2. Seth

Getting through classes is a struggle as usual. Actually paying attention in class seems like the most pointless thing ever. Let's be real with each other, what's the point of doing stuff you'll most likely never need in your life? There's a 100 % chance that I will not need to know how to calculate the sides of a triangle ever.

Why can't schools teach important things instead of crap that nobody really needs?

Fortunately, I have soccer to keep me from failing at everything I do. I'll just get a sports scholarship for the next best college and that's that. Taking into consideration that soccer is the only thing that I don't suck at, it is probably my only shot at a decent - and most importantly independent - future.

"Seth! Over here!"

To stick to the matter of clichés, my group of "friends" has their own designated table in the cafeteria. It's like getting stuck in an eighties high school film. Except from the fact that this one is not going to have a good outcome.

"What's up?" I greet the group as I approach the table and slide into my usual spot next to Brice.

Scanning the group, I lift an eyebrow at a chick sitting by Cole. She's clinging to him, trying to get his attention as he sips his coke. It's almost sickening, the way she bats her fake eyelashes at the guy.

"I see you've survived most of the day." Brice comments, dipping a few French fries into ranch dressing before chucking them into his mouth.

"Always do." I offer what can only be described as a tortured smile. "So, what are the plans for Friday night? I was thinking we could go down to the lake and get wasted..." I look around the group and they all agree silently except for Cole's cling-on.

"Get wasted? That seems lame..." She pops a cherry tomato into her mouth, her sticky-looking lips making a popping sound.

"The lake it is!" David agrees, ignoring her completely. "I'll get my dad's Rover and Cole, you have your truck, right?  That should be enough. Seth, you got the booze?" I nod and smirk at just the thought.

I know what you're thinking. 'Seth, did you not just tell us about how your future relies on soccer and therefore your health and physical wellness? Drinking is extremely counter productive!'  Well to that I say, fuck off! Tonight I'm drowning out everything and everyone and that's that.

"Right, then that's settled." Brice slaps my back.

As the group goes off on a tangent, planning Friday night, I dig into my food, letting my eyes wander. I do notice Leena's absence but am not surprised. She must be embarrassed.

Oh well.

As I finish my sandwich, my eyes focus on someone getting a bottle of water from the lunch lady. New girl is really trying to make an impression today. With her shoulders squared and her nose up high, she crosses the cafeteria back to her table.

Of course she's sitting by herself.

"By the way, have you seen the new girl yet?" Brice interrupts my thoughts.

Before I can reply, Cole's chick pipes up. "Hard not to see, really!" She giggles but the sound reminds me of nails scratching against chalkboard. "I mean, what do you have to eat to become that size? Quite pathetic... Like, get on the treadmill already!"

Everyone just stares at her and she cowers back into her seat, clearly intimidated. 

"Just shut up, babe." Cole orders in a bored manner. Guess she won't be coming back.

"So, I'm guessing she's not a catch?" Brice looks disappointed and I laugh, throwing my head back.

"She's a disaster!" I snatch a fry off of Brice's plate and pop it into my mouth. "She's in my calculus class", my eyes flit over to where she's sitting now, "and she needs to be put in her place."

"Uh oh, I know that look. What happened?"

I start telling the group everything that has happened earlier and how the cow spoke to me, called me an asshole. Brice knows me best so he knows that we can not let this pass and I'm not about to. I do not care who this girl is, really, but she needs to be taught how things work at this school. Doesn't matter if she doesn't agree with this but she'll learn her lesson one way or another. 

"Oh my gosh, there she is!" Cole's chick pipes up again, pointing at where I had spotted her earlier. Everyone turns to look at her, craneing their necks to get a good look.

The cow seems to be completely unaware of being the center of attention.

This is perfect!

"Are we thinking the same thing?" I ask Brice and a mischievous smile spreads across his face. "Let's invite the cow to our party on Friday."

"What?! Are you crazy?" Cole's chick screeches. "If she comes, I'm not coming!"

Can someone please shut her up?!

"Great. You're not coming then." Cole deadpans and I flee the table, Brice by my side.

"You are such an ass, Smith. I love it." Brice laughs and we make our way over to where the cow is sitting.

She spots us as we walk up to her and gets up, ready to flee as she makes eye contact with me. Brice jumps ahead and grabs her arm. As he spins her around, I notice the murderous expression on her face. Forcefully she pulls her arm out of Brice's grip. 

"What?!" She snaps her demand, glaring at Brice and me.

I have to say she is good at playing the tough girl. Obviously she is the complete opposite. She's playing a character, trying to be hard to get and untouchable. She might ''know my kind'' but I also know hers. I know girls like her, always pretending to be strong and like nothing gets to them but she needs a reality check. She's not the heroine of some chick flick. This is not how things work around here. 

"We have a proposition to make." Brice smiles and for a second even I believe his charm.

All eyes are on the three of us by now.

"Is that so?" She lifts one eyebrow at my friend and crosses her arms in front of her chest.

