Chapter 7

I blinked awake, staring at the ceiling. I was curled up with the blanket, a rare occurrence- seeing as it was just the ending of summer and I keep my windows closed or cracked, at least. I was surprised I could actually see the ceiling. Usually, I’d wake up when it was still dark and my light would barely illuminate my room enough for me to see.

I blinked again, quickly sitting up in my bed, looking towards my clock. It blinked 11:53PM. What? I stared at it for a good 2 minutes but the time didn’t change. Did someone reset my alarm? I quickly pressed a button on my phone. I had 15 minutes to get ready and get to school! I quickly got up, rushing towards the bathroom.

I regret going to the library so early and staying until closing time. I was so glad that I got back at Adrian that I set my alarm ahead of time so I could just come home, get ready, and go to sleep. I think I accidentally set it for an hour later than usual! But why was it stopped at 11:53P.M? You were asleep by then.

As I yanked on any clean pair of jeans that was in my drawer, I turned on the water and washed my face, wetting my tooth brush. I quickly scrubbed my teeth and pulled on any random shirt. After running a brush through my hair, I pulled it into a pretty neat pony tail, if I do say so myself. I slipped into my socks and shoes, putting them on the wrong feet at first. I fixed them and grabbed my school bag.

I glanced at my window with an angry look and I saw Adrian grinning at me. He waved his fingers as he closed his curtains. I began running downstairs with 8 minutes left.

“What happened? Why aren’t you at school?” My Aunt asked. She looked as if she just woke up. Her hair was wild and her eyes were lidded.

“I overslept.” I muttered, rushing past her towards the cabinet. I grabbed a granola bar and ripped open the wrapper, devouring it in 3 bites before I rushed towards the door.

“Love you!” My Aunt called, looking worried. I know she’d let me stay home if my parents wouldn’t have a fit. But I didn’t want to stay. For whatever reason, my mind and conscious was demanding me to go to school. I’d rather just go and be exhausted than stay home and feel guilty. Besides, I wouldn’t want to ruin my somewhat perfect attendance.

I got into my car and started it, pulling out of the parking lot to get to my destination. I got there 4 minutes late and I still could make it to the late bell if I skipped going to my locker. I ran inside, opening a side door so I could enter the the part of the school that is closer to my class.

Slinging my bag over my shoulder and holding the straps tighter, I ran up the stairs two at a time. I almost fell at one point but as I grabbed the handle to the classroom, I braced myself for he disappointed lecture I’d get.

“Ms. Harper? You’re late.” Mr. Parks reprimanded as he held his pointer impatiently at the board. I bit my lip out of nervousness. I’ve never been yelled at by my teachers before, sure my parents have given me a lecture or two about my study habits but nothing like this.

“I, uhm… I overslept.” I explained, nibbling on my lip. His emotion didn’t change. I heard my best friend pipe in and save me.

“Technically, she’s not late because the late bell didn’t ring yet. And according to school policies, it’s your option to start teaching or not. And if you find it fun to embarrass her in front of the whole entire class just because she was 5 minutes late, then I’ll find it fun to tell Mrs. Perkins about how stimulating your classroom is.” Jessie spoke, surprising myself and my classmates. The latter sentence was dripping sarcasm. I felt the corners of my mouth perk up as I quickly rushed to my usual seat.

I heard a familiar shuffling and a note slammed on my desk, startling me.

“Detention, Ms. Harper. And for you, McDaniel’s, say ‘Hello’ to detention for a week.” Mr. Parks demanded. What was I going to do? My parents would hear about this for sure and I’d get grounded and I’d never be able to see Jessie again! I felt my stomach drop to my ankles. I continued listening to the lecture, but I wasn’t fully there.    

15 minutes into class, the door swung open and Brielle Deleon walked into class, her high heels clacking noisily against the tiles. She was smirking as Mr. Parks glared at her.

“Detention, Ms. Deleon.” He hissed, grinding his teeth. She shrugged, ripping the slip of paper from his hand and sauntering to her seat, glaring at me individually for a moment before she passed me. I coughed as I inhaled her perfume, which she was wearing way too much of.

