Max

Word travels quicker than sound at this high school. Everyone found out about me defending Sally. Just like that, I am now one of the biggest jokes of the whole school. Everyone thinks I am dead serious in dating Sally. Or people are whispering that I am getting paid more to sleep with her.

The guys on the team especially give me a hard time. Who would dump the hottest girl in school for the world's biggest downgrade in every way. And of course Xander is thrilled. Not only has he gotten my ex around his bony fingers, he getting more respect from everyone, ever since I started "dating" Sally.

"Are you seriously going to invite a nerd to your game?" Asks on of my teammates, "Nerds like her don't understand how football works."

"Ya betcha he is. She is gonna come to the game this week and cheer when the other team scores," Xander laughed, along with several of the other guys on the team.

"Well, at least he won't be distracted by Lindsey and her cheer team. As she shakes those hips of hers," says another guy on the team.

"Will you guys just shut up. Let's just focus on the game," I say irritably as Xander gives me his signature smirk.

I chug down a whole bottle of water and head to the showers. I let the cool water soak my body that has been exposed to a lot heat. After a few minutes, I grab a towel and dry off and quickly get dressed. When I as about to put on my shirt, Xander comes to me.

"Ya girlfriend is waitin on ya. You should hurry up," Xander says.

I roll my eyes and put on my shirt and head out of the locker room. Xander is standing off to the side with some of the others, while grinning wide. While Sally was sitting on the ground with a book in her hands. She looks up and smiles.

"We should get onto studying," she said.

"Uh yeah," I say not so enthusiastically.

Xander and the others snicker as I walk to get out of the school with Sally. I try to ignore them, and grab Sally's wrist to walk faster away from this crap.

"Thank you," Sally says suddenly, "For you know, speaking up like that for me. It meant a lot to me."

"Uhh, yeah, no problem," I say indifferently.

"You don't understand how much it means to me. Ever since I started this school, a lot of the students like to come after me."

I hear the sadness and hurt in her voice; I shake off the feeling I have inside. Why do I have this feeling? There is no way that I feel bad for Sally. No way.

We make it to my car; I open the passenger seat for her.

"It's just hard. Having the whole school hate you for no reason," she sighs, "But having someone like you wanting me, just means a lot to me."

When she said that it stirred something inside of me. Was that guilt? No, it can't be. I don't even care about her or her feelings. She is the outcast nerd, no one cares about her feelings. But why does it feel like my stomach is getting eaten away? No, I won't think about that any further. I just need to think about my outcome of the future. That's all what should matter.

~•~
Sally

The breeze blows gently as we sat on a bench underneath a tree at the park. I held the physics study book on my lap, reading and explaining the things in the book. I see that his eyes are wondering, looking off into the distance. Watching kids throw a football to a man which I assume is their father. His stare was not only long, but longing. His jaw was tight. I looked out with him, not understanding what was so important about little kids throwing footballs.

"Are you going to correct their form or something?" I asked.

"W-what...huh?" He said with such confusion in his voice. He must had been deep in thought and I took him back into reality.

"Are you going to stare off in other people's businesses or are you going to pay attention?" I say with a slight edge to my voice.

"Uh..yeah, where were we?" He still sounded disinterested and kept looking at the dad and sons throwing the football around.

I sigh, knowing this will take a while for him to focus. I want to help him with his work, so that he may continue to play football. I know he loves it, and it may be his future career. But I, as his girlfriend, need to make him focus on his education to make his dream happen.

"I know science is a big bummer for you, but you need to pay attention. Don't you want to play football and win games and stuff? You need to do your work, or Mr. Hoover will keep you from playing," I say in a soft voice, I look at him waiting for him to reply as he looks off into the field of grass.

"Yeah, sorry. Let's get back to work then."

He seemed kinda sad when he said it. I don't think it was because he had to go back to studying his least favorite subject. But there was something more, something deeper. Like something is really bothering him. I don't ask, since it wasn't any of my business.

After studying for a with Max for a while, we pack up and leave. He drives me to my neighborhood, most of the ride is silent, until I break it.

"Hey, so the game is in a few days. I was just wondering, we hadn't really a proper date. I don't really count studying one. But I was wondering, after you win the game, we can go do something," I say, hoping I don't sound desperate and demanding.

"I guess we can, but only if we win the game though," he said with a smile.

"Is that a bet?" I challenged.

"You betcha. I will see you tomorrow."

"Bye babe- I covered my mouth when those words came out. I thank God when I realized his down was already closed and window was up. I quickly walk to my house, but my relief was short lived when I saw that familiar white car parked in the driveway.

_________________________________________

Comment and like this chapter. What do you think is going to happen next with Sally and Max?