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I force myself to break away from his gaze. "I have to go," I say, eyeing Jessie.
"Alright, I'll see you later?" Aris asks, rubbing the back of his head.
"Sure," I tell him, waving goodbye.
I walk towards my group of friends and see Coach Kent chewing Jessie and Lacy out. His face resembles a tomato, and I try not to think of how comical it looks.
"Suspension for two days. For the both of you," Coach Kent yells, pointing a heavy finger at them.
They nod their heads. Blood is running down Lacy's nose and tears are falling down her face. Yep, Jessie definitely hit her hard. When Lacy leaves, my friends and I walk over to make sure Jessie is okay.
Jessie has a long scratch on her face and her hair looks a little messed up, but nothing serious. "I can't believe you did that," Brenda says, her expression incredulous.
"She asked for it," is all Jessie says.
I feel bad. I think it's my fault Jessie is in trouble now. If we hadn't been cheering, Lacy wouldn't have said anything. She wouldn't have said anything to Jessie, called me a fatso afterwards, (at least not at the game, I think) and Jessie wouldn't have hit her. Jessie doesn't look upset with me but I still have to say something.
"Jessie, I'm sorry you got in trouble. This is all my fault." I look at the ground, feeling bad.
Jessie sighs and shakes her head. "Lois, I'm not mad. This isn't your fault. I hit her because she's a...you know." Jessie smiles and gives me a hug.
I drive home thinking about the crazy night. The cheering, winning the game, the fight, and Aris. Guys are so confusing. I like Aris as a friend, but sometimes I feel like there could be something more. Then I think about how I'm fat, and how he would never like me.
Then there's Brandon. Who not too long ago, I really disliked. Now he's one of my good friends who stuck up for me in Physics. I don't like him in that way, but he's really grown on me. All I know is that I deeply care about both of them.
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This weekend I decide to catch up on all my school work. Let's see, Physics is done. Spanish...oh man. I haven't touched that packet since Monday. Aris and I haven't finished our project. I should text him to see if he's busy.
Aris and I both decide to finish the project at his house.
After getting ready, I head downstairs and find my dad watching the latest Superman movie.
"Hey dad, what's up?" I say. I'm not even sure he heard me since he doesn't say anything. I'm not surprised, he is completely entrances with the movie. "Dad!" I say louder this time.
He doesn't look up from the television though. "Hey Lex," he mumbles. Seriously?
"Dad, I'm going go to go hang out with a guy." If anything, this will get his attention.
"Excuse me?" He turns from the screen to face me with his eyebrows raised so high that they look like they are a part of his hairline. "Who's this guy you're going to 'hang out' with? He asks suspiciously.
"Dad, it's Aris, and we have to finish our Spanish Project," I say annoyed, yet glad I finally have his attention.
"Well, I might have a little talk with Aris. Other than that, yeah you can go. Just be back before ten. Your mom is working late at the senior citizen's home tonight and said she didn't want you or Lex out too late."
"Okay dad, I will." I head out to my car and then remember that Aris' house is walking distance. I'm going to walk. I check the time, which reads 5:00 p.m. It's still light outside, so why not?
It takes fifteen minutes to get to his house. I'm really out of shape. I wipe the sweat from my brow after I ring the doorbell. Aphena answers the door and shoots me one her famous mischievous grins.
"We're just doing a project," I say before she can say anything.
"I'm sure you are," she says with sarcasm.
"Aphena, we already talked about this," I whisper, hoping no one can hear. "I don't like Aris."
"I know girl. I'm just messing with you! I mean, that look on your face. I'm sorry chica." She's laughing now.
"It's okay. I know you're joking with me. So where's Aris?"
"Oh he's upstairs taking a shower. He said you could go set up the project stuff in his room and come hang out with me when you're done. Anyways, you know where his room is at. Make yourself at home."
"Thanks Aphena." I head upstairs to Aris' room. I open my backpack and pull out the manila folder with all our information on it. I also brought a English/Spanish dictionary to help Aris out.
Just as I'm about to head out, I hear the door open, and in walks Aris with a towel covering his waist.
"Ahhhh!" I scream and shield my innocent eyes. Although I didn't see anything, (thankfully) I still feel very uncomfortable.
"Wow. This isn't wierd at all,"I hear him say. "Give me a sec here Lois. I'm sorry by the way." I don't respond back, hoping we can just forget this actually happened.
