Because of you, I laugh a little harder, cry a little less, and smile a lot more.
~ Unknown
***
"Colby!"
The lunch bell has just rung and I turn around, slamming my locker shut with my keys in my hand to find Abbie walking towards me, dark hair swinging in a ponytail and her short legs bringing her towards me as fast as physically possible.
"Hey Abs," I say, bringing myself the rest of the way. "What's up?"
She's breathing heavily, but from here I can see the happiness in her light gray eyes and I wonder with a tiny smirk what it's about. "I thought you'd oughta know something," she says as she falls into step beside me.
"What is it?" I ask and Abbie begins to wring her hands, which I know she does when she's nervous. "C'mon Abs it's me." I say. Abbie bites her lip and then mumbles something I can't make out. This kid.
"Good God, speak up, this is a freaking school." I groan and she sighs dramatically.
"As of last night," she begins and I quirk up an eyebrow. That's when all the good stuff happens now isn't it? I grin to myself, wondering what kind of something could get her so worked up and embarrassed. "Mitch and I are together." She finishes and I feel my eyes widen. What the actual hell just happened? Abbie has never been one to take steps into her sex life. I've known her since junior high, and since then she's never had a boyfriend. She's always been the kind of person to ignore the opposite gender with an insane intensity as if she thinks men are the cause of global warming. She's never been the kind to show any interest in guys whatsoever up until now. You can see why I'm so shocked.
"She told you didn't she?" Caitlyn says, coming up behind me to flank my other side. Her black hair is pulled back into a braid down her neck and she's dressed in a white and blue striped shirt that matches her eyes.
"You knew about this?" I ask her, stupefied. Caitlyn sighs, rolling her eyes theatrically.
"It's not like it's a big surprise," She answers in a duh tone. "If you weren't so smitten with Mac, you'd have noticed." Abbie and Caitlyn's eyes glue onto me in an oh snap you're burned look and I resist the urge to hit them in the head with City of Heavenly Fire, which is a pretty damn thick novel. Not to mention it's a hardcover too.
"Oh Cole what you gonna do?" Abbie gloats and Caitlyn shakes her head.
"What?" I ask trying to seem oblivious but I know they won't believe it. Caitlyn purses her lips at me and Abbie raises an eyebrow.
"Forget it," Abbie says.
"Even though you know it's true," Caitlyn echoes and I chew on the inside of my cheek. "I mean you're not denying it."
"What are we denying?" Hayden's voice says from behind us as she pokes her head between mine and Abbie's.
"That Colby isn't in the least attracted to Mac Daddy," Caitlyn answers and I elbow her in the ribs as hard as I dare. "Ow! Shit Cole!" She curses and I smile sweetly at her.
"If anybody's daddy it's Luke," Hayden says with a toss of her hair and a smug look.
"Shut up Hays, we all know that's what you think," Abbie says, scoffing. Hayden winks and I roll my eyes.
