Jessica Reed

Chapter 6

Chapter 6 

NICK’S POV

My poster of Snookie slid out of view as the door to my room swung open and Lance walked over to my desk as I proceeded to pack up the remnants of last night’s homework.

“It’s time to go, Jessica’s at the door,” he spoke as his hand clapped my back.

“Did I miss the part where you make a fool out of yourself?” I grinned at him as I slipped my backpack on and faced him.

“Shut up,” he chuckled, “Yes.”

Laughing, I followed him out of my room and down the wide hallway through the kitchen where mom was cleaning our breakfast. My hand brushed the granite countertop as I turned to kiss her cheek and say goodbye. Lance repeated my actions and led me out the door.

Standing at the top of the steps, I nudged the double doors close behind me. I looked out at the fountain spilling out water in the center of our driveway-loop. Jessica stood at the bottom of the stairs leaning against her deep blue car, waiting for us. 

“Hey Jess!” I couldn’t help but grin, as I looked her over, she looked beautiful, as always. She wore a short cream-colored, tiered dress, a short denim jacket, and black booties. Her long, tan legs were almost completely exposed. Her hair lay in a braid over her shoulder.

She raised her eyebrow, silently asking me if I’d told Lance yet. I shook my head and shrugged, blowing it off. She rolled her eyes at me and opened her mouth to say something when Lance stepped between us. Thank God. 

Watching them I sighed to myself and climbed into the limited back seat, running my hand over the tan leather. I slipped my seatbelt on and waited.

Lance was so perfect it was impossible for me to live up to him. He made all the sports teams, got all the girls, and maintained impeccable grades. I hated it. Every one of my teachers call me Lance’s little brother, sometimes just Lance, and expect me to be just as amazing and brilliant as him. It’s impossible!

Anyways, I’ve decided to show people that I’m not Lance. That I’m not the 6’3 quarterback, straight-A student that everyone expects me to be.

Lance is set on the idea that I am going to be playing football this fall at school, that I’ll be the quarterback just like him. He’s been practicing my throwing all summer long, and honestly, it’s not too shabby. But that’s beside the point. I’m going to prove a point, and not play football. I’m going to prove that I am not Lance.

I told my plan to Jessica a while ago. Big mistake. She’s keeps pressuring me to tell him, and I think that if he does find out, he’ll either be furious with me or laugh and force me to try out anyways. So I’m putting it off a while…at least until tryouts are over.

Jessica and Lance opened the doors, snapping me out of my trance; we were already at school. I followed them into the quad.

“Are you okay, Nick?” asked Lance, damn his caring about me. Why can’t he just shut up and stop being such a good big brother already?! “You didn’t say a word the whole way here.”

My eyes stared at my personalized Air Jordans as I assured him I was fine, “Yeah, man. Just tired, I was up past midnight last night working on my freakin honors biology.” Lies.

He laughed, “That sucks dude. Maybe next time you have that much homework you should skip basketball and spend a little time playing football with me instead.”

What? No way, I would never miss a chance to play basketball. Why can’t he see that it’s what I really love? Not football! That’s HIS game.

I stole a glance at Jessica, who was looking uncharacteristically sad. I faked a laugh and murmured a quiet, “yeah maybe”. Yeah maybe not. 

We walked under the giant archway as we entered the quad, a group I didn’t know called to me, “Your hair looks really hot today, Nick!” and “Will you please go out with me Nick?” etc chorused from the large posse of freshman girls. I just pretended to not hear it, really I couldn’t care much less about them. 

Jessica slapped my arm and stared at me like I was crazy, “Nick!? Didn’t you hear those pretty girls flirting with you?” 

“Duh. They were practically screaming,” I stared back. Spotting a group of my friends over her shoulder, I raised my arm slightly and flicked my hand to let them know I was coming over.

“Then why did you ignore them?” she whispered yelled.

“Jeez, Jessica! What’s the big deal?” I scowled and tried to push past her but she didn’t let me. 

“Oh my, you have so much to learn,” she smiled and ruffled my ‘hot’ hair, “bye Nick,” Jessica slid out of my way and I walked over to my friends who swallowed me up in their circle. Bye Jess.

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