I was frozen stiff at my locker as Wilson smiled at me. I couldn't tell if I was dreaming or if this was really happening. I was ready to punch him but at the same time I wanted to hug him. My brain wasn't functioning properly so I just stood there.
"How are you?" Wilson asked snapping me back to the real world.
"I-I'm-good! I'm good!" I managed to stammer out like an idiot.
"Good! Hey can we talk later? I wanted to apologize about what happen last year."
"Oh no you don't have to apologize. I should be the one apologizing to you. I embarrassed you in front of everybody."
"Nothing was more embarrassing than watching you run away after I laughed. The look on your face was heartbreaking. I was an asshole to you and you didn't deserve what I did."
I turned away from him and looked at my locker door trying to figure out if he was really serious or not. I wanted to believe my gut feeling that he was playing me like a tambourine in church but my heart was saying otherwise. This caramel brown eyed God in front of me was everything I wanted. Maybe even more. Just looking at him made my blood rush through my body. Just as I turned to look back at him Prince was standing outside of homeroom watching with a scowl on his face and his arms crossed firmly across his chest. My eyes widened a little at the sight of my friend watching this all play out in front of him.
"So what do you say? After chemistry? During free period?" Wilson asked.
"Uh...yeah sure! See you then!"
"Cool. See ya then pretty lady."
He tapped my chin with the knuckle of his index finger and walked away with a smile. I watched as he went to homeroom and my knees were starting to buckle from under me. My heart was beating like the marching bands bass drum. The lingering scent of his cologne was driving my senses crazy. A huge smile fell from my face when I heard Prince clear his throat behind me.
"Ya done having your wet dream or do I need to come back?" Prince said.
"You're one to talk." I snapped as I turned angrily to face him.
"He's playing you mouse. How many girls do you think he's hurt and then tried to make it up to them. He has a bad rap and I don't trust him."
The thought of Prince not trusting Wilson was almost laughable.
"And how many bitches have you played Skipper?" I inquired.
"Not as many as him! If he hurts you again Regan don't say I didn't warn you. I'm beatin' his ass on sight. Suspended or not after. Im tellin you he trouble. You better watch-"
"Will you calm down it's not even like that!"
"Then what is it like? He's no good for you Mouse!"
"Geez what are you my father? Relax!"
"How would he feel if he knew you were trying to hook up with a guy like that?"
Prince knew when to pick and choose his battles. Today he picked the wrong battle to fight.
"Look troll! Leave my dad out of this."
"Ok. Then leave Wilson Jackson alone."
Prince got closer to me as he stared hard into my eyes. It was creepy and it was starting to make me uncomfortable.
"Or what Prince? You're not my man ok?" I snapped at him and went into homeroom.
He wasn't far behind me when he pulled at my book bag.
"You're in for a world of hurt girl." Prince said as he took his seat.
"Whatever. You're gonna be walking home with your freaky friend over there if you keep on!"
Just as the bell rang our homeroom teacher Mr. Polk came in and took roll. I could feel Prince's eyes burning holes in the back of my neck as he sat directly behind me. I was wishing that we didn't have homeroom together this year now but there's not much I could do to change that. The next thing I knew I had paper balls being thrown at the back of my head. Every time I would turn around to catch him he would try to turn away as if it wasn't him throwing them but I knew it was just by the look on his face. That cheeky grin he had on his face as his eyes would be looking at the ceiling instead of my face. Prince was a real prankster in our younger days. When the bell rang it was time to get to first period. So to be smart I passed his crush Alley Graham a note as I left.
"Hey Alley! Price wanted me to hand this to you." I dropped the note in her hand and watched Prince squirm in his desk as he nearly dropped his books on the floor out of sheer fear that she would turn and see him blushing.
Before she could turn to him he ducked down behind Andre who had just made it to his desk. I left the room nearly sprinting to my next class smiling all the way. Before I rounded to corner I heard Prince yell down the hall.
"Regan! I'm gonna get you back! Just wait on it!"
Boy did he sound pissed. I reveled in it. That was the funniest thing in the world to see Prince the way he was. Next time he'll learn to not mess with Regan Jenson. When we saw each other in algebra all he could do was grill me. Every time he did I would just flip him off without the teacher noticing. By the end of class I think he had enough and cornered me at my locker when it was time for second period study hall. He knew he wasn't going to see me until free period so that was his only chance to say his peace.
"That was the coldest shit you've ever done mouse." He said with a sad tone.
"Sorry Skipper but if you won't leave me alone about Wilson then I won't leave you alone about Alley."
"Alright. I'm sorry. Truce?"
He stuck out his pinky as his surrender. I wrapped my pinky around his and smiled.
"Truce. Now we're even! See ya at free period!"
I slammed my locker closed and headed to my next class. I looked back at Prince and found him smiling and shaking his head. I gave him a wave and walked on.
