BFFN: Best Friends For Never

Chapter 1-"Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one."

-Bill Gates

I slammed my fist against my alarm clock, hitting the snooze button for the third time or so. I rolled over groggily, crashing face first onto the hard wooden floor of my bedroom. I groaned, reluctantly lifting my head to check the time. Crap, crap, crap! I'm late! Later than late, actually! I have to be at the bus stop in five minutes!

I sprinted to the bathroom, brushing my teeth and throwing on clothes in a hurry. I ran a comb through my honey colored hair and grabbed my glasses, making it downstairs in record time. No one was home; both my parents at work and my older brother at college-it was nearby so he slept and ate here.

I grabbed my backpack and jacket, running outside to where the bus was just pulling up. "Made it," I murmured breathlessly to myself as I climbed the stairs onto the bus, sending a quick hello the driver's way. I slid into the seat next to my best friend Alaina.

"Hey Charlotte," she smiled at me.

"Hey," I yawned due to my lack of sleep.

"So guess what? Yesterday-"

I spaced out from whatever she was saying but nodded a lot and said "Uhuh, yeah" and "Oh, me too" occasionally.

About halfway through the ride, I heard a whiny voice talking in the seat in front of me.

"Oh, Jonathan! We need to make the video of me! Should I sing? I love singing! I'm sooo good at it! Especially Country music. I'm from Tennessee, ya know." the screechy voice was beginning to irritate my ears.

I craned my neck forward to see who was speaking, and rolled my eyes.

Taylor Sasetti.

An annoying, weird girl in my grade with uneven puke-brown hair, crooked teeth, and giant, coke bottle glasses with the wires around them. She hung out with a bunch of freaks, Jonathan included. He's a geek. He once told me he was a "mathlete".  She was practically in love with him, and he was oblivious.

I leaned forward, inviting myself into their conversation.

"I overheard you guys talking, and I have a camera you can use, if you want." I offered.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Alaina raise her eyebrows. I waved her away, I mean, I could be nice sometimes.

Taylor shot me a dirty look.

"Maybe, but Jonathan," she paused to stroke his arm, "has to film it."

I shrugged.

"It doesn't matter, I can help edit. What are you guys even doing, a music video or something?" I asked.

"I guess. We can work at my house this weekend." She said it like she was being forced to let me help.

"Cool. See you then." the bus pulled to a stop. and I stepped out into the bright sunshine.

Alaina came up behind me, grabbing me by the elbow and yanking me inside the building.

"What was that all about?" she whispered harshly.

"What do you mean?" I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Don't play dumb with me, Charlotte. You just offered to help-" she paused to shudder, "Taylor." she spat with disgust.

"What's wrong with Taylor?"

"Look at her, Charlotte! She spells freak. Her hair is choppy and looks like a freaking bird's nest, and she's always hanging out with that Jonathan kid!" Alaina gestured madly.