Waiting For Summers

CHAPTER 11

I swear I fell asleep more than my fingers can count.

The first half of the day slowly passed by. I go to the cafeteria to meet with my friends after a long and boring class of History. The cafeteria is bustling as ever. It has a 'Welcome Back' banner hanging on its entrance just above the front doors. Some of the boys from the higher years try to jump and reach it like they are playing basketball or jumping monkeys in a bed — it doesn't bother me. I let them go first to avoid unnecessary bumping and bruises.

As soon as I get into the cafeteria, I look for my friends. This is really high school. The cafeteria is like the animal kingdom and the kingdoms are divided into separate areas of the room. We have the jocks, howling like gorillas and thumping their chests proving they are the alpha males. I see Nixon, kiss-and-telling what happened to him with some random girl during the summer.

Next, we have the cheerleaders, led by the queen bee, Allison. They occupy the side with all the sunshine, probably so that everyone can adore their beauty. They are all into makeups and boys and shrieks every minute when a gossip erupts. Except Allison, she laughs and tells about her volunteering. The girls roll their eyes thinking it is boring. We have the punks and goths carrying their guitars and black accessories with misery all over the face in the corner of the cafeteria. The rest are just happy they are back to school.

I go straight to the table where my friends are, kinda close to the nerds who are talking about another conspiracy theory or quantum physics.
"Didn't see the Literature Club today," Paco remarks.
"They don't usually stay here. They stay on the school field," I answer, "they have picnics and talk about authors and new book releases."
"Cool stuff...," Laura trails, "but you have not answered my question yet earlier, huh?"
DAMN. She remembers. Nothing goes past Laura Summers. "I.. uh.," I stammer.
"She hooked up with Allison!" Monica drops as she shrugs her shoulders, "that's it. Your kid is a grown-up already."
"Allison!" Laura shouts so loud I swear the cheerleader squad stopped gossiping and slowly turned their heads to us like we're their next prey.
"HEYYYYY!" I object, "first of all we did not hook up. Next, we just hung out. Went to coffee shops and had coffee and muffins. That's all." I look at Laura.
"Yep, I believe him," Laura agrees, "he's still a virgin."
I blush and groan. Monica and Paco laughs. "You know what, I brought brownies for everyone but I think I changed my mind," I divert the topic as I get the brownies from my bag.
"Hey, that's unfair. You still owe me a story! So you owe me those brownies!" Laura pinches my face.
"Ow, ow! Fine!" I finally pass the brownies as we eat our lunch meals together.

After school, Laura and I decide to walk home. We are supposed to carpool with Paco and Monica but we realize it is healthier and more fun. We are not finish listening to each other's stories anyway.
"Hey, do not forget to tell me your details, boy," Paco teases.
"Hey! Why?! You hitting on Allison too?" Monica jealously asks.
"Of course not, I just want to know the adventures of our big boy already," Paco defends.
"You better be sure of that,"
"And do not forget, we are going to newly opened ice cream store tomorrow after school," Monica reminds. Laura and I nod our heads. Damn, this boy is rich. We can see them kissing as their ride go small in the distance.
"I just hope nothing bad happens to them. They need to keep it on their pants while driving," Laura says annoyed.
"Yeah sure," I just agree. I do not know what else to add.
We start walking our way home.

"Chemistry is killing me, Red. Ugh!" Laura starts the conversation, "I can't believe we have to memorize the Periodic Table of Elements!"
"It's easy. Hydrogen. Helium. Boron. Carbon," I start enumerating the elements to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.
"Stop being a show off!"
"He-he. You just gotta find the right techniques to memorize, y'know?"
Laura makes a face. "So, your summer?" she straightforwardly says next.
"I thought we are past that," I complain.
"Without the details?! Heck no!"
"I told you already! There are no details! That's it!"
"Stop blushing!"
I raise an eyebrow, "I am so not! I'll just tell you about my summer, is that okay?"
Laura rolls her eyes, "Meh. Fine."

I first tell her that my family spent the last weeks of summer in Arizona. She looks bored and tells me to move on to the best part. I tell her about how I decided to be adventurous because of her advice and that was why I volunteered. Memories of that night keep flashing in my mind but I give my best to brush them off. I cannot be distracted. She cannot know how I am feeling towards her.
"Volunteering is not an adventure," Laura says.
"It is for me. I do not want to be surrounded by a lot of people and there I was, narrating a story in front of a parents and kids."
"Fair point," she affirms.

I told her that after the volunteer hours the staff would prepare snacks and that's how Allison and I first bonded. I tell her that we were also put in-charge of new activities so we decided to meet in coffee shops in some days. Laura looks at me keenly.
"So are you falling in love with her? Are you dating? Did you already kiss?" she asks like a kid eager to know the next part of the story.
"WHOA! WHOA! Slow down! I told you and I am telling you again—" I start to defend myself and decide to tease her, "Why? Are you jealous?!" Probably a part of me is trying and wishing she that she is.

"Uhhh, you wish," she bumps her shoulder against my side of the body, "'Cause if you do, I will be proud of you. Finally, my best friend, telling me he likes someone."
I pause. She's right. Probably this way, she will not notice how I look into her eyes or get mesmerized by her smile. She will not suspect a thing.
"Maybe I do," I settle.
She tackles me shouting, "YIHEEE! My best friend is already in love! Finally, he's a normal teenager!" She wrestles me by putting my head in between her armpits.
"And you are jealous 'cause I might have a new best friend!" I rub my palm on the top of her head like a she is a kid. She puffs her faces. I laugh and run.

We are happy at the moment and I know for sure, as long as she is with me, this is going to be a good year.