The Complications of Having a Guy Best Friend

Chapter Nine

(THERE ARE NO CORRECTIONS; THERE MAY BE TYPOS ;))

Soon. Mr. Atlinski wanted us practicing soon. I'm all for it. Except I haven't seen Calvin in three freaking days! How do you pop out of nowhere and suggest to change the song, convince the music director to change it four weeks before the actual performance, then POOF! Disappear.

I can't believe this. I'm storming through the hallways. I don't even know where I'm headed.

Three months! That's no time! And he's already bailing on me! I can't believe this.

In my blind inner ranting, I bump into someone, almost knocking them over.
"Whoa," the person says. "What's the rush?"
To my horror, the jock towering over me is one I have no pleasure in running into. Brandon cocks his head to the side with a straight face waiting for my answer.
More aggravated, rather than fearful of his presence, I try to cut past him, but he grabs me by the wrist.
"That's rude. You didn't answer my question."
"Get the hell away from me." I say through gritted teeth and take my arm away.
"Look, Lys," he sounded almost sincere. But being who I am, I can't give a damn.
Something came over me and I turned around. "What do you want from me, huh? More humiliation? Hmm? Want to get a rouse out of playing games with my dead loved ones?" I continued, not realizing that I was getting closer and closer to him. "Well, I'm sorry, I can't think of any at the moment. I'll be sure you get the update."
His eyes moved back and forth like a rabid dog. I guess I hadn't noticed everyone crowding around, their eyes glued to us.
"Alyssa, I didn't---"
"You didn't, what?" I asked, my voice getting louder. "You didn't mean to? You were just heeding to every desire of your bitch girlfriend?" Now the tears were coming out of my eyes and he was being backed into a locker. "That's great!" I throw my hands up. "Why let a Neanderthal think for himself?"
"I--- she---" he started, tears brimmed his eyelids. He knew he had nothing to say for himself.
"Save it. I didn't do anything to you and you know it." I finally backed off. I felt a pair of hands gently grab my shoulders. I didn't turn to see who it was. Instead, I gazed into Brandon's grey eyes. "Just... Stay away from me." I finally turned away.
I was led to an empty hallway. Still not looking to see who it was, I turned around and buried my face into their chest, gritting my teeth. Pissed off with myself for letting the do this to me. The person's arms wrapped around my shoulders and I didn't care who it was, it felt nice.
"It'll be okay, Lys." It was Josh's voice. A breath of relief escaped my lips, but I didn't move. Just closed my eyes and let it be.

***

Randy hadn't come to school today because she was sick so I had to take the bus... the stop had to be like four blocks from my house. Ugh! She said she would pick me up, but I didn't feel okay doing that to her

"So, how was school without me? Terrible? I know." Randy snorted.

"Actually, today couldn't have been better!" I responded jokingly, then my mind flashed to Brandon and to Jaycee...

"Shut up!" her voice snapped me out of it.

"Yeah," I half-chuckled.

"What's wrong, Lys?" Randy asked.

"Nothing." I paused, knowing she wouldn't believe me. "Just a little distracted. I failed Beady's test."

Randy gasps dramatically. "Oh, no! Not the test!"

I roll my eyes just as she bursts out laughing. "Bye, Randy. I'll talk to you later."

"Alright, Lyssy, smooches!" Her voice rings in my ear.

Lyssy. My mom used to call me that. After she died, my dad stopped calling me that. I haven't heard it in a long time.

I come into the house being sure to hide any signs of what happened today from my face.