Front Runner

Chapter 1

I sit down at my desk which happens to be at the very back of the classroom. I take out my notebook and pencil.

As soon as Tyler walks in the room, everyone mobs him. People are throwing every question they can think of. Tyler smirks and answers each one with a calm tone to his voice.

Why?  They had been fighting about everything.

Who are you going to date next? He has no idea.

Normally, I would be completely and totally indifferent to this but I'm trying to get him to be my boyfriend. I mean you sort of have to pay attention to someone you want to date.

Tyler sits down in his seat which happens to be right next to mine. He looks at me and smiles.

"Finally," he says with a sigh. "Someone who doesn't want to know everything about my break up."

"It's your break up not the end of life as we know it," I say back.

He laughs and leans back. "I know. Everyone keeps telling me that I was meant for her and I shouldn't have broken up with her."

"That sucks." I tell him. "You can date whoever you want and break up with them whenever you want."

"Thank you," he tells me. "Finally someone gets it."

I smile. Kyle isn't a jerk. Isn't that nice to know? At least Opaline isn't trying to set me up with a guy who a jerkface.

"Hello, class." my teacher yells as he runs into the door. "Quiet down, y'all." His name is Mr. Coates and his wife is from the south. Mr. Coates teaches economics which is quite possibly the most difficult yet boring class.

"Okay, we're going to do a quick supply and demand activity" he informs us while an audible groan arises from the class. "Get out your notebooks and turn to page 106 in your textbooks."

I turn to the page and get to work.  

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"Eloisa," Opaline says. "pay attention!"

"I know 'Guys like girls who listen'" I imitate.

"Thank you," she says.

I'm finding it hard to pay attention to her advice on guys. My mind keeps wandering. Well, it's mainly wandering to see if I can actually do this. Suppose I end up liking him, he can't fall for a girl that's a total nerd with frizzy hair and is probably the most awkward person in this school. What if he ends up liking me (I admit highly unlikely) and I don't like him? I'm not the best at confrontation and rejecting people.

"In conclusion, just relax and flirt like crazy," Opaline instructs.

"Okay," I say. "So Opaline how's Peter?" Peter is her boyfriend. He's nice enough and wouldn't hurt Opaline. But he has the personality of as cinder block.

"He's good," Opaline answers cheerfully. "He's sorta stressed for midterms though."

"Cool," I say. I check the time. "I need to go. Bye!"

"Bye, Eloisa!" she shouts.

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As I finish up my assignments, I think to myself, finally wanting to answer the question that had been bothering me all day. Can I really do this? Can I risk heartbreak and a drama-free life to do this?

Can I?  Yes. I can and I will. I swear I will at least have a fighting chance to date Tyler.