The Bad Boy Likes Me?

Partners

Oh god. I nearly choked. Why did it have to be him? I swallowed the lump in my throat and turned my head slightly to find Derek slightly smirking in my direction. My face grew hot and red as he stared at me. I looked away and played with the hem of my shirt. How was I going to work on a whole project with him if I turn into a tomato from one stare?

The rest of class went by agonizingly slowly. I went to the library for lunch where I knew I'd be undisturbed. What if I fail the project because of him? I've heard some rumors about him and how he uses girls then dumps them. A vibrate interrupted my thoughts. I dug through my bag until I found my phone.

Need a ride today?

That text was from Sam. I don't really consider him a friend. He's in the same grade as me. The only reason he and his sister, Kayla talk to me is because our moms are friends and we live right down the street from each other. Ocasionally, I'd get rides to and from school from them but we didn't socialize in school. They were nice but I knew they were part of the popular crowd.

I texted him back.

Sure. Meet at the courtyard after school?

Sam was a nice guy. Cocky, but nice. He had light brown hair and mesmerizing gray eyes. He was super tall too. I'd guess he was about 6'4. He played on the school's basketball team. Kayla was also athletic. She was on the volleyball and cheerleading team. I was secretly jealous of her beauty. Her long blonde hair reminded me of a mermaid's. She was practically a Barbie.

***

Once school was over, I met up with Sam and Kayla. They shared a Range Rover. I knew they took turns driving it. Today was Sam's turn. Kayla sat in the back with me.

"Who'd you get for the project in English?" Kayla asked me.

"Um...Derek-" Before I could even say his full name, her eyes widened and she gasped.

"Lucky! I wanted him!" She practically screamed. Take him, I thought in my head.

"I don't like him..." Sam said.  

"Cause you're jealous of him." Kayla shot back. 

"I am not jealous of that freak. He's a loser who's gonna end up flipping burgers in five years." Sam rolled his eyes.

Ouch. Maybe he was jealous?

"Whatever. I just want this dumb project to end." I said nonchalantly.

"I would never want it to end. Have you seen that boy's muscles?" Kayla looked at me.

Yes. "No."

"Well they're big. I would know." She bragged.

"Emma's the only one I've seen not go crazy for this guy." Sam looked at me through the rearview mirror.

"He's just a guy. What's so special about him?" Besides his good looks, I really didn't see why everyone freaked out over him, especially Madison Loren.

"He's not just a guy. He's a bad boy. Everyone loves bad boys." Kayla smirked.

"Well not me." I shot back.

Once I finally got home, I made myself macarroni and cheese. I heard the lock turning and saw my mom come in. That's weird. She's usually home much later.

"How come you're home so early?" I questioned.

"What? You're not happy to see me?" She teased.

"'Course I am. Just wondering..."

"The case didn't take long. I'll probably be coming home earlier this week." My mother dissapeared upstairs just as my maccaroni and cheese finished cooking.

Thar was unsual, considering she comes home around seven everyday. I miss spending time with her even though we never had that close bond. 

**

Later that night, I started to reread "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and my mind was filled with thoughts of Derek Barlow.