A few seconds later, the door swung open again and Adrian walked in, smiling a half smile. I swear I heard a few girls gasp and literally melt onto the floor. Jessie even blinked a few times. Although he looked adorable, how his chocolate brown hair was swooped up to the center of his head and he had a flannel shirt which he left open. I refused to look at his jeans because I’d give the impression that I was checking him out. All I could tell was that they were black.

“Adrian Easton.” The teacher sighed, annoyed and exhausted. He scribbled onto his notepad and handed the slip to Easton, heaving another sigh. Easton took it, smiling as he winked at some of the girls on his way by. When he past me, he smirked.

“Sleep well?” He asked, winking. I felt my face burn red as I balled my fists up. He must’ve been the one who set my alarm back! He had to! He must’ve done it after I left for the library! What about the whole 11:53P.M? That means he was in my room when I was asleep! That’s creepy!

As realization dawned on me, I whipped my head around and caught his gaze. His bluish green eyes were mocking as he smirked. His eyes examined my face and he smirked wider. I turned back in my desk and decided to focus on my work.

For lunch, we had breakfast for lunch- a common occurrence when not enough people get breakfast in the morning. I decided to eat outside, seeing as I couldn’t escape that little feeling that I was being watched. Well, I went outside with Jessie.

“I have an idea.” I explained, smiling wickedly.

I’d told Jessie about my oversleeping and how it was Adrian’s fault. She looked at me with a confused look on her face. I grabbed her maple syrup packets which the school, thankfully, packaged in little packets that resembled the kind that they put ketchup in. I dug around in my book bag until I stumbled upon my unused scissors and clear tape.

I pulled Jessie along beside me as I searched for Adrian’s shiny, red car. When I arrived at it, I was surprised that there wasn’t someone guarding that thing with their life. I skillfully cut the horizontal side of the maple syrup packet and carefully and gently taped it to the inside of the handle. When he goes to open it, the syrup will spill not only on his hand but on his dear car, as well. Jessie caught what I was doing and took two packets, doing that to the opposite side of the car.

Lunch was ending soon, so we quickly made our ways inside, stopping in the bathroom to wash our hands as we laughed loudly. We separated and made our ways to our classes. In mine, I had to deal with arrogant Adrian, smirking and winking at me victoriously. I’m going to be the victorious one when he goes to the parking lot.

---

I had to call my Aunt to tell her about my detention, so I decided I'd better do it now.

“Hey…” I faked enthusiasm.

“Hey, what’s up?” My Aunt asked, concerned.

“Oh nothing much, just needed to tell you that I won’t be home until about 4:50.” I said, trying to shrug carelessly.

“Why?” She asked, nervously. I coughed.

“I’m sick.” I muttered.

“Cut the crap. What really happened?” She asked. I could imagine her placing her hand on her hip impatiently.

“I have detention. I was a few minutes late to class.” I spoke closing my locker. “Now, I have to go or else I’ll have detention again tomorrow. Love you.” I replied, earning a response from her before I hung up.

The hallways were empty, like expected, and almost everyone there had either detention or an after school activity to attend. I saw Brielle in her cheerleading uniform as she quickly made her way back from detention with a crumbled up note. It was probably from the cheerleading coach, excusing her from detention with the excuse that they were having a competition soon and they needed to practice. She got out of it, she always does. She quickly entered the gym and I heard shouting and counting.

As I entered the detention room, I realized that it was probably going to be just me and Jessie. Adrian probably got an excuse from his football or baseball coach and Brielle is already out of here. Jessie’s back was turned and she was talking to a guy.

I noticed his jet black hair and I knew that she thought he was hot. She loved any guy who had jet black hair. I noticed that he was on the football team, too. He had someone sitting beside him and they were playing with their phone. I decided to sit down instead of go over and talk to her; I didn’t want to ruin anything for her.

“Hey Fiona.” Jessie called out. I turned and saw her sitting there, turned away from the guys as the one with the black hair sat waiting for her to return. I waved at her and she waved me over, smirking knowingly.

“Yes?” I asked, walking over here with my book in my hand and a smile on my face.

“So you’re only rude to me?” The boy who was on his phone asked. My eyes widened slightly as I realized it was Ethan, the boy I met at the party and was quite rude to.

“Ethan.” I dragged out his name innocently.

“Yeah, Ethan.” He teased, smiling. He had an adorable smile. He switched his phone from hand to hand. “You never did call me.” He said, smiling. I bit my lip.

