The Swap

Chapter 10 Jack

When I step on the bus I smile, because right away, straight in front of me, I can see that Owen and I are wearing the exact same shirt. Light-blue polos, except, he has his collar popped and I don't, because, well, my brothers would never let me forget it. I drop into the seat next to Owen and Sammy, like I've done every year since we met in sixth grade.

Sammy's chirpin' before I even settle into my seat. "Jack, your hair is pretty flowtastic right now, not gonna lie." He smiles big. "And the shiner? Broads love a tough guy. I can only imagine the girls you'll have after you now, stud."

Sammy's crazy.

The three of us are best friends. We hangout together, and except for hockey, we pretty much do everything together. Sammy is pretty cool, pretty laid back, wicked smart. He's the one all the girls like. Owen, he's more quiet and had huge glasses. He's a gamer. He's all about Call of Duty, Halo, and Fantasy Football (in that order). Love the kid. We hang out at Owen's a lot because he had all the cool stuff at his house-a sixty-inch flst screen, a PlayStation, and an Xbox, a Ping-Pong table, and a pool table. Plus, when his mom throws us out for playing video games too long, Owen has a huge yard with a trampoline. And if we get bored, he lives right next to the elementary school with big grassy fields and a basketball court.

The first day of school is crazy. Everyone is pumped to see all the new kids, to see who's changed. As soon as we get off the bus, Sammy starts a running commentary on girls.

"Yo, bro," he says, elbowing me in the gut. "Total smoke show to your right."

I look over at Sassy Gaines.

Most guys in eight grade think Sassy is the prettiest girl at Thatcher. (Sammy: "She's hot. She's just so hot.") I've never said a word to her in my life. I'll tell you right now, I've got no game. I'm definitely a quiet guy. I am pretty shy when it comes to girls. I guess I'm just shy, period. I have absolutely no idea what to say to them or how to act. I wish I had some sort of instruction book. I wish I could walk right up to a girl and somehow know what to say. In a perfect world? I wouldn't even have to talk.

Sammy elbows me again.

"This is going to be the best year of my life!" he says, eyes wide, staring at this new girl, Aspen Bishop.

"Whatever, Sammy," I say.

"Yo, bro, do you see her?"

"Yeah," I say with a shrug. Sammy is such a ladies' man.

"Come on, man, she's mad hot! I'd marry her on the spot!" Sammy pushes me into Owen and we all bust out laughing. Kid's crazy.

At lunch, we always sit together. Me, Owen, Sammy, Demaryius, Trey, Dominic, and Brayden. We sit at the same table we sat at last year, on the far side of the cafeteria by the guidance office.

Trey is obsessed with the Red Sox.

"Did you see the Sox blow it last night?" he asks.

Brayden laughs, "Don't even get me started, man!"

"Yeah, dude," says Dom. "That bullpen is an absolute disaster."

Sammy jumps in, "Dude, I think I could go out there and do a better job closing games for the Sox right now."

"Then we'd really be in trouble," teases Trey.

We all love to mess with Sammy. He's just an easy target.

Everyone starts talking at the same time.

"The Pats are so sick, did you see the game last night?" (Brayden)