Shayden’s Pov…
I threw the ball back to Dallas.
“Are you coming to my party tonight?”
“Who’s showing?”
“I don’t know. It’s an open party. It always is.”
“Do you think…”
“No I don’t. He never does.”
“I can’t give up. One day he will talk to me again.”
“Sure and maybe you won’t mess it up. You really shouldn’t have chosen popularity over him dude.” I ground my teeth. It’s not like I didn’t know that.
“I know. I just reacted. I didn’t think and he wouldn’t listen to me when I tried to apologize.”
“Shocker! You punched him in the face! That’s not something you just get over!”
“Yea well it’s been 3 years.” Dallas just shook his head. The bell rang. Last bell of the day was over.
“Shay! I need to speak to you in private. Come to my office after you’re done showering. Be quick about it.”
“Yes sir.” I saw Emory go into his office with him and wondered what it could possibly be about. I did as he said and quickly showered. I knocked on the door to the coach’s office.
“Come in.” he hollered. Emory turned as I walked through the door.
“No way. No way in hell, am I tutoring him.” His eyes held pain and anger.
“You weren’t saying that when you tried to kiss me.” I replied and instantly bit my tongue. I shouldn’t have said that. How am I supposed to win him over if I remind him of that?
“I didn’t try. I succeeded. You kissed back remember? Until Dale came in.” He smirked. I blushed and looked down. Coach cleared his throat.
“We discussed this Mr. Stone. You tutor my boy you get a good grade in gym. You need it if you want to graduate. And he needs it if he wants to play football and graduate. His future is in your hands. As is your own.
“I can’t tutor him Kenny. I can’t. You know why, I know why, and he knows why. Besides he’s arrogant and way too tall.” I blinked at the last one. It’s not my fault he’s super short and cute!
“Don’t call me Kenny in school.”
“Sorry Mr. Anderson.” Emory said dully and sarcastically.
“You are to put your indifference aside and get some work done. I want a schedule by Monday.” We were dismissed.
I held the door open for him. He glared and walked on.
“So um I’m free every day after 6 pm Saturday’s noon-8pm and Sunday’s noon-10 pm.”
“Ok. I can do… Tuesdays 6:30-10 pm, Wednesdays 8:15-10:30, Fridays 7:10-10:30, and Sundays 6:30-10:30. We will almost always meet at the public 24hr library. Don’t be late because I only wait ten minutes. If you don’t show and you don’t get smarter you can explain why to Kenny. I want to graduate and go to college next fall. You’re not going to stop me.If I fail because of you I will personally follow you through your life and make it a living hell. Got it???”
“Yeah I won’t be late… So are you going to the party tonight?”
“No. I have band till 6:45 and I don’t want to kill my brain cells with alcohol and hot boys.” I sighed.
“You’re not going to kill your brain cells if you get drunk once and I’ll keep the boys off you.” I’ve been doing it secretly for years.
“No thanks. Brandon’s coming over. Or Jenny, and Katie.” Jealousy rose up in me. They got his attention and I did not. Not fair. I was his friend first! (Mind me sticks out tongue.)
“Ok…”
“Shay!!!” Oh no. Kelsey Chan. Kelsey is my semi-fake girlfriend/best friend. She happened to ruin everything with Emory and me. This is why I don’t let her near him.
“Kels…”
“Shay! My mom wants to know if you’re coming over before the party tonight.”
“Yeah sure.” I turned back to talk to Emory but he was no longer there.
“Kelsey what did I tell you about coming around when I’m with Emory?”
“Sorry.” I sighed. I need a plan to make Emory want me again!
Emory’s pov…
“I can’t believe you have to tutor Shayden! That’s like the worst punishment ever!!! What about us? You barely have time to hang with us as it is!” Oliver whined as we headed to the Craze. The Craze is a secret hang out place for the outsiders. Also known as, my group.
“I need this grade! Besides it won’t be that bad. It’s his grade too.”
“He’s a homophobe. You’re a homo. Hello! Sophomore year ring any bells?” Worst year ever! I kissed Shay. Dale caught us and outed me to the whole school. And I got teased every day for two months. It only ended because I ignored them and gathered more of my kind. We only have one straight guy. But only because he is dating Unique. Everyone knows not to mess with us. Embry my twin brother ended up beating the crap out of Carlos, the wrestler because he was talking shit about us. Whatever. And that was when I found out my brother was bi.
“I know. But I’m not going to be held back because of him!” And because I want to go to college thinking he has changed. He had been my best friend after all.
“Whatever. Hey guys!” Oliver was my best friend. He had my back and I had his. I held his secrets and he held mine. We dated back in sophomore year when we first got to know each other. But then he took me home and his brother flipped out. And I knew they had a thing. So I said I’d rather be friends. And it was the full on truth. Besides I was still in love with my ex-best friend and he knew that.
“Hey. So I was thinking. My parents are out of town this Saturday. We should have a party!” Embry yelled.
“Embry we can’t have a party without mom and dad’s permission. Besides I have acting class till 7:45 Saturdays.”
“It won’t start till after 8. And… Mom never says no to you.”
“I. I’ll ask. If she says no then it’s a no!”
“Whatever goody two shoes.” Embry mumbled. We talked about everything. I had to leave shortly after because I had to get to Piano.
I loved Piano. My mom chose it for me when I was seven. Embry wanted to play the drums and said no when mom suggested we both do Piano. I was a natural and so was Embry. Just at different things. Mom was proud. Shay teased me a lot at first… until I rocked out on it and he thought it wasn’t so girly after all. That was the day I realized I liked him more than I should have.
