The Last Lap

Chapter Eighteen

High school is like a red rose. The thorns lineup along its stem, the haunting fears of you being rejected remind you of how trash you really were. But with Alex by my side, I didn't really feel like dirt anymore. I felt more like a see finally blooming after a long, cold winter.

The morning that the Chosen Ones came to our school, I woke up as early as I could to shower, eat breakfast, and get ready for the day. My hamstrings burned from the harsh workout assigned to us yesterday. Soon after Reynolds found out a couple of people were written up for skipping he told us to do stairs. I struggled to stay on my legs before I came home to my soft, cloud-like bed and crashed.

A soft knock on my door was audible before my mother stormed while I responded, "Yes?" She had a frown on her face and a hand on her hip as she looked at me.

"Someone is downstairs," She crossed her arms, "Some boy."

I brightened up instantly and shuffled myself over to the window noticing that Alex was waiting in his car in my own driveway. She stormed over to the window and closed the blind, taking my chin in her hand, "Who is that? Tvoje dečko?"

I rolled my eyes at her before grabbing my backpack, "No Mama. He's not my boyfriend. Don't worry about it."

"Što? Who is he? Is he driving you to school?" She glanced at me sideways and narrowed her eyes when she looked to see Alex in the windshield laughing.

"Because Mama! Don't ask me anything. He's driving me to school today because Jia can't. I'll see you later. Love you, Allahimanet."

My feet carried me down the stairs as I got into the front seat of the car. Waiting inside were Khalil and Melody, both with noticeably new clothes and fresh hairstyles. I waved at them excitedly. Melody put one hand on her backpack that was next to her and shyly smiled at me while Khalil just gave me a quick nod.

I tried to make them as enthusiastic as I felt by saying, "Good morning." Alex bit his bottom lip before repeating it back to me and driving towards the school. I looked at my phone for any new notifications.

.: Riptide LTE 2:33 PM 78%🔋

🢨 Jia :)

Jia: I can drive you today if you want :)

Ema: You don't have to.

Ema: Alex is driving me to school today.

Melody and Khalil are both here.

Ema: They don't seem very excited.

Jia: oof that's tough!

Jia: I'll see you in math :)

Ema: ok

Ema: ttyl

📷 ________________________________ [Send]

As Alex pulled into the Senior parking lot, he started to give a few words of advice to the two new additions to Westbrook High. His brown eyes sparkled in the sunrise that was blossoming from the horizon. I found myself smiling while I listened to his words.

"Okay guys. Khalil is on my schedule and Melody, you're going to be on Ema's," He started before gaining a quick reaction from Khalil, "What?"

Alex raised an eyebrow, "What?"

Khalil stroked the nape of his neck, "I thought that we would both have the same schedule. I thought we would be in all the same classes." Alex pursed his lips into what made him look like a chicken and he shook his head.