Count To 13

1: Erin's POV

1: Erin's POV

The next day at school, Drew and I were going to sit with Andy and his "gang". It was practically a usual day for all of us except the fact that today, I was wearing something to dress to impress.

Casually sitting down next to Drew, as we came out of the cafeteria to the grassy front lawn of the school where the majority of the students came to eat, I began to fork some of my pasta into my mouth.

Rio, Trent, Karlos, who were in Andy's group of friends and Andy himself gave me a quizzical look like: What the heck? I started to laugh but then remembered that there was still food being processed down my throat that I choked on it. Having a coughing fit without water really sucked. Thankfully Andy who was the only one with water at that time let me drink a waterfall out of it making me feel better.

Taking my food in slowly now, I looked at Drew who was looking specifically at this one guy.

"Did you see that?" she whispered to me as the boys were chatting among themselves.

"What?" I asked her.

"Okay," she told me instructively. "Don't look at him directly, but from the corner of your eye, do you see that kid?"

"Who?" I was confused. "Richie?"

"What?!" she exclaimed. "No, I meant Gio."

"Oh," I said. "Well, what about him?"

"He's been staring at you for the past five minutes. I can see him giving hate stares at my brother," she said smirking.

"Hate stares?" I asked her. "What do you mean?"

"He likes you," she replied putting it the simplest way possible. "As well as five other guys I've seen today including one you know pretty well."

"Who?" I asked her. "Tell me?"

"No can doooo," she sing songed winking at me.

"Wait, Andy?" I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Ew no!" she told me. "Wait do you like him?"

"Oh, no," I replied selfconsiously. I mean I used to. But not anymore. But that was for me to know.

"Uhuh...." she trailed off. "And keep guessing. You're prettyyyy close!"

"Am I?" I mused.

"Yuppers," she smiled secretly.

"Whatever," I told her. "I'm not going to guess anymore."

"What?!" she exclaimed. "Why not?"

"Because that's exactly what you want me to do and I don't want to," I stated. "Is that reverse scicology?"

"I dunno," she told me. "I thought you were the smart one."

We continued to eat, arguing about various subjects. To me, arguing made friends closer whether they were minor or major ones. One time I even slapped her. But that was in 4th grade.

By the end of lunch, I was out of my delicious pasta and went to put my tray back in the cafeteria. By the time I got back, only Andy was left.

"Where did they go?" I asked him.

"Well," he took a sip of his water. "Sis had to get her science project done, Trent and Carlos had to do some extra credit to raise their Math grades, and Rio went to the bathroom. Why?"

"Oh just wondering," I said nonchalantly. "So how's 8th grade?"

"It's cool. Our teachers are lenient and stuff."

"Lucky, all our teachers hate our class."

Andy laughed.

"I wasn't trying to be funny."

"No just the irony of it," he replied chuckling.

"What do you mean?" I questioned.

"You ask way too many questions Erin you know? So-"

But at that moment Jared from the hockey team came amd butt in.

"Uh," he began. "Can I talk to you for a minute Erin?"

"Sure," I trailed off wondering what he wanted.

After walking with him under a tree whih was pretty far from hearing range I looked at him.

"So what's up?"

From under the tree, I could see Andy texting on his phone and Jared's group of friends hollering at him. What weirdness. Anyways back to Jared. Jared is goalie of the hockey team called the Icicles and he's extremely cute. As an eighth grader, everyone knew him and a lot of girls liked him, one including me.

"So um, the Icicles are having a game tomorrow and I was wondering if you wanted to come? After that, we're going to Marvin's Ice Cream shop. You in?"

I was shocked. Was Jared Cooper asking ME out? Why ME? I wasn't even allowed to date until 13. Another rule made by my parents. But I decided to say yes. I mean who wouldn't? It's Jared Cooper. The hottest guy at school.

"Um," I bit my lip. "I'll have to check but I'm pretty sure I can make it. Why though?"

"Just wondering," he smiled. "I just really seem to like you." He winked at me.

"Hahaha, okay," I told him. "I have to get to class now."

"Okay," he smiled. "So see you tomorrow?"

"I guess," I smiled back. That is, if I trick my parents, I thought.

As I was walking back to Andy, I turned around to give him one last look and saw him give a thumbs up to his friends. They started to holler and I laughed. He gave me one last wave before leaving.

I got to Andy who was just getting up.

"Oh. Hey," he said. "So what did he want?"

"Oh nothing much," I replied with a secret smile. "I'll tell you later 'kay?"

"Yeah," he replied. "Walk you to class?"

"Sure!"

Along the way, I remembered about Rio.

"Hey where's Rio?"

"He ditched me and went with Trent and Carlos to that extra credit session," said Andy glumly.

"Oh," was my only response.

We walked in silence the rest of the way as he walked me to my French class and his science class.

"Thanks so much Andy!" I said as I neared my classroom of course after stopping by both our lockers for the books.

"Anytime Erin," he smiled. "See you!"

Class went by pretty fast and soon it was the end of the day and I was going home with Drew.

"You'll never believe what I found out today!" exclaimed Drew as we entered her dad's car.

"Hey Mr. Caleb!" I said. "What Drew?"

"Hey Dad!" said Andy and Drew. Trent was coming home with the Calebs today too so he as well said hello. The boys immediately started to talk as so did we.

"Sooo," said Drew. "You didn't hear?"

"No!" I told her. "So tell me already!"

"The guys are all racing to ask you out."

"Wait, what do you mean?" I furrowed my eyebrows.

"I mean you're like a game for them."