Borderline

Chapter 17

I didn't go back to sleep that night.

When Jessica woke up, I was sitting at the counter eating another Pop-Tart.

What can I say? The damn things are addictive.

Jessica rubbed her eyes and stretched before she noticed me. "Holy shit! You scared me!" She clutched the front of her pajamas. "How long have you been up?"

I shrugged. "Since about 3."

Her eyes widened, but she didn't say anything. "Well, class starts in about an hour, so we can go grab some breakfast if you want."

I shook my head. "I've got something I've got to do before school, so I'm gonna leave here in a second." I crumpled up the empty Pop-Tart wrapper and threw it away. Then I walked over to my bed to grab my clothes and change.

"Wait, didn't you sleep in your underwear?"

"I walked around last night, so I put my old clothes on."

I felt a small sense of dread grow in my stomach as I took off my pants and replaced them with the green plaid skirt I was given. I tucked my white blouse into the the skirt, then shrugged on my dark green blazer.

I tied my tie quickly, then pulled on my knee-high white socks and black shoes. I grabbed the black backpack I had borrowed from Eli and started heading toward the door.

"Don't you need to brush your hair?"

I shook my head. "Nope. That's the joy of having a boy's haircut. And I brushed my teeth this morning." I exited the room without saying goodbye.

***

The door to room 343 was opened by a sleepy looking Joshua.

"Knock knock, motherfucker," I said, smiling.

Joshua's eyes widened as he pulled me inside and closed the door. "Ryder, you can't be here!"

"Why not?"

"Because this is the boys' floor!"

I shrugged. "So what?"

Joshua punched the bridge of his nose. "You know what? Never mind. I can't deal with you right now." I laughed as he pushed past me.

At the same time I was turning around to say something else to Joshua, Eli decided to come out of the bathroom with only a towel on.

I immediately turned to face the door again.

"Ryder! What the hell are you doing here?" I could visualize him walking back into the bathroom, but I didn't hear the door close.

"Just stopped by to say hi and kill you!" I joked. I heard Joshua laugh a little.

"You can't be h-"

"Don't bother. I've already tried," Joshua cut in.

"So," I started. "Is there any way I could borrow a pair of pants? They took mine yesterday." I decided to turn back around. Eli still had a towel around his waist.

"No. You'd be out of dress code," Eli explained.

I raised an eyebrow. "Does it look like I care about the stupid dress code?"

He thought for a second, then shrugged.

"Please, Josh? Help a girl out!" I begged.

Joshua shook his head. "No way, R. Plus," he turned to look at me. "That look suits you."

I balled my hands into fists. "Does not," I spat.

Eli looked me up and down. "Actually, you look pretty cute."

I glared at him, feeling my face flush slightly. "Shut up." I stomped my foot like a small child.

Eli smirked at me and walked closer. He grabbed my chin and tilted my head up. "I'm just telling the truth." He winked at me.

I tightened my fists, resisting the urge to slap him. He thought he had the upper hand, huh? Well, that was about to change.

I smirked back at him and relaxed my hands, bringing one of them up to trail across his chest. Joshua watched us with an expression that showed he was entertained.

"Well, Eli," I said, using the cutest voice I could muster. "I-I have something to tell you, since we're being honest and all..."

I looked up at him with big eyes, and I saw his face flushed with color. "And w-what would that be, Ryder?" He asked. I smiled sweetly, knowing I had him wrapped around my finger.

"It's just that...well...how do I say this..." I pushed him back against a wall that was about 6 feet away. "Not a chance, blondie." I winked at him, and his face got redder.

I looked at Joshua, my hands still on Eli's chest. "Can I have a pair of pants now?"