I hear a door close after a long minute, Aris says, "Okay, I'm good. I'm really sorry Lois. I figures you had already came to my room and went downstairs. I probably should've knocked first." I can tell he's as embarrassed as well.
I uncover my eyes and see that he is now fully dressed.
"Sooo," I drag out the word. "Let's finish that project."
"Yeah, sounds good to me." He looks relieved that I don't say anything about what just happened.
After a few minutes, we are working on the project and have forgotten about the situation.
"¿Qué es tu comidá favorita?" Aris asks. Translation : What is your favorite food? Aris found my dictionary quite useful.
"Mi comida favorita es la pizza," I answer. Translation: my favorite food is pizza.
"Seriously, pizza? Lois, your dad is training to be a professional chef, and your favorite food is pizza?" Aris asks.
"Hey! Pizza is like the best food ever. You can't deny it."
"Uh, I have to disagree. Mac n' Cheese is where it's at," he says with a smug smile.
After bantering for a while over food and spanish, we finally finish our project.
"What time is it Aris?" I ask standing up. I stretch my arms, my bones popping in the process.
"Um, it's 8:30. Want to go get something to eat? I'm starving," he says rubbing his stomach.
"Sure. What sounds good?" I ask, feeling starved myself. I hadn't eaten since breakfast, which surprisingly only consisted of a granola bar.
"I don't know. Maybe Mac n' Cheese?" Aris wiggles his eyebrows.
"Hmm...Only if we can get pizza." I say, trying to make a deal.
"Well yeah. Who could forget about the pizza?"
We head downstairs and ask Aphena if she wants to come get food with us.
"Nah, I already ate," she says lazily, flipping through the television channels. She is sprawled over the black couch with a baby duck blanket over her.
We get in Aris' car and drive to a local pizza joint. "Do you think they have my favorite?" Aris asks excitedly.
"I'm not sure. They might."
After ordering a large cheese pizza, Aris pops the big question.
"Do ya'll sell Mac n' Cheese?" He asks the cashier who is ringing us up.
"I'm sorry son, we don't." The older man looks at us apologetically.
"Dang, I was really looking forward to eating some," he hangs his head low. What a drama queen.
I'm about to hand the cashier a twenty dollar bill when Aris pushes my hand back. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Paying?" I state.
"No you're not," Aris says, handing the cashier the money. "My treat."
I sigh but put my money away.
"Well, we sell macaroni at the Stop And Go," I say.
"Is it still open?"
"Yeah."
"Then away we go!" He grabs my arm and pulls me out of the pizza shop.
We head out to the car,and see Nina getting out of her vehicle. Surprisingly, Lacy isn't with her. She's probably still recovering from the pounding Jessie gave her. Nina shoots me a look. Then to Aris, she gives him a fake, bright smile.
"Hey Aris! How's your day been?" She asks in an annoyingly sweet voice, batting her eyelashes at him.
"Great, actually! I've been hanging out with Lois all day," he says sincerely.
"Well, if you ever get a chance, I'm sure you'd have a better time with me." Ooh, she's lucky I'm not Jessie. I bite my lower lip, trying to ignore this girl.
"Nah, I'm good. I'm already having a good time."
Nina looks at me disbelieving. "Whatever." She stomps off to the pizza place.
"Thanks Aris," I whisper when Nina is out of sight.
"For what?" He asks, linking his arm to mine.
"For being awesome."
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After getting the macaroni, we head back to the Aris' place to chow down. We play on the Wii and chat with Aphena, who is half asleep. We don't play Just Dance, which I have to brag, I'm getting pretty good at.
"I think I better head out," I say after a while. I honestly don't want to leave, but it's near ten.
"Nooo," they both whine.
"Please stay," Aphena begs, pulling on my arm.
"I can't," I apologize. "I have to be home by ten."
"I'm taking you home then,"Aris says, grabbing his keys off the coffee table.
"It's okay, I can walk. It's not too far."
"Nope, I'm taking you."
"Fine," I give in. Honestly, it's dark outside, so I'm kind of scared to be out there alone.
Once we get to my house, Aris sighs. "I hope we can do this again. It was super fun."
"Yeah, me too. I had a lot of fun," I say as I open the car door and step out. "Bye Aris."
"Bye Lois."
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Let me know what you think! I love reading everyone's comments. By the way, what's ya'lls favorite food??
Love ya'll,
Selena