Love Hurdles

2. Natalie

"So what events do you run?" Luke asks me as Cameron, Luke, and I make our way from the cafeteria to photography class.

"Well," Cameron says drawing out the l's. "I'm a long distance runner, so I specialize in the 1600, the 3200, and the 800."

"You distance runners are so cocky," I say mocking him. "I'm a sprinter and run the 4 by 1, the 100, and the 400." I address my last sentence to Luke.

"Really? I'm a sprinter too!" Luke says, high fiving me. "But sadly, I'm recovering from a knee injury so I won't be able to start seriously running for two weeks, but Coach still wants me to go to practice."

"When you get back on the track, you going down in a 400 race." I say, challenging him. He's so going down.

"I guess you will just have to nurse me back to health, so I can be fully ready to cream you," he calmly replies.

"Woah, woah, woah," Cameron interrupts putting up his hands as if to defend himself. "Guys it's only been a day, stop flirting."

My face heats up immediately. Am I flirting, I think. Oh goodness, now I'm blushing! I throw my empty ice tea bottle at Cameron's head. Hey, he deserves it!

"Natalie just can't resist this hunk of sexiness," Luke runs his fingers through his brown hair that curls at the ends.

Cameron and I burst out laughing! As one of my closest companions, Cam always knows everything about me and he knows that I am not looking at any guys, right now. Plus he is kind of protective of me, like younger sister, so going on a date is a huge hassle!

Room 46 comes into view and we head into class. I take a seat in between Cam and Luke on the purple couch. Mr. Anders, the photography teacher, is extremely laid back. There are no desks in his room, only shelves with cameras on it and couches to sit on.

"Alright class. It's Friday so you can work on your projects for this week," Mr. Anders dismisses us to get our cameras and work on our projects. I hurry over the the shelf to get my camera and start working right away. My project is taking a lot of time because I'm doing it on cupcakes so I have to bake all the desserts first, then take the shot.

Kris slides onto the couch with me, and her long, caramel colored, French braid slaps me in the face. She is a little late for class because she was retaking her history quiz.

"Hey," she whispers, while organizing her beach photos. We work and chat away, and it seems like just five minutes have gone by when the bell rings.

"Bye K!" I shout down the hall, "See you after practice." I wait outside the classroom for Luke and Cameron. All of our friends have practice today; Kris and Sam have soccer practice, Laila has lacrosse, and Cam, Luke, and I have track.

Cameron and Luke pop up from behind and each set one elbow on my shoulder. I'm five foot nothing and both guys are about six feet tall, so my shoulder comes in handy when they need an elbow rest.

"Ready to go, sis?" Cameron asks.

"Of course!"

We head to the locker rooms while scaring Luke about Coach Lynn. We part ways at the locker room, but before I go to change I call over my shoulder, "See you on the other side."