Growing Pains

Chapter Six

Courtney

Justin filled my thoughts ever since Saturday. He flirted with me, which was huge since I was convinced he didn't even know I existed. Our conversation was brief, but I still couldn't stop the hope that bloomed in my chest, or the smile that made my way onto my face every time I thought of him. Maybe, this was the year he was going to ask me out.

I rushed to first period, my only class I shared with him, but he wasn't there. I didn't catch his tanned skin and striking eyes in the halls either. I was left to assume that he just wasn't here today, which was more of a bummer than usual. I mean, I at least now had a reason to stare at him, well, sort of.

I sat down at the lunch table with a sigh, earning a look from Duncan. "What's wrong, princess? Daddy only gave you one gold bar instead of two?"

"Very funny," I teased, but it came out a little too short to be lighthearted. I checked over my shoulders to see if anyone was nearby, thankful that we were the only ones at the table. I dropped my voice to a whisper, "Do you think it would be weird to ask Justin out?"

He noticeably stiffened, "Why would you want to do that?" I heard it again, that edge to his voice. He seemed to really not like Justin. I wondered why.

"Because he seemed like he might be interested," I felt my cheeks heat as I admitted this. I shook my head and picked up my apple, "Maybe not." I felt his stare as I took a bite. I eyed him as I chewed and swallowed. "What?"

He opened his mouth to say something then closed it. He opened his mouth again and said, "Nothing," and then turned away, taking a large bite of his sandwich with a sour twist to his face. I didn't know why he was being so weird recently.

I was about to ask him about it when Bridgette and Gwen sat down. Gwen was fuming, "I failed my physics test. I swear that bitch of a teacher is out to get me."

"I thought you studied all last week for it?" Bridgette asked.

Gwen balled her hands into fists, "So did I, but not enough, apparently." She let out a sigh, "I needed to pass that test. And now, I have a C. My mom is going to kill me."

Duncan shrugged, "You could always kill her first."

She shot him a venomous glare, "Not funny, Duncan."

He lifted his hands in surrender, "Sorry, pasty." He shifted his position, taking his leg off of the lunch table's bench and leaning forward. "So, you got a bad grade, big deal. You can get it up before the end of the semester."

She sighed, "Yeah, I guess."

I smiled sympathetically, "You still have your TA position."

Her face brightened a bit at that. "That is true," she mused, smiling faintly.

Our conversation drifted from there, mostly about school and homework. Until, Trent walked over with a boy I'd never seen before. He looked as if he had washed up on a beach with ocean-blue eyes, deeply tanned skin, and yellow-blond surfer hair. He was cute, I noticed, but definitely not my type. He seemed like the guy who smiled just because he wanted to, which wasn't the kind of guy I was typically after.

Trent gestured to him, "Hey guys, this is Geoff. He's new."

Geoff waved, "Sup."

It hit me then. His looks or personality didn't matter, but the fact that he was a student at this school, untainted from Heather's cupcakes and manipulations, now that mattered.

I launched into my script, "Hi, Geoff. It's a real pleasure to meet you. Now that you're apart of the Wawanakwa High study body, you have the opportunity to vote for our Class Leadership. I'm Courtney Barlow. I have been Class president for the last two years, and I would love to have you-"