Love Me (On hold)

One- High School

Maddie's POV

I'm Maddie. The clumsiest, nerdiest, most non- popular girl in all of high school. My best friend Josh seems to think the opposite.
The summer is sadly over and it's back to school. Grade 10. I'm so nervous even though I know that Josh will be there. By my side. Maybe high school will be very similar to junior high school. It turns out I was wrong.
The first day of school sucked. Math first period and at lunch, Josh left me sitting alone in the cafeteria while he reunited with his dorky friends. The rest of the day was horrible. In California, it was still scorching hot in September, so all the classes were boiling. I swore I was going to faint. At the end of the day, I was so thankful to get out of that school. I literally ran to the bus, Josh running behind me, trying to catch up.
"Aren't you warm enough?" Josh said, huffing and puffing, his hands on his knees.
"I want to go home," I replied.
"Want to come to my house?" Josh asked me.
"No," I said, sharper than I wanted it to be.
Josh threw his hands up. "Sorry, cranky pants. What's up with you?"
"Well," I began, "After being left alone at lunch, and being stuck in a boiling hot classroom, yeah, i'm pretty angry," I said, rolling my eyes.
"I'm sorry Maddie. Don't you have any friends other than me?" He shot back.
Ouch. "That's harsh."
Josh stomped off to a different bus that we don't normally go on. It headed to the street that had the gas station. I followed him down to the same bus. I felt like I really needed a coke.
"Why are you following me?" Josh snapped.
"Relax. You don't own the gas station! Anyway, why are you mad? I'm the one who sat alone at lunchtime and got insulted, not you!" I snapped back.
He ignored me and continued walking down the street. "Someday, I'll be the one sitting alone," he muttered.
When we got on the bus he saw his dorky group of friends and sat with them. I was left alone... Again. It was my own fault. I shouldn't have gotten angry with him. After all, he just wanted to hang out with his other friends. Maybe he didn't like me anymore. I stared out the window my head resting on my hand. I couldn't believe it. I was worrying about how my best friend for 10 years didn't like me. What was wrong with me? Did I have a crush on him? It was ridiculous, the idea. I heard the boys laughing and yelling behind me and could make out Josh's subtle laugh.
I wanted to cry.
I needed to talk to him. I sat the rest of the bus ride in silence. Then I heard a voice beside me. I turned my head and almost fainted. OMG!!! It was the hottest guy in school! Mark Griffin! I know this was the first day of high school, but in grade nine, every girl fought for him. I couldn't believe he wanted to talk to me!
"How's it going?" Mark asked me. My cheeks burned.
"Just teriffic!" I replied. Then to my disappointment, Josh showed up behind Mark. His eyebrows furrowed.
"I need to talk to Maddie. Will you please go?" Josh said angrily. Why would he be angry about Mark talking to me? I was suddenly furious.
Mark walked away, winking at me.
"God Josh! What's wrong with you?" I snapped. "That was my last opportunity to get a boyfriend! That's Mark Griffin! He chose me to talk to, not some other girl!" I collapsed on the
seat in tears. People were starting to stare. I heard the bus driver mutter something. "Blasted teenagers!" He said.
I chose to ignore him. I looked up at Josh. His face was red. I could tell he was hurt. "I don't know what's up with you lately Maddie, but I'm done with what ever this is. I can't believe you."
I started crying again. "Please Josh, don't go," I sobbed as he walked away.
I took my bag and went down the steps of the bus heading towards the right bus that took me home. I didn't want to see Josh again. It turns out that was going to be impossible.