Falling for the Player

Chapter 16- Friends Again

My eyes fluttered open to the sight of my darkened room. I rolled over and sat up, pushing my tangled curls out of my face. I listened for a moment: the house was quiet. I tilted my head a fraction to see that my alarm clock read 5:58. With no hope of falling back asleep, I clambered out of bed and into the bathroom for a shower.

I sighed as the water soothingly eased down my sore body. I guess the camping really took a toll on me. After scrubbing myself down and conditioning my tangled curls, I lumbered back to my bedroom. By the time I got dressed, it was 6:30 and I could hear Brent's alarm clock buzzing quietly from down the hall.

Just as I had finished patting down my hair with a towel, my phone buzzed. I glanced down at the glowing screen to see a text from Margo.

Hey need a ride?

Sure I responded.

Margo arrived at my house in her dad's silver sedan shortly after and we headed to school.

"Blake came over to my house yesterday," Margo said as soon as we had pulled onto the main road.

"What?" I choked.

"Yeah, I know. I thought it was weird too. I mean how did he even know where I live," she continued.

I stared at her blankly.

"Anyway," she said, "he apologized for the whole homecoming fiasco with Veronica. He was actually very kind about it."

"And what did you say?" I inquired.

"Oh, I was very civil. You would have been proud," Margo answered. "I told him I forgave him for being such an ass. It doesn't really matter to me anymore. But I also told him that he and Veronica were cordially invited to stay out of my life."

"Good for you," I smiled at her.

"And then I did some thinking," she said, "I'm not sure if I support this whole 'Laine and Blake thing'".

"Trust me," I sighed, "There is no Laine and Blake thing."

"Well, not yet at least," Margo said as we turned into the school parking lot. "I just think Blake is kind of sketchy. And you, plus all other girls for that matter, should stay away from him."

"I honestly wish I could," I replied, "I never imagined myself having a crush on Blake Harmon. But we still have that huge Spanish presentation to prepare for together."

"When is it due?"

"I don't know. Sometime before Winter Break?" I answered.

"Well try and keep your emotions under control until then. It will be better that way," Margo said as she parked the car.

"You're probably right," I mumbled.

But Blake was Blake and I wasn't sure if I could subdue my stupid crush on him.
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"Hey girl," Sarah said as she plopped down next to me.

"Hey," I smiled back at her.

We were sitting in the crowded Cafeteria at a small circular table.

"I have news," she squealed, opening her lunch box and pulling out a PB and J sandwich.

"Oh?" I responded, raising my eyebrows at her.

"I heard Veronica talking with some of her friends in Econ this morning."

If possible, my eyebrows raised even further.

"And she said that Blake completely ended things with her," Sarah continued, "She seemed really upset."

"Jeez... that really sucks for her," I said awkwardly.