Good Enough

Good Enough - Chapter 4

The school day could not end fast enough, I swear.  I don't think I got an ounce of learning done in the classes I had after Mick asked me to study at his house.  I kept looking at the clock and tapping my foot on the floor.  I was so done with this day.

Finally the end of the day bell rang and I hurried to my locker.  Realizing I probably look like an idiot, I took a deep breath trying to calm myself down.  I needed to be cool, not some crazed stalker type.  I still couldn't believe that Mick Stanford had asked me to go to his house.  

"Sooo Andie, whatcha still doing here?  You've gotta go meet Mick right now don't you?," Cappy asked from behind.  I shut my locker door and turned around, a huge grin on my face.

"Yes, yes I do as a matter of fact.  I thought the time would never come.  Do I look okay?  Maybe I should get my brush out of my bag and brush my hair?"  I put my bag down on the floor and bent over trying to find my brush.

I then felt Cappy already brushing my hair so I stood up.  She was always so prepared.  I smiled at her as I took the brush from her hand.  I gave my hair a thorough brushing and handed it back to her. 

"Thanks Cap.  You always have my back."

"Always girl.  Now go on, don't keep him waiting."  She smiled at me as she shoo'd me away.  I kissed my hand and blew it to her and waved good bye.  I turned around and walked down the hall as fast as my feet would take me.

I got outside and planted myself on the bench.  He wasn't here yet.  This time, I was glad because it gave me a few minutes to hopefully relax.  While I realized this wasn't technically a date, I was still ecstatic to at least be hanging out with him.  I've had a crush on him since freshman year, even if he didn't know I existed until a few days ago.  

I finally feel more at ease and start to wonder where he is.  I look at my watch and see that school ended fifteen minutes ago.  I frown and start to worry I'm being stood up.  Kids keep walking by me and some look at me wondering what I'm doing.  I keep my head down and pretend to be absorbed in a book.  Actually, I should just start reading Jane Eyre while I'm waiting.  I grab it out of my bag and start it.  

A few minutes later I hear a backpack landing on the bench next to me.  I look up and see Mick looking down and smiling at me.  I feel the electricity he always seems to give me and try to keep myself calm.

"Hey Andie.  Sorry I'm so late.  I got caught helping coach do some things before he left for the day.  Thanks for waiting for me.  I see you're getting a jumpstart on the book.  Fantastic."

I laughed.  "Well I figured if I was waiting for you, I might as well make good use of the time."

He chuckled and sat down next to me.  "Well then, I guess I'm glad I was running behind since if finally got you to start reading."  He then touched his shoulder to mine in a joking manner but I still felt the heat of the touch.  I think I need a date or a good teen movie or something because this is getting ridiculous, I told myself.

"Well, should we go?," he asked as he stood up.  I nodded my head and put the book back in my bag.  When I looked up I saw he had stretched out his hand for me to grab onto to get up off the bench.  I felt a little lightheaded as I took hold of it and stood up.

He motioned me to follow him to his car.  We walked side by side not saying much.  A few people passing us gave us a double take and I laughed.  

"What's so funny?," he asked.

"Oh nothing," I giggled.

He gave me a look.  "Seriously, tell me."

I sighed.  "Just a few people are gawking at us walking together and I found it funny."  When I saw the puzzled look on his face, I felt like a fool.  Why did I say that?

"Why would people gawk at us walking together?"

Really?  Did he honestly not know?  I shook my head.  I did not want to have to be the one to answer him.

Apparently I was though as he'd stopped walking and was waiting for an answer.  I sighed as I blew my bangs out of my face.  I darted my eyes around hoping for a distraction but of course, none were there.

"Okay seriously?  You don't know?"  He shook his head no.  "Well, um.  You see it's just because you are like the king of all populars and I'm not a popular so it's weird to see us walking together."  I felt like the biggest loser.

He scowled a bit at what I said.  I didn't want to face him so I started walking to the parking lot again.  Trouble was, when I reached it, I had no idea where he was parked.  Crap.

He caught up to me and took my elbow to lead me to his car.  I followed still feeling like a loser and kept my head down.  We finally got to his car and the memory of seeing Queen Beth on the hood came flooding back to me.  I hated myself for letting her make me feel like this but I couldn't help but question why I ever thought he might like me instead of her?  

He unlocked the doors and opened the passenger side for me.  I got in and slung my bag on the floor by my feet.  He shut it and walked to the other side.  When he got in he started the car but didn't move.

I looked over at him wondering what he was doing and saw that he was looking intently at me.  I got caught up in those beautiful brown eyes and forgot everything for just a moment.  Reality came back when he started speaking.

"I don't like this."

I was confused.  Didn't like what?  Me?  Being partnered with me?  What I told him?  What?

"What don't you like Mick?," I asked him.

"What you said.  I hate the whole high school mentality.  That if someone is in one crowd they can't be friends with someone in another?  What's that all about?"

I didn't know what to say.  I was not expecting this.  I knew he was a good guy and all but to hear him say that?  Wow.

He saw the shock on my face and sighed.  "I know that I'm perceived as popular but I've never played the game.  I'm friends with who I want to be friends with, not because it looks good to stay popular."  He said popular both times like he just got a horrible taste in his mouth.

"Wow Mick.  I had no idea you felt this way.  I've gotta say, it's refreshing."

He smiled a bit at that and seemed to relax a little.  "I'm sorry I got weird there but hearing you say it just made me mad.  I still feel bad I didn't even know you until now and then to hear you say it, I guess it just rubbed salt in the wound."

I melted a little at that.  "I didn't mean to do that.  But you wouldn't let the subject drop, so I told you."

He moved his arm to the shoulder rest behind me.  I couldn't help but get a little excited over that.  "I know.  And I appreciate you telling me."  He sat there for a second then said, "How about we drop this and get to my house to read some Jane Eyre?"  He tapped me on my nose as he said that and turned to drive.

As we drove out of the parking lot, I couldn't help but feel even more excited.  Seeing this new side of Mick only made my like him more.  Cappy's gonna die when I tell her.

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Authors Note:

Isn't Mick the sweetest?  Part of me keeps thinking I should make him more of the typical high school jock but his character isn't letting me LOL.  

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