What It Seems | Wattys 2023

Chapter 8

I settled in the living room across from Baylor. I sent a text to Jo telling her what happened and that I was sorry for leaving so early and unplanned. By now, school would've just dismissed students.

"What's the deal with you and Derek anyway?" he asked.

"What do you mean?" I chirped. He was fumbling with the rip in his jeans.

"Did you have plans with him tonight?" he wondered.

I laughed aloud at that. "I only know his name."

His lips were formed in an 'o' shape, and the whistle of my phone interrupted my thoughts.

Jo: That's okay, gotta take care of lover boy ;) People were flipping out. That dude was suspended along with the others. Wyd?

Me: Nothing now, sitting here with Baylor.

I sent the message and looked over at Baylor, who was already staring at me.

"What?" I asked curiously. He shook his head and glanced away.

Baylor snorted. "He's got something for you."

"Doesn't mean the feeling is mutual."

Baylor took a deep breath. Something was bothering him. I wonder why he was so persistent in standing up to Derek. He could've just let Derek run his mouth about me. He's never boasted about any girl in school, especially not me, which was very, very odd, considering I only knew him by his first and last name and what grade he was in.

***

"Do you know Nicole?" Baylor asked. We've been sitting here for the past two hours, conversing about random subjects.

"Everyone knows Nicole. The blonde who wears tight clothes, Daisy Dukes and high heels. Not to forget the mention of a hundred pounds of makeup she uses," I said. "She's very. . . cliché."

"Looks like we both have our own Derek," Baylor joked.

I laughed, "Why'd you say that?"

"She's arrogant as well. She's sexy, but her attitude and personality are shit."

"I can't believe you just called her sexy."

"She is! Have you seen her boobs?!" he asked.

I held my hand in the air, pleading him to stop. "Please, stop. I don't want to hear anything else that comes out your mouth."

He laughed uncontrollably this time, his cheeks turning crimson red.

"Honestly, it's not that funny," I admitted. He nodded his head slowly, disagreeing.

"Why are guys so obsessed with boobs anyway? If you grew a pair, you'd hate it once you've been elbowed so many times."

Baylor crossed his arms, watching me shift in the recliner. It was awkward silent.

"I'm hungry." I stood from the chair and headed to the kitchen. Times like these I wish Aiden were here because I'd treat him like my butler and tell him to make me a sandwich or grab the jar of Nutella.

"What to eat, what to eat . . ." I opened the transparent pantry door and stood, staring at the food.

"Does it take that long to find something to eat?" Baylor intervened. I rolled my eyes at his remark.

"Sometimes." I spotted a bag of chips that were on the top shelf. I tried standing on my tiptoes to reach the bag on the top shelf. I stretched my arm as far as I could but couldn't reach it.

I sighed and turned to walk to the fridge. When I turned to walk, I ran into Baylor's chest. He lightly grimaced.

"Here." He handed me the bag of chips and I thanked him. I also grabbed a Pepsi from the fridge.