Teenage Life (& Lies)

Chapter 2

It's the third day of school. So far it's the same routine, go to one class then another, yada yada yada. Then it's break time, but unlike the two days before, Anthony comes and sits next to me.

I wonder why he's coming over here?, but as I think it, my answer soon comes.

“Hey, Alex, I need to talk to you.”

I roll my eyes but at the same time I'm curious. Someone actually wants to talk to me, the emo, depressed, anti-social freak?? What's going on here?

“Yeah, what is it?” I act like I'm not really that interested.

“I'm going to be straightforward, so, um, my friend likes you, and he wants to know if you know,like him?”

I am dumbfounded!!!!! Someone LIKES ME!!!!! I try not to show that much of emotion, but its soo hard. I reply as calmly as I can, “So who is this person?”

He shrugs, “ Chris. You know Christopher Coughlin.”

I quickly scan the room, discreetly, and then I spot him. He is a dirty blond and kind of short. I remember I had cast him in the ugly part of the class, but now.... considering the fact that he likes me, that changes everything.

“Ummm, I don't know. He's nice but, ehh, I'll tell you tomorrow. 'K?” I try to act nonchalant about the whole topic, like I've been told everyday someone likes me.

He just smiles, nods as if he knows I already like him, and walks away as if nothing happened.

I sit in my seat and think about what Anthony had just said. I debate in my head about the whole matter.

Maybe he's lying and trying to fool me. Nah, then he wouldn't have been so honest about it. Or would he? I shrug as the bell rings signaling the end of the day.

I turn to my friend Cora, whom I've known since Kindergarten.

“Hey, Cora, I was wondering if you're taking the bus?”

“Yeah, I'll be taking one everyday now, heh. Why you ask?”

“Oh, nothing, I just wanted to sit with you.”

“Ok.” She smiles as she looks out the window, waiting for the bus. I decide to talk to her now since I probably won't have enough time on the bus.

“Hey, umm, Cora, do you like trust Anthony?”

“You mean, Anthony Curtis?”

“Yeah, there's only one isn't there?”

“Yeah, I trust him. He's really funny. Why he said something?”

“Kind of. He told me that, umm, Chris likes me.”

“Chris Coughlin?! Wow, I would've never have guessed!!” She has a whole surprised face and a grin, proud to show off that I finally have someone that likes me.

'Yeah, neither would I', I say to myself. Then I say to Cora, lowering my voice as if to confide in her:

“Yeah, but I was thinking about asking him out. Do you think that's a good idea?”

“Yeah! I mean if Anthony is telling the truth, then you have nothing to lose, right?” I give a small smile, for I am a bit unsure if I may have nothing to lose.

As I am about to answer “yes” though, the bus pulls up and out the door went Cora, running to get a good seat. I see heard outside meeting up with another friend and going on the bus with them. I walk out the building alone to the bus with the line of other students.

'I guess I'll be sitting by myself today. Sigh'

When I get home, I change, and start my homework, but as I do, Anthony and Chris pops into my mind. What if Anthony is lying to me? What if he's just screwing with my mind? What if Chris doesn't like me at all? All of the sudden the phone rings. I answer and surprised to hear Cora at the end of the line.

“Hi, Alex! What's up?”

“Oh, Hey. Nothing much. Homework.”

“Oh.... Yeah, and I just talked to Anthony. He's telling the truth.”

“Wait- What? Why did you talk to him, and what do you mean he's telling the truth?!”

“Well, I texted him, asked him if Chris really did like you, and then texted Chris to see if Anthony was telling the truth.”

“Okay. Well one, why did you text Chris and two, how did you get their numbers?!”

“Whoa, don't get all worked up. Look, I am trying to help you. Anyway, now that you know that Chris likes you, you can ask him out. Right?” I rolled my eyes, seeing that Cora always seemed to get the number of all the guys she met.

“Yeah, I guess.. Umm, I gotta go.”

There was a slight pause, then finally she said, “Oh, Okay. Bye. See ya tomorrow”

“Yeah” I hung up the phone and went upstairs to my room. I collapsed onto my bed. Why the hell would she do something like that? I overreact and start freaking out over what Cora had just told me. She ruined everything! Now with my luck, he'll probably say no. Ugh. Why me?!

“Alexandra! Alexandra!!” I can hear my brother's calls from downstairs.

“What do you want Vincent?!”

“Help me with my homework!” Ugh. I'm starting to really despise this year.

As I hop down the stairs to the kitchen, I can see my brother waiting for me at the door. “Come on, Alexandra! Don't be such a stupid-head!”

“Just shut up and show me your homework. I'm in a bad mood, haven't you noticed?”