"Yes." Brice chuckles sweetly. "My friend here, Seth, he wants to apologize for how rude he was earlier--"

"Oh and he needs you to tell me that?" She turns to me, expectantly "Cat got your tongue, asshole?"

Someone gasps audibly behind me and I try my hardest to keep my cool. This girl is really good at making me angry.

"No." I laugh without humor and wish for Brice's charm. "But I am really sorry. And to prove that to you, my friends and I would like to invite you to our party on Friday. It's nothing... big. Just some friends hanging out down by the lake. If you don't know where it is, I can pick you up and we can go down together." That came out better than expected.

The cow just stares at me with a blank expression.

"Come on, don't be such a fun sponge. I'm trying to do the right thing here but you're making it harder than it has to be." I even manage a somewhat friendly half-smile.

"Yeah, and it's not like you have any friends to begin with." Brice pipes up and I shoot him a glare.

"That was rude but... it's kind of true. We want to be your friends."

I may just puke...

I take a deep breath and am very impressed with my performance. If I were a girl, I would definitely accept that apology... even if it was totally and utterly fake.

She looks down at her feet, smiling to herself. At this point I think I might have fooled her.

"What's my name?" The question comes completely out of the blue.

Brice looks at me for help. I never did tell him her name.. and I don't remember either. Shit.

"That's right." She laughs sarcasm dripping off her voice. "You want to be my friend. Well take this as a friendly gift!" Her grin widens and she flips the bird before turning around and walking off, leaving everyone starring after her in complete awe.

I am boiling. Fuming!

The bell rings, signaling that lunch break is over and everyone starts getting to their feet and shuffling out of the cafeteria, leaving Brice and myself behind.

Never before has anyone talked to me like that in school. She really just doesn't seem to care. I gave her this chance and she didn't take it so now she'll have to learn the hard way... And believe me, it will not be pretty.

After the last bell finally rings I run outside of this god forsaken place and make my way out to the parking lot. By now I am convinced that this day can not possibly go any worse. Of course as soon as that thought runs through my mind, I am once again reminded to never think that again. Murphy's law does apply after all.

Samuel Miller leans against his car casually and just the sight of him makes all of my anger boil up inside of me all over again. Let's just say we have history. 

"Smith", he barks with laughter in his voice, pushing off of his car. 

"Fuck off, Miller." I spit back, stalking towards my car. 

Avoiding this son of a bitch will probably be the best solution for the both of us. Neither of us are good at retaining our anger.

"Somebody in a bad mood?" He teases and I tense up.

"What the fuck are you even doing here?" I yell across the parking lot, now having put quite some distance between us. "Lost your way, huh? Should I call mommy to come pick you up?!"

I know I've hit a sensitive spot when his taunting expression falls and is replaced by a murderous scowl. Although he's shorter than me, he somehow manages to look intimidating. As soon as he's in front of me, he pushes me and I stumble backwards. 

I think now's a good time to tell you about this fella, huh?

Samuel here is the captain of our rival soccer team and since I'm the captain of our soccer team... It's self-explanatory. Somehow he keeps popping up. No matter where I am, he's there. It's like he's made it his mission to get a rise out of me.

"If I weren't on probation, I would punch your pretty little face in, Smith." He spits through gritted teeth.

"Pretty, huh? Somebody got a crush on me?" I shouldn't be teasing him. That guy packs a mean punch.

Sam's nostrils flare and I know it's coming before the muscles in his arm rev to action.

He swings his fist fast and hard and punches me straight into the gut. His other hand has a tight grip on my shoulder, holding me still. I cough, trying to catch my breath as my body convulses with pain. 

"Sam!" An all too familiar voice cries and... yup, there she is in all her glory. The cow appears out of no where, standing in front Miller, her hands on his chest, holding him back.

What the actual fuck?

A pained chuckle escapes my lips. "Now this is rich. Got a new girlfriend, Sam? I really thought you could do better..." As I cough once more, straightening up, I notice a few specks of blood on the back of my hand. I wipe my mouth and swallow back the coppery liquid.

"Maybe you're just one of those fat-loving, feeder creeps who stuff their girlfriends until they burst. Never took you for a fetishist but then again, we've all got our dark sides. " This earns me a couple laughs from bystanders, whom I only notice now but the cow turns around, pointing her finger at me.

"Shut up you arrogant piece of-" 

"He's not worth it, Arya." Sam speaks calmly as he grabs onto her arm and pulls her back.

Arya. Right. 

"So, is that a yes, then? You two the new it-couple?" I shout as they turn to leave. 

"He's my cousin, you dimwit!" Arya screams back at me, her face beet-red. 

"Hmm... makes sense. Athleticism seems to not run in the family. Maybe that's why your team always loses against mine! And maybe that's why your cousin is on the... heavier side." I smirk at Sam and he just shakes his head, clearly having enough.

"Let's go." He mutters before pulling her away from the scene. Soon enough they both disappear in his car.

"You are such an ass." Brice comments, appearing out of no where.

"And I'm proud."

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