The Country Mile

4. Gym

"That ratchet bitch," Clara pushed her empty hot cheeto bag away from herself and opened up her can of pop; eating my own packed lunch which consisted of a PB & J, I chuckled and looked towards Clara. Her brown eyes glared at the Coke can.

"Calm down, feisty." Throwing one of my baby carrots at her, she deadpanned before laughing hysterically as she threw the carrot somewhere behind her only to hear a girl gasp in surprise. Chatter of the cafeteria was loud, though quiet enough for one to have a conversation.

"I hate that stupid Grace, she has nothing going for her except one thing - stupidity."

"Isn't that a bad thing?" The day of school passed oddly quickly, so far it was great and I even made a new friend Andy, but I also longed to lay in my bed for twenty years and never return.

"People think she's innocent," Andy butted in as he sat down across from me. Andy was about 5 '11, sandy blond hair, and ocean blue eyes that popped; we met in art class and bonded over our love for painting. "Which I don't know why... She's banged everyone on both the basketball and football team,"

"Not Xavier," Clara added.

"But totally Ashton," Andy laughed as he poked at his cafeteria 'pizza' or whatever it was supposed to be. "Ew, I should pack my damn lunch."

"Who's Ashton?" Raising an eyebrow, I leaned forward.

"My ugly brother," Clara rolled her eyes and grabbed one of my baby carrots, throwing it directly at Andy's face and hitting it between his eyes.

"What the fu-" Andy started with a glare.

"Your brother dated Grace?" I asked.

"No, fucked her. Much different," Clara deadpanned before throwing another carrot at Andy. He's one of those guys? 

Nevermind, crush diminished. 

The bell suddenly rang loudly against Andy's protest of just being able to sit down, so I handed him the rest of my sandwich and carrots to take with him as my appetite gone with the thought of my next class: gym.

*

"Friday night, you busy?" Clara asked as she tugged her red shorts up to become high waisted then began to stretch her arms. I was dressed in my own black shorts and, due to us going outside for some leisurely running, my black hoodie. Tying my hair back into a ponytail and copying Clara's stretches, I thought for a moment.

"No, I don't think so. Why?"

"One word, tons of fun: Bonfire."

"Bonfire?"

"Totally. Jace Williamson is throwing a huge party to finish out spirit week. In translation, we just want an excuse to drink and have fun,"

"Isn't everyone underage?"

"My poor baby Ella," She chuckled, resting a hand on my shoulder. Her copper eyes sparkling with humor. "You need a bit of a small town to wash your big city personality away. Bonfires are-"

Her words became a mumbled jumble as the guys walked out from their locker room, chatting amongst themselves, as most were shirtless. Most had muscles upon muscles, and the ones who didn't wore hoodies or tee-shirts as they made their way out and to the football field behind the school, where the track hugged the outskirts.

One in particular caught my eye: Ashton Thorn.

Maybe my crush hasn't diminished...

*

"How was school?" My mom asked as I jumped in the passenger seat, she wasted no time in pulling out of the parking lot and back onto the road. Today's sun hidden behind grey clouds, a sudden cold breeze danced over the land as November sat in subtley.

"Fine, I already have math homework and a test next week!" Digging through my bag, I pulled out a thick stack of papers. "This is all math, can you believe it? Mr.Rob, tha-"

"Ew... I hated that teacher with all my heart, he's the apittimy of hellhole." We passed a pasture full of black cattle and a few trees.

"That's what Clara said," I snorted and put the papers away. "I also made a new friend, Andy Riker in art class,"

"Oh... A friend?" Deadpanning, I looked towards my mom.

"Not like that," She hummed in response.

"We'll see... We'll see..."

Huffing in frustration, I rolled my eyes and leaned back in my seat.