I Hate James Cooper

Chapter 1: Friday Night Lights

The bleachers roared with excitement as the first football game of the season began. With the crowd cheering, the band playing and the cheerleaders doing all kinds of stunts, it was hard not to feel the school spirit.

"Ugh, I missed the kick-off!", Alexis Reed said under her breath as she rushed towards the bleachers. The game had already began and she was, once again, late. This was nothing new, she was always late for everything. Alexis reached the rowdy crowd and looked for an empty seat. At the sidelines she could see her best friend, Jennifer Swanson, in her cheerleading uniform.

"You're late!" Jennifer mouthed to her as she noticed Alexis barely arriving. Jennifer gestured to a spot in the crowd where a few of their friends had a seat saved for Alexis.

"Alex! You're so early!" Samantha sarcastically said as she scooted over for Alexis. "I don't even think I've ever seen a kick off in the past 3 years." Alexis replied as she sat down.

"Hey Matt," Alexis greeted the brown haired boy sitting next to them. "I see you like to keep your enemies close," she added as she noticed the pair holding hands. Matthew was from their rival school and had been dating Samantha for only a few weeks. Matthew's school was scheduled to play against Alexis' school for the homecoming game. Which, as everyone knows, is one of the most anticipated football games of the season.

"I'm just here to check out out the competition. Your players do know this is a football game and not a dance contest?" Matt said as he noticed the team's rocky start. "Don't worry, they're just warming up." Samantha quickly responded.

Although they we're all very different, Jennifer, Samantha, and Alexis had all been best friends since the 7th grade.

Jennifer Swanson was your all-American girl. Head of the cheerleading team, 5"7, long blonde hair and was, of course, always sporting a perfect tan to match her perfect blue eyes. She was your ultimate bombshell. Samantha Drew was your typical overachiever. Except, she had brains and beauty. Samantha had a full set of the the most most gorgeous brown curls anyone had ever seen, which seemed to sway and bounce with her every movement. Most people would say that Samantha Drew had a timeless beauty. She had almond shaped hazel eyes and the cutest laugh. She was the President of the student body, editor of the yearbook committee and organized bi-monthly food drives. On top of that, she had a total of 384 hours of volunteering services under her belt, which were all done in the local hospital.

Now, the one lacking the most extracurricular activities from the trio was Alexis Reed. Alexis did not partake in any sports, disliked the thought of being a cheerleader and was far too lazy to volunteer any of her spare time. Alexis had long light brown hair that fell straight down. Unlike her two best friends who were often described as "bombshell pretty" or having "classic beauty", Alexis' beauty was more toned down. She had very soft features. Alexis was usually described as "cute", a word she had grown very sick of. However, she had a pair of rich green eyes that stood out from the rest of her features. Although, Alexis wasn't your most school-involved girl, she was known for throwing the best parties. What Alexis lacked in extracurricular activities, she made up for in social skills. Alexis was your classic social butterfly.

When the football game was almost over Alexis couldn't help but feel a tiny bit nostalgic. She looked at the field and most of the players and cheerleaders were her friends. The crowd was filled with familiar faces she knew she would probably never see after graduation. It was their last year in Bell View High together. Her thoughts were broken by the loud crowd as the Bell View team was announced was the winner.

After the game, Alexis and a group of her friends gathered around the parking lot.

"Hey Alexis, party at your house?" Steve Mason asked, who has his arm around Jennifer's waist. He was Jennifer's boyfriend and practically the king of the school. "You know it."

Samantha and Jennifer both escaped their boyfriend's grips and like a pack of wolves, the three girls huddled together and began gossiping about the night's upcoming event.

"So are you excited for Dave to come," Sam asked Alexis.

"I don't know, maybe?" Alexis blushed. Dave was a senior in Alexis school. They started talking a few weeks ago at an "end of the summer" party, but haven't really spent any time together. They've exchanged a few flirty text messages here and there, but this was their first time hanging out since school started.

The girls giggled and gossiped about a few more things, until the rest of the team was done changing and the crowd was finally clear. Friday nights during football season was a ritual for them. It began with the football game followed by a quick meeting in the parking lot then it was off to Alexis' grandparent's vacation house. It was the perfect setting for a party because it was huge and complete with a pool and a jacuzzi and since it was just a vacation house, it was usually empty.

By midnight, the house was filled with practically everyone from their senior year, some lower class-men, a few outsiders and some people Alexis couldn't even recognize.

"Heating up!", Alexis cheered as she made a 2nd ball in during an intense game of beer pong. "Nice job," Dave said as he reached over her shoulder, pulling her in and giving her a congratulating tap on the shoulder. After a few more turns, Alexis and Dave won their 3rd game of beer pong in a row.

"I don't think I can play anymore, too much beer..." Alexis said with a bitter face.

"You want some fresh air? We can go outside." Dave offered.

"Sure."

Dave rested his arm around Alexis shoulders as they made their way to the back. The scene quickly changed from alcohol thirsty kids playing beer pong, to half naked people jumping in and out of the pool.

"You know, I've known you for three years, but is my first ever coming to one of your parties," Dave said.

"How come?"

"Well, I don't know, I guess I was just shy?"

Alexis laughed, she didn't understand what he meant, "What do you mean shy? You're on the football team, most of the people here are your friends."

"I know, but I've always liked you. And I've always thought you were cute..."

There's that word again. Cute. Alexis tried her best not to roll her eyes, but she was so sick of being called cute!

"Listen," Alexis interrupted before Dave could continue, "You don't have to be shy around me. I'm glad you came tonight."

"You're slurring." Dave pointed out with a playful laugh.

"I might be a little drunk."

Dave inched closer to Alexis and whispered in to her ear, "So, what do I get for being the best beer pong partner ever?"

"I don't know, you tell me..."

Suddenly, Alexis was distracted by her two very drunk and very loud best friends.

"You have to come inside!!" Samantha squealed and soon Alexis was being dragged inside by Samantha and Jennifer.

The three girls stumbled back inside and as soon as Alexis walked back in she stopped dead in her tracks. She was frozen, she could barely breathe. She couldn't even think. It was James Cooper.