Upside Down Tendrils

Chapter Five

     The rest of the day passed in a blur, my brain muddled with thoughts of what could happen tonight.
     I just couldn't get over the fact that Jordan Scoffenstein wanted to hang out with me. He could do so much better.
     "Psst... The teacher is looking at you, Em." Ri whispered from her spot behind me.
     My head snapped up. "Can you repeat the question?"
     She sighed. "You really ought to pay more attention in class, Emily. You aren't going to do well if you daydream all the time." She paused to give me a harsh stare before continuing. "Now, anyways, I asked the question: What caused the Civil War?"
     "Disagreements concerning slave rights." I replied, hoping I was at least half right.
     "Very good. Now, Jordan, what is a Civil War?" Jordan? He was in this class? Oh no, what would he think of me now?
     "A civil war is a war fought by a country against itself." Jordan's voice broke my thoughts.
     The teacher beamed. "Excellent."
     Just then, the final bell rung and I sprang to the door, before rushing into the hallway, and to my locker. I quickly imputed my code and grabbed my backpack before slamming it shut and running towards the bus lane. Jordan rode my bus home, and he arrived on the bus a few minutes later, sitting in the seat across from me.
     "It isn't like you to zone out in class," he commented, remembering recent events I had wished he would have forgotten.
     "I have a lot on my plate at the moment," I explained, hoping he would understand.
     He nodded. "I know, with your dad and all."
     I smiled, glad that he took the bait, then stood up as Ri entered the bus. "You get inside." I said and she nodded in silent agreement upon seeing Jordan in the seat across from us.
     She slid into the seat, and I plopped back down in my spot. Jordan chuckled. "Mixing it up, eh?"
     I looked at Ri, then put a wondering hand below my chin. "I hadn't noticed," I said, sarcastically, "but it would appear to be so."
     "Indeed. How intellectual," he chuckled, standing up for his friend to slide in, then sitting down again.
     I chose not to comment, and instead turned toward Ri. "Hey," she exclaimed, "look at you! Joking with a guy on the bus. This is an improvement."
     "Oh shut it," I snapped. "You wouldn't know what it is like."
     "What what's like?" She asked, begging me to spill the beans.
     I elbowed her. "Like you don't know," I scoffed.
     "Well, be careful. Boys like him expect lots more than a blush and a wave." She said, eyes narrowed on the boy across from me.
     I slapped her knee. "Don't stereotype. And, how many times do I need to remind you that it isn't a date?"
     Ri chortled. "As many times as it takes for you to remember it, too."