It's Complicated

5. An Interesting Cup of Coffee

5. An Interesting Cup of Coffee

I groggily woke up Monday morning ten minutes after my alarm clock rang. I rolled out of bed and got dressed, trying to look extra put together today. I put some make-up on and ironed my uniform, suddenly conscious of all the little crinkles and wrinkles everywhere. I took one last look in the mirror and hurried out of the house, jumping into my car. I groaned when I remembered it had broken down last night, so I let go of my ego and asked my mom to drive me to school.

I felt like a little kid as I climbed out of my mom's car, but shook off the feeling when I walked into the high school building. Somehow my thoughts had wandered to John, and in an instant, I was suddenly enveloped into a big hug. I shrieked in surprise, but the person covered my mouth quickly.

"Shut up, Mariela! It's me, Allen!"

"Allen! You scared the crap out of me!" I exclaimed, my heart still racing in double time. I whipped around and glared at him, meeting eyes with a bewildered John behind him.

"Dude. How did you not see me? I was walking right in front of you," Allen muttered, glancing back at John.

"I wasn't paying attention. I was thinking about....school?"

"Oh. Well, sorry anyways." Allen didn't pick up on my lie, and I was not going to clarify the weird turn my thoughts had made.

"It's all good." I started to go towards the stairs to go to my homeroom, but Allen jerked my arm back, causing my backpack to fall off my shoulder. I turned around and glared at him. "Ow! What?"

"Oops. Sorry again. Why don't you chill with us guys in our homeroom today?" he asked, completely serious.

"Umm... no. That would be awkward."

"No, it won't! Come on!" He pulled me into the boys' homeroom. I struggled, but in vain; I was no match for Allen. Allen led me to the middle of the circle, and I sat down hesitantly among the guys.

The boys started talking about the girls in our class, gossiping like old women. I was amazed to see the quietest and nicest of guys join in with enthusiasm. They talked about everything, ranging from COD stories to girls. I stayed quiet for the most of the time, but the experience was truly eye-opening.

"Gia is so annoying. She flirts with every guy in this class and flips her hair every two minutes. It's so irritating!" Mike, Gia's boyfriend, whined. "What's wrong with my girlfriend, Mariela? Why does she do that?"

"She thinks it's fun," I answered honestly. "I don't think she takes you two's relationship very seriously."

Mike glared at nothing. "Why do I even like that girl?"

"Because she's hot," Allen answered, making everyone in the room laugh. It was probably true.

"You guys never like the nice girls," I accused.

"Because the nice girls aren't fun," John said, shrugging his shoulders.

"How would you know, John? No girl has ever liked you - not even a nice one," Allen said, smirking. I was surprised by his mean words. Why does he always act like a jerk in front of his friends? Boys are always meaner in front of their friends, and Allen was no exception to the rule.

John stood up angrily. "You wanna go, Marshall?"

I almost burst out laughing. There was no way John would even lay a scratch on Allen; John was tall, but he was also scrawny and weak. Allen, on the other hand, was strong and lean. He was tall, too, so John really had no advantage.

Allen stood up, laughing loudly. "Are you kidding me, John? You're like the weakest guy I've ever met. I could just push you lightly, and you'd fall over."