The Improvement Plan

Ten

Hope felt butterflies as she checked her phone as she made her way to lunch. She had texted her mom in the bathroom about going over to Alex's. She pressed the newly received message and nearly jumped up and down. Her mom had said yes. As she read the message she could tell her mom was slightly worried but was not trying to push for more answers. Were Alex's parents going to be there? Hope didn't really know but said yes anyway to ease her mom's mind. Her mom did not have anything to worry about.

"Hey, Hope!" Jessica was suddenly in front of her. He dark hair was pulled into a high ponytail. Her lips were covered in bright red and her smile was large. "You look like someone who just found out good news. We missed you at lunch yesterday." 

"I suppose," Hope tried to smile back. Jessica seemed like a girl who could either be your best friend or your worst enemy. Hope was still trying to figure out which side of the line Jessica was going to put her on. "What's up?"

"I am just curious," she started before looking around. Jessica leaned forward as if she were about to tell a secret. "Are you and Alex together?"

"Together?"

"You know, are you two dating? As in, exclusive?" 

Were they? They had kissed, sure, but no titles were stated openly. Hope could assume that they would be considered a couple but people could kiss and not officially be together. Besides, Hope was unsure if Alex would want any more attention on him then there already was. Suddenly everyone found out he was talented and also, he is dating the new girl. As if his name needed to be said around the school more than it already was. And, clearly, it was all through the halls if Jessica was talking about it. 

"We're just starting to get to know each other," Hope decided to state. Was not a yes and was not a no. Jessica pursed her lips and raised a dark eyebrow. He necklaces jingled as she crossed her arms.

"Right, okay. So if someone was interested in him, do you think he would be interested?" Hope's mouth dried up.  Were girls who had ignored him his whole life suddenly going to chase after him like a coyote after a rabbit in the desert? Jessica must have read the expression off of Hope's face. "Oh, you wouldn't want him to be. Jake said that you went to meet Alex at his job. It sounds like you're getting to know a lot about each other-"

"Hope," The voice she had just wanted to hear. "What did your mom say?"

Hope looked over at Alex as he approached. He was smiling, something Hope would have guessed he had not done often in a long time.

"She gave the okay."

"Great!" His smile widened more. "Bring your calculus book and we can drive over to my house."

"I didn't know you drove here," Jessica stated, she had been standing there watching like a hawk. Hope cleared her throat, neither had she. 

"I have always driven here or been driven here. I live too far to be walking." With that, Alex decided he had already given too much information about himself away to someone he didn't know and gestured for Hope to come with him to the lunch room. 

"See you later, Jessica." Hope tried to sound as nice as possible as she left her in the hallway to ponder Alex's level of interest in her. If Hope was being honest with her self, she was wondering what level his interest was in her too. 

"How does no one know you drive here?" Hope asked.

"I always arrive late and I always leave early. Plus, they probably would not realize I drive the car that I do."

"Right, okay."

Hope thought back to when he swiped a card for over five thousand dollars worth of clothes as if it were no big deal. She could only imagine what type of car he drove if that was his average day. They sat down at the lunch table together. She tried to not notice the staring eyes on them as they took their seats.