How Not to Save the World

Chapter 1

If you had told me 18 months ago that I would love to go run, I would've died laughing at the hilarity of your imagination. Yet here I am, jogging laps around my school campus, on my own free will! I never knew I would enjoy running, but ever since I got over the 'feeling like I was going to puke' stage, it has become a regular needed thing in my life. I mean everyone needs time alone, just to listen to pump up music and to think.

Of course I'm not actually running. I'm not that insane. It's more of a relaxing jog, which is obviously more rational.

Where was I? Oh yeah, jogging laps around my school campus. Why, you ask, would I be running around the worst place on earth? Good question. And the answer to that has to do with the strict set of rules that I have to live by. Rules that I need to follow if I want to live to see the next day.

One of the many rules I have to follow (especially enforced during my dark age) was I couldn't be alone. I couldn't be home by myself and I couldn't go anywhere alone. It is a very restrictive rule, but a necessary one. I always had to go and wait at work with Jen or Austin, and it was extremely boring. But hey, I got my homework done.

After that awful night in March my life had changed drastically. 

I won't go into details but basically, I shut everyone out, and after my long period of emotional instability, I have finally now began to heal and get emotionally back on my feet. It was a long process, and without the patience and encouragement from Jen and Austin, I know I wouldn't have been in as good of a place as I am now.

Austin got me into running. It was his junior year, and the football coach promised him a starting spot on the team as wide receiver if he tried out. Obviously he was conflicted. If he did try out, he would devote a lot of time to football and I would have to go to all of his practices because I still needed constant surveillance.

You know what happened after that? I started to snap out of my emotional pit and realize what a burden I had become. How could I have been so selfish?

I pleaded with Austin that I shouldn't effect his decision in any way, and knew that I needed to start being supportive. I made a promise to myself; I would never again be the cause of anyone's affliction.

Austin needed to condition before his season, and I couldn't be alone, so I was dragged along with him and his ridiculous exercises. Dreaded at first, then I started to love it. With the extra endorphins buzzing, I slowly came out of my depression.

So now I am running laps around the school campus a year later waiting for Austin to be done with his football practice.

I round around the health building and see all the football guys packing up. I slowed to a walk, sweeping the hair that escaped my ponytail behind my ear. Sweat was dripping down my back and I was breathing hard.

Austin looked up, smiled, and waved me over. He was stuffing cleats into his bag as I walked up. "How was your run?" Austin grinned. He was almost always in a good mood after practice. He loves football. His carmel hair was soaked with sweat from his helmet.

I put my hands on my hips trying to get air into my lungs. "It was really good." I tried to slow my breathing. "Why are you out so early?" I asked. "You were barely out there for an hour!"

Austin stood and up and shouldered his bag. He pointed at the clouds. "There's a lightning storm coming and coach doesn't want to over work us for the game." He explained. Football players started to leave, several of them slapped Austin on the shoulder.

I grabbed my school backpack I set down by the bleachers. I had to tilt my head up to talk to him he was so tall. "Are you going to win tomorrow?" I teased him.

Someone else answered. "Only if you're there to cheer for me."

Austin looked annoyed.

I turned around looking for who spoke.

Bridger stood behind me with a stupid grin on his face. He winked. I flushed bright pink.

Every single girl in my high school obsesses over all six feet three inches of Bridger and his gorgeousness. Star of the football team, the biggest flirt alive, the whole package! Every girl wants to be with him and every guy wants to be him.

He is also incredibly annoying because he thinks he is a gift to the world.

I repressed rolling my eyes. "That's too bad Bridger, I'm not good at cheering." I shrugged. "That's why I'm not a cheerleader." I turned away from him, trying to talk to Austin.

"Yo Claire," Bridger stepped around to face me gripping his helmet.

Austin's fists were clenched and he was gritting his teeth.

Bridger raised an eyebrow and gave me a half smile; "You know there's a homecoming dance the night after the game." He told me.

I raised my eyebrow back. "Yeah?"

He stared at me for a second, flipped his damp blond hair out of his eyes, and cleared his throat.

Austin intervened, "I think we should probably go."

"Hold on Lott," he nodded at Austin. "chill out for a second." Bridger smiled like he thought he was amazing. He was used to everyone listening to his every command, but Austin looked like he would rather snap his own neck then continue listening to Mr. Gorgeous.

Bridger turned back to me, cocky as ever.

"I'll pick you up before the game and I can escort you for the halftime show." He smiled with his perfectly white teeth.

Lightning struck overhead, followed by Austin's jaw dropping, outraged.

I gave Austin a hard look, trying to telepathically tell him to not say anything.

I held my hand up and frowned at Bridger, "Whoa hold up, I haven't agreed to anything-."

"It's okay, I know it is last minute, and I didn't want you to have to think of some creative way to answer me. So I thought we could just wing it, and go together." he winked again.

I pursed my lips together trying not to go insane from his idiocy.

"Bridger, I'm flattered, but I wasn't planning to go to the dance." I shrugged. "Sorry."

Bridger blinked.

"Yeah but now you are planning to go, because you're going with me." He tried explaining.

Alarms were buzzing in my head. How was I going to get out of this situation? Bridger? Of all people!

I glanced at Austin and we shared an annoyed look. Thunder roared loudly.

I narrowed my eyes, "Is this some kind of dare or something?" I asked him suspiciously.

Bridger started to laugh. "Oh Claire! You're so cute!" he leaned up against the bleachers continuing to laugh. "Don't feel intimidated! When everyone sees us together, every single girl is going to want to be you!" Bridger then patted me on the shoulder. "You're welcome."

He pushed off of the bleacher fence, and strode away over to his rowdy friends goofing around in the parking lot.

I shot Austin a panicked look, my mouth open in dismay.

I shouted after him. "Bridger! Wait – I–" I had no idea what to say to him!

He didn't even turn around; he just waved a hand, "6:30!" he called. He strode away, all swagger. I stood there unable to speak. I clenched my hands into fists and spun back around to Austin, steaming.

"Who does he think he is?" I raged. "The nerve of that complete self imperious idiot!

Austin glared after Bridger.

Thunder roared above us and rain started to drizzle down.

"Lets get out of here." I grumbled crossly.