A year to remember

15. Sam

Do my eyes deceive me?

Alyssa's sleek, black Aston Martin Vanquish convertible pulled up in the parking lot at school. Her apartment was only walking distance to school, but she still drove regardless. Because who could walk a few blocks in Louis Vuitton's, and who would walk when you had a car like that? Meanwhile, I had to catch the bus.

The thing that was different today, was that Jake was driving her car and she was happily riding shotgun. The carpark was full, students lingering by their cars until the last possible minute when the bell rang and they had to file off to class. I watched as Alyssa and Jake sat and talked for a while and I wondered desperately what they were talking about; but there was no way for me to walk over there and eavesdrop, no excuse if I was seen. I wasn't the only one watching. A few cheerleaders and jocks were also watching them with their beady, inquisitive eyes. We watched as Alyssa and Jake exited the car, coffee's in hand, both looking extremely tired like they hadn't slept all night long. I knew we were all thinking the same thing; these two were very much an item. 

I rushed inside to find Paige, I couldn't wait to tell her first before she heard this news along the rumour mill. As I turned the corner, I nearly ran directly into Jared. I loved him so much I couldn't even think straight. I'm sure the expression on my face read 'I want to kidnap you and have your babies'.

"Sorry," I finally murmured, but he hardly even noticed. Of course he didn't; he was so cool, so popular and so damn sexy. I was shy and quiet and mousy.

Momentarily distracted by my close encounter with Jared, I walked in a daze until I wound up by my locker. I collected my books for chemistry. As I slowly broke out of my reverie, Alyssa and Mila appeared by her locker. Maybe, if I lingered below them, Alyssa would tell Mila all about her raunchy night with Jake and I would be privy to the intimate secrets of the elite. I loitered below, quietly sifting through my books, pretending I was searching for something deep within my locker. I needn't have bothered as they didn't notice me. They never did. 

"Have you organised a halloween costume yet?" Alyssa asked Mila.

Ah. Of course. Halloween was fast approaching, which meant Alyssa would be throwing her annual Halloween party. She held this party at her mansion, as it was big enough to comfortably host all of the popular people. Now that it was fall, I could imagine the beautiful trees surrounding her home would already be turning lovely shades of yellow and orange. I made a mental note to drive out there and look at it, to take in all of it's fall glory.

I found it interesting that Alyssa, Mila and Scarlett weren't dressing alike, as they had previous years. In freshman year, the three girls had dressed as Baywatch babes. As Sophomores, they went as Charlie's angels. In Junior year, they dressed as playboy bunnies. I wondered why they weren't going in matching outfit this year? I wondered if it had anything to do with Scarlett and Tyler. Maybe they wanted to do a couples costume?

"I'm thinking a sexy nun," Mila smiled deviously. For the sluttiest of them all, that seemed ironically fitting. "What about you?"

"As a Victoria's Secret angel," Alyssa replied coyly.

"Jake won't be able to keep his hands off you," Mila stated. 

No kidding. What guy would be able to keep their hands off a body like that, especially when she was flaunting it in lingerie?

"That's the plan." Alyssa said and flicked her dark hair over her shoulder triumphantly. This was Alyssa's world and we all just lived in it. I shut my locker and hurried off to chemistry.

In chemistry, I couldn't help but notice Scarlett was becoming less focused in class and more invested in quiet conversation with Jared. She was planning on sitting her SAT's in December. She offered to help Jared study. Naturally, he agreed. I felt envious of their friendship, but I was grateful she still spoke of Tyler often. Jared listened, but rarely commented when she spoke of her boyfriend. I got the distinct feeling he didn't like the guy, but Scarlett didn't seem to notice, or maybe she just didn't care.  

Although their conversation was relatively light and easy, the body language seemed to read something more. Without realising, they were mirroring one another during their conversation. Smiling, eyes locking, heads resting on hands and small glances at one another. I noticed how Scarlett let her blonde hair down and swept it over her shoulder, baring her neck to Jared. The smell of her shampoo wafted around her; vanilla, jasmine and watermelon. She smelt divine. Of course Jared noticed. And of course I noticed that Jared noticed. 

"Your hair smells nice," he said simply, but I saw how his eyebrows had raised slightly, his lips had briefly parted. My heart broke as I realised he was attracted her. And yet, the completely clueless girl didn't even know it.