After school, Arlene had practice, so I left with the boys.
Greg waited by the exit for me.
I said, "Your friends are something else. Austin reminds me of Jordan, and Ian is totally the opposite of both." He chuckled, but Jordan glared at me.
I got on my motorbike and said, "Justin, I'm coming over for my first lesson."
He nodded.
I texted Carlos.
Me: I wouldn't last an hour with him.
Carlos smirked and replied, "Don't worry, I'll be there to make sure you don't hurt yourself and to take pictures for blackmail."
Me: You wouldn't.
Carlos: Don't underestimate the master of blackmail and pranks.
Me: That's one mistake I won't make. I see how you work.
Carlos: Good, see you later. I'll have a first aid kit ready for you.
Carlos told Justin, "Hi Justin, let's go. Bye guys," as he got into his vehicle.
I sped out of the school's parking lot and headed home.
Once there, I ate, changed into sweatpants and a T-shirt, put on sneakers, and grabbed my skateboard, helmet, and protective gear.
Dad and Stacy weren't home.
I told Freddie, "I'll be back later. You don't have to cook dinner tonight; I might eat fast food." He nodded, focused on his phone.
I drove to Justin's house in my red BMW, with my skateboard in the passenger seat.
When I arrived, I saw Jessica leaving. She smiled, and I got out to hug her.
"Hi Anne, I was just heading out. Stay for dinner, will you?" she said.
I nodded.
Justin, Jordan, Jacob, and Carlos came out next. "What are you all doing here, Jor?" I asked.
He smirked, "I can't miss a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—watching a nerd learn to skateboard. I'll make millions online."
Great friend, right? Note the sarcasm.
Justin said, "We're going to a skate park a few blocks away. You can leave your car here; we'll walk."
I tried to get on the skateboard for the fourth time, but it rolled again, making me fall.
The boys laughed, and Carlos said, "This picture came out way better than before," showing his phone to the others.
Jacob doubled over with laughter while I rolled my eyes.
"When you're done laughing at my failure, please help me. Justin, you're not a very good teacher."
Justin replied, "Yeah, I'm good at video games, not skateboarding."
What?! He brought me here just to humiliate me?
I snapped, "So you just wanted me to embarrass myself?"
He shrugged, laughing as if it were no big deal.
"Yeah, that's the point," he said.
I was so angry that I picked up my skateboard and walked away, my so-called 'friends' calling after me.
I bumped into someone and fell. Looking up, I saw Austin smirking.
"Hi nerd, what are you doing here?" he asked.
I shrugged, getting up and picking up my skateboard.
"I can teach you if you like; your 'friends' aren't doing a good job," he offered.
You can say that again.
"Sure, let's go," I replied, grabbing his hand and ignoring my friends.
Austin smirked, "I knew you'd come around, nerd. No girl can resist this," gesturing to himself.
I rolled my eyes. "Right, keep believing that."
I got on my board, and Austin steadied me. I gripped his T-shirt tightly, and he chuckled, promising, "Calm down, nerd. I won't let you fall." I nodded.
Twenty minutes later, I was starting to get the hang of it, still holding onto Austin but less tightly for balance. Justin and the others looked bored since they couldn't humiliate me anymore.
"You're getting the hang of it, nerd," Austin said.
I smiled.
"Ready?" he asked.
Wait, ready for what?
He pulled away, and I skated out of control toward a little hill. I screamed as I sped up, unable to stop, and then I crashed into a pole.
Everything went black.
"Do you think she's awake?" one voice said.
"Shhh, don't make her headache worse," I recognized as Luke's voice.
I groaned because my head hurt. "It lives," said Jacob.
I opened my eyes to six pairs of eyes staring at me.
"How long was I out?" I asked.
Arlene replied, "A few hours. You're alright; the swelling on your head is going down. That was a hard crash against the pole."
I felt an ice pack on my forehead. I tried to get up, but Justin shook his head.
"Rest; I'll drop you off later. Mom will bring you dinner, and you're never skating again."
I rolled my eyes, but I had learned my lesson: never take skating lessons from a boy who flirts with you.
I passed the time playing on my phone.
Jessica came in with a plate of food. "That is one nasty bump on your forehead," she said.
Trust me, it is.
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YOU ARE READING
Hanging With The Bad Boys (Edited)
Teen FictionNow available as an audiobook on Wehear, with the first 8 chapters ready for listening. Simply type "Afiya" when you download the app. _____________________ Anastasia Montez is an average teenager, known as the school nerd. Her only friends are her...