3 strikes you're out (DISCONTINUED REWRITE)

Ch. 1

Alex

    I was hoping this school year would pass by fast like last year had. However, the universe seems to like playing tricks with me. I feel like I've been struggling with school work, practicing and conditioning for the upcoming softball season, and free time with friends. It's a hard balance to find, especially after spending a whole summer back home. I tap the pencil against my notebook, hoping that the motivation to finish this assignment magically hits me. Jamie, my roommate and best friend, already finished all her homework and now sits on her bed with her laptop open, probably watching some asmr.

    I drop the pencil and groan. I move to stand up, but Jamie snaps and points back to the desk.

    "Finish your homework, then we go eat," she demands. I flop back in my seat and my body deflates. How can she be so cruel? I pick up my pencil again and try to power through the last of the precalculus assignment. I quickly finish the assignment and throw my pencil down. I shove my assignment in Jamie's face and wait for her to check it over. She glances around the homework to make sure everything is answered and nods her head.

"Yup, all done," Jamie concludes. She closes her  laptop and hops down from her bed. I clap and throw my hands up in glee.

"Sweet! I really hope they didn't run out of those fish taco bowls. I've been craving those for the past week," I sigh. I grab my lanyard off our key rack and stuff it in my pocket. Jamie nods her head and opens the door.

"I think I want the soup tonight," Jamie contemplates. We step out into the hallway and I stretch. The dormitory is quiet this time of night with everyone eating or just enjoying the night before fall and winter swoop in and take over the warmth with their icy winds. We go down the stairs and to the ground floor where some students are hanging out with the doors open. We wave to the ones we know and talk to, and just offer smiles for the others. A soft breeze brushes against us, inviting us into the lingering summer nights. I take in a deep breath and relax my body as I exhale. Despite Abbey Cartwright School being close to town, it's like our campus is in a bubble. It's quiet outside with the sounds of girls laughing and talking echoing in the night and the soft rustles of nature. Even the moon and stars seem to come out for  us when in town, you can only see the sun peeking behind buildings and Christmas lights strung up.

"Did you hear the rumors?" Jamie asks. I raise an eyebrow and try to think. We usually don't talk about rumors because despite popular belief that girls like nothing more than to gossip, Jamie and I usually try to steer clear of it. It just brings about negative energy and everyone starts going at each other's throat. If that person doesn't tell me directly what's happening in their life, then why would I want to hear about it from someone else?

"Hm, the only rumors I care to know about is who is most likely to win the elections, when our Bucket List Roulette is, and the Woods fire," I answer. Jamie waves to a few more girls, waiting for them to pass by before speaking.

"I heard Courtney is a shoe in for winning class president," Jamie starts and I already roll my eyes at it.

"Why would anyone vote for Courtney?"

"Because she's one of the sweetest, smartest, and most popular girls at our school," Jamie shrugs.

"She initiates psychological warfare behind those smiles and compliments. She always has a hidden agenda and I don't like not knowing about it," I admit. Courtney is a hard girl to read. I was always able to see behind her sugary words so we never put up a front to each other, but recently, she's been unusually nice to me. However, no matter how much I think about it, I can't think of what her play is. She knows I won't vote for her as president, not because I don't like her, I don't trust her. I'd rather vote for Leslie: sweet, brave, and sometimes gullible Leslie.