Life As I Know It (Completed)

Chapter Two - A Date

          "He is so hot!" Madeline exclaimed, fanning herself dramatically. I glanced over my right shoulder as subtly as I could at Richard Hues, who Kelley had claimed was staring right at me. Yeah, he was staring alright. I thought about what to do for a second, before smiling at him. His eyes light up and he unfolded his arms, as he got up to make his way over to us. I turned around stamping down the urge to do a victory dance.

           "He's coming over," Kelley said wistfully, as she tucked a lock of blond hair behind her ears. "You are such a lucky bitch!"

           "Whatever, he's cute but nothing to write home about," I shrugged, not willing to admit how hot I thought he was without knowing how he felt about me first. Kelly and Madeline both made noises of incredulity, and I elbowed them both in the stomach. We'd been sitting on a sofa in the corner of the common room for close to an hour now, just talking. It was the only free period we all had together during the week, as usually there was at least one of us who had a lesson to attend while the others were free.

           "Have you seen Richie? Dear lord, I think I'm going to faint... that rocking body, that gorgeous face..." Madeline trailed off, watching him approach. Her brown eyes were roaming him up and down, appreciatively. She was laying it on a little thick, and I wondered if she'd dipped into her mum's secret stash of booze for a quick shot before she came to college today. She'd done it before. I chose not to say anything, not wanting to get into a mini-fight like we'd gotten into last time.

           "Stop staring," I hissed at Kelley, whacking her upside the head. She stuck her tongue out playfully at me.

          I rolled my eyes at her as he came to a stop beside us. He was tall, even taller than Drew, and Madeline was right. He was hot. I smiled at him but didn't keep my eyes on his penetrating green ones for long, in fear that I'd turn into a simpering mess. He cleared his throat.

           "Hey Ellie, you busy tonight?" he asked, smiling confidently at me. I blinked. Wow, that had been quick. Really quick. I was a little put off that he'd just asked immediately and in front of Kelley and Madeline too. It wouldn't have killed him to be at least a little unsure. Call me weird, but I found shyness kind of endearing in guys.

           "Actually..." I trailed off as I looked to my left and saw Drew walking across the common room. I hadn't told Madeline or Kelley about Saturday night yet. It wasn't as though I was embarrassed or anything, I just hadn't found the right way to approach the subject. I suspected there would be a lot of loud exclamations and notorious ribbing. So I thought I'd do it somewhere a little more private than the school common room where there was always someone eavesdropping and passing along idle gossip. "Hey," I said nodding at him, deciding that was better than pretending I hadn't seen him. I wouldn't ignore him, but I wasn't going to go out of my way to say hello either. He looked surprised, but nodded back and continued across the common room and towards the second exit. A lot of the students used the common room as a shortcut to get to the other building. Some of the sixth formers took extreme pleasure in tormenting the younger, school students who were brave enough to ask if they could cut through. I turned to look at my friends who were staring flabbergasted at me, and at Richie who looked distinctly uncomfortable. I realized I hadn't answered his question and impulsively decided to accept. "Nope, I've got nothing planned," I told him, and he looked immensely relieved, though a little unsure as he glanced at Drew's retreating back. I guess I'd knocked his ego down a few pegs.

           "That's great," Richie flashed me his killer smile, seeming to regain his confidence. "I was wondering if you wanted to go catch a movie or something?" he asked, eagerly.