Lovestruck (EDITING)

37: Wing Man

"What are you wearing tonight?" Dani's eyes are wide and enthusiastic as sips her soda through a straw.

"I'm not sure yet. Is it casual?" I lean back into my plastic chair as we continue to chat amongst the excited buzz of the school cafeteria on a Friday.

"Totally casual. It doesn't hurt to look good though," she grins, playing with her straw. "There will be an abundance of hot college guys to impress."

Jayden rolls his eyes at Dani as he takes a seat beside me.

"Just saying," she frowns.

"A nice top, then?" I continue my questioning, "Or are we talking dresses and heels?"

"We're talking tight skirts and tiny crop tops," Dani giggles, tearing off a piece of her sandwich and popping it into her mouth casually.

"The less clothing, the better," Shana declares as she slides into the seat beside Dani.

I watch as a look of disapproval flashes over Dani's features for a moment before she forces a smile that doesn't reach her eyes and continues to play with her straw.

"I've been to college parties before, I know how it works," Shana adds, pulling out her cell phone and beginning to type something in.

"Are we still hanging out at the diner first?" Jayden buts in and I smile in approval.

"Definitely," I grin, excited to revisit the childhood hang out.

"Great," Shana says to me without looking up from her cell phone, "We can get ready at your place and then we'll all meet at this diner at 7."

Dani visibly rolls her eyes and Jayden half smiles, suppressing his laughter as he stares down at his sandwich. I frown at the two of them.

"Can't wait," I attempt to sound enthusiastic as the bell rings loudly and the sea of teenagers begins to slowly flood out of the cafeteria and into the hall for fourth period.

***

I slam my locker door closed and attempt to navigate my way through the crowd of squealing, excited teenagers as soon as class ends. I'm almost knocked to the ground by a small but definitely fast junior, who knocks me hard in the back as she rushes to tackle a boy who I assume is her boyfriend, despite him being more than twice her size. I frown, gripping onto the straps of my bag and walking even faster towards the front doors, pushing through the sea of adolescents. I push through the double doors at the front of the building and a sigh of relief escapes me when I reach the open space of the front lawn.

The sun is warm on my skin and it seems to relax me. It's been a hot day. These kinds of warm Chicago afternoons have always been my favorite. The kind where everyone seems to be a lot calmer all of a sudden and the grass is warm and freshly cut. Where everyone smells like a mixture of sunscreen and perspiration. I take a deep breath as I spot Tasmin sitting on the hood of Jayden's truck, staring down at her cell phone.

"Hey T," I surprise even myself with my use of the nickname and Tasmin looks up to give me a sweet smile. "How has your first week been?"

"It's been great," she nods her head, jumping down from the truck to lean against its hood. "I couldn't have asked for a better start to the year."

"That's really good to hear," I smile, genuinely happy for her. "How did cheer leading go?"

"I think I'll get in. Try outs are next Monday for sophomores, so," Tasmin gives me a hopeful grin before tossing her phone into her shoulder bag.