LIGHTWEIGHT

Chapter 2: Drama

The rest of the morning is uneventful. The lady, whose name I learn is Caroline, explains to us the program and what we are supposed to do. No one really seems to care expect for Marissa who keeps raising her hand whenever the woman asks if they are any questions.

As I study everyone from the back of the room where I am sitting, I can't help but stare at this guy who was reading a book earlier. Maybe it's because Spencer never got the chance to introduce him or maybe it's because he hasn't said a word from the moment we entered the room three hours ago, but I am definitely curious. He is sitting next to Matt, and from where I am I can see his profile.

He has a chiseled jawline and dirty blond shaggy hair. He keeps running his hand through it. Every once in a while, he checks his phone, as if he is waiting for something and he looks irritated. But maybe it has to do with Spencer's constant flirting. She is clearly interested and tries desperately to get his attention, which apparently is not really working. He does laugh at something she says at one point so I guess he is not completely ignoring her. He also whispers something in her ear later on.

Obviously, I am too far away to know what he said but from the look on Spencer's face, it looks like the kind of comment that would personally make me cringe. I notice she tends to pulls on her clothes a lot. It's a little disconcerting. Lacey is still obsessed with her phone. Her fingers are moving fast and I figure she is in a deep conversation with someone. From her constant frown on her forehead, it doesn't seem to be going very well.

At this point, Caroline's voice is just a background sound in the room and everyone is doing their own thing. I look to my left and see Marissa is still paying attention and taking notes. It feels like school all over again. Me, observing everything and making up scenarios in my head. Her, paying attention to teachers and taking everything too seriously. I lean a little forward to steal her notebook and she gives me a confused look.

"What are you doing?! Give it back, I'm missing everything Caroline is saying." She extends her hand, waiting for me to give it back to her.

"Relax. This isn't school. You don't have to drink every word she says. This should be fun, you said it yourself. So stop being such a nerd and talk to me, I'm bored."

Marissa doesn't seem happy about my little intervention. And I can see she is conflicted. She doesn't want to look like a suck ass showing too much interest but at the same time, it's who she is and to her it's not a bad thing. And it's definitely not a bad thing, I like that about her. But one good thing about our relationship is that our personalities compliment one another. So basically, my role is to loosen her up a bit. And believe it or not, I take that mission very seriously.

"Come on. You know this is how I work. What's the point in doing something if you don't take it seriously? Besides, what Caroline's saying is actually really interesting. You should pay more attention." She says with a serious look.

"The point IS not to take it seriously. Have I taught you nothing in our year of friendship?" I question with a little laugh, knowing that she is starting to let go a little.

"You are such a bad influence. I should have listened to my parents when they told me to stay away from you."

"Me? A bad influence? How dare you!" I bring a hand to my chest and fake being hurt by her words. "You should be grateful to have me in your life. I'm the one making you live a little."

"Yeah right. Because following you in your crazy adventures has brought me so much in life. Like you know, almost getting arrested

in senior year because you convinced me to go TP someone's house with you in the middle of the night. Yeah, thanks again about that." She giggles and takes back her notebook from me before putting it away in her bag.