The Good, The Bad, and The Genius(ON HOLD)

Friends?

"Doesn't this technically count as kidnapping?" I ask, turning towards Jordan. He just smiles and continues to look straight on the road as we zoom our way around cars, flying way past the speed limit.

"No," he says looking at me "you can jump out anytime you wish."

"No I can't," I contemplate "This car is going over 70 miles per hour! If I jumped out, I'd die."

"Exactly," Jordan smiled and continued to stare at the road. Except the fact that Jordan's flying about twenty miles over the speed limit, he's actually a pretty decent driver. "Hey, where'd you say your job was again?"

"It's on your way to the mall, but you stop where you see all the tiny shops are along the boardwalk." I reply and lean my head back against the black leather seat. Although I hate to admit it, I really do like riding in his car. When you're moving at almost the speed of light, it's easy to forget your problems and worries. The world is just a giant blur as you ride through it.

But sadly, our ride came to a stop as we neared the boardwalk. This is where I get off.

"Thanks for the kidnapping" I smiled as I get out of the car "And tutoring starts this Thursday since it's the only day you don't have practice this week, alright?"

"All right, mom" Jordan joked as he revved the engine "See you after school on Thursday in the library."

"Okay," I began to walk off but then quickly added "And I'd be much more comfortable if you wore a shirt next time. It's very umm...distracting." I gestured towards his body.

Jordan just smiled and winked "What? Does this make you...uncomfortable?" He puffed out his bare chest and flexed his biceps. I just covered my eyes, but couldn't help but laugh. God, he's so stupid. He's got no brains whatsoever, I guess he's just lucky he got brawn.

I waved goodbye and he zoomed off, turning his radio up high, singing along with it, not caring who heard him.

I shook my head as I opened the door to the shop and was welcomed by the familiar ring of a bell.

"I'm here, Marybeth!" I called out to the store. But there was no answer. I did hear, however, a faint sound of laughter coming from the kitchen. I decided to follow my ears, picking up scattered books on the floor as I walked through the store.

The laughter had gotten louder now that I reached the back of the store and the stack of books got heavier with every step. I swear, I don't know how Marybeth manages to drop all these books everywhere! She's the only one in the store all day.

As I neared the door to the kitchen, I heard a familiar voice say something jokingly. Hmm...where had heard that voice? I walked into the room while he was in mid-sentence of telling his story.

"So then I told him--" he was interrupted by the loud clatter and thumps of my books dropping at my feet in surprise.

"Tanner?" I said with confusion, crossing my arms over my chest

"Alex!" He said with excitement, obviously not sensing my confusion "Join us! I was just in the middle of telling the story about when I went to Mexico with my parents and--"

"Tanner!" I repeated sternly

"Yeah?" He looked up at me as he took a sip of his coffee. Ohhh...he better have paid for that. Marybeth know how much we can't afford to be giving away free stuff like that.

"What are you doing here? I'm gone for-" I check my watch "25 minutes and 46 seconds and suddenly you guys have become pals? I'm very confused, does someone want to fill me in here?"