One Night

Chapter 1

A lot can happen in one night. I would know because the entire course of my senior year changed in that short amount of time.

This whole life altering-okay, high school altering experience began with the Sevenger.

"It's out! It's out!" A black haired girl with one too many rings and an obsession with all things grunge cheered as she ran over to me.

"What is?" I questioned, shoving my locker closed even as I heard the thud of my unused books hitting the door. I would have to organize them later.

"The first Sevenger task! The seniors just released part of it during first period and it's all anyone can talk about. I can't believe you haven't heard yet," Nalia animatedly told me.

She almost looked like Jay, hoping between each leg in excitement.

"Maybe because I actually listen in class instead of scroll through social media," I remarked as I slung my bag over my shoulder.

I made a move to twirl a lock of strawberry blonde hair around my finger then remembered I had it cut off yesterday. Instead I settled for smoothing out my already wrinkled, dark green blouse. Mom was going to kill me if she found out I didn't iron it before wearing it to school.

"Well aren't you glad I scroll instead of listen? Now, you're never going to believe what they're giving away to the winners this year. On top of the ever coveted instant rise to stardom and popularity at Walkman High, the winners also receive tickets to Senior Prom. Do you know how amazing that is? It's so exclusive to seniors that if a senior has an underclassman girlfriend or boyfriend, they can't bring them as a date!" She exclaimed, shaking my arm.

"Well that's fantastic for the winners, but we're not even going to participate so what's it matter?" I shrugged off as we started walking to second period.

When Nalia didn't say anything I turned to her and asked, "Right?"

"Well I was thinking that maybe-"

"Oh no. There's no way I would ever take part in that stupid charade. It's all just one big con to give the seniors a laugh. I mean the Seniors make up a scavenger hunt for any junior who wants to participate and then they're at every checkpoint to document it with an embarrassing picture. And on top of that, they promise popularity and I guess this year Senior Prom tickets to the winners for doing what? Entertaining them? It's dumb and I will have no part in it," I sternly told her as I watched her face drop.

"Come on Mac," she whined. "I know you've never really been into the Sevenger thing, but think of all of the possibilities! I mean even if we don't win, we're still bound to be more popular than we are now."

I side-stepped a couple making out in the middle of the hallway, then said, "What if I don't want to be popular? What if I'm perfectly fine being in my own little bubble of invisibility?"

"Then you're lying. I know you're lying because popularity would mean having Holt Grange notice you and we all know that would be a miracle," she teased bumping me with her shoulder.

"I'm sure even if my face was plastered on every billboard in town Holt still wouldn't see me," I sighed.

"Yo agree," a tall blond commented as he strolled up next us.

We both groaned at his comment even as he held us head high in what could only be misplaced confidence. Ever since Jay had travelled with his family to Mexico on vacation, he had been trying to use all the Spanish he knew, which wasn't much.

"As much as I love your commentary Jay, you're really not helping my case," Nalia sang, giving him a dirty look.

"So what is your case?" He asked raising an eyebrow at her.

"As I'm sure you've heard since you don't live under a rock like some other people," she directed a pointed look at me, "the first Sevenger task has been posted and Mac here doesn't want to be apart of this chance at fame and high school glory."

I rolled my eyes. She made it sound like such a big deal when in reality, anyone outside of Walkman High would have no idea what it was. I'm not even sure most of the teachers could tell you what it was If you mentioned it.

"Yeah that's what I was coming to talk to you guys about. I really think we should do it. I mean the first task has to do with our mascot, Sammie the Shark. And the rules are straight forward: no más than 5 team members no less than 3, take a picture at every checkpoint, meet back at the school gym when you're done. It doesn't even start until 5 because that's when the seniors will have all of the tasks in place," Jay animatedly added.

I sighed and dodged a sketchy looking puddle on the floor.

Even though I had heard all about the Sevenger since I had been at Walkman for the last three years, I'd never had the desire to participate. The idea of possibly embarrassing myself in front of who knew how many people did not sound appealing to me. Nalia had always said she was going to do it, but honestly, I thought she would chicken out once we actually made it to this point. I should've known better.

"Guys, even if I did want to do this, which I don't for the record, we would need to get permission from our parents to be out practically all night when it starts. And you all know how strict my mom is."

For once, I was grateful for my stricter-than-a-vegan mother. Most days it was a punishment to wallow in my room while Jay and Nalia went to the movies or had pizza nights, but this time, I was relieved.

"Psh. That's easy," Nalia smiled. "I'm a charmer. And a really good liar. So if I can't charm your mom into letting you go, then I can definitely come up with lie to get you out of staying in your house the whole night."

I smiled at how hard Nalia was working to convince me to do this. She really was a good friend with good intentions for me and my future, but this time, she was wrong. There was no way anything good could come out of the Sevenger.

"Plus we need to make sure a certain athlete who-I don't know, plays soccer and maybe has light brown eyes, brown wavy hair and is student body president, notices you."

I stopped Nalia before she could continue.

"Please tell me why you're describing Holt? He is way out of my league. I mean I don't even know what the shoes you play soccer with are called and you're expecting him to notice me?" I replied, stopping at my classroom door.

"That's true," Jay offhandedly replied, only to receive the first of many death glares of the day from Nalia.

"-But there's no reason why he shouldn't notice you," he quickly added. "Let me help you."

Before I could ask what he was talking about, I was pushed into someone walking through the classroom door. I looked past the person's head and saw my friends racing down the hallway to their classrooms, laughing like maniacs. I would kill them after school.

I turned back to the person in front of me, ready to offer a plethora of apologizes.

"I'm so sorr-"

My throat seized up when I noticed it wasn't just any somebody, but Holt Grange. THE somebody.

"No. I'm sorry. I need to watch where I'm walking," he quickly said, as he stepped out of the doorway. "I have a way of focusing on one thing in front of me without looking at my surroundings. Are you okay?"

When the words didn't come out and I saw him waiting for a response I just gave a quick head nod and booked it inside of the classroom. I would just apologize on another day when I was more prepared for an encounter with him.

For right now, I just had to focus on the lecture in front of me.