12 Years Young

Chapter 12

"This sucks." I said standing in front of my school with Chris, Gordie and Ben.

"You're telling me." Teddy said walking past us with Vern to go to the older kids school that was right next to ours. Nothing even separated them. A fence went around both of them practically connecting them. In the back there was a cement pad and a field we got to mess around in at recess and lunch.

"Well I'll see ya later." Chris said jogging to catch up with Teddy and Vern.

"Ben make sure no one is being a dick to her, okay?" Gordie said walking backwards.

"You got it man." Ben said fist bumping him. Gordie smiled at me and turned to catch up with the other guys.

I watched a group of girls glare at me as they walked past. I had part of my hair pinned back and it was a little longer now. I had on the same jean skirt I wore fishing with Gordie like two weeks ago. Then I had on a plain red shirt and my converse.

Ben was wearing a white shirt with a black faded logo on it and a pair of jeans.

"Good thing we're in the same homeroom." Ben said pinching my arm to get me to ignore the girls.

"Yeah." I said starting to walk up to he doors.

Ben opened the door for me and I instinctively reached up to the necklace that Gordie gave me. I hadn't taken it off since he gave it to me.

"You're fine." Ben said rolling his eyes and nodding me into the school.

I huffed at him annoyed and walked in.

Ben and I had lockers right next to each other. Lucky me. Sometimes he could get a little clingy but he was a good guy.

I took one of my books out of my locker and set it on top of the rest of my stuff. Suddenly my locker slammed and I jumped. Ben shut his locker and looked at me, no past me.

I looked the person that was connected to the hand on my locker. It was Pete.

"What the hell do you want?" I asked glaring at him.

"You know, you don't look too bad when you dress like a girl." Pete said grinning and looking me up and down.

I couldn't help but laugh. I startled Pete a little bit as well.

He had dirty blond hair and green eyes.

"Wanna go to the diner with me after school?" He asked shoving his hands in his pockets and leaning against the lockers.

I felt Ben grab my arm. I shook him away hopefully letting him know that I had it handled.

"I have plans already, but thanks anyway." I said taking Ben's arm and starting to walk away.

"With who? Him?" Pete asked falling into step next to me again.

"Ew, no." I said letting Ben's arm go.

"Then who with?" He asked. I was starting to get annoyed.

"Gordie." I said trying to walk a little faster.

"You're still hanging around that dweeb?" He asked with a laugh.

"That dweeb happens to be my best friend." I said stopping dead in my tracks. Ben stood at my side and Pete stood in front of me.

"He's a pussy!" Pete said laughing again.

"You're such a dick!" I said clenching my fists.

"Come on Jo, let's just get to class." Ben said putting a hand on my shoulder. I shook him away again.

"What're you gonna do about it?" Pete asked smirking and crossing his arms.