“About that, uhm, I was busy.” I gave a lousy excuse. I gave Jessie an annoyed look as she winked at me, while clicking her tongue.

“You’re a terrible liar.” He shook his head teasingly.

“I was busy!” I crossed my arms. He just smiled and wriggled his eyebrows.

“With who?” He winked. I felt my face go red as I shook my head vigorously.

“Nobody! I was at the library.” I glared at him. He smirked and rolled his eyes dramatically.

“If you didn’t want to talk to me again you could’ve just said so.” He said, wiping a fake tear from his eye.

“I didn’t say that.” I stated, my arms still crossed.

“Can you guys, you know, go flirt over there?” Jessie said, pointing to where I was sitting before.

“We weren’t flirting!” I said, blowing out a low breath.

“I was.” Ethan said charmingly as he stood up and walked towards where my table was, pushing me by my shoulders. I just walked as he pushed me, my face as red as a tomato.

“Our table awaits.” Ethan pulled out a chair for himself as I sat down in the chair I was in before. He sat down and placed his elbows on the table, staring at me expectantly.

“What?” I asked after a minute. He smiled and waved his hand as if encouraging me to talk.

“What’s your real reason on why you didn’t call me?” His eyebrows rose and I gave him a flat look.

“I was at the library!” My shouting earned a ‘quiet down’ look from the detention teacher, whose name I was proud to not know.

“Are you sure you weren’t with Adrian? I heard you and him talk sometimes, more often than not.” He shrugged. I was bewildered.

“What? We barely talk! And when we do it’s about him being a jerk!” I crossed my arms defensively.

“That’s not what he said.” Ethan shrugged.

“And what exactly did he say?” I encouraged, my attitude fierce.

“Oh, it was nothing- just locker room talk,” He shrugged again. I quirked an eyebrow. “We’re on the football team together. And the baseball team. But I’m thinking of quitting baseball.” He swiftly changed the topic.

“Why?” I asked, confused.

“Oh, I need time for friends,” He smirked. I nodded, shrugging. “Or you know… maybe more than friends.” He smiled a small smile. I don’t know a lot about Ethan but I do know that he’s a major flirt… and I also know that I don’t mind as much as I should.

“You mean a boyfriend?” I asked. I couldn’t help the smile that made its way onto my mouth.

He gave me a flat look. “No, I mean a girlfriend and I was just wondering if maybe you’d like to go-.” He said but was cut off by someone coughing over-dramatically. I looked up with an annoyed expression on my face. Who else would be stupid enough to interrupt? Easton.

"What do you want?” I hissed, annoyed.

“You’re in my seat.” He said, crossing his arms. I looked at the seat I was in, along with Ethan who looked amused.

“That couldn’t wait two minutes?” I asked, annoyed. Maybe that would have given me enough to time to see what Ethan’s question was. And maybe it’d given me enough time to answer it!

“I’ve been standing here for two minutes.” Adrian glared at me. His eyes trailed to Ethan and he gave him a look of disgust before they met mine again, angrier than they were before.

“And you couldn’t wait one more minute.” I stated, grabbing my stuff.

“Wait a minute, Speedy Gonzales. You can stay, but he has to go.” Adrian stated.

“If I stay, then he stays.” I replied, crossing my arms. He gave me a look that told me that he was annoyed with me, like he usually is. 

“Fine.” He said, pulling up a chair and sitting down, as far away from Ethan as possible.

“Like I was saying,” Ethan trailed, shooting an amused look at me before he became serious. “Would you like to go-.” He started but once again, Adrian cut him off.

“What time is it?” Adrian asked me, smiling with clenched teeth.

“You have your phone right there!” I exclaimed, pointing to his phone.

“But I need to know the time, not how many text messages I have Fi-Fi.” Adrian smirked. 

“It’s 3:27,” I breathed, biting my lips out of annoyance. “Now continue, Ethan.” I said, smiling. Just as Ethan was about to talk, Adrian cut him off.     

“AM or PM?” Adrian asked me, smiling.

“PM, Easton, do you see the moon still out? I don't think so.” I spat, giving him an annoyed look before I turned to Ethan with a smile.

“Would you like to go on a-?”Ethan started but was cut off once again. I gritted my teeth before I turned to Adrian.

“Yes?” I breathed, counting to 10 in my head.

