What is Love?

Chapter 2

Tuesday...

"So Matthew rides my bus and I don't know where he lived since I get off before him," said JJ. We were sitting at our table in the cafetera waiting to start class. JJ doesn't care about boys. She's the only one in the group who has no interest in being taken. She was just telling us since Sammy and my other friend Sarah were talking about how cute he was.
"We need to ride your bus so we can get to know him JJ! We will even get off where he does," said Sammy. "Why exactly?" I asked. This wasn't like her. She usually lets the guys come to her and not the other way around. "My friend Araceli saw him and 'fell in love' with him. Honestly I think she's going to be stalking him just like she did with her other 'lovers'."
We were heading to class and Matthew was already at his seat. I chuckled when I saw him because he broke the school dress code by bringing joggers. My school is strict on what you where. You had to where a single colored polo, blue jeans or Kakis, and a belt. That was so not what Matthew was wearing.
"Matthew, I see you have broken the dress code. I will email every teacher and tell them not to get you in trouble though since you are new here. I will also make you a copy of the dress code so you can come to school without worries." Wow! Coach Williams actually likes him? I've known him for three years and I don't even get a "good morning" from him.
Class starts and we continue learning about the Egyptian empire and how it came to collapse. I stayed awake since this was the only class I really needed to put more effort into. I had an 80, so I was just passing by ten points, but I know I could do better.
After class I went to my locker and Sammy stood beside me. "What is it now?" I said. "Would you come with me to Matthews house? I don't want to be alone with Araceli's creepy self stalking him." "I don't know. I have a lot of studying to do for the test tomorrow in Algebra." "Come with me and I will buy you Zaxbys!" "Where does he even live?" "Not sure but i'm glad you're coming," she said and left. I couldn't care less about where he lives I just wanted to know how far I would be from my house. One bad move and i'm out of there.
I closed my locker and headed to 2nd period. We were talking about how they are trying to make Elsa Lesbian in Frozen 2. I didn't answer this time since I was distracted by Sarah talking to me. She was talking about how I was gonna sleep over at her house this weekend. We do it almost every weekend. My mom is really fond of her. She even bought her clothes from the mall. I guess you could say she was becoming my sister.
          School went by and it came to the time of getting on JJ's bus. I really liked her bus since it was full of people I knew and liked. I say down by JJ since another fact about her bus is that it gets fuller than a subway in Tokyo. Some people even have to stand up.
         "So, Araceli is here and she is at the front. She's gonna be stalking while we are going to just be chilling alright?" Sammy could show that she was excited, but I didn't know why. "Sure. As long as you keep your promise about Zaxbys." Araceli has a weird reputation. If she likes you, then she will figure out where you live, who your family members are, and what you eat for dinner. A little crazy I know, but Sammy and I are too nice to tell her anything.
           We finally got off at the stop where Matthew lives, and he was already laughing since Araceli had already told him the plan. That girl is an outgoing person and could care less about what people think. That is another reason why it wouldn't matter what Sammy and I told her.
           As we got off I noticed another boy getting off at the same spot. I turned to Sammy and saw her face light up like she just saw Jesus come from heaven. At that moment I knew I was going to be third wheeling so hard. If I had known, I would have brought another person to tag along.
          "Audrey, this is Damarcus. My boyfriend. I was going to tell you, but I thought it would be better in person." Sammy could literally not hold back her smile, so I just laughed and went along. Matthew asked his mom if he could hang with us, and she said as long as we aren't out too late. I was really wishing I had another person at that moment.
          We were walking in the streets of Matthew's neighborhood. Sammy was holding hands with Damarcus, and Araceli was having a chat with Matthew. I was walking while looking up at the sky. I find myself doing that every time i'm feeling awkward or out of the ordinary.
