Let Me Love Him

XIII.

"He's freaking hot, right? "

Pinky didn't understand what exactly Mandy meant. It seemed that everything was quiet, peaceful, calm; they were four of them, working out some cheerleading combinations, and everything was fine — Burton was looking after the boys running around the gym, then playing dodgeball (someone must get a ball on the nose, they just can't do any other way)and then Mandy was just enthralled. Just like that. Head cheerleader. Hot girl. It probably lasted no longer than a minute, but Mandy was unlucky. She was at a crossroad of gazes. The point of intersection of two cliques.

Ted and the football team — on one side of the gym. 

Johnny and his boys — on the other.  

Unfortunate situation.  

"Definitely..." Christy, of course, looks at the other guy.  

Pinky, of course, doesn't understand anything.  

"Who are they talking about?"  

"About different guys as usual," says Angie, looking over her shoulder.

She has very beautiful eyes, which she often hides behind thick glasses. Pinky told her so many times. But it's a pity that Angie only listens if one of the boys says so.

"I think his name is Davis. God, I get so shy in front of him!"

"Is it Casey? He smiled at me yesterday"

"Pinky, are you serious?! Bryce really said that about me?"

She pays too much attention to a lot of people, doesn't she?  

But that's how she is.

Of course, the girls warned her. Of course, Mandy gave her advice. She would certainly give advice even now — they are friends, very close friends. Angie always listens very carefully and believes everything. But...

Oh.

The boys of Bullworth Academy.  

What is it all about?

"You said he was cute," Christy's looking at Mandy. A little to the left, actually. For some reason, everyone decided to come to the gym for a class today, Jesus.

"Yes, he's cute," Mandy reluctantly replies. "So?"   

"Gosh, Mandy, just look at him," Christy nods aside. "I don't see anything cute."  

No-no.

Mandy shrugs. Touches her thick hair with her hand. Looks for Johnny Vincent.  

Although she didn't have to look for him — she knows well where the locker rooms are, where the stairs, and how to leave so that the teacher doesn't notice. She knows where to look from every corner of the gym. Instinct level, of course. This time the heartbeat is increasing. And hearing. 

Ricky and Larry had been talking for about five minutes, sitting on benches casually when Johnny stopped near the bleachers.

Mandy never liked leather jackets, didn't know anything about cars, and all she knew was that the movie theater in Bullworth Town shows old movies on Fridays. Sort of. She didn't exactly remember.

Johnny probably went there every Friday night. It was probably dates with Lola. But there wasn't anything better than Johnny Vincent without Lola.  

Johnny looks at old movies and cars.

Mandy looks at Johnny. Smiling, but not too wide, still keeping her distance. Johnny can easily withstand direct eye contact, but still. Careful. Gradually.