On Our Own

Chapter 3

During the school year, we had one rule that all the kids had to follow: if even one of us had to stay after school, then we all stayed after school. It drove me and Carter crazy. I hadn't had a reason to stay after school since I quit soccer, and Carter wasn't really athletically inclined. So, we typically just sat in Jess's office while all the other kids went to sports practice.

Carter and I arrived in the office and sat down in the two seats across from Jess.

"Hey guys, how was school today?" she asked as she looked up from some of her files.

"Dry and miserable as usual," I answered.

"Carter?" Jess asked, ignoring me.

He offered a small smile and then went back to his book.

Jess looked to me. I was the Carter translator in the household.

"He's fine, I'm fine," I said rolling my eyes. "Everything is just fine," I said sarcastically.

Jess chuckled. "Stop being so positive, Leah," she said with a smile.

She got up and put the file she was working on in the filing cabinet and I suddenly thought of something.

"Hey, can I read a guy in my grade named Ethan's file?" I asked.

"Ethan King? Why?" Jess asked back confused.

"He is an annoying piece of-"

Carter quickly elbowed me in the ribs.

"He's some boy in my classes who I got in a little squabble with," I said instead as I sent a glare Carter's way.

Jess stared at me like I was crazy.

"Leah, was that really necessary?" she asked with a frown. "You could have been friends with him," she said exasperatedly.

Carter had implied that too, I shook me head.

"Trust me, I do not want to be friends with this Ethan King guy," I said, crossing my arms.

Jess sighed. "I can't give you the file, but maybe you can get to know him."

I glared at her as I sunk into my seat. "Well can you at least tell me about him?"

Jess studied me for a second before answering. "He's a very smart kid. 4.0 GPA, all advanced classes. He is also on the football team and was captain last year. Teachers have little complaints about him."

"Oh great, so he's perfect," I muttered. "There's nothing to make fun of."

"Maybe he'll rub off you," she suggested. "Speaking of good behavior, when were you planning on going to serve your detention today?'

"Only when you found out and made me," I said back.

"Now's the time then," she said waving a detention slip at me.

I sighed. "Fine, whatever."

I only got detention for not having my calculus book last week. As if it was my fault Casey had stolen it from me. I got up to leave but Jess spoke before my hand turned the doorknob.

"You know if you rejoined the soccer team, I would let the detention go," she offered.

Carter turned around and raised an eyebrow. I rolled my eyes.

"No, I'll go to detention," I said at once.

As I walked down the hall, I thought about what she said. I couldn't hate Jess for wanting me to be a part of  extracurriculars, but soccer wasn't an option. Period.