Mr.Popular

Chapter 1; Mr. Popular

I stare at him from across the halls. As he's laughing at some comment his idiotic friend made I can't help but notice the 20 or so girls who are basically drooling over him.

I know I shouldn't feel jealous. I mean how was I any different?

I was just like any other girl, looking at him at any chance I got, basically stalking his socials, and taking advantage of any chance I got to talk to him. The only difference was history.

You never would have guessed but me and Matteo used to be best friends. However, he became the 'popular jock' of the school. As for me, I'm basically invisible. Most people don't even know me even tho we have been going to school together for probably 9 years.

I catch myself thinking about how close we used to be, and about certain times like when we were playing hide and seek in the forest and I was searching, I looked up and just saw him holding on for dear life from the tree. I helped him down and couldn't stop laughing at him for probably 20 minutes. Those were some of the best days of my life. But now we are freshman in high school, and society has made its damage on us.

I snap from my daydream realizing I only have 1 minute to get to class.

I walk into what probably is the worst class to ever exist. History. I never minded history class before but this year was horrid. The mixture of a boring teacher and class filled with kids I hated made it almost unbearable.

Except for him.

He sat next to the clock so I could easily look at him but make it look like I was looking at the clock.

Class droned on and my teacher mentioned something about a project. She started listing names at the sound of "McKenna and Matteo I suppose that will work." I snap back to focus at the sound of my name. We are partners?

I don't know if I should be happy or agitated. I mean he was hot and I miss him but that man could not get a good grade for the life of him back in 6th grade. Although, we are now in 10th grade it doesn't seem like much has changed but who was I to tell.

The teacher passed out the worksheet with the assignment and told us to get with our partners.

I try to seem nonchalant as I walk over to him but feel like I'm moving sharply and shaking. I try to tell myself it will be ok. It's Matteo. Although he was a jerk, he was also really sweet. Or at least used to be.

I walk up to his desk "So, how do you want to do this?" I question. I can tell he's trying to seem 'cool' when he states "you should just do it. Just put my name on it."

In shock I say "No, just because your 'mr.popular' doesn't mean you can do anything you want. If you don't work on this with me then I will split the project in half, state what you were supposed to do and submit my work. Your choice 'mr. Popular'"

I stare at him enjoying the look of disbelief on his face. He was in shock that I stood up for myself. Once he gets his composure back he says "Fine, but mr. Popular? is that the best you could come up with? We should meet up tonight. Your house or mine?"

I think over it, and make the decision "I guess we could do my house. 6 work?". "Sure, I haven't seen soph in a while. Anyways here's my number" he says passing me a small piece of paper. I tuck it into my pocket and walk away. I can't tell if I'm happy or just getting jittery from anxiety but I couldn't help but smile looking forward to later that night.