Mine

Jess

Even though I got more attention than her, and I had actually done the deed with guys, I still felt like a nobody to men, especially when it came to Avery. There really was no need to feel this way. The only kiss Avery had ever had was at that wild high school party we went to in eighth grade. Truth or dare gone wrong, since the guy was a freshman, and the hostesses' awkward little brother. She freaked though. But that's what drove me crazy. Avery never realized the amount of guys gawking over her. She acted like that one kiss was the only affection she'd ever earn from any guy. Lust in a mans eyes was something I was well accustomed to. Love...that was a whole different ball park.

Avery got that love look a lot, as well as lust, occasionally, but her stunning innocence snuffed any sort of dirty thoughts out quickly. It tended to drive me bonkers, though. I could see people eventually getting bored with me. It wasn't that I was a nobody. I was just, to put it simplistically, the stereotypical popular girl. Avery though, was always a mystery. No matter how hard she struggled to hide in my shadow, she would never succeed. With her head down, Avery never heard the whispering that drifted in her wake. All the boys simply wanted her. Not just for sex, or to flirt with when they were bored. No, that spot was reserved for me. I was a sex bomb. Bleach blonde hair, that was naturally straight, but I would always keep it curled. Tiny, yet toned waist, about 5'4, and if I ever lacked a natural tan, I'd be sure to have a spray tan. Avery on the other hand, seemed like the girl next door when we were young, pretty, but not flawless. But when I took her under my wing, she quickly turned into the tall, dark, stunning, modelesque type. She started to straighten her frumpy, limp curls, styled magazine perfect outfits, and was phenomenal at makeup. Yet, she continued to keep to herself, refusing to rid herself of the shy shell she had built up. It was fresh to a mans palate, though, to see a girl, who looked so flawless, but upheld a quiet demeanor.

That was something I never would achieve. I never thought much about it though, seeing as when Avery shot them down, by ignoring them, they'd turn to me. I never saw them as her "leftovers" since she never went for them, but with Matthew Peeves, I soon realized that I was, indeed, second best to Avery.

"So we have 2 classes together. World History, and this class, AP Chemistry. Which also happens to be lunch period."

"Yeah. Aves has math 4 right now, but she also shares our lunch period. You'll finish the day off with band, again with Avery." I waved my hand dismissively at Matt's question. I had one class alone with him. Avery had two, and we all had one together, plus lunch.

"You know, what you said this morning, about me being, you know, her 'boy-toy'? I kind of hope you meant it. I'd really like to get to know her. Do you think you could set us up on a date?" I paused answering the question on the work sheet we had been working on, and blinked. I glanced up, to see his vibrant green eyes staring wide, and pleading. I looked back down at the paper I was doing, and thought it over. I admit, I briefly considered saying "sure", and then I could conveniently "forget", but Matthew seemed like one of those people who would constantly inquire. Plus, I couldn't hurt Avery like that. I could tell she was into him. I couldn't snatch him away. Not when her usually sharp, intense eyes softened when she gazed at him. It was a way I'd never seen her look at a guy before. Maybe she'd just give up, and then I'd take him. Again, falling into the category of "not as hot as Avery, but I guess a close second".

"Mhm. I'll see. Maybe tonight. She'll most likely be free." I decided I would bottle up my feelings. There were plenty of Matthews in the world for me. I could give this one up. God knows Avery would never find another Matthew. I had to get them together. I could always just continue the small fling Brandon Fey and I had going on last spring...

The lunch bell pulled me away from my ambling thoughts. "Let's go. I meet Avery by her class door every day." We walked down the hall, taking a left, down another hall to pick Avery up. "Hey girl, hey," I called out to my friend.

"Hey beautiful," Matt said, winking, "Jess and I were talking about plans tonight. I know I just met you, and all, but a month from now, I doubt my opinion would change, so why not get it over with. Would you like to go on a date with me tonight? Give me a tour of the town? I'll pick you up at 8?" So much for me asking her. Maybe Matt knew I was questioning bottling up my feelings, and knew I was debating not asking (In all honesty I was trying to convince myself I was just lonely more than anything).Or maybe Matt was just a modern day Romeo. I mentally prayed he wasn't as stupid though. We didn't need him spreading his idiocy to his Juliet like college kids spread mono, or oral herpes.

If Avery wasn't already red from Matthew's greeting, she was by the end of his proposal. Her eyes sparkled, but were shocked. I smiled in amusement, at her stunned reaction. I'll help you get ready, I mouthed behind Matthew's back, just say yes, please!

"Um... S-ssure..."

Maybe giving up Matthew wasn't such a bad idea. She made him happy, and he made her happy. It was a match made. My thoughts wondered back to a possible second fling with Brandon Fey. Maybe some coffee double dates with Matthew and Avery. But as I thought more about that, Brandon was more of a date night-spent-at-home kind of guy. And by "night" I meant all night. And by "at home", I meant in bed. Note to self: find a more romantic- Matthew- like date...