Shut Up & Kiss Me // BOYxBOY

Chapter Four //

                “I still can’t believe you missed that door,” Naomi giggled as we walked across the gym. We’d discovered it to be empty; class must be being held outside today.

                “I didn’t miss it,” I pouted, “I was going to the back entrance instead!”

                “Yeah, right. I hope you know the back entrance isn’t even in that direction.”

                “Yes it is! Well, if you go on a long detour…” My face was once again becoming a light shade of pink. “You know what? Whatever. It’s not my fault I get distracted easily.”

                “Aha! You admit that I’m right!”

                “Shuddup, Naomi,” I grumbled. “Let’s just go find Evan and Luce and get out of here.” We were approaching the doors that led out to the fields. Now we just had to find their specific gym class out of the two that went on each hour.

                “Twenty-five pushups, everyone!” I heard Coach Barton yell out at his class. Coach Barton- who we all just called by his first name: James- was fresh out of college and seemed to fit right in with the jocks at our school. He was great! He was the type of teacher that would “overlook” you being late, ditching, or picking on some or the less fit, geeky kids.

                Naomi made a sound of disgust. “I hate that guy,” she muttered.

                “Why?” I asked, shocked. How could anyone hate James? He was practically a friend of mine!

                “He’s a pathetic, sexist jock. He’s supposed to act like a teacher! Not like an irresponsible teenage boy.”

                “But he’s so cool, Naomi! He lets you be late or ditch and doesn’t say anything about it! You can even beat someone up in his class and he’ll laugh along then pretend he saw nothing! He’s awesome!”

                “Really, Angel? That’s the kind of guy you look up to? Maybe we shouldn’t be friends. You sound just like Lance…” It was then that it dawned upon me. Beating people up was only “cool” when you’re “cool”. The jocks all did it. I didn’t like it, but it wasn’t a problem for me… But people like her, Luce, and Evan... They weren’t popular; they didn’t have friends to back them up. They were the ones that got beat up, and I would be one of them soon if Lance and I were on bad terms.

                Naomi stared at me for a moment, as though she was searching my soul for an answer. When she found nothing, she turned to leave. I snapped out of my daze and grabbed her shoulder, spinning her back to face me. “I get it now,” I whispered. “Don’t leave me here alone, Naomi. I’ve been part of the in-crowd my whole life. I don’t exactly understand what it’s like to be out of it.”

                A light smile found its way onto her face. “I’ll stay. Let’s get Evan and Luce,” she said firmly, as though she was locking it into her mind that this was the right thing to do.

                “Coach?” I asked. “I need Evan and Luce right away.”

                “Look, Angel, I can’t have them get beat up again. Lance did the same thing last week, and I think Principal Stevens is catching on.” All the air was knocked out of me by that response. Lance took them out of gym and beat them up? How often does this happen?

                “N-no,” I stuttered, “It’s nothing like that, James. I actually need to take them to the office.” I flashed my most convincing smile, hoping he’d say yes. James nodded slowly, considering it.