Cool Kids

Chapter Two | Starstruck at Starbucks

      After the pep rally, it was customary for the five of them to go to starbucks. I ended up there working on a paper as they walked in. Looking up from my english paper, I couldn't help but notice that after they ordered their drinks, they sat only three tables away from me.

      Mackenzie looks over at me then looks back at her friends. They share a look and start to laugh. All I could wonder is what they were talking about. I had to get up to go to the restroom so I walked passed their table with a goofy smile across my face. I noticed that JoJo had the same drink as I did and I died a little bit inside.

      When I reached the restroom I splashed some cold water on my face. "Get it together, Ash. You got this." I stared at my reflection, I most certainly do not got it. They were easily the five most celebrated students at Breckenridge and the best dancers in Idaho, hands down. Then there was me, Ash Walters. I was neither a fabulous dancer nor excessively beautiful.

      Elle came through the bathroom door, while I was giving myself a pep talk. I came to an abrupt stop, said hi, and hurriedly left the bathroom. I think I could hear her snort. Oh who am I kidding? Those girls wouldn't snort.

      I took a seat back at my table and took a sip of my frappuccino and realized the cup was empty and I was slurping up air. I didn't want to look like a fool at Starbucks without a drink, so I went up to order a chai latte. I waited patiently for about a minute and then grasped the warm drink in my hand. I pivoted around and bumped straight into Jessica, spilling the latte all over her white blouse.

      A series of gasps filled the shop and then it became dead silent. I struggled to find words to apologize to Jessica, and I'm sure my face was crimson with embarrassment.

     Jessica looked like she was about to explode. She calmed herself down and said it was okay. The girls quickly picked up their stuff then walked right out the door.

     That was the first time that I had ever talked to one of those girls and it just went downhill from there.

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      The next day during lunch, I walked over to their table to apologize again. I didn't really know what to expect. "Um Jessica, I just wanted to say again that I'm so very sorry about what happened yesterday." Jessica looked up at me with a somewhat sympathetic face. "I already told you that it was okay." She said, sounding almost angry. "Oh, alright. I just wanted to make sure." I said kind of shakily. "It's fine." She snapped. Her friends looked rather confused. I wouldn't expect Jessica to be mad. I mean, I know I'm not one of her close friends but it still was out of the ordinary for such a sweet girl like her.

      After lunch was the class I dreaded the most: Physics. There was one upside to Physics, I shared it with the best person in the world: Mackenzie Bowman. She sat a mere two tables away, right at the back of the class. I heard that today was the day that our teacher would assign a huge project. And, we would have partners. I could only hope and pray I would get Mackenzie because that would make my life.

      Mr. Simmons came rushing into the classroom with his glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. Late, as always. He set down his poster papers and clipboard and trusty flip phone and actually began the class. "Alright, as you all well know, I'm revealing the big project today." A sequence of groans and complaints filled the walls of the classroom. "Today, we will be working in partners to create a balloon-powered car. You will have four weeks to complete your project and your report. I have already picked the teams so there's no need in asking." He started to list off the names but I didn't pay attention until he mentioned mine. "Ash Walters and Mackenzie Bowman."

      I think God is on my side for this one.

      To say I was excited was an understatement. I was positively elated to work with the one and only Mackenzie Bowman. Although physics was a pain in the butt it would be more bearable with her. The best part about all this is that I'd be forced to see her outside of school and then eventually, we'll become best friends and she'll teach me how to dance and be just like her.

      I glanced over to see Mackenzie's usual happy expression morph into a scowl. I frowned and attempted to get her attention but she looked everywhere but where I sat. I didn't think much of it. Sure, she didn't get paired with Courtney or any of her other sidekicks in our class, but she'll learn to love me.

     I'll make sure of it.