Bring Me In

Chapter 2: Friends?/ New Guest?

“Have you talked to your dad?” My mom tried to break the silence. I really didn’t feel like talking. From all the homework and test I had no time for anything. It has already been two weeks of school. “No.” I try to say without mumbling. “Well…how is school?” She turned off the water and dried her hands. “Speaking of school, I actually have a lot of homework to finish.” I run upstairs and close my door. The homework is actually pretty easy. The teachers are strict but they aren’t too strict.

            It has been two weeks and Todd has not said anything to me; Todd, the boy from AP English. You know the brown hair blonde kind of streaks. I have found out so much about him. He plays football, basketball, and runs track. He never seems to talk in this class but I see him in the halls and he doesn’t seem very timid. “Partner Up.” The words I have waited to make my move. I didn’t want to seem desperate so I wanted to wait for him to ask me. Instead, Mrs. Mocking had other plans. “Susan and Mark. Stan and Rick. Todd and Louie.” My heart sunk. By the time she got to my name there were only five other people I could be paired with. “Rachel and Drew.”

            I didn’t know who Drew was. I have not had a chance to remember everyone’s name. However he must have known me because he came right over. He had this unusual look; An ‘I don’t care’ look, someone who looks like the happiest person ever, but is so quiet. He wore a black hoodie, black jeans and sneakers. He had amazing Hazel eyes.

            “Hey.” I pushed my desk over to make room.

            “Hi.” He brushed his hand through his brown hair.

            “So, what should we do?”

            “I don’t care.”

Huh. Funny, I could figure him out just like that. I let out a snicker. “What?” He waits for me to say something. “I just looked at you as an ‘I don’t care’ guy, and I was right.” He taps his pen on his notebook trying not to look up. “This just isn’t my thing.” What exactly was a thing. “English?” I tried to get some clarification. “School.” Well school was no body’s thing. But I think this hard core thing is funny so I just go along with it. “”Well, obviously you are smart. You’re in AP English.” There was a long silence. Did I offend him? Did he just not like me? It’s not like I’m trying to make friends. I check the clock. There is still thirty minutes left of class. I have finished half of the assignment so far by myself. “Rachel.” I turned my head slightly to the right. Oh. My. Gosh! It’s Todd. He knows my name? How is this? Should I say something right away? Immediately I thought. “Yea?” I tried to sound calm but really my heart was pounding out of my chest. “You think you can help us real quick?” I can’t say no to him. So I didn’t. “Sure.” I got up and went by Todd. This is the perfect excuse for me to go near him. I explain to him the assignment and how he can answer it. I can see he understands. So I stand and walk back to my seat. “Hey.” He tapped my shoulder. “Thanks.” He grinned. I couldn’t help but smile back. I bet I looked like a dork.

            I could feel Drew staring at me. My cheeks heated. “What?” I said with a strict voice. He just shook his head and laughed. “What’s so funny?” I wanted to know. He hesitated to respond. “How you fall all over him.” Still shaking his head I freeze. Am I that obvious? “I’m not falling all over him. I was just helping him.” I tried to defend myself. “Yea. Ok. Tell me you’re not one of those pathetic girls who cry if your crush even looks at you.” As soon as the bell rang I didn’t wait another minute. I packed my books and stormed out. I have just made it through the first period of the day. By the time lunch comes I am sitting in the library.

            “Hey Rachel.”

          I looked up to see who it was.

            “Hey Emma.”