The Substitute Teacher (On Hold)

Chapter 6

                                                                       Chapter 6

"Hey Erik, come over here! I saved seat for you," Darese, the most popular girl in South Forest, called out, sending me a challenging glare.

I really wanted to scream the she could have him, but I just rolled my eyes. How long had they been going out for her to still not trust him? Of course, I wouldn't, but I'm me. But did she seriously think I wanted him to talk to me? Darese probably suspected I was a witch who cast a love spell on Erik.

Unable to stop myself, I giggled at the funny thought. Max and Lenore both gave me an irritated look.

"Lexi, what on this blasted Earth is so amusing?"

I gave Lenore an innocent smile. "Um, Darese?"

It was her turn to roll her eyes. "Yeah, that super mean girl really is hilarious, huh?"

I sighed. "Lena, don't be so rude, remember that we all used to be friends."

She laughed humorlessly. "Really, do you think I care? We're not BFFs anymore if you haven't noticed, Lexi. She changed, left us for dead and relentlessly puts us and everyone else down. You still want me to be nice?"

I thought about it for a second.

"Scratch that, you can say whatever you want."

Max gave me an exasperated look. "Did you honestly forget about how Darese loved to tease you in fifth grade?"

"And sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth... Now that I think about it, I've always been her bullying target."

I felt a sudden tap on my shoulder that made me jump.

"Excuse me, but is that seat taken?"

I turned to answer and found myself staring into Erik's ocean blue eyes.

"Sorry, but this table is a jerk free zone."

As I glanced at Lenore for support, I saw her absolute approval at my quick retort. As I focused back on Erik, I saw his baffled expression.

"I don't think you heard me correctly. I just asked if I could join your table," he said slowly.

I gave him an icy stare and replied, "No, I don't think you heard me correctly. I told you that jerks are not welcome here, and I believe that you fit the profile perfectly."

Ignoring his senseless stuttering, I faced Lenore and Matt again.

"Now, what were we talking about before we were ever so rudely interrupted?" I was rewarded with huge grins and suppressed laughter.

Lenore began, "Well, I think we-" She turned in surprise to the boy who had just taken a seat next to her.

Erik looked at us with a winning smile. "Yes, what were we talking about?"

Lenore looked at Max, and they both stood up. He walked around to her side of the table and stood beside Erik's chair.

Together they lifted him up, seat and all, then carried him over to where Darese and her followers were watching with open mouths. After all, why would such a popular guy try so hard to sit with a couple of losers, and who were we to reject him?

They sat his chair next to Darese and then walked back over.

"That should take care of him," Lenore announced smugly. I gave them each an admiring smile.

"Did you two have some weird sibling mind reading moment?"

Max was about to answer when his face morphed into a menacing scowl. "What do you freaking want, kid?" he snarled.