TEENAGE FEVER

08

"Too much time has passed," I sighed, "What is he planning? The date is tomorrow and I still don't know what we're doing."

Uriah chuckled as I stood next to him in the hallway while we waited for Jenny to get her books. "What makes you think I know?" He asked. I rolled my eyes and nudged his shoulder. It was so funny how easy it was to talk to Uriah, despite the fact that he was a senior.

"You're his best friend," I told him, "Why wouldn't you know?"

"Fair point," he mumbled, giving Jenny a small wink. "I have been sworn into secrecy. It's the literal bro code."

"Come on babe," Jenny tugged at his arm, "You're not gonna tell me?"

"Nope," he said, kissing her nose. I smiled at the two of them. It was funny how it didn't feel awkward being around them. They were together and that was beautiful and  easy to accept.

"Eh Uriah!" A red haired boy stopped in front of us, a big smile on his face as he clapped Uriah on the back. He was quite huge but in more of a football player  kind of way. He grinned at the couple before his eyes fell on me and his smile faded slightly. I shifted on my feet. He held out his hand towards me. He cleared his throat, "I don't think we've had the pleasure of meeting. I'm Hector."

I shook his hand. He squeezed mine gently for a moment longer before he slowly let go. "Nice to meet you. I'm Maddie," I told him. He nodded slowly, seemingly dazed. Uriah seemed to notice the awkwardness because he intervened.

"What can we do for you Hector?" He asked. Reluctantly looking away from me, he turned to Uriah and seemed to remember then why he had approached us.

"I just wanted to see if you were still coming to my party tonight?" He said, "Of course the ladies are welcome."

"Of course we are," Jenny chuckled, her hand on her locker door. "We'll be there."

I inwardly groaned. I did not feel like going to this guy's party. He gave me an off vibe I couldn't put my finger on just yet. He turned to me, "You'll be there too?"

I knew I would. Jenny had already agreed for the both of us. I nodded and he gave me a small smile that was actually....kind of cute? Was I being too harsh on him?

"Great. Great," he bobbed his head at me. "I'll see you there."

I watched him walk away before I turned my gaze back to Uriah and Jenny, who also watched him suspiciously. "What was that?" I asked.

"He likes you," Jenny said.

"Shit," Uriah said. "This isn't going to end well."

I raised an eyebrow. Yeah, it was unsettling but I didn't know why he saw it as so bad. "What's wrong?" I asked. Jenny and him shared a look before she finally slammed her locker door shut.

"Hector is Christina's brother," she explained, "as well as Jaden's sworn enemy. Those two hate each other."

"And if Jaden finds out that Hector's into you?" Uriah scoffed bitterly, "If Hector finds out that Jaden is into you? This is not going to end well."

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"You know, I hate this guy so much," Jaden said, leaning back in the seat of Uriah's car, "but he sure does know how to throw a party."

"Jaden, you hate parties," Jenny said from the passenger seat. She was checking her make up in her pocket mirror, pouting her lips as she tilted her head to see clearly.

"I think parties are the lowest on the list of ways to entertain people," he replied, "I don't hate them."

Uriah scoffed. He had been silent the entire car ride and I knew what he was thinking. I had been thinking about it too. It was nice to know that Jaden kind of did feel the same way about me but I was worried about what would change when he realised Hector had a thing for me. Uriah had explained that Jaden didn't like being hurt, so he often gave things up to avoid that.