The Quarterback, Outcast and Me ✔

Chapter Four - We Can't Keep Meeting Like This

"You're what?" Carrie's exuberant voice shrilled in my ears as I tried to fit my backpack in my locker, only to realise it was useless. I had told her the grand news and her current reaction was exactly what I had pictured it would be; her blue eyes large and filled with excitement, in fact her whole body just screamed 'joy!' in my face.

"Would you calm down? Jeez, you'd think it was us getting married and not our folks." The second I had spoken I wished I hadn't. At least not those words as it took Carrie to a whole new level of ecstasy. Her face took on an amorous expression and I groaned inwardly at my stupidity.

"Married? Are you telling me you've actually thought about you, Jace and marriage in the same sentence?" Her smirk was hard to miss and I slammed my locker shut, haven given up trying to fit my bag into the small space of my locker. I hauled it back onto my shoulder, my Algebra book in my hand as it was the first period of today.

"I didn't say that Carrie. I meant," I paused. What had I meant exactly? Carrie looked at me expectantly, but I tried dodging the question by setting down the hallway in a brisk walk. Needless to say my attempt was proven useless as Carrie was like the shadow I could never get rid off.

"What did you mean then? Come on spit it out, Martin. What did you mean?" She went ahead of me and turned, blocking my way. I knew it was pointless to try and get around her. She was as persistent as a woodpecker. God I hated woodpeckers, but I loved my best friend.

"I don't know, okay? It just came out. It's not like I like him or anything." Great. Carrie's eyes widened and I suddenly felt like hitting my head repeatedly against the wall next to me. Why could I not keep my big mouth shut?

"But you do!"

"Shut up and no I don't."

"Then you wouldn't have used those words." Her triumphant face had me grimacing. There was no winning this one. I'd just have to convince her otherwise. Why would I even like Jace Jones? I was about to live together with probably the biggest egotistical jerk to walk these halls and our parents were engaged.

"I'm late for class," I muttered and lucky for me the first warning bell rang out at that exact moment, giving me a reason to snake around Carrie and hurry down the hall.

"You can't keep secrets from me Chloe Martin!" Carrie yelled behind me and I couldn't help but smile just a little.

The day's first couple of classes passed without incident and I met up with Carrie as lunchtime rolled around. We both grabbed a tray and went to stand in the long line of students waiting to get today's specialty; beef surprise.

I stared at the brown mush lying on the plate in front of me. How on earth was this even edible? I picked at it with my fork, suddenly wishful for a bland chicken sandwich. Anything would be better than this. I pushed the tray to the side and stared at Carrie who was equally disgusted at the school's provided culinary experiences.

"Why would they make us eat something that looks like a potential health risk?" I grunted, taking a swig of my water, which at least didn't pose any dangers. My friend huffed from across the table, biting into her red apple.

"Aren't you on the board of food selections for the cafeteria?" I asked. Carrie looked at me like I had just taken a bite of the beef surprise.

"First of all; there's no such thing as the board of food selections and second, no, I'm not in any clubs that can make an impact on what we get to eat. That's the student council which I was not selected to join." Apparently I had struck a sensitive nerve and kept quiet.

Suddenly a foil-wrapped lump of something dumped onto the table right in front of me. I stared at it until I felt a presence standing behind me, and as I turned in my seat I instantly wished for the power of invisibility. Jace was standing there, smiling down at me like last night's events hadn't happened.