Another Pet-Project

Everyone in the class turned and looked at me. Their eyes dug a million holes and I could feel mike cheeks getting hotter and hotter. I’m the sort of girl that likes being the center of attention, but not like this.

“Please turn off your music before I confiscate your iPod miss Davis.” I looked away and turned off my music.

“But miss, we all like to listen to Shvaughan’s music. Why wouldn’t we? It’s Justin Bieber. Have you ever heard of her? She’s a great singer.”

And there we go, right on que. Whenever I get in trouble, Liam’s there to make a joke. Although this time, I was the only one who wasn’t laughing. He knows I hate I when he tease’s my taste in music. But what did it matter to him? He only wanted me in his bed. I wasn’t that sort of girl. Most people look at me and think: Blonde hair, nice tan, good body. She’s probably slept with every guy in school. The thing is, I haven’t. I’m saving my self for someone special, as cheesy as it sounds. Unlike every other 16 year old girl nowadays. You would think that I had done that sort of thing, considering I could get any guy in school. It seems I’m some sort of pet-project for the boys here at Alton College. Every guy has tried it on with me. I think its cause they know I’m hard to get. Its as though I have a giant arrow pointing at me saying ‘get this girl in bed and we’ll buy the next round of beers.’ I guess that’s why I’m saving myself. I am, after all, just a pet-project.

The bell rang and Liam came rushing over, his blonde hair swishing as he walks. He’s probably the hottest guy in school and he just happens to like me. His cockiness is a put off though. He knows all the girls crave him.

“Shvaughany, are you still keen to come to Evi’s? We’re just having a few drinks with her new neighbor cause he’s starting in our year on Monday.” Liam has called me Shvaughany for as long as I remember, well, only when he’s trying to cast some sort of spell over me.

“We’re 16 Liam. Why does there always have to be alcohol involved?”

Liam blushed, and I could see he was trying to think if a way to convince me, hoping tonight would be the night I would do something with him. Not just a game of cards, he means serious business. Maybe some hooking up, or further if I’m lucky. I’ll just end up turning him down after a friendly hug.

“Well there’s always a tap filled with perfectly good water. Fill yourself a glass. Come on, I’ll drive us there and back. There’s no problem.”

We were already at his car by this point, and Evi’s my best friend, so I guess I sort of have to go.

I was already regretting it by time we got to Evi’s. I was having one of those days where I was shitty at nothing, and the slightest thing would make me snap. Evi was already waiting by the door so I had to go now. I gave her a hug and we went inside.

“Guess what? My new net door neighbor is a babe! I’m hoping for once you will like him. You’ve been to long without a boyfriend. So get your bikini on for some by the pool action. My parents are out so feel free to do what you like.” Evi knew it would take a lot to get me to do ‘by the pool’ action. She tied her straight brown hair in a bun just as the doorbell rung. I decided to go join everyone else out by the pool. There were about 10 of us here, and everyone was talking. We’d been a group of friends since intermediate school, and this new guy would have to fit the cut to be let in. We weren’t looking for any drama.

Evi walked out with a tall, muscly guy, and told him to introduce himself.

“Hi, um, I’m Zach.” His glance hopped the crowd, and I watched his glance pass mine. He was so good looking, and had brown, curly hair. People say don’t judge a book by its cover, but I could see him being just another common player.

“Zach this is Liam, Liam this is Zach, he’ll be hanging with us at school.” Evi was beginning to introduce Zach to everyone. I could tell she was saving me for last. She would introduce us, and then dumb him with me. She did this at parties and should know this doesn’t work on me. She had introduced him to everyone else by now, and was making her way towards me.

“Hey, I’m Shvaughan. Nice to meet you.” I put on my best smile, and shook his hand. His green eyes locked with mine for the slightest second, and we sat down. He was nervous, but at the same time he had this slight edge on confidence. I couldn’t decide if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Everyone started to chill. Beers were opened, and all the girls got into their bikinis. Evi was obviously trying to pull some guys, wearing a bikini that was a couple of sizes to small for her. Liam may like me, but it didn’t stop him from getting with other girls, and by the way he was looking at Evi, I knew her charm was working. They made their way into the pool together. Everyone else was either talking, or relaxing in the pool. It was the perfect summers evening, and I was wasting it sitting here in silence. I knew one of us had to say something.

I was just going to say the first thing that popped into my mind.

“So, why did you move to Tauranga?” I sat there self conscious in my bikini, waiting for Zach to reply.

“My mum and dad decided Auckland was to busy. Stupid reason I know. But luckily my dad was able to transfer here.”

“Was the move hard? Did you leave anyone or anything special behind?”

“Only friends. But I get the feeling the only wanted to be my friends for all the wrong reasons.” I knew how he felt. I’d had the same friends my whole life, but as we got older, things started to change.

“I feel that too. All these people here, my group of friends, either want to be my friends for my looks, or to get with me. But I love them all the same.”

“They seem a lot like my friends back home. I got a lot of negative attention from girls, so I didn’t have many girlfriends.” Hearing those words made me think that maybe Zach isn’t a player. “ That guy over there with Evi. You can tell he’s only doing that to make you jealous.” He pointed at Liam. Maybe Zach doesn’t get me. Maybe he’s just observant. In fact, that’s probably it. Next thing I know he’ll be leading me to a room.

“Yeah, he always does that. He likes me, I don’t like him.” I’m scared that I’ve said too much to soon, so I decide to leave it at that. “I’m gonna go for a swim now. Come if you want.” I stood up and hopped in the pool. I left Zach with my friend Xavier and went over to Megan. I didn’t want to seem needy.

It was getting late and most people were wasted. Megan, Zach and I were the only sober ones. The music was blearing and I could hear Liam yelling something out to me as I went inside. No one was safe to drive, so I rung for two taxis. Liam was mad at this, and was positive he could drive home, but I didn’t care. I told the drivers were to go and sent them on their way. They’d thank me in the morning. I tucked Evi into bed; she was too tipsy to do anything else. This left Zach and I to clean up the mess.

“You can go home now if you like. You shouldn’t be cleaning up after my friends.”

“Well neither should you. Its not your mess.” I decided to let him stay and we tidied in silence. Once we were done, I opened the front door, ready to say goodbye to Zach.

“Bye, thanks so much for the help. I guess I’ll see you at school on Monday. Come find me if you need anything.”

“Sweet. Um, can I have your number? You know, I might get lost or something and need help.” I gave him my number and he left. I knew what would happen next. I’d sit here all weekend, waiting for him to text me, but also dreading it from coming. I didn’t want to fall for him, but I had the strangest feeling I would.