Zoe: The choices

Chapter 1 (un-edited)

Turning down the halls hearing me name being called by the 3 boys that had just said they loved me. What else did they expect? I don't like this kind of stuff. I don't do 'love'. I'm not sure if I even believe in love. This, this 'love' stuff. I don't even believe in love. I pushed my legs harder, springing as fast as I could. The air smelt musty, looking up I saw that it was clouding over. Looking over my shoulder, Ryan and James were still running, James falling behind coming to a halt to catch his breath. Great I could see Ryan but where was Blake? "Haha, see ya later sucker!" Blake's voice rang mixing with the wheels of a skateboard. Shit I took twists and turns but Blake was catching up. Pushing myself as hard as I could; my house in sight, the wheels of Blake's board was getting closer and closer. I sprinted through the door and slammed it shut locking it behind me just in time. Blake had just reached my door. "Zoë, Zoë please talk to us... well at least me since I'm the only one here" Blake begged through the door.

"No! Just, just let me take all this shit in!" Josh came and looked over the rail confused with what was going on.
"Zoë please"
"Blake I said no. That goes for all of you guys" I heard him sigh and talking to someone. Ryan. Passing the message on. Looking through the window they both left, going their separate ways.
"Okay I'm confused here. What the fuck is going on?" Josh asked coming down the stairs.
"Nothing"
"Riiiight, obviously"
"Yeah" I pushed pass him to go to my room but felt him grab my arm.
"Zoë"
"Yeah?" I feigned innocence
"Just tell me"
"No" I ripped my arm out of his grip and went to my room, sat on my bed with my head in hands, wondering what to do. I like them all but as friends. Nothing more, at least I think it's nothing more. A small knock came and Josh entered and sat next to me, arm around my shoulders. "Zoë just tell me. Please"
"It's nothing. Really,"
"Yeah but not much gets you in this state, just tell me"
"Fine. Blake, Ryan and James all said they like me and now I have no fucking clue what to do"
"Do you like any of them?"
"No..." But it was more of a question. I got along with them all, at least I use to with Ryan and James Blake were cool enough.
"Well I don't know much bout this, but stay mates with them and see what happens and who knows you might end up liking one of them rather than Xavier"
"Yeah, maybe and maybe I mightn't like anyone!" I smiled
"You have to let me threaten at least one guy in my time" Josh said staring at me deadly serious. Guys and their 'manly' hood. Pft like I'd let him do that, I wouldn't want him to get hurt.
"Don't you dare and I can do that myself"
"True your face is good at that" I pulled the finger at him and he did the same back. He ruffled my hair.
"Fuck you Josh. At least I'd actually be able to beat up the guy"
"One time you managed to beat me. One time!"
"One out of one times"
"No"
"Yes"
"No"
"Yes"
"James"
"Yes" wait. Huh? "James?" I asked Josh who was just smirking.
"Yeah he's at the door" and on cue the door bell went. "You want me to get that?"
"No I will" I pushed myself off my bed and went downstairs and opened the door. Not looking at him. "Yeah?" I asked
"I. I didn't get as far to think what I was going to say"
"Okay."
"Can we just still be friends? Please. I mean it's okay if you don't we weren't exactly friends in the first place but if you don't want to be friends just say because I don't mind but"
"Whoa there boy calm down"
"Sorry. But um-ah who's that?"
"Who?" he just pointed and I followed his finger. Josh.
"My brother"
"Oh" James suddenly looked panicked. I told him to calm down and assured him that Josh is harmless and I also told him I just wanted to think without any of them around me. James decided to leave after that and walked off home or to the closest bus stop. What ever worked best for him.

"What's with the trucks?" I nodded in the direction of the house opposite ours. Two trucks stood parked outside it.
"New neighbours. By the looks of it two girls and their dad" Josh said with a glint in his eyes.
"Whatever just don't let the dad shoot you"
"Don't plan on it anytime soon. But they're both hot and twins. Even better"
"I swear you're missing a wire. Along with every other guy"
"Funny girl you are" Josh threw me over his shoulder, ignoring my protests to be put down. According to him I have to be nice and come with him to greet the new neighbours. Just cause he wants to get in their pants.
"Hey I'm Josh and this is Zoë my baby sister"
"Hi I'm Brittany and that's my sister Samantha over there" Brittany pointed to her sister who was trying to get a BMX out of a truck.
"Well it's nice meeting you Brittany. If you need any help feel free to ask, and welcome to the neighbourhood"
"Brittany can you plea- oh sorry I'm Jim Brittany's and Samantha's father. You would be?" A deep voice came.
"Hello sir, I'm Josh and this is my sister Zoë. We live across the road from you and wondering if you wanted help?" kiss ass.
"Um well I think we're just about down thank you."
"It's okay"
"Hey Josh as much as I love looking at your butt with all my blood going to my head can you put me down. Now!" I growled at him as a suspicious smell was in my nose; next to his butt.
"Huh? Oh sure" I felt him walk a bit. Shit no, no, no! Thud! I was on the ground with a triumphant looking Josh. Oh he was so going to pay for that. I felt the dampness of the grass and pushed myself up. I went over next to him and pulled him into a head lock, thus starting us fighting and rolling around the neighbour's lawn with them looking down onto us confused and unsure of what to do. Josh and I finally got off each other and started laughing and doing the 'bro hug'
"So just call me if you want any help" Josh said doing an about turn walking off back to the house. I shrug and follow him to our house immediately picking up my board and heading out the door going to the skate park. Swerving around pedestrians and doing small tricks; when I saw I had enough room without ramming into people. Much. I glided down the paths, the wind tangling my hair up. I picked up my board when I got to the grass.

"You know, you can't avoid them forever?" I jumped at the sound of the voice recognising but it wasn't until I turned and saw who it was. Drew.
"I thought you and Josh were hanging out?"
"We were but we finished our basketball game and some girls came up to us and you know the rest" I stood up and walked off only to have him follow.
"What!?"
"Nothing..." Creep. Can't I get any fucking time alone?!
"Nope" I opened mouth to reply but was cut off
"Yes you did say that out loud and close mouth unless you expect something in it" He said with a wink.
"Gee you sure know how to charm a girl." I said rolling my eyes.
"So I've heard" I carried on walking, thinking of a way to ditch Drew "So what seems to be the problem?"
"Nothing"
"Really?"
"Yes"
"Then why are you getting all moody? You're not on your period, are you?"
"No!" Don't hit him; it's not worth your energy. Don't hit the annoying jerk. I chanted over and over again. The path was in sight, I could see my escape route. I dropped my board and jumped on it, wouldn't move. I looked down and saw Drew holding it smirking.
"Talk and you get it back"
"Why?"
"I wanna know and it seems like a way to annoy you"
"Don't you have some slut to screw?"
"Yeah but she'll wait for me" he said jokingly; I hoped. I grunted as I tried jumping to snatch my board off him but him being a good foot or so taller than me was little bit of a problem. Causing him to chuckle at the difficulty I was having.