trying to stay with me, so I make sure I don't walk too fast; that in fact is complicated because it's the only way through these crowded hallways.

We finally get to an opening on the other side of the mob of students. I look back to our group and notice only Connor still trying to get through everyone. I turn back and start walking to the locker rooms, dragging Stacie who was still latched to my bag.

"Hey, wait for Connor." She says to me. I don't look at her.

"He'll catch up." I reply to her. I don't know why, but I don't want to talk to Connor right now. He kinda pissed me off at lunch. Why am I so mad? Me and Stacie are just friends. She can date if she wants. That's what half of me says. The other half says Stacie's mine. Back off Connor.

I shake my head after thinking that. Damnit why do I keep thinking like that?

I wave Stacie's hands off and walk into the boys locker room. As I begin changing to my grey shirt and blue shorts, Connor, Steven, and Zack walk in. Connor seems happier than usual and I overhear the talk.

"What's got you grinning this much?" Zack asked Connor, I believe.

"Oh nothing. Just a girl." Connor states. I can literally here his grin.

"Oh? Who are you dating now?" Steven asked.

"Well, not dating yet. But about to be."

"When?"

"In about," he pauses. "10 or 15 minutes." So he really plans on asking her.

"And do we know this chick?" Zack asked Connor. I'm already tired of this conversation.

As I walk out, I here Connor reply to Zack's question.

"Oh yeah. Though it may surprise you who it is."

I walk to the bleachers and stand beside them, waiting for the rest of the class. Our gym class consists of my friends circle, plus maybe 10 more kids.

Stacie and the rest of the girls walk out, followed by the other guys. We look to the coach and wait for his instructions.

The coach is a heavy set guy, around 300 pounds. Coach Mike.

"Ok class. Today we'll be playing dodge ball. You know the rules, so pick some captains, choose teams, and begin."

Connor raises his hand up, add does another guy. I recognize him and frown. Tyson is the other raising his hand. The guy is actually Stacie's ex from a few months back. I warned her of a relationship with him, but she refused to listen, which lead to her breakdown after he dumped her for some cheerleader.

Connor and Tyson were going to be the captains, seeing as how no one else really cared. The two played rock-paper-scissors to choose who went first; Connor won getting first pick, who was Stacie. I cringe as she walks over. Tyson picks a student and the cycle goes on for a bit until I realize something.

Our whole gang is on Connor's team. Everyone but me that is. I can see and hear the others telling him to pick me, but he wouldn't budge. He wants me away from Stacie. I frown and look to the remaining students. There's me and 3 others. What happens next completely pisses me off.

I'm the last pick and is forced to join Tyson's team. I barely know my teammates (not that I have anything against them) except for Tyson, who I really hate. He looks as if he didn't want me on his team. Well, we can both agree on that...

I look over at the other team and see Stacie pouting and looking worried. She just about takes a step forward before Connor steps in front of her.

"C'mon Stace," he says. All I can think is: that's my nickname for her.. "we gotta go to the wall. He pulls her to their wall... wrapping his arm around her waist. She blushes from where his arm is and is ushered to the wall.

All I can do is watch and go to my wall. I grit my teeth and clench my fist as I place my hand on the wall.

Connor you bastard...

Coach Mike blows into his whistle.

"Begin!"