The Bad Boy Likes Me?

Starting The Project

I woke up at six to start getting ready for school. I took a long, hot shower to relax my muscles. I picked out a gray, oversized shirt and wore plain jeans and my black converse. I made my way downstairs to find my mom already gone. I ate cereal and double checked my bag to make sure I had every folder. I heard a beep coming from outside signaling that Sam and Kayla were waiting for me. I love not having to walk.

I quickly got outside and locked my house before getting inside their car. 

"Hey Emma." Sam greeted me.

"Hi." I replied. 

"So have you heard about the party?" Kayla asked me. She was driving this time. Parties weren't my thing. I heard people talk about them but I didn't actually attended them. I didn't see the point in spending my saturday night with a bunch of drunk and hormonal teenagers.

"No. What party?" I asked curiously. School just recently started so who would have a party now?

"Jason Beckerman. His parents are going outta town next week. Everyone's invited. You should come." Sam replied for her. 

"Yeah plus Derek's probably gonna be there." Kayla winked.

"I think I'll pass." I tried to say it as politely as I could. I wasn't as confident as them to just show up at a party and start talking to everyone.

"Oh c'mon, Emma! It's senior year. We're supposed to live it up!" Kayla said in an energetic tone. I knew I should have been living it up but I need to focus on my studies right now if I want to go to a good college and not end up working a lousy job. On my sixteenth birthday, my mom offered me a car. I declined and told her to just put the money in my college fund. Most kids would have jumped at the opportunity but not me. Plus, this town's small so I could always just walk everywhere I needed to. 

*

A couple minutes later, after a quick search, Kayla pulled up into a parking space and we all got out of the car. Both of them went to their group and I went into the library before the bell rang to get some peace and quiet. When I walked into the library, I spotted Derek Barlow sitting at one of the tables reading the book assigned for the project. He looked bored and not like he was really reading. He had morning hair and was wearing a plain t-shirt under his leather jacket. He wore dark jeans and he was wearing black boots. 

I sat at the table farthest from him and pulled out my phone. I started playing some random game and when I looked up, I saw Derek Barlow staring at me intently. I quickly looked down, trying to look busy on my phone. I heard a chair screech and saw him walk up. 

Please don't come over here. Please don't come over here.

He pulled up the chair across from mine and sat down. Great. Just what I needed. 

"Emma, right?" He asked me. 

"Yeah..." I replied, avoiding eye contact. 

He put his hands in front of the table and cleared his throat. "Listen, about this project-"

"Yeah, whatever. I'll do it." I cut him off. He was obviously gonna make me do all the work anyway so why not just get it over with. I finally looked up to see a confused look on his face.

"I was just gonna tell you that we're gonna have to do it at your house." He said. Well at least he wasn't gonna make me do all of it. 

"Oh...okay. When should we meet up?" I asked him, meeting his eyes. I can't believe I'm doing this. Me, the shy and awkward girl, making plans with the school's bad boy. 

"Today. Meet me at the parking lot after school then give me the directions." He looked at something behind me. He could've at least asked nicely. I'll take it since my grade depends on it.