Just Best Friends

Chapter One

I sat in the back of the class, doodling as Mrs. Smith rattled off equations, while my best friend Chase wouldn't shut up about how excited he was for his engineering camp. I loved him and all, but it was getting boring. It didn't help that we both already knew what Mrs. Smith was talking about, adding on to my boredom. But when she called on me to try to yell at me for not paying attention, it completely backfired.
"Lyla? What's the answer to the fourth equation you were supposed to solve?"
"The answer you're looking for, Mrs. Smith, is 43." I rolled my eyes, adding on an extra layer of sass.
Being teenagers and having a girl who you could call a "teacher's pet" sass the meanest algebra teacher in our school, everyone was shocked. Some people gasped, others gawked, and others were about to pee themselves.
"Miss Jones," oh I was in for it. Oopsies?
"Yes Mrs. Smith?"
"If you weren't one of the best students in this class, you'd have after school detention for today. Be glad you're intelligent." She turned her back to the class and I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding.
"Whoa." Chase whispered to me. "You just sassed Mrs. Smith and got away with it!!!" He exclaimed. Being the shy, awkward, introverted boy he was, he would never be able to do that.
"Yeah. I guess I did." I shrugged.
"This is a big deal!! No one gets away with that!"
"But I just did?"
"Exactly! Anyways, this engineering camp is the real deal." That was his way of saying it was the shit. The only time I've heard him swear is when he's venting about all the asshole guys in our grade. Is it bad I'm proud when he does that? Probably. Oh well.
"So it is?"
"Yeah!! I have to write and essay and send in all this stuff. I even need a letter of recommendation!"
"Whoa wait what? That's sounds like a college application. Not an application to go to a summer camp."
He nodded furiously, as if his life depended on it. "It's such a big deal. I don't think I'll get in."
I sighed. If only he knew.
"Chase, you're in every robotics, engineering, and even chess club here at the school. You know everything about all that shit. You're gonna get in. Don't be so hard on yourself." I laughed.
"Yeah I guess. I just really want to get in." He sighed and opened his mouth to speak again, but quickly shut it when Mrs. Smith started handing out our homework. I don't know why he was so timid. I get some people are like that, but he's so funny and smart. He should really talk more. But I've been telling me self that for the past eight years. As soon as she gave us the packet, the bell rang. Fourth period was over. Only four more to go. I wish I had Chase in all of my classes.
I sighed as I slung my bag over my shoulder and walked out the classroom. Chase was rattling off ideas for his essay but I honestly didn't understand what any of that stuff was. He's a math and science kind of person. I'm more of what you would call an "artsy fartsy" type of person. Can you believe that we bonded over math stuff in the third grade when we became best friends???
Me neither.
He waved his goodbye and smiled his awkward little smile as he walked to biology. I then practically skipped to the third music room we have, getting their two minutes early.
"Hi Lyla. Early as usual!" Ms. Blake piped. I love her so much. She just understands me.
"Hi Ms. Blake! I'm just excited."
"Aren't you always?" She chuckled. Even though she's young, she's like a second mother to me.
"I think I am." I giggled.
Within the next thirty or so seconds half the class filed in and my friend Jessie tackled me as she slid into her seat next to me. She was hyper. That was scary. Her being hyper is terrifying.
"Oh my god why are you hyper?" I questioned. I was freaking out. This would either be really good, or really awful.
Instead of an answer, I got a squeal in response as the hottest guy to ever be considered hot sauntered into the classroom.
Okay that's an exaggeration so I'll put this in an understated way.
It was my crush. While this was a new one, which I got them often, it felt different. I don't know why, but he was so mysterious and BEAUTIFUL I might add.
Oh who is he, you ask?
Ryan Smith. And no, he isn't related to the terrifying, bitchy, algebra teacher.
Because he's the sweetest guy ever!!! Well, besides Chase of course. But Chase is Chase. I would never have feelings for him.

Oh and did I mention that Ryan can SING? AND HAS A BAND?
Which only adds to him basically being my soulmate.

Sadly, right behind him waltzed in Ruben. His asshole best friend. He seems like a funny and overall nice guy!!
Until he calls you a whore for laughing at his stupidity in Spanish class. But how could you blame me? He asked for the "exact homework" and the teacher told him. He didn't pay attention because he was talking to Ryan, and then asked three times more for the "exact homework." It was annoying as hell.
"Hey Lyla." He smirked as he sat in the seat between me and Ryan.
What. An. Asshole.
"Hi there, Ruben." I spat through gritted teeth.
"Whoa don't sound so happy, Lyla!"
"Whoa don't tell me what do, Ruben!" I spat back, venom dripping from every syllable.
"Yeah just shut up, Ruben!" Jessie said. I love her, but her defending me wouldn't work. She's too nice. She cried the moment she found out our friend Patrick had a thing for her because she felt guilty that she didn't have feelings for him. Poor girl, I felt so bad. She was a wreck that night!
"Oh wow I'm so scared that two girls who are a half foot-or probably more-shorter than me are trying to beat me up with words! I'm so offended!" Ruben feigned his surprise and offense.
"C'mon Ruben, don't be so rude. It's not even that funny when you pull that shit." Ryan groaned.
Wait a second...
Did Ryan just defend me?
Me?!?