What Now.

Chapter One

I exited out of my black Camaro and walked across the parking lot filled with vehicles. I smirked slightly when I entered the school through the hallways as some pretty girls bit their lips, giving me flirtatious looks. Just to kid around, I winked at a group of them to get a reaction. They melted instantly. This was kind of an everyday thing for me, and I would still have the same effect on girls.

        I was the third most popular guy at school, with my best friend, Craig Crippen, being the second; and my homie, Rayan Lopez being the first. We've been friends since elementary school. Craig was captain of the football team, and Rayan was captain of the basketball team. That was what made them popular.

        Me? I ain't in nothing. Yep, I wasn't in any type of extracurricular activity.

        I was only popular because of two reasons. For one, I was friends with Rayan and Craig; and two, (the most obvious) I was considered attractive. I wasn't one of those guys who bragged about my "status" and how good I looked, so didn't ever count on myself doing that.

        I walked across the red and white tiled third hallway to my locker and grabbed my chemistry book for one of my upcoming classes. I was a sixteen-year-old Junior, and I had all A's in my classes except for math—or, as I liked to rephrase it: Mental Abuse To Humans. I was making a low C in that class. I hated math.

        "Aye, yo, Chresanto!" someone called me, rhyming my name with 'Yo.'

        Yeah, my full first name was Chresanto. Chresanto Lorenzo Romelo August was my whole name. If it's a little weird to you, blame my parents for that.

        I turned my head toward who called me and smiled as Craig and Ray came up to me. "What's up, Doc?" I said in a Bugs Bunny voice. They laughed as we did our handshake.

        Craig wore a black tight long-sleeve shirt, some dark jeans, and black Jordans. Rayan was wearing a red YMCMB hoodie, black sweatpants, and black Vans. Craig's dark brown hair was clean cut like always. Ray usually had two long braids hanging from his shoulders, but today his hair was fully out, long and free while he wore a red Snapback to compliment it.

        "Hey Chres, you coming to the game on Friday?" Ray asked me.

        I stared at him and Craig, glancing at them up and down swiftly for a quick second. They looked hella good this morning. Wait. What the heck was I thinking just now?

        "Uh, um, I-I can't," I stuttered. "I'm planning on studying all week for that big Algebra test we have Friday. I have to do all the studying I can, 'cause we all know I suck at math."

        Craig and Ray looked at each other and shook their heads. "You sound like such a nerd," Ray said between chuckles.

        "Yeah, it's just a stupid test," Craig added. "No big deal."

        I rolled my eyes at their unawareness. That "stupid test" determined whether I pass this six weeks or not. If I failed for the six weeks, then my phone would get taken away. My phone was like my prized possession, so I wasn't about to have it confiscated.

        "Whatever guys," I sighed, shutting my locker. "I actually care about my grades, and I wanna do good. I need to get that degree and become a Veterinarian."

        When we heard the bell ring, I turned on my heel and began to walk down the hallway. I felt Craig's presence walking up beside me, and I felt a spark go through my shoulders as Ray put his arm around them, walking to the left of me. My eyes widened a little at the unexpected spark, but I decided to ignore it.

        "Look, you need to lighten up, man," Ray told me, giving me a serious look. He and Craig smiled at some girls that were waving at us as we passed by them.

        "Ray's right," Craig spoke, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "You always somewhere studying or working and shit. You need to get your head out of them damn books and live a little!" Craig encouraged with a bright grin.

        Rayan smiled and nodded in approval. "C'mon, Chres, just come to the game. Everybody know we gon' win. And after the win, we gon' go to Craig's house and TURN UP!"

        They both began doing the dougie and saying, "Ayeee, ayeee..." in the middle of the hallway and everybody started joining in. Oh lord... I laughed as I watched everyone, shaking my head.

        Who does this?

        After their little "fun" was over, my friends sprinted over to me while laughing uncontrollably. I smiled while giving them a disappointed look. "Y'all two are crazy..." I said.

        "No, we TURNT UP!" they shouted in unison, doing another little dance. Some people laughed at their silliness as they passed by. It was actually cute.

        "I'll see you guys later," I said between laughs and began walking away.

        "Aye, you coming to the after party, Chresanto?" Craig called.

        "I don't know. I'll think about it," I called back over my shoulder.

        "A'ight, Chres!"

        I walked into my Chemistry class and said hello to my teacher before walking over to my assigned seat at the back of the classroom. I got my things out that I needed for class and neatly placed them on the table, patiently waiting for the tardy bell to ring.