The Art of Balancing » work in progress

CH. 11 : "Slip on a banana peel, Stooge?"

So, it was Wednesday, Landon and I were about to leave, and Graham had yet to even look at us. 

I didn't get why.

I mean.. Maybe.. Possibly.. He's a little justified at giving me the silent treatment, considering I kind of ruined any possibility of him and his supposed "dream girl" ever getting together, but why did he have to give Landon the cold shoulder too? I was sure Graham Bryant was slowly metamorphosing into a 4th grade girl. Maybe him and Emma committed some Freaky Friday swap.

But either way, the three of us still had a project to complete and Graham needed to look past the whole Darcy Reynolds situation. It's not  like she's Blake Lively for crying out loud. There would be other girls.

"He's being such a little..." Landon shakes his head as he slams his locker. He throws his soccer bag around his shoulder and we begin down the hall. "He's just acting like a li.. I don't want to say it!"

"Here, I'll say it for you. He's being a little bitch." I snap. At this he smirks because in some ways, it really was true, no matter what way you looked at it.

"He hasn't talked to me since Saturday," he continues, letting me go in front of him as we squeeze through a group of ogling freshmen.

I have to say, walking with Landon, who is supposedly the third most sought after senior (first is the Graham Bryant - duh - and then Wesley Mirchoff - which is totally understandable I might add), I get a lot of looks. I'm getting used to it.

"And we had this huge game against West Hills last night," he says, getting back to my side, "and he didn't even pass to me. Not once! We lost the game by one point because he's decided to be an idiot."

"He has no reason to be mad at you, either." I mumble. "This whole thing pisses me off. It's just a misunderstanding! I try so hard to be nice to him and the second I mess up, he acts like I've just gifted him with AIDS. Why?"

Landon gives me a look.

"Okay, maybe I don't try that hard, but still. I do try." I shrug. "Either way, I feel like we're back at square one. He's impossible and if this stupid project that we're gonna fail because of HIM brings down my GPA, I swear.."

"Yeah. We're on the same page." Landon shakes his head. "I'll get him to come around though, Graham can't stay mad for shit. Don't worry." He assures me. I sigh as I hold my books to my chest a little tighter.

"Him being mad at me makes sense. But not letting anyone explain and then acting like we don't exist for.. How long has it been?"

"By the end of tonight, four days." Landon answers, a tint of sadness to his voice. He was such a girl. "You're right. I'll do something about it today at practice, but I gotta pay a water bill so I'll catch up with you later, alright? I'll call you or something."

I nod as I watch him begin to turn towards the nearest men's bathroom. I can't help but call out, "have fun with Mister Bryant!"

He turns around and places a gun made out of his index and middle finger to his head. I do the same, but then start cracking up when his back hits the bathroom door and a very annoyed looking Graham appears behind it. Speak of the devil.

I watch as Landon starts talking to him, but Graham isn't having it. He shoves his way past what used to be his best friend and heads down the hall. Landon rolls his eyes and disappears into the bathroom.

I think this is ridiculous. It's downright absurd. Landon didn't have anything to do with this. 

"Graham!" I yell, fast-limping my way over to him as he keeps on going.