“What time does Detention end?” He asked, smiling knowingly.

“You should know, you're here every other day!” I balled up my fists. He still gave me a curious look. "4:15 PM, Easton."    

“Oh yeah, Ethan. I forgot to tell you that Coach wanted to see you for practice today.” Adrian smirked evilly.

“When?” Ethan asked, casually flipping through his notebook.

“3:30P.M.” Adrian replied.

“But it’s 3:28, the gyms on the other side of the school!” Ethan said, standing up.

g“Better get walking.” Adrian replied, smirking.

“I’ll talk to you later Ethan. In fact, I’ll call you.” I smiled.

“You can always come watch me practice.” Ethan walked behind Adrian towards the door. Adrian’s eyes lit up in flames and he shook his head.

“Coach said it was private practice.” He snapped. Ethan looked amused, while I, on the other hand, wasn’t.

“Alright, well. Call me Fi-Fi.” Ethan said and I nodded, waving as he exited the room. Meanwhile, Adrian was glaring at me.

“So he can call you Fi-Fi?” He asked, eyes angry. I smiled, nodding.

“Of course he can. He can also call me later.” I smirked.

“He only wants one thing.” Adrian said, crossing his arms. I shrugged carelessly.

“I’ll deliver.” If looks could kill, I’d be 6 feet under. “I’m kidding.” I laughed.

“You’re not going to call him, right?” He asked.

“Of course I’m going to call him.” I nodded. Adrian glared at me as I got up and moved towards the front of the room.

I stood by Adrian’s car, talking casually to Jessie. It just so happened that she parked near Adrian. He walked out of the building and clicked a button on a set of keys to unlock his car. Whistling slightly, he reached to grab the handle and he quickly retracted his hand. A look of disgust coated his face as Jessie and I fell into fits of wild, uncontrollable laughter.

Jessie was in the safety of her car as I quickly stood up and turned to see Adrian approaching me, syrup covering one of his hands. I quickly started to back away. Jessie pulled out of the parking lot and quickly drove away. So much for a best friend. I started to sprint towards my car but Adrian wasn’t letting me get away so easily. I heard a familiar voice shout from the school doorways.

“Run, Fi-Fi, Run!” Ethan called and I smiled stupidly to myself. Adrian saw that and started into a full on run. I know I couldn’t outrun a football and baseball player when the only sport I do is surfing… the internet.

I was so close to my car that I could feel it beneath my fingers. I heard the footsteps near me as I struggled to keep running, my legs were turning to jelly. I felt my arm yank backwards and I came face to face, or should I say face to chest, with Adrian and he raised the hand that was covered in syrup and wiped it across my face, running it through my hair as I gasped loudly.

“You jerk!” I called out, wiping my eyes and mouth. He smirked.

“You’re the one who did that to my car.” He shrugged simply. I pushed him away from me as I unlocked my car and got inside of it. “See you at home babe.” He winked as I stared at him, outraged.

---

After taking a shower and washing the stupid maple syrup out of my hair, I decided to do my homework. Halfway through my homework, I saw the sticky note on my desk and decided to call. I stood up and began walking around my room as his voice greeted me through the phone.

“Hello?” He asked.

“Hey, it’s me… Fiona.” I nervously walked around.     

“Fi-Fi, you actually called.” He sounded surprised and amused.

“Yeah, I did.” I nodded stupidly, doing a stupid happy dance.

“So, like I was trying to ask you earlier. Would you like to go on a date with me? This Friday?” He asked. I felt a smile make its way onto my face.

“Yeah, absolutely.” I nodded my head. I heard a sigh of relief from the other end.

“Okay, well I have to go eat dinner.” He said.

After hanging up, I danced around my room, smiling happily. This would be my first date!

“Why are you so happy?” Adrian asked, looking at me suspiciously.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” I raised my eyebrows.

“I asked, didn’t I?” He stated. I gave him an annoyed look.

“Well, I just talked to Ethan.” I shrugged. He groaned loudly.

“And he asked you on a date and you magically said yes and he’ll come riding over in a horse drawn carriage as he lifts you off of your feet, gives you what you want- a date, and then takes what he wants and he’ll never call you again? Have fun with that.” Adrian said, slamming his window shut. What’s his problem? Maybe he’s jealous. And maybe you’re doing drugs.