Unexpected Understanding

ONE

Laurie

"Alright. Your test time is over. Pencils down, tests up please."

I slowly rose my head up off of my desk. After double checking my answers for a second, I held up my test for Mrs. Bracks to collect.

The person behind me tapped my shoulder.

Ryan Lewis.

Superstar Ryan. Lucky Lewis. "Hot" Ryan. The one and only. I'm not going to lie and say he isn't absolutely breathtaking. Because he is. The short, brown, curly hair. Light brown eyes, and long thick lashes. Perfect height, perfect build. Star shortstop on our school's baseball team. There's no question as to why every girl drools over him. I'm sure some boys do too.

I talk to him all the time, considering we have three of six classes together. He's really nice. Just a genuine person. He's one of those people you wish you were able to be surrounded by all the time, he just has that sort of vibe and energy.

"You forgot to write your name," He said with a smile.

"Oh, thanks."

"No problem, Laurs." He replied. I raised my eyebrows in slight amusement.

"Laurs?" I questioned.

"Well yeah...you know, 'Laurs'; Laurie," he paused and stared at me for a moment, "It works." After Mrs. Bracks took my test, I turned around with a smile.

"Sure I guess? We've known each other for how long? Eleven years? Where did this sudden nickname come from?"

"I don't know, kinda just came out if I'm being honest." He told me with a smirk.

Living in the small town of Santa Cruz, Ryan and I have known each other since the primary school days. So, no, I am not one to completely swoon over this guy. Admitted, he is a very handsome young man, but we're friends and we always have been. I don't really see him as anything different.

"You're a doofus, Ryan Lewis."

The bell rang and I said a quick goodbye to him as I stood out of my desk, walking towards the door. When I reached my locker, I tried to put my stuff in the right spot. But I got pushed and dropped all of my books to the ground. Super. I looked behind me in annoyance.

"Sorry...?" I turned around and groaned. Very dramatically, might I add.

"Carter."

She raised her hands in defense.

"Sorry, sorry. I mean I was just trying to give you a little hip bump. Wasn't expecting you to collapse there, tough guy." She said while squeezing my bicep. "Bulk up!" I rolled my eyes.

Carter's been my friend since freshman year. It's the end of senior year now, so we're running on about three years of friendship. We started getting close after being paired up for a Biology project. We've been connected at the hip ever since. You would think I'd have known her for as long as everyone else knows each other year in this town, but she moved here from Hayward, a city North of where we live now in Santa Cruz, in eighth grade.  We knew each other then, but didn't really talk until we were assigned together for our project. Which, by the way, I will continue to take full credit for; Carter on the other hand still insists on convincing herself that she actually did any sort of work.

She's extremely easy on the eyes with her medium length hair that's got a natural curl to it; perfect tan skin; dark brown eyes; long, model like legs. I'm almost positive that her smile can literally light up anyone's day. 

We started walking to lunch. I suggested we go get some sandwiches at the pier instead, so we switched directions and headed to my car.

"What are you doing after school?" She asked.