Just a Kiss

Chapter Two

Carter's POV

His name was Andrew Mills. He was from Florida. He was 6'1, tan as a bitch, and had a voice like warm butter.

"Now I don't know about you, baby cakes, but I distinctly remember you saying you weren't ready to come out just yet. so this," Madison taps furiously at her phone, "is a deadly weapon of blackmail. you need to find out who has this picture and find out what they want from you. ASAP!"

my heart beats uncontrollably. "Madison, delete that picture right now. say nothing of it. who knows maybe it just all blows over!"

She pays my shoulder gently. "Honey bunny, it's not blowing over. People who take these photos always want something in return for their silence. Find out what someone might have a reason to blackmail you for." I begin panicking and she kisses my cheek. "Don't worry yourself sick darling. Now get to class and try not to have a heart attack."

I head to my first class. Catching every eye that meets me wondering if they're the tortured soul who wants to out me. First period is government. How fun I think. I take my typical seat in every class other than English; in the middle. I don't sit up front because I'm not trying to be a teachers pet.

The teacher walks in and I shudder. Alan Gormik. I had him freshman year for world history. The foul stench of black coffee and desperation follows him everywhere.

The girl who sat next to me leaned over and whispered to me "you smell it too right?" I smirked and held back a chuckle giving a nod.

"Some say he uses the grinds as an exfoliant". I reply. She smiles and says he must. "I'm Carter".

"Layla". She extends her hand and I shake it. "At least there's someone I'll be able to cary a conversation with in here."

Mr Gormik begins introductions and goes over the syllabus for the year. Typical first day stuff. Throughout the class I keep cracking jokes to Layla. After an hour and a half the bell rings signaling we have five minutes to scramble to the next class. I say bye to Layla and she stops me.

"What's your snap Carter?" She giggles. "Someone as funny as you I have to stay updated on."

Does she think I'm flirting? I guess it's the natural assumption.

"Oh. Uh haha. Here". I pull up the QR code. "Don't mind the name it's uh, old". She scans the code and adds me giggling.

"JaysMommy22? There's gotta be a story behind that one. You'll have to tell me sometime" she says before turning and going the opposite direction of me.

Second and third period are really boring. Physics and statistics. Not exactly the most STEM forward kind of guy. But forth period is a blessing. I have Culinary arts finally. I walk into the room and find Jason already sitting on the counter of one of the small kitchens talking to Nate; his other "bro". I walk over and say hey to both of them. Nate was a rather attractive kind of guy but overall average. He played lacrosse which is how he met Jason. The bell rings for class and Mrs. Ballinger clears her throat.

"Good afternoon everyone. I'm Mrs Ballinger and this is culinary arts 101. This is a dual enrollment class with our local vocational school so at the end of the year you will receive a certificate of completion certifying you to work as a culinary novice. Now-" the door rattled and swung open. The distinct sound of heels clicking was all too familiar to me.

Madison walks in ever so slowly like a deer in headlights. "Soooo sorry Mrs B. They messed up my schedule for the year and this was the only elective that I found worth taking for the time slot."

Mrs B looks dumbfounded. "Madison you already took this class. Twice. Are you really taking it again?"

Madison giggles and looks her in the eye walking over to my kitchen. "Absolutely. I know I've never been really good at culinary but you know," she sighed putting all her stuff on the floor next to me and leaning on the counter picking up the chefs knife. She pointed it at mrs B in the way a movie star would trying to be cute "I think this is the year I finally grasp it." She looks at me and winks.