Cross My Heart

Chapter Eight: Eighth Grade

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"WE DO THE WAVE IN... one, two, three!" Joni counted off before jumping up and going, "Woo!" while everyone else just seemed to follow. She was well liked by most of the high schoolers, and respected by the eighth graders... except for Bluebell's group. Even though she was only an eighth grader, her older sister's high school status helped make her popular among the juniors.

The music blared in the speakers of the football game, trumpets sounding and cheerleaders waving their pompoms to the music. As cliché as it was, Bluebell was your typical snotty cheerleader with the "popular" clique of girls and also adored by the guys. Unlike my group, we were just out there. Normal.

"Hotdog?" Landers held out his half-eaten hotdog to me from the bench below ours.

"Um... no thanks," I giggled.

"Your loss. But seriously girl, how do you think I manage this figure. I mean, come on," he ran his hands down his sides, making all of us girls laugh. Scarfing down the hotdog, he sighed with content and turned his attention back to the game. "I hate football. I don't even know why I came."

"Because I told you to," Joni replied, standing on the bench beside me with her arms waving through the air. "Love ya sista! Shake it girlfriend!" she shouted down to the cheerleaders where her sister was indeed "shaking it" for the guys. Laughing to myself, I turned back to Landon, AKA Landers.

"Me too, don't worry."

"Girl, I've seen you in gym and you do not hate this game as much as I do. Let's go for a walk, shall we?" he motioned for me to stand with him, which I did. Giving us a confused look, Joni raced to catch up, complaining that we were missing her sister's number.

He led us to the fence around the track, which in the middle held the football field where the guys with broad shoulder pads and tights ran around for the sparkling silver football. Sighing, I leant against the fencing, my stomach bloated from dinner. Joni dared me to eat a whole pizza, a hotdog, followed by a bag of chips and a cookie. Let's just say that that did not sit well in my tiny stomach.

"I... have something to tell ya guys," Landers took a deep breath, running a hand through his short, dark chocolate brown hair.

"Shoot," Joni gestured with her hand for him to continue.

"I'm just gonna come right out and say it- I'm gay."

"We knew," we both said at the same time.

"I know it's a shock, but- wait, what?" he raised an eyebrow at us, making me giggle and slap his arm playfully.

"Dude, you hang with the girls all the time and even talk about which guys are hot and not," Joni rolled her eyes.

"Oh, well, I guess then," he grumbled, resting his head on his hand. "Y'all aren't grossed out by it?"

"Why would I be? I've always wanted a gay friend to go shopping with," Joni threw her arms around him, making him put on the silliest face I've seen on him yet.

Laughing my butt off, I collapsed in the grass with Landers as he joined me in my laugh attack. Joni, still as confused as usually, sat on the dewy grass casually, mouthing to the passing bystanders that we were crazy.

We started our walk around the length of the football fields, boarding the fence and joining groups every now and then to talk. I stood silently as we bumped into Ryan's group, otherwise known as Kole's. I still had a thing for him, even in eighth grade. He was much taller than me, and his crystal blue eyes were to die for.

"Hey there pal, what have you been up to?" Ryan threw an arm over my shoulder and ruffled my hair, making me whine and complain for him to release me.

"Pal? She's my pal!" Joni yanked me back into her arms.

"Sure she is," he said sarcastically. My cheeks flush with embarrassment as the two bicker over me. Catching Kole's gaze, I quickly avert mine to the ground and step closer to Landers.

"Quick! Before Joni gets you!" Landers began racing me back to the bleachers, and I had no choice but to follow, hearing Joni's complaints from where we left her with Ryan.

"Love you too, Skye!" she called after me, which made me laugh like there was no tomorrow.

---

"Hey, Skye, can I talk to you for a minute?" My heart thumped against my chest as I turned to face Kole while leaving the health classroom. What could he possibly say to me? The classic, "Your shoes are untied," followed by the, "Made ya look!"?