Once Bitten

Chapter 8

I thought having to be in a class with Kyle for the whole day would be bad, but having to be alone with him for a whole day is like global nuclear war.

" MEEEGGAANNN! I need your help I can't reach the back of cabinet without getting my jeans dirty," Kyle says to me from his perch on the desk. Getting up from cleaning the floor, I shoot him a dirty look. You'd expect a football player to be less worried about his clothes.

When we first walked into the classroom, I just about died. Dried paint was all over the floor, dried clay was stuck to the walls, and bits of wood and wood shavings dusted every visible surface in the room. Mrs. Hart expected this gigantic room to be clean by the end of the day. I didn't think it was possible, but I didn't mind the hard work because I'm used to it. Kyle on the other hand hadn't stopped complaining from the moment we got in here. The only work he's done in the past hour is polishing the teacher's desk and proceeding to sit on his behind. He's completely and utterly useless. Everytime he gets up to start on something he finds something wrong with it, and asks me to do it instead.  USELESS.

Sighing, I put the scrubbing brush I'd been using, back in the bucket I'd filled with paint remover. Then, I walked over to where Kyle was pointing. The cabinet where we stored the paper and brushes did look awfully grimy. It was one of those wooden cabinets attached to the walls that only comes to right below your waist. Meaning I'll have to crawl under there. Marvelous.

After grabbing a trashcan, I start to work. I can't help thanking God for remembering the gym clothes I kept in my locker. Before we got here, I ran in the girl's bathroom and changed into my shorts and t-shirt. Kyle did have a point about keeping clothes clean. Unfortunately, he wasn't smart enough to leave extra clothes at school.

So preoccupied with this train of thought, I didn't hear Kyle's whistle until he was right in my ear. Just about shocked me to death. I actually ended up hitting my head on the shelf above me. Crawling out I turn to Kyle with an "explain" look on my face.

" I was just admiring your ass," he says, never one for tact.

His life is completely unnecessary, I think to myself while rubbing my head.

" Actually I just wanted to get your attention to let you know it's lunchtime. And everyone is going out to eat."

I'm shocked to hear this and it's probably written all oer my face. Kyle was actually considerate enough to tell me it was lunch time. Knowing me, I would have worked right through it. While I was sitting on the floor pondering this, Kyle had already walked to the door. " Are you coming or not?"

Kyle and I make small talk ( an amazing feat for us) as we walked to the student parking lot together. Everyone was already there and waiting on us. Kaycee runs up to me and informs me of the riding arrangements.

" Okay so, me, Shaia, Brandon, and Colt are riding together. Ryan is taking Reese becuase they want some alone time for some reason ( Kaycee is really clueless). That leaves you, Kyle, Mary and Maurice. Maurice is driving hisself. Who do you want to ride with?"

Before I even have the chance to answer, Kyle decides to answer for me. " Me, of course. She can ride with me."

Then, Maurice comes up and just insists I ride with him. " Hey, I don't mind," he says wrapping an arm around my shoulder. " Besides, Ryan and Charice are getting some alone time. You should take some alone time with Mary."

Mary slides up looking excited suddenly. " Yeah babe, just let Maurice take her. I haven't seen you since school started and I miss you." While she says this, she stands really close to Kyle and rubs his shoulder for emphasis.

Kyle not missing a beat, looks at me for a second and shrugs. Then wrapping, his arm around her ( in my face I might add), they walk to his 3 year old escalade.

Pinching my cheek softly, Maurice says," Turn that frown, upside down sweetie pie. You're too cute to wear such an ugly thing." I just laugh and push him off me.