After Love

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

    I jogged down the hallway stopping briefly to get a drink from the water fountain. When I reached my classroom, I lightly tapped on the door afraid of the reprimand I knew I was about to receive. I looked through the glass to see Tucker smile my way and taunt me about being late, I stuck my tongue out at him then followed it with a smile. Mr. Milgram looked over at me and scolded me. He ignored my knocking and went back to his lesson. I looked to Tucker for help, he rolled his hazel eyes and flipped his dark brown hair so dramatically I remembered why we were best friends all over again. He walked up so slumpy looking like helping me was the hardest thing to do in his life but I know he was just joking because his mouth began to curl into the faintest bit of a smile. I rolled my ocean eyes and laughed waiting for what felt like an eternity for him to open the door, not leaving my eyes from his face. When he finally reached me, I punched him playfully in his firm arm and rushed past him purposely bumping into him.

    I sped walk to the back of the room and took my seat next to Susan one of my other best friends, she elbowed me and I elbowed her back.

    "You're just a little bit late, the bell's gonna ring in two minutes" Susan sarcastically whispered in my ear.

    "Appreciate the sarcasm darling, I got held up by Camden, an aching stomach, and Stacey and her posse. You should've seen me, I so told the chick clique (Stacey etc.), their faces were priceless!" I bragged

    Her sarcastic expression was replaced by a wide-eyed look that gave me a great deal of satisfaction. I smirked at her knowing that her ultimate crush was Camden King, the greatest.

    "What? How did that happen? I want to know all the details after class!" she inquired still wide-eyed.

    I winked at her just as the bell rang, and ran out of the classroom before she could interrogate me on my little Camden incident. I turned around to see her frantically collecting her books and binder, screaming my name Evie over and over again. (Evie is my nickname for Evelyn) When I thought I was safe from being caught by Susan I slowed down panting out of breath. I stopped in front of the boys bathroom to catch my breath when I felt something hard and big hit me from behind.

    "Oh man, I'm so sorry, that was an accident!" some dude yelled

    Enraged, I turned around to confront the dummy who "accidentally" bumped into me. I whirled around and saw that it was not a dummy who hit me, but it was a door, and the one standing behind the door was Camden King and his perfect white teeth grinning back at me. I rolled my eyes and playfully yet firm told him to watch out or I'll have to screw him up. He laughed at my threat then leaned against the door. Oh jeez, I said to myself, not only is he being flirty by his body language, but he's expecting me to stay and have a conversation with  him. I confidently looked him in the eye.

    "We should hang some time, I think we would have fun." he smirked, obviously enjoying this moment of torture for me.

    "Like I would like that" I lied

    "Oh please, stop it, your twiddling fingers give away that you're a terrible liar" he insisted

     " Oh yeah, and your cocky grin tells me otherwise" I blushed as I scurried away before he could say anything else smart that would give away my nervousness around him. Tucker caught up to me and gave me a mischievous grin and raised his eyebrows at me, his signature move, that gave me butterflies. I hid my excitement and embarrassment but put no effort into hiding my annoyance. He punched me ever so lightly that made me smile.

     Tucker and I always walk home together or hitch a ride from his mom, or my mom. Today my mom picked us up since she got off work early, she's a lawyer so this happens rarely. On the way to my house the ride was quiet and smooth. Tucker and I were both looking out our windows lost in our own thoughts, these are the times I wish I could read his mind, I'm sure he felt the same way.

    Arriving home, Tucker released his seat belt so quickly, then he loudly yelled, "Last one inside drinks the concoction!"

    With a silent laugh, I scurried to get my belongings, I smiled to myself already knowing it was impossible for him to win. I had the key, they didn't, joking with him, I walked in slow motion, making known that no effort was being put into my soon to be victory. He pretended to cry in defeat, I started to cackle out in laughter, that's when he made his move, he ran to me quickly snatching the key very swiftly yet with great elegance. I immediately reacted and sprinted after him, but he was way too fast for me, he turned the key before I could even reach him, and I was the loser...again. 

    The concoction is something Tucker and I made up when we were 9 years old. The concoction is a mix of five different gross things, sprite, mustard, pickle juice, sprinkles, and mayo. My stomach churned at the thought of tasting that tangy, fizzy, sweet disgusting taste on my palate. I somehow changed Tucker's mind that instead of drinking the whole cup, I only had to take one gulp. Taking that one gulp felt like forever and made me want to throw up. I punched him for making me go through that. He laughed, yet his eyes showed otherwise, they showed care, concern, and telling me he was sorry, so I forgave him. This is why we are best friends, even though he's a guy and I'm a gal, we are the perfect mix, we're peanut butter and jelly I giggled to myself.