Resentment - (18+)

C3

MIA

Something is definitely wrong with me. After only a few weeks of tutoring sessions with Justin, I'm actually looking forward to seeing him today. I'm looking forward to having another good conversation and seeing what he thought of the indie rock CD I gave him. (Okay, and I'm also looking forward to being close enough to smell his seductive cologne and get an up close glimpse of his smile that I secretly like.)

During school hours, we still exist in two completely different worlds, but when we're together and alone, we get along better than I could've ever imagined and I haven't had the desire to thrash him once.

Well, so far...

Hanging around him has also quite a numbing effect on my home-life. I can get through a whole dinner with my mother without wanting to scream, and for some reason, if I come home a few hours later than normal, if I tell her that I've been with Justin, she doesn't mind at all.

Only one thing has me questioning me and Justin's current arrangement: He never wants to go home. Like, ever. He's always looking to extend our time together somehow with more conversation or more homework, and although I want to believe that he enjoys hanging out with me as much as I enjoy hanging out with him, I can't help but think that there might be something darker beneath the surface...

Taking a seat in AP Chemistry, I pull out my books and notice a text from Autumn.

AUTUMN: Sooooo, I'm in crisis mode and I'm pulling the 'BFF Trump Card' ASAP!

ME: The what?

AUTUMN: The BFF Trump Card. That you-cannot-say-no-to-whatever-I-request but only just this one time type of card. Say yes!

ME: You pulled ten of those last month, Autumn.

AUTUMN: I pulled NINE. That last one didn't count. Anyway, say yes. I'm about to take a pop quiz in Bio.

ME: Tell me what it is first.

AUTUMN: Just say yes. (Oh, and is it the nucleus or the mitochondria that stores the cell's information?)

ME: Does it involve a party? (The mitochondria)

AUTUMN: Never. Stop being difficult! (DNA helix was discovered by...?)

ME: Does it involve being a third-wheel with you and Jacob? (Crick and Watson)

AUTUMN: Shockingly, no. We're currently fighting :-( (Can you just take this damn quiz for me? WTF...There are like fifty questions on this thing. This isn't a QUIZ! It's a TEST!)

I laugh, figuring whatever it is she wants to do can't be too bad.

ME: Yes. Now, what is the trump card for?

AUTUMN: You have to be my wing woman at the pep rally tonight! Okay gotta go for real this time! I'll pick you up at seven!

What the hell... Ugh...

She knows I don't enjoy going to those, that I'm going to fight her to the very last minute about going with her tonight. I start texting a response, but I hear a familiar deep laugh next to me.

"Good morning," Justin says as he slides into the empty seat next to me.

"Good morning. That's not your seat."

"I'm aware." He shrugs.

"We have assigned seats for a reason," I whisper as the class starts to fill up. "If you're aware, then why are you sitting there?"

"Max is absent today."

"So?"

"So, it's athlete skip day and most of the athletes won't be here today.