Turning Eightteen

Chapter 1

My friends joke that I can get any guy I want. I always laugh along, but it's actually true. I can get any guy I want.

It's early morning, maybe ten minutes before the first bell. I'm sitting on the sunny front steps, watching students walk by while I wait for my friends to come meet me here. I look to the sides of the crowd, where a few small groups are talking or playing Frisbee in a last-ditch effort to enjoy what's left of the summer weather. I glace back to the crowd of kids plodding toward the school and up the stairs, when who do I see but Matt fucking Fowler.

Matt's a pretty decent guy, soft-spoken, kind, and he's not exceptional, but he absolutely deserves his place on the Southie Lions. The crowd's making space for him, and as he gets closer I can see why. His usual sheepish grin is replaced by a confident smile, and the Packers jersey he's been wearing since he was a squeaky freshman finally fits him. Oh my god does it fit him. The sleeves that used to dangle down his wiry arms are now held firmly in place by broad shoulders and what I can only describe as a wall of muscle.

A familiar voice speaks to me from the left, but I ignore it for the moment. He's coming closer.

"Kerri?", says Maya, sitting down beside me. "What are you staring at?"

"You don't have to advertise it!", I hiss at her.

Matt's walking up the stairs, moving right toward me. "Hey, Matt!" I blurt out, hoping it doesn't sound like I'm panicking even though I am 100% panicking.

He makes eye contact with me. His ocean-blue eyes alone make me flustered. "Hey. How are ya?" His voice is kind, but he's disappeared into South Central's crowded hallways before I can respond. And all of a sudden, I remember. He's taken. Dating Jill Warner.

"Oh," says Maya. "That's what you were staring at." She adjusts her cute frilled skirt as we wait for the other half of our group to arrive.