Just Gold

one

"Cordelia Apple?" The substitute teacher's voice rasped, his tiny square glasses teetering on the edge of his wrinkled noise. I cringed a bit at the mention of my full name and hesitated a moment before responding.

"Present." I decided to sound pretentious. That produced a snort from my best friend, Matt.

Matt, short for Mateo. He's been my best friend since diapers, which is probably destined to happen when you're neighbors. 

I rolled my eyes. "Oh shut it Mateo." His dark brown eyes gleamed at me from behind his round glasses, matching the smirk on his face.

"Mah-tee-o? Martinez." The substitute completely butchered Matt's name. His playful expression was wiped off his face and he grudingly replied with a much more simple; here. I snorted mockingly at him. He caught my eye and I cracked into a wide grin. 

"Stupid." I laughed.

"And here's the assignment Mr. Key has left for you." The old substitute teacher grumbled as a thick packet landed on my desk. The room filled with collective sighs.

***

After what felt like an eternity, the final bell of the day rang, sending all the students pushing each other our the classroom doors. I shoved my way through the main hall until I spotted Matt through the madness and trudged to his locker. Halfway there I realized he was talking to someone else; a girl.

She had skin that was a bit darker than a peach and her face was starred by randomly placed freckles. Her eyes were blue-green that gave the feeling you were looking at the ocean and gently clashed with her curly dark red hair that was pulled back into a bun with messy strands that lined her face. 

A lump appear in my throat as I realized how pretty she was, and how Matt was talking with her. I shook my head and took a breath, I'm not jealous. Why should I be jealous? What is there to even be jealous of? I composed myself and approached them.

"Yeah that would be fun! Would you like to hang out with my friends and I?" Matt asked the girl, who replied with a nod. She glanced at me walking up behind him and smiled.

"Hey Matt! I don't think I know you, I'm Lia." I propped myself up by laying an elbow on him. The wonders of having shorter friends. Matt shot me a stink eye casually before the she responded.

"Hi! I'm Rose Breckenridge." Her voice sounded like honey and her friendly expression made my previous negative impression of her subside slightly. But her unsuspicious kindness almost made me irritated. Rose turned her head to Matt slightly, "And yes, I'd like to hang out with you guys!" Matt grinned, closing his locker.

"Well, what're we waiting for? Let's hop in my Jeep and grab some coffee."