The Final Four

Chapter one

hey guys, hope you enjoy (: that's Violet to the right.

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The Day My Life Spun Out Of Control

Ah, look at that hot piece of ...yum. He laughs, and I see him flex his muscle involuntarily. I nearly faint at the way he just gives off this 'vibe'. It's like he knows he's all that, but he's not so stupid to show it.

I stare at him, looking at the way he knows just what to do at the right time. I'm sitting at the cafeteria table in Fuller High with my one and only girls Violet, and Jo. Jo's looking a little ratty in her old Gap jeans, but I don't say anything. Anyone can tell they're not flattering her ass, at all. Let's just admit it, I take the cake on nice asses.

"He's dreamy, isn't he?" Jo sighs.

I look at her annoyed, but try not to show it. I'm with Eric, star of the lacrosse team, or whatever, but I don't care. This boy, James, he's so mysterious. He comes from Oklahoma, and even has this cute country accent. He's been a soccer star for his whole life, and he just moved here because he's an army brat. I feel a little bad about his whole experience with moving, but I'm sure he's fine.

Violet's sipping a mocha carmel latte, and I'm dying for a sip. I seriously should've reconsidered skipping Dunkin'. My addiction to coffee is more or less, crazy. And I will go crazy if I don't have my coffee, all black of course. That's why I called Eric this morning and told him to get his lazy ass out of bed ot get me a coffee, because I can't afford another late on my transcript. The props of being a junior I guess is that you're not sad you're leaving high school, and you can shit on all the lower-half sluts, to put it bluntly.

"Sorry hun. I know you're cravin' your black coffee, but you can't trust guys. They're always screwing shit up," Violet says, batting her eyelashes.

I only laugh, but I bring my nail up to my face, ready to bite my nails off of nervous energy. And then, like a glowing halo, Eric is in my view. Trying to be nonchalant, I walk slowly over to him. I'm not so stupid to make a scene of myself.

Eric's crazy good looking, and I know I'm kind of stupid for thinking I could ever leave him. He has blond hair that kind of flips to the side, and this wry smile, like he always has a secret on his lips. Violet says she loves his baby blues. Also known as his blue, shiny eyes. He really is the American boy, with an edge. He's always got some kind of leather jacket on, or he tries for the sweet country look with a plaid shirt. But his abs? Total hotness, let me just tell you. One day, when the two of us were just hanging out at his house ready to go in his pool, he ripped off his t shirt and I stared way too long. Let's just say, he likes to remind me of that constantly.

But he really is sweet, and I don't know how he could bother with my pain in the ass.

I kind of fall into his arms, looking up at him and fluttering my eyelashes back and forth.

"You got my coffee!" I laugh.

"For you, anything," he smiles.

I snatch it from his hands, and plant a big one on his lips. He doesn't let me go though, wrapping his strong arms around me. This is annoying though, I mean, come on! I so don't want James seeing me with him. So, instead, I pull Eric away from the crowded morning lunchroom and we head out into the quieter hallway. There, I kiss him more passionately and slowly, holding my coffee in my hands, and wrapping my hands around his neck in the process. All the while, on my tippy toes.

Quickly, though, we're torn apart.

"Lunchroom!" Jo yells at me, pulling me away from Eric.

On reflex, I turn my head to Eric, and kind of wave goodbye. This puts a big goofy grin on his face, and I turn my head, biting my lip in worry. How much is he emotionally invested in me? I want to explore my options, right? I try not to think too long and hard about this as I see what's ahead of me.

Jane's in my view, and I snort to myself. What's up with Janey today? I don't remember  when I started to hate Jane, it was kind of a school thing. No one's ever liked her. She's not shy about her feelings, standing up for obscure things, like making sure the fries in the lunch line are not too greasy. Like who in their right minds would care two shits about that?!

"Save the polar bears, stop global warming!" she yells, with her poster in the cafeteria.

She's all alone in her hippie long skirt that goes to her ankles, and her fuzzy long sleeve purple sweater brings a tear to my eye. Why would anyone torture themselves with such outrageous fabric? Are you kidding me? What is that made of, ALPACA?

Violet stomps toward Jane slamming down her poster in the process. Jane's used to this, but still stares at the floor, dejected. Violet's got on a long sleeved pink silk flow shirt from dELiA*s, and expensive jean shorts from Nordstrom. Her gladiator's are so cute, I might steal them off her feet. God, Violet's so gorgeous it makes me want to barf. She gets in Jane's face, automatically doing her "stare". Vi's eyes can be aboslutely soft, and enchanting, but she an also make them harsh and cold.

"Why don't you go live with the polar bears Jane, huh? But then again...they wouldn't even like you!" Violet laughs in her face.

She doesn't say anything, but it's clear and plain on her face that she's crying silently. This sends a weird jump in my heart, and I fight the urge to run to her and tell her it's going to be okay. Get a hold of yourself, Hazel, my mind says to me. Yeah, my heart's probably associating Jane crying with Jo or Violet crying. Damn, I really am a sensitive sap.

I know Violet can't take crying and will literally explode on Jane, so I quickly interject with a quick move of my hips.

"Jane, move along sweetheart, while you still have your dignity," I say in a fake motherly voice.

The lunchroom explodes with laughter, and Jane runs out crying. God, why does she have to be such a drama queen? It's just a joke! Take a god damn joke, girl.

Violet turns toward me her brunette braided hair whipping in the air, in the process. "Haze, darling, how much can I say I love you?"

I laugh a little, take my first sip of my coffee, sigh and say, "All you want, girl."

Violet only smiles, grabbing my arm and leading me back towards Jo. I know Vi's wicked annoyed with Jo since a) she didn't help her with the Jane thing and b) she's wearing those ugly butt jeans. But I've known Violet too long to see that she never lets anyone know exactly what she's feeling, even us. On rare occasions, we see a slip of humanity through her. Other than that, she's our Mysterious Violet forever.

I sit down at the lunch table, and mull over the thought of James kissing my lips when Eric wraps his hands around my eyes muttering, "Guess who?"

I decide I'm in a good mood today, and play dumb. "Hmmm, is it...Mr. Harris?"

Eric whips his hands off of my eyes, and then pokes his head in front of my face and says, "Nope, it's me. Sorry to disappoint you!"

But he says this smiling, and then gives me a peck on the cheek. I can't help it, and i involuntarily giggle in the process, something I don't usually do unless I'm absolutely happy. In the corner of my eye I see Violet rolling her eyes, but I know she approves of him, since he's hot, captain of a sports team, and makes me happy. Jo sulks in the corner, picking at her jeans. She's gorgeous and guys are always falling to her every request, but Jo's also very picky, like ridiculously picky. She likes the guys that are unattainable for her, which is stupid. Sometimes I catch her looking at Eric with a hint of interest, but she snaps out of it when she remembers rule number 23. There are twenty five rules, but we'll get to that later. Rule twenty three states there are no inter-dating relationships. Once one of us drops a guy, she and only she, can get back together with him. No picking up someone else's garbage. That's why when you date one Popeye girl, you'll never be able to date the other two of us.

"I want what you guys have!" Jo whines.

I laugh and take Eric's chin, making sure Jo's looking, and kiss him again. Hm, maybe he really is worth it. Eric's a good kisser at least.

Jo looks at me with slanted eyes but understands I mean business. Eyes off the prize, sweetie.

Eric pulls me onto his lap and I bite back another giggle, and take a sip of my coffee. Today...there'll be excitement. Something about today is going to be amazing,

 I can just feel it.