The Mac Effect

Chapter 1

"BEEP BEEP BEEP" I slam my hand against my alarm clock with a sigh. Six am is way too early, especially on a Monday. I hastily brush the knots out of my bed head and brush my teeth. I search through my clothes and throw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, paired with some converse.

I walk down the wooden stairs and grab my lunch from my mom, giving her a kiss on my way out. Swinging my backpack into the backseat, I see my best friend, Carson, making her way across the street to my car. Her bright curls bounce with every poised step she takes. The sun illuminates her perfectly placed highlight, accenting her prominent cheekbones. Her plaid dress, coming to mid thigh hugs her curves in all the right places, showing her true beauty.

"Come on Stella! You can't keep wearing clothes like that! You look frumpy." She sneers making a sour face.

"It's not like I have anyone to impress anyway." I utter failing to hide my sullen tone.

"Well not with that attitude, dude!" She climbs into the passenger seat, settling in beside me, sneaking glances at her phone, "Stell, I'm begging you to let me set you up! Topher has a cute friend with your name written all over him."

I groan and roll my eyes. Of course Topher has a cute friend with my name written all over him, he always does. Carson has been trying to set me up our entire lives. She was lucky enough to have found the perfect boy back in middle school;Christopher Thompson. Topher or Toph to his friends, was tall and handsome with lucious brown curls always fluffed to perfection. Not only was he perfect look-wise, but he is also the best wide receiver in the state. He's the total package.

"Stop groaning and let me at least tell you who it is," Her eyes glisten with mischief telling me that she's up to something. I nod my head in her direction indicating her to continue as I back out of the driveway and head in the direction toward the school, "Two words. Mac Walters."

"No. No way," I shake my head in disbelief that he would even cross her mind as a suitable candidate. Malcolm Walters, more commonly known as Mac, was Topher's other half, beside Carson of course. Mac and Toph made the perfect pair on and off the football field. Mac was Toph's quarterback, and  one half of the bromance. My disbelief wasn't so much about disliking Mac. I mean the dude is hot, but he is way out of my league. Seeing as he is Topher's best friend and Topher is my best friend's boyfriend, me and Mac have always been acquaintances. Never have we been anything more than that. Sparing a glance at Carson with a skeptical eye I mutter, "You're telling me that Mac said he wants to go out with me?"

"Well... not in so many words," She trails off as I roll my eyes at her response, "but Toph seems to think that he's crushing on you major, and I agree," she shrugs. "We just need to show him what he's too blind to realize himself, and that means we're going to the mall later to replace your clothes."

Rolling my eyes and pulling into my usual spot in the school parking lot, I notice Toph and Mac getting out of Toph's truck in their spot in front of us. Before I can even put the car in park, Carson jumps out, bounding toward Toph. I shake my head and smile, grabbing my bag and locking the car.

"Hey Stells." Toph chirped pulling me into a quick hug. Toph and I have become close over the years due to his relationship with Carson. He's like the brother I never had. I smile as he releases me and grabs Carson's hand leading our group toward the front doors.

Mac and I exchange quick smiles.

"Hey Stella, I like your shirt." Mac exclaimes. I look down at my shirt realizing I opted for one depicting my favorite band, LANY. Hearing Mac's voice, Carson draws her attention towards us, rolling her eyes at his comment to my previously addressed attire while I send her a humorous glare.

"Thanks! I didn't know you liked them." I implore quizzically.

"They're only my favorite band." he beams, a strand of dirty blond hair flopping across his forehead.

"Yeah?" I raise an eyebrow and he nods. Carson and Toph both send me knowing smirks as the four of us walk into our shared homeroom.

"Hey Mac switch spots with me." Without waiting for a response, Carson uses her freshly manicured hands to push Mac forward into her usual spot next to me while taking Mac's spot next to Toph. Mac catches himself against the chair and gives a confused look pointed toward the couple sitting behind us. The three of them share a look as if speaking through their facial expressions. When Mac notices me looking between the three of them, muddled and lost, he sends me a crooked smile.

"Alright class. I will be taking attendance and we will have a study hall." the teacher diverts our attention from our awkward tension. Once she finishes attendance, I half heartedly start on some homework.

"Hey boy's, big first game coming up, huh?" Carson hinted, peeking at me with that mischievous look again. She's up to something.

"Yeah babe, this Friday," Topher also glances at me with a confident smirk on his face, "speaking of. Mac, who are you giving your jersey to?" So this is where they're headed.

"Um, I'm not sure yet. I haven't really thought about it." Mac half convincingly murmers, lacking his usual confidence. Noticing the tone in his voice, I look up, seeing his eyes already pointed in my direction, and he shifts his gaze quickly.

"Well I'm sure Stella wouldn't mind wearing your jersey." Carson suggests, her statement dripping with fake innocence. My eyes widen.

"Yeah! You wouldn't mind, right Stells?" Topher follows up sending a cocky smile my way.

"Mac doesn't want me to wear his jersey. He's got plenty of other girls he could give it to." I exclaim with a half smile. Carson and Toph both shoot me glares as Mac speaks up.

"I wouldn't mind if you wore it, Stella." Mac suggests while itching the back of his neck.

"So, it's settled! Stella will wear your jersey." Carson declares practically jumping out of her seat with excitement. I mentally groan at her meddling ways and send Mac a quick smile to hide my disgruntled emotions. I am never going to get this homework done now.

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"You're welcome," Carson speaks as she closes the door to the passenger seat and we begin our journey back home. I give here a confused look, "For the thing with Mac, I mean."

"No. No, you're welcome dude!" I state putting air quotes around "you're welcome" and imitating her voice,"That was so awkward. You need to stop meddling in my love life."

"Technically, you don't have a love life," I send her an annoyed glare, "but it's not meddling if it's true love."

"But it's not true love!"

"Dude you're blind. He is totally in love with you. Did you see how nervous he was when we asked him about his jersey?" I think back to when I caught him glancing at me, "All i'm saying is I better be the maid of honor." She says matter-of-factly shrugging her shoulders.

"Slow down, dude! It's only a jersey!"

"So you're not opposed to marriage? Good to know." She states ignoring my slow down. I shake my head and roll my eyes as we pull into my driveway.

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A/N: Yay! First Chapter!