The not-so girl next door

Chapter nine

"J. Bro! Where the fuck have you been? You missed three periods already!" Trevor says pushing me. When I got into the school I was just before the passing period to fourth period. Once I got to my locker the bell rang and I knew my friends would be upon me soon.

"I over slept calm down," I say turning to look at him. His face melts into anger and he looks at me. That's when I remember what my face looks like. "Trevor it's not what yo..."

"Yes it is! I'm so tired of seeing you like this!" He yells punching the locker. Everyone in the hall quiets down and looks at him. He takes a deep breath.

"Just let me deal with it okay?"

"James you've been dealing with this since we were kids.. it's not going to stop unless yo..."

"No!" I say slamming my locker. Everyone went quiet again. It was my turn to take a calming breath. "You know I can't do that."

"But why not?" Trevor's voice was shaking, I couldn't look at him. I stayed quiet not knowing how to answer. I heard footsteps come toward us and someone wrap an arm around me.

"Hey there James long time no... what the fuck happened to your face?" Dean says. I pull away from him.

"It's nothing." I say walking away. I pull out my phone and go to call River, but I stop. Will she think I'm weird for calling so soon after just being with her. I shake my head and turn back to Dean and Trevor "come on dick wads we are going to be late for class." I force a smile and they both follow me to our next class.

Through out the day I got asked about my face. I made up some dumb excuse that got people to laugh and not ask anymore questions. It was something I was use to doing. I came to school with marks on me all the time, I'm surprised no one else has reported it. I shake my head to stop thinking about it and go back to thinking about good things. Like River. I wondered what she was doing, maybe she was working or doing school work. I decide to text her but before I got the chance she texted me.

River- Hows your face doing pretty boy?

James- I thought I told you not to call me that. But my face hurts

(River soon after changed my name in her phone to 'Pretty Boyo' )

River- You are right, I'm sorry your face hurts. I'm bored. I don't have work till 4:00

James- Where do you work?

River- None of your business

James- So you are a stripper?

River- Ha Ha. No, but close.

James- Hmmmmm

River- Anyway! What are you doing between end of school and 4:00

James- Basketball practice till 3:30

River- Lame!

James- Whatever. Why don't you come watch practice. It starts at 2

I look at the clock and see that it is 1:40. School ends at 1:50 so I have ten minutes before practice.

River- I'll be there.

James- Come ten minutes early. So we can chill before practice

River- Okie Dokie!

I roll my eyes and know I have a stupid smile on my face. Trevor sat next to me during this class, I felt a flick to my ear from his direction.

"Are you texting the babe?"

"Trevor I will kill you," I say glaring. He rolls his eyes and swipes my phone out of my hands. "Hey!" He scoots away from me reading through my texts with her. My face felt so hot I thought I was going to explode.

"So she is going to come to practice?" He wiggles his eyebrow at me as he tosses me my phone.

"Yeah, she also said she was down to hangout with all of us. So calm down your Dicky-ness"

"Not possible and you know it," Trevor leans back in his chair until he was only one two legs. I sweep my leg out to kick his chair. He falls back landing with a loud bang.

"Mr. Howard!" Our teacher yells at him. He rubs the back of his head as he apologies to her. He then glares at me as I try to hold in my laughing. He was going to say something to me but my phone vibrates and he tries to reach for it before I get to it. But I put my foot into his stomach to keep him away.

River- I'm here. Come find my car when you can

James- I will.

After I send that text the bell rings. I jump out of my seat and rush to go meet her, I leave behind my books and bag but I know Trevor will get them for me. I get outside beating the rush of people and see her in the parking lot standing outside her car. She was smoking and wearing a long coat that was tied around her. As I get closer to her I notice that her makeup was done perfectly.

"Hey!" I say walking up to her. I can't help but stare. I want to compliment her but words can't describe her beauty. She smiles when she see's me and stomps her cigarette out. I pull her into a hug and kiss the top of her. Before I get to say anything else I get hit in the back with my backpack full of books.