Once Upon A Runner

Chapter One: The Logic Of High School

There's many different clicks of the dreaded thing we teenagers like to call high school. Let's see, you have the jocks, the nerds, the pretty people, the emos, and the loners. If you're lucky you'll find at least one down to earth person in each group. And if you don't you're not looking hard enough.

"Emerald Gold are you daydreaming in my class again," Mrs. Green said. She's my U.S. History teacher. And a pretty boring one at that.

"No ma'am. Just if you wouldn't mind repeating what you said it'd be appreciated," I said nervously. The whole class erupted in laughter. Even though I wasn't meaning to be funny.

"Emerald I'm not just up here twirling my thumbs you know," she said. That was her way of telling me to get my head out of my ass and join the real world.

Mrs. Green turned towards the board and continued teaching where she had left off. Fifteen more minutes of history. Fifteen more minutes of pure torture.

"This class will be the death of me. Of course maybe it wouldn't be if I just paid attention once and a while," I sighed to myself.

"Just remember they're all dead anyway," said a voice from behind me. I turned around to see Colin Edwards, our schools cross country legend in the making. Colin Edwards is one of the good ones. You know he's one of the down to earth people I was talking about.

"That's a very unique and depressing way to look at it," I whispered back.

"Sorry I have a very dark sense of humor. But just let that sink in for a moment. Absolutely everyone we're reading about is in the ground somewhere," he said with a smile forming on his face.

"Well, you're not wrong there," I admitted trying to hide a smile of my own.

"I'm never wrong," Colin said confidently.

"Okay class, we'll finish this lesson tomorrow," Mrs. Green informed the class before the bell rang.

"Uh by chance did you listen to the last fifteen minutes of that lecture," Colin asked. I smiled and stood up from my seat.

"No. Someone was distracting me Colin," I pointed out.

"Touché," he shot back. He smiled and it was amazing. You know like one of those smiles that can make just about any girl's heart melt?

"Hey they're all dead anyway right," I said giggling. I GIGGLED. I GIGGLED. Not just any giggle, a girly giggle.

"Exactly! Why do they even teach us this stuff?"

"You never know you might need to know exactly how Hitler committed suicide in your daily life," I said sarcastically.

"Oh didn't you know they're asking if you know how Hitler died on every job application now days," Colin said. He has something about him. Something I've never seen before.

"Okay smart ass," I said walking out of the classroom.

"Rather be a smart ass then a dumb ass," he said smirking down at me. I think this guys trying to make me feel all warm inside. There's no doubt he has that boy next door act down. And damn does it suite him. Almost as well as his undeniable good looks. The way you could just loose yourself in those eyes of his.

"Well off to Mr. Samuel's biology class," I said blandly.

"Sounds like a party," Colin said smiling. Damn that smile.

"Oh yeah! It's pop quiz day. Wanna join me,"I offered jokingly.

"Sorry can't shawty. Emergency track meeting with the team. Rain check,"

"Just because you've broken more records than I can count. Doesn't mean they own you,"I smiled.

"I'm afraid it does," he said smiling back at me. Is that butterflies I feel?

"Damn. Tomorrow then," I said.

"Tomorrow Emerald," he said. And with that we headed in opposite directions.

Yes, I walking around the school like I owned the place. And would you like to know why? Because I, Emerald Gold just had an actual conversation with one of the hottest athletes in Princeton High. The fact that I had a conversation with Collin at all surprised me. Let alone the fact that I did it without fainting. I haven't done that since fourth grade, and even then I threw up down Mikey Nichols back. He wasn't a happy camper.

"Hello earth to Emerald Land! Who do you have to talk to get some attention around here," my best friend Kylie said. She's a bit over dramatic. But I gotta love her.

"Sorry Ky. I'm a little lost in my thoughts today," I said once I returned from Emerald Land.

"Lost? Well, get un-lost," she commanded and then she stopped in her tracks. "Wait a minute," she paused. "Rosie cheeks, huge stunning smile. How did I not see this coming? All the signs are there. You're in love."

"Maybe not in love. But I did just have a very interesting conversation with a very hot runner," I said no longer being able to hide my "inner girl."

"OMG!! What?! Who," my very eager best friend squealed.

"Colin Edwards," I told her. And cue the smug smile.

"The eighteen year old senior Colin Edwards?! Details," she demanded sternly.

"Sorry boothang. But I'm going to be late for biology. And Mr. Samuel will jump my ass if I'm late three times in one week. Just tell Damien I'll drive you home," I said to her calmly. Meanwhile inside I was dying to tell her what happened.

"Okay. And hey at least Mr. Samuel isn't jumping your bones," Kylie winked.

"Ew! He's like forty and lives with his mother," I said in disgust.

"You always say age is but a number. So is it the fact that he lives with his mother," she asked sarcasm filled her voice.

"You are a weird one Kylie Adams."

"Hey you girls get to class," said our principal Mrs. Mathews. And we listened. Scattering faster than mice in a room full of cats. Hey, don't judge you would too, if you saw how scary she was.

Hey lovely readers I'm Abby. Tell me if you like the story. Feedback is always appreciated. So why not leave me a comment? Or two. Maybe three. Hell go comment crazy! I'd love to hear from you.
~Love always Abby~