High School Romance ✓

Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

After school, my brother was rushing around the house like a madman. I asked him what the big deal was and his reply was, "It's a party, genius, surely you've heard of one. Just stay out of the way and don't you dare tell Mom and Dad." He wasn't usually that rude to me and I know he was just stressing about it because this was supposed to be the "party of the year." He was also a senior so it was his moment to shine, at least in the party aspect. School really wasn't his thing. Anyway, yesterday he promised me that I could go to this party if I didn't tell on him. I agreed, really just wanting to be there to keep the party under control. I didn't mind being the "bad guy" at parties, especially parties that took place inside of my house. I already kind of was the "bad guy" because I was a 'stupid freshman' though.

People started arriving at the party quickly. It got chaotic quickly. That's the only thing I can't stand about parties: the chaos, because chaos can hardly be controlled. Courtney and Blake arrived later on. I could tell Blake was uncomfortable, especially when Courtney left him to go hang out with Ethan. They started kissing, and both Blake and I averted our eyes. That kind of thing can blind you, right there. Blake sighed and leaned against the wall, obviously trying to forget about what he just saw. I can't say it was easy for him, but it was easier to forget with the loud party carrying on around you. I heard Ethan ask Courtney if she wanted to "go somewhere more private." She declined the stupid creep's offer, but she would be the only one in history to refuse something Ethan asked for. Blake looked relieved when he saw Courtney was coming back over to him. "Okay, I'm done here. We can leave now," she said.

"What? I thought-. Okay," Blake replied. "Let's go."

They walked home together because their town was so small there was no need for a car.

When they were at the front doors Courtney said, "I want to work on a new routine. Help me?" Blake shrugged, being used to helping her with cheers. "Okay, so you toss me up, I'll do a few flips, and you catch me. Got it?"

"Yup, ready?" he asked. She nodded. "Three, two, one." At "one" he threw her in the air. She flipped twice and started coming down fast. Blake was memorized by her and forgot his last job. She came tumbling down on top of him.

They stayed there for a few moments, neither willing to move. Finally, Courtney got up, oblivious to the awkward tension between them. "You were supposed to catch me," she accused.

"Right, sorry," he said guiltily, looking away from her. He looked away mostly because he was blushing. It was so cute of him to do so.

"That's okay!" she exclaimed cheerily.

"Um, alright then," he said, still not looking at her.

"So, it's still way earlier than when I told my parents I'd be home. Want to catch a movie?" Courtney asked.

"Sure thing," Blake smiled a dazzling smile. Courtney seemed to be looking straight through him, not at him. I wondered what was up with that. She pressed her lips together and took a deep breath. Blake looked at her questioningly. She flashed him a dazzling smile of her own.

"So, what movie are we going to see?" she asked.

"I don't care, you pick something," Blake said.

They were walking to the movie theater and were already more than halfway there. "Well, there's this one movie where this girl goes to a town that's haunted to try to build a mall there and ends up helping a girl who hates the world. It's called 'The Mystery of Ghost Town, USA,' and it's really touching. Then there's 'Geek Charming,' where this geek and a popular girl fall in love with each other, and the girl learns that being true to who you are is better than being popular. Which do you want to see?" Courtney inquired. Blake froze at the description of 'Geek Charming,' and Courtney smiled.

"Either's fine," Blake said.

"Um, okay, 'The Mystery of Ghost Town, USA' it is then!" she announced.

Blake gave a small sigh of relief, so small that Courtney didn't notice it. "That sounds good," he said.

"Great! Glad you think so!" she laughed.

"I think you've had a little too much sugar tonight.

You're very hyper," he laughed along with her.

"No way is that true!" she claimed.

"I think you just proved my point," he said.

"No way!" she repeated, sticking her tongue out at him. They walked in the movie theater doors.

"Two for 'The Mystery of Ghost Town, USA' please," Blake said. He payed for and received the tickets. They walked into Theater Four and took a seat in the front row. "You're going to be okay? With you being as hyper as you are?"

"I'll be fine," Courtney snapped.

"Okay, sorry."

The movie began then and the theater grew dark. Courtney was soon asleep and she was slowly falling over so that her head rested on Blake's chest. Blake played with her hair, ignoring most of the movie. When the movie was over, he gently shook her awake. She yawned, "I missed the whole movie, didn't I?"

"Yep," he nodded to her.

"Dang. We can go home now, I'm tired."

"You're still tired after that nap you had?"

"Yup, I am. Have a problem with that, Sullivan?" she asked.

"No, not really, Pennington," he replied.

"Good."