Love Him

Part 4

The next week was our last official week of classes. Though it was technically more of a "Review Week" since we weren't actually learning any new material in our classes. A lot of students knew what that meant: not showing up to most classes. Josh and his perfect ass made a point of going to each and every one. So did Mariah. I mostly went for my sake, which had to do with the fact that I really did need a review in certain classes. By Thursday, I felt like I was good to be home and study on my own. But, I still went to school that day. And I regretted my decision. So, at lunch, I had a plan made up in my mind. I shared it at my full lunch table. "I don't think I'm gonna stay for the next classes. Well, 'reviews,'" I corrected, using my fingers as air quotation marks.

Mariah's head snapped up and she looked at me. "Why not?" she demanded.

I had to hide my smile. She was such a mom! "Well, I mean, all we're doing is reviewing the same stuff and, I guarantee barely anyone's gonna show up," I explained.

Ned - Mariah's ex-crush - who was sitting across from me, said, "I definitely have to go with Carmen on this. She said exactly what I was thinking."

Next to him, my girl Crystal, said, "I second that vote." She said it quickly and with her mouth full. Me and Ned laughed. She was so cute.

"So y'all are dippin'?" Nick asked.

Ned. "I will if Carm does."

I was surprised. Ned and I were cool but never that close. Although hanging out with him definitely didn't seem like a bad idea. He was fun. Once you got used to his attitude. All eyes were on me. I shrugged and took a bite of my food. "Yeah. I guess I am."

Crystal dramatically raised her hand to the ceiling. "I guess my decision's made."

Before I could laugh or smile, I was being scolded by Meena, Abby and Preena. Meena said, "Carm, don't you think going to these reviews is important? It helps a lot in the long run."

"Yeah," Abby pipped up. "Blowing off your studies isn't what you wanna do right now."

Preena. "Exactly. They could be very beneficial."

Wow. With friends like those, who needed a grandmother? This was probably why they were only my school friends. Our mindsets and views on almost everything were so different. I defended myself. "No one's talking about 'blowing off' my studies," I argued. "I went to reviews the past few days and this morning to gather all the information I needed. Now that I'm all set, I think I deserve to take my own time and study at home."

"Hm." Meena shrugged.

Abby took a bite of her food from the caf. "Suit yourself." From that tone, I knew that the discussion was over. I had made my point, whether they understood it or not.

Mariah was surprisingly really quiet. Preena looked at her. "You're going to the reviews of course, aren't you Mariah?" She barely asked it like a question.

Mariah hesitated. "Um... I think..." She was horrible under pressure.

Preena. "Don't let Carm's choice influence you."

I rolled my eyes. Mariah shook her head. It wasn't very convincing. "No, I-" She fidgeted with her hands. "Well, I already know all of the material..." Gosh, she was so bad at making a decision!

"So you're comin' with us?" Crystal asked.

Mariah looked guilty. "I guess..."

Ned looked surprised. "Oh wow. Miss Goody Two-Shoes is going?" Mariah glared at him. He was right to be surprised though. Mariah never did anything like this. Abby, Preena and Meena shook their heads disapprovingly. I realized that Josh was being awfully quiet.