Boys, Boys, Boys.... [boyxboy]

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

Aiden-

"Do you think that Caleb guy is gay?" Nikki Havens asked at lunch.

"Wh-what?" I sputtered, nearly choking on my chocolate milk.

"Well, that's what Sarah was saying this morning. That Corbin and Lance told her he was, you know, gay," Nikki said.

Simon flinched at Sarah's name. I had the sudden urge to rub his back. But I didn't.

"Well, it's Rutherford and Tollins, I mean they're always spouting off shit," I said, glancing around the cafeteria for a sighting of Caleb. But he hadn't shown up to lunch since school had started just a few days prior. Half the time he showed up to classes late. The other half, he didn't show up at all.

Caleb Snider had been on my mind a lot the past three days. He was simply mysterious. That was all that intrigued me. Cause he was a well, freak. At least, that's what I told myself.

Simon didn't like Caleb at all. Whenever he was around, Simon became moody or irritable. And whenever someone brought him up, he would roll his eyes or grumble about Caleb's questionable sanity.

Of course, it wasn't just with us that Caleb was a main topic of conversation. Everyone in school was buzzing about him and his antics. His attitude. The way he dressed. How everyone thought he was a drug dealer or something. How everyone thought he got expelled from his last school, or had been in jail, and that was why he had moved here. Everyone was curious about who exactly Caleb Snider was. I couldn't help but admit that I was too.

Nikki twiddled her plastic fork and stabbed at her pork sandwich that was for some reason a gray color.

"I don't think he's gay, or at least, I hope he isn't," Nikki said, pulling on her short and fringed blond hair.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because she has the hots for him," Simon said darkly.

"What?" I said, probably a little too loudly.

Nikki turned red and said, "Hey, I'm not the only one, you know. He's just so mysterious and, you know, bad. All the girls talk about him. I even heard Ashley Blake talking to Sarah about him in the bathroom this morning."

Now, Nikki being attracted to Caleb, I could almost understand. She was one of those tough rocker type chicks. Her blonde hair had black streaks in her fringe, and she wore dark eyeliner. Her favorite outfit consisted of a Green Day hoodie and black, ripped skinny jeans. She was kind of bad ass that way. So I could see how bad boy Caleb could somewhat appeal to her.

But Ashley Blake? Ashley is a total cliche. In a way. She's extremely beautiful. Long blonde hair, tan, blue eyes, a smokin' body. She was also extremely popular. She was our representative for Homecoming Court every year. She was always dating one guy or another, usually a lacrosse player or a football player. But there was one thing about Ashley that wasn't as cliche. She wasn't a cheerleader, she was a drama geek. Not so much a geek, I guess, because she was popular. She starred in all the school plays and musicals. She won local talent shows with her singing. She would probably be famous one day. She always had a "fashionable" air about her. Crisp, clean, and professional looking but usually colorful. I could, at the moment, see her across the cafeteria, and she was wearing a sparkly hot pink dress and a white short-sleeved jacket.

Now, why would a girl like that want anything to do with a guy like Caleb?

It made no sense. In fact, it was ridiculous. Completely insane.

Oh, jeez, am I jealous?

No, no way. Nuh-uh.

Caleb magically appeared just at that moment.

"Sup," He said, taking a seat.

"Where've you been?" I asked.

"Why do you care? You ain't my parole officer," He said.

Simon rolled his eyes. I grumbled. Then, Caleb winked at me. Typical.

It looked as if Ashley had discovered Caleb's presence, because she was up and making her way over. To our table. Which has never ever happened before. Ever.

"What is she doing?" Nikki asked, disbelieving.

"I think she's coming to abduct one of us. She looks as if she's on a mission," Caleb smirked.

"Please let her take him away," I heard Simon pray.

I almost laughed.

"Hey. guys!" Ashley said in a chipper voice.

"Hey, Ashley," Simon and I mumbled.

She smiled down at me. "So? How's it going?"

"Stop beating around the bush. Why don't you tell us why you dragged your perky little ass over here," Nikki said, not necessarily in a mean way, that's just how she is.

Ashley looked almost taken aback. "Oh. Well, I just wanted to let you guys know that auditions for the first school production of the year are on Friday."

"Why should we care? None of us have ever been in one of these things. We aren't in Drama Club or anything." Nikki said.

Ashley seemed tripped up, but quickly recovered. "Well, it's always nice to get fresh talent in there. Plus, it will help us all get to know one another better!"

"Sure, we'll show," Caleb said suddenly.

We all gaped at him. What?!

Ashley smiled brilliantly. "Great! See you after school tomorrow!"

"You like acting?" I asked incredulously.

"You don't believe I'm a thespian?" Caleb asked, feigning innocence.

"What are you up to?" I asked.

Caleb just shrugged and grinned.

Well, this just keeps getting better and better.