Just Friends (*I gave up on this years ago*)

Chapter 3: Swirls and Stars

"Fear doesn't shut you down; it wakes you up"
       ― Tobias Eaton, Divergent

I've been reading some books on how to make your story more interesting and what not. I feel satisfied when I finish a chapter, but then later want to start all over. I guess that just how a beginner starts off. Thank you to those who keep reading even if this isn't a masterpiece in the making xD It means the world to me. <3  ~ Ali

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I thought about what he said, as we walked. Noah oddly stayed quiet the whole way. He didn't crack when we passed by Mrs. Simion's house or make a move to start a conversation. We arrived at his house in record time. When he opened the door, I followed him to the kitchen and sat on a stool. Noah leaned against a wall and stared at his feet. I awkwardly played with my hands. What is going on?

He sighed after what seemed like an eternity and slightly smiled. "How's the fam?"

I gave him the 'Really?' look and shrugged. "Good, I guess."

"Still putting preasure on you?" he asked.

"Noah, what's going on? You never ask about my family or walk home quietly," I demanded.

He closed his eyes for a moment and sighed. "Nothing. I just wanted to see if they were doing all right,"

I nodded even though I wasn't buying it. A car honked outside signaling my ride home.

"I gotta go," I said while getting of his stool," See you tomorrow."

"See ya," he replied.

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I walked down the driveway and got into the black Honda Civic. When I put my seatbelt on, my mom began to ask me questions.

"How was school honey?" she began," DId you have fun? What were your classes like? Did you make any friends?"

I internally groaned. "Mom, it was fine. I guess. Good. And no."

She pouted and looked at the road. "Senior year. Big year dear. College and all," she smiled. I nodded and looked out the window. Of coarse I knew what this year meant.

Ever since I was small, my family pep talked me about college. Any chance they had, I would be given advice on High School plans and good college's. Of coarse I didn't have a choice. I was to go to the family college, end of discussion. Stanford was a good school, no doubt. It would take a whole lot of dedication and AP classes. Good thing my family had my back. Don't get me wrong, I was a very lucky child ,and I still am. But once in a while a girl would like to talk about last nights football game or go out for some ice-cream.

My mom parked the car in the garage, when we arrived. I grabbed my bag and made my way inside, but before I could make it to the safety of the stairs, someone called me.

"Cameron, how was school," my dad called from the living room. Here we go.

Hours later, after the usual talk, I went upstairs and checked my phone. A little icon on the messages caught my attention ,and I opened th app. Noah's name had a red dot next to it showing he had messaged me, so I cliked on it. When it opened, it read:

"Sorry about the akwardness, when we walked home. I wasn't feeling right. Maybe I'm coming down with something. Sleep tight."

I replied: "No prob ,and I hope you feel better. Goodnight <3

I went to bed with a bad feeling about the next day.

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I arrived at school earlier than the previous day. My mom had offered to take me to school ,and I happily accepted. Not a lot of students roamed the hallways, and classrooms were still locked. I went to my locker and took out what I needed.

"Hey," someone said from behind me.

I turned around and almost yelped in surprise. Logan grinned and casually talked to me like we had been friends since elementary.

"You're Cameron right. From Homeroom," he asked.

I nodded and held still, so he wouldn't see I was shaking.

"I couldn't help but come over and talk to you. You seem like a really nice person. It's weird I never noticed you before," he laughed.

I awkwardly smiled. What do you do when the popular boy approaches you and starts a conversation??Run maybe? I avoided his godly smile and caramel eyes. They were like a death trap. Looking over his shoulder, I noticed that Mackenzie and her friends were eyeing me. Oh great. Jessica and Robin whispered into her ear causing her to get redder by the second.

"Well, it was good talking to you Logan, but I uh- uh got to go find Noah," I said.

He seemed amused at my stuttering and nodded," I'll see you around."

I quickly closed my locker and walked away, well more like fast walked away.

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Homeroom went by faster and so did my AP classes. Before I knew it, it was time for lunch. Noah and I met up at the table and ate our lunch. He was more alive today ,and we laughed and joked around. The bell soon rang and it was time for P.E.

Noah argued that Teen Wolf was way better than Doctor Who on our way to the gym. We parted ways when we arrived. Girls on one side, boys on the other. I don't know what's worse changing in front of total strngers in a locker room or changing in front of your mom.

I avoided looking up while all the girls changed ,and did the best to cover myself with my clothes as I changed into my P.E uniform. We were then escorted to the West Gym by Coach Gamez's TA and put into alphabetical order by last name.

The boys came in after louder than the girls. It took them a while to mix in with the girls and find their spot. Soon everything was good according to the coach's and they began explaining what we were to do. Everyone cheered as the classes were split into groups for different volleyball games.

I was put into a random group. I could see Noah waving frantically at me from the opposite side of the Gym. He knew I sucked at this. Maybe that's why he was laughing or maybe he was warning me that I would be crushed by Mackenzie. The whistle blew and everyone began their games. There are two things High Schoolers take seriously: sports and food. The game became vey intense after a while. Good thing I was on the sideline.

I watched the ball fly from side to side. Everytime it would go anywhere near Mackenzie she would spike or bump it like there was no tomorrow. Coach Villagomez passed by and forced the sideliners to switch places with some of the players. It was wonderful becuase I was put in. And not on Mackenzie's side.

I couldn't avoid the ball obviously, so I was left to hit it if it came near me and no one offered to take it. A couple of times I failed to hit it causing my teamates to groan in frustration and anger. The other team laughed at my horrible attempts. On one occasion I finally hit the ball, but it went flying backwards.

I chased after it to the other side of the Gym where Noah was. He smiled at me and continued playing with the other boys. I turned my attention back to the ball but found that someone was already holding it out for me. Logan smiled and handed me the volleyball. I shyfully thanked him and returned back before anyone noticed he even ackknowledged me.

I tossed the ball to the opposing side because of my terrible blundder and waited till they began. I failed to notice that all the girls were frantically whispering or that Mackenzie looked like she was about to rip a hole in the volleyball with her nais until it was too late. Her team set it over the net where someone bumped it back, but not high enough for Mackenie to reach. She jumped up and spiked it down with full force directly at me. The next thing I knew, I was on the floor seeing two Noah's and a coach running at me.

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Dun dun dun! xD Thank you for reading <3 ~Ali