THEM

Chapter 4: Everett

Hours later I'm finally done helping my mom. I plop down onto my bed and check my phone. I got a few texts from Kyle being nervous to ask Kate out, and one notification from Instagram.

I click onto the notification and see that some girl liked my photo from a few years ago. Weird. I opened her profile and she's pretty cute, wait it's the chick that was called out by my Gov. teacher today.

Why was she stalking my page and why didn't she just follow me? It would've made it less weird. Closing out of the app, I decided to take a shower and get ready for bed.

~~

I see Kyle waiting for me as I walk to his locker.

"Man I'm freaking out," Kyle tells me. Panic was written all over his face.

"Don't you know she likes you and you like her, so there shouldn't be a problem," I try to reassure him.

"Hey Kyle!" I see the fiery redhead walk up to us with a friend, "What did you need to ask me?"

"Uh yeah, I was hoping that you would be my girlfriend," He pulls out the flowers and chocolate. Kate's face lit up with the brightest smile.

"Of course, oh my gosh!" She squeals before pulling him in for a hug.

"Also here, " He pulls out the teddy bear and she squeals.

"No one has ever done this for me before!" She says with the widest smile on her face. She was smiling so much it looked like it hurt (or whatever description you want to put lol).

"Hey man I gotta run, but congrats you two," I say checking the time with Gov. starting soon.

"Okay. Thanks man," Kyle responds. I noticed the girl that was with Kate is the chick that liked my picture last night.

"Are you coming to Gov. today?" I ask her.

"Who me?" She asks with a hint of surprise in her voice. Why would she be surprised? We're in the same class.

"Yeah, who else?" I ask.

"Oh, well yeah I always do," she shrugs.

"Wanna walk together? I think he's gonna be a while," I nod over to the new couple giggling at each other.

"Um sure, but I need to grab my book from my locker," She puts her phone into the back pocket of her khakis.

"We can swing by on the way. Come on," I invited her.

"Okay," She follows my lead, "Mine is down Hall 8."

"Alright," I answered her. Should I bring up the picture? Before I add to any other topic, she speaks.

"So Kate and I are throwing a little kick back tonight, would you want to come?" Her voice is shakey--she's nervous. Why is she nervous?

"Yeah, is Kyle going?" I stupidly ask. Come on guys you wouldn't be able to think straight if you had an adorable girl right next to you.

"I mean they're kind of dating now aren't they?" She giggles at me.

"True, dumb question," I laugh a bit myself, "So, question." We now stop at her locker and she opens it.

"What is it?" she asks, grabbing her books out of her locker before closing and locking it back up.

"Why did you like my picture last night?" I laugh trying to make it into a joke instead of a serious question.

"I- you saw it?" she asks, clearly embarrassed. I nod softly. "Ugh I knew I should have just unliked it, I look like a stalker, I'm sorry I was just peaking on your profile and I accidently like-" I cut her off because she started to ramble.

"You're good dude. I was just confused. You should have just followed me after, it isn't a big deal," I laugh waving her off, "Come on, class is about to start."

She followed after me, after the little question she stayed quiet. I really hope I didn't embarrass her too badly. I'm really not the type of guy to be an asshole like that. We walk into class and head to our seats. She sat behind me. How did I never notice her before?

Mr. Rowland starts class off by saying we have a project to do. The project requires students to demonstrate how they would organize a government based on a made up country. Our teacher added that we could work in partners of two. Kyle had decided to skip out on class today so my thoughts went straight to- well- to the girl that sits behind me.

Mr. Rowland tells us to partner up so I turn in my chair, "Partners?" Is the first thing that comes out of my mouth.

"Don't you want to partner with Kyle?" She asks.

"He isn't here so he has to partner with someone else," I explain.

"Are you sure? I can have my usual partner Zach," She shakes her head.

"I'm sure," All she had for a response was a smile. Shortly after I said that, a boy walked over to us. I'm guessing this guy is Zach.

"Hey Carson, partners?"

"Took her from you pal. You can take Kyle. He's not here today but he's a great partner," I let out before she could talk. So her name is Carson, good to know, thanks Zach.

"Okay?" He pretty much asks.

She went onto her phone and that gave me a great idea, "Hey you should give me your number so we can talk about the project after school."

"Uh yeah sure, it's (555)-555-9822" she looks at her phone, "And I'm taking your advice and following you on Instagram so I don't embarrass myself anymore," she shakes her head.

I follow her back.

We end up talking about how we are going to do our project until the period ends. I have to say, she's an amazing person to talk to. She makes school jokes which I never thought I'd laugh at jokes like that, but I did. Wow, this project is going to be great.