Valor Heights Varsity

5 Thats Beth Grove

Mason

I'm spent. After last nights workout and this mornings run, I'm completely exhausted. I'm hoping by practice tonight my body will feel better. I shouldn't have gone so hard last night, but I needed to. I was frustrated and in need of some serious release.
There are only two things that work for that: workouts and sex.
Dad lectured me for the first half of the run last night about what it took to be a leader, and what it meant to be committed to the team. I was overwhelmed. I don't even know why, I've been a captain since sophomore year, when I became the starter.
I guess thats why it pissed me off so much. He was telling me things I already knew. And then the look on Mr. Bakers face had sent me over the edge. He looked at me like everyone else in this town, like I was broken. Hell maybe I was, but it's not his place to say. I could tell he wasn't exactly happy I was there. It only soured my crappy mood more.

People watch as I pass in the hall. Girls stare, guys nod. I can hear the whispers as I make my way to my locker. When I get there I'm not the only one.
Leaning against my locker is Blonde hair, a short skirt and long legs.
Bethany Grove.
"Hey, Masy" she says as she pushes off the locker to step aside .
"Beth." I acknowledge her. No smile. No eye contact. No encouragement.
"I missed you." She says as she leans in closer and rests her hand on my bicep.
"Mhm." I reply as I stuff my bag into my locker. She waits for me to say something else. When I don't, she fills the silence.
"So, I was thinking..." she runs her fingers down my arm in a way she probably thinks is seductive. "Maybe we ditch first period and go out to your truck. Just like we did last year?" Her tone is hushed and she waits for a response. I give her a side eye as I shut my locker and start walking to homeroom.
Of course, Beth follows, latching onto my arm again. Beth was a jersey chaser, she was only into the captain of whatever sport was in season.
"Can't-" I say "-coach'll bench me if I don't show."
"That's not what you said last time." She argues. True, that was a bogus excuse. Coach would never bench his starting quarterback. I stop and turn to her.
"Look Beth, I'm not in the mood right now." I say, she frowns at me. As I start to walk away she hurries to catch up.
"Well, maybe we could just go to the bathroom and I can help you relieve some of your stress." She pleads.
I must be crazy, because I'm about to turn her down.
"Another time. Okay?" She frowns a bit deeper and I can see the disappointment on her face.
"Okay. I'm here for you if you need me Mase" The words would seem nice to most people, but I know they're not genuine. The truth is, shes using me.
I give her a sharp nod and turn into the classroom, leaving Beth standing by herself in the crowded hallway.
I have never turned Beth down before, and it's clear she's a little shocked. Her and I have a symbiotic relationship. It's an eye for an eye kind of thing.

I see her as a warm body. A distraction. Beth sees me as a status symbol. She wants me for the popularity boost it gives her. The bragging rights.
Beth is the only girl that I've been with more than once, and that's a major perk to her social status. She knows I'm not gonna date her, I've made that clear plenty of times. Sometimes I'm flat out rude. Like how I was this morning. But I'm honest, and I don't lead her on. I might be an asshole, but at least I'm not pretending to be something I'm not.

I drop into a desk at the back and wait for class to start. Mr. Samson is writing out equations on the chalk board. There are only a few other kids already here. I don't know any of them. I'm early. Usually I wouldn't be in class until the bell rang. But it was still better than the alternative. Fucking Bethany.

When lunch rolls around I'm even more irritated. Turns out sitting at tiny desks isn't great for muscle pain. Who fucking knew. Kaiden is talking my ear off as we walk to the cafeteria. He's complaining about some drama that he's having with Lena. As it turns out they did not break up this morning as I had predicted.
"Are you even listening?" Kade asks.
"Mhm." I mumble.
"You know I'm supposed to be able to confide in my best friend about my problems." He scolds. Kaiden was far from a chick, but god he talk like one.
"Alright man, you want some advise; break up with Lena. She's got the biggest mouth in school and every time you two get together, you're saddled with twice as much drama as you usually attract." I tell him in a brutally honest tone.
"I can't break up with Lena." He looks shocked by the very suggestion of it. As if he hadn't broken up with her a dozen times already.
"I know I'm gonna regret asking this, but why not ?"
"Because she's got the biggest mouth in school. And no gag reflex." Kaiden smiles proudly making a pun out of my accusation.
I knew I would regret asking. But still I can't help the chuckle that leaves my mouth. I shake my head in amused disbelief.
"You're unbelievable" I say. We continue the walk to the cafeteria.
The halls are clear. Football players get out of class early, coach has us eat and then we head to the field house to watch film. Another perk to being a Wildcat.