          "Hey Audrey! Do you have the Workd History homework?" said Matthew. That was probably the first thing he ever said to me since he got here. "Yeah, I finished it in study hall. Why?" "I was wondering if you could help me with it. I'm still on the second page out of five. I really need it done since it's due Friday." Was he literally asking me for help? When he doesn't even know me? I would say no, but i'm such a humble person that I had to say yes.
         "Cool. I will go to your table tomorrow in study hall." "Okay," is all I said. We kept walking and I could feel Araceli's glare. Like I said before, i'm a humble person, so if she has a problem with me, I would fix it. I pulled Araceli aside and asked her what's wrong. "What's wrong is that you like Matthew when you know I liked him first." "Araceli, that's crazy. Even if I did like him, I still wouldn't do anything since friends come before anything." "Alright. I'm trusting you," and she left after saying that. Crazy right? But it's not the craziest thing I've heard from her mouth.
         Matthew and Damarcus were laughing together like best friends. I was confused since I thought they just met. I did a confused expression, and that's when Sammy said they have known each other since kindergarten. I was lost this whole day, so it wasn't surprising when she said that. We kept walking until we saw a little hang out place. There were 6 tires with a bonfire place. It looked really cool.
         "We should do a bonfire right now. Who has anything I can set on fire?" Matthew was literally about to make fire. "I have a lot of school paper I don't need if that helps Matthew," said Araceli. "Great! Now I need a lot of paper, so I suggest you all take out useless paper." I grabbed my binders and was looking for useless paper. I couldn't find many since I find every paper important, so I handed him about 10 papers while everyone else handed around 30 or 40.
           "Do you find everything you learn from school important Audrey?" Matthew asked. "I just think that a lot of the stuff will be used later in the year." Gosh! I thought I handed a decent amount of paper. Was it really that obvious? He chuckled and pulled a lighter out of his pocket. Did he have that all day? While being in school? I'm starting to realize why Josh doesn't want me around him. But how would Josh know what he's like? Has he hung out with him before?
            I was pulled out of my thought when I saw the small fire starting to form. I smiled at the tiny fire in front of us. We sat down and it was around 6 already. We have been here for about three hours. I was really wanting my Zaxbys at the moment. It was around my dinner time. "It's 6 already? Well I guess it's time for us to head home," said Sammy. I was really glad we were leaving. Not only was I hungry, but I was cold since it was still winter weather. Sammy called here mom and told her to pick us up. After hanging up, she was making out with Damarcus. I covered my eyes and turned the other way. Matthew laughed at my actions.
           "Have you never seen a couple make out?" Now I was even more embarrassed since he asked me a question like that. "I try not to. What's the joy in seeing them?" "There is no joy. It's an answer to curiosity of how people communicate with each other." That was probably the smartest thing I've ever heard coming out of Matthews mouth. "I guess I never thought of it like that." "Well now you do. And you look cold. You want a blanket?" He had a blanket? How is he prepared out of nowhere? "Sure," I say. But before he could reach for it, Sammy's mom's car had stopped in front of us. We got on and waved goodbye to the boys.
          We dropped Araceli off first since her house was the closest. After that we headed to Zaxbys for my food. I got my buffalo wings and things and started dancing while eating. Yes, it is something I do when I get food I really want. You may also be wondering how on earth I got to spend the day with boys without my mom knowing. Well it's Tuesday, and every Tuesdays and Thursdays, there is community service at our school. We can go whenever we want, but I do it every time. Today I didn't go for a friend's favor. My mom will also not know where I was since Sammy's mom will not say anything. Me and her get along pretty well. She is such a cool mom compared to all of the moms in our friend group.
           She dropped me off at my house and left. I went straight to the shower since I was freezing and really wanted the warm water on my body. After my shower, I went straight to bed since I finished my homework in study hall, so I had nothing to worry about. I put my alarm and closed my eyes. That night I dreamed of me and Sarah having an argument. We weren't getting along.

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Author's Note

This story is based on a true story that happened to me. If you are going to use any idead from this book, please give me credit.