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I picked up a card from the red deck of cards in front of me.
“Do you have a queen?” He asked.
“Nope. Go fish.”
He stretched out his arm picking up a card, his arm clad in a light pink dress shirt. A warm beam of sun flashed through the window warming my face, I smiled.
We were currently sitting on the floor of West's dorm our legs crossed; it was about two hours to lunch on Sunday.
“Riley,” He hesitated, “Do you have a two?”
I smiled nodding, I handed him my card and I asked him if he had a four. I had to ‘Go Fish.’
I had never been inside West's dorm or any Stinson’s dorm besides Ghosts for that matter. The boy’s rooms were just as standard as the girls, medium sized room with a bunk bed and single parallel from each other, a mini fridge and three closets.
The walls were painted a light crème color.
When we were counting up the pairs at the end of the game I only had two while West had twenty-four.
I leaned back onto the floor, “You cheated.”
“No I didn’t.” He said leaning on the floor behind him.
My hair was in a ponytail meaning that it was gliding to the side of my head from the pleasure of my heads weight reclining on it.
Today was Sunday, which meant that Elliott and I no longer had to go anywhere together; I probably wouldn’t see him around much besides at school.
“Where are your room mates?” I asked.
“They’re shooting hoops, one of them should be back soon.”
I nodded even though he couldn’t see me. I was currently wearing a lot of purple thanks to it being laundry day and I having to borrow an outfit from Bridget.
“Hey Riley?”
“Yeah?”
“Are you and Cole a thing?”
I scoffed, “No.”
He sighed, “Good.”
It was odd how I had known West since eight grade and he had been my lap partner since freshman science and we had never exchanged a set of words until less than four weeks ago.
I just couldn’t help but wonder if there was an ulterior motive.
I shook my head at my insanity; of course there wasn’t any ulterior motive.
The doorknob jiggled and in walked a guy. He had dark skin and an undeniably amazing body, his arms were toned muscles bulging, his muscle shirt was drenched and clung to his torso. I'm pretty sure I drooled.
“Riley this is my roommate Darren, Darren this is my… friend- Riley.” West introduced.
“Pleasure to meet your acquaintance,” I said robotically swallowing my drool. Was it possible to have such incredible arms?
“Nice to meet you.” He smiled walking over to one of the closets. He opened the door taking out a shirt and basketball shorts.
I turned my attention back to West; I suggested we go on a walk. He complied.
As we walked down the hallway there were a lot of guys running past us crushing each other into the walls laughing, most of them greeted West giving me weird looks. I guess it was odd seeing someone like me with someone like him.
I sighed.
When out of his building the people on campus were all up to their lives, playing sports, talking, even on dates.
I wondered why lock ins were a thing when people lived at school every day and on weekends, only difference that during lock ins you couldn’t leave the main building and non participants couldn’t leave their dorms after eight. Stupidity at its finest.
We walked to one of the fields, wandering.
When we were directly under a tree we sat down, in front of each other.
“Riley we need to talk about something.”
This couldn’t be good but I nodded anyways.
“Remember when you kissed me in L.A?”
Oh god. I nodded.
“Well, I know it wasn’t supposed to mean anything and I know that. I just I-I felt something, and I really would like it if you went on a proper date with me.” He was staring straight at me.
“Uhm,” I sighed, “Why not?”
He smiled and reached out grabbing my hand, he smiled.
I quickly snatched my hand away; he looked at me funny, “Hand cramp.”
He smiled.
“Yeah well, I should get going.” I said getting up and patting the dirt off my jeans.
“Yeah, I'll text you?”
I nodded and began walking away.
The walk home went by quicker than I wanted it to be, I knocked on the door waiting for someone to answer, no one came, I tried opening the door, it didn’t open.
I groaned loudly pounding on the door. I leaned against the door.
“There is no point, no one's home.” Someone yelled from the back yard. I followed the voice.
Bridget.
She was on the swings. I went back to where she was sitting down, she had on dark sunglasses, a pink skirt and a white tank top. Her makeup was done to perfection from what I could see, her hair was down and she looked like she had just stepped out of a magazine, in all honesty it had always been that way.
I was always the second option; she was always the better sister.
I began swinging myself slowly.
I was always bitter when it came to Bridget.
I swiped my feet against the floor my white sneakers picking up pebbles on the rims.
“Riley?” Bridget said
“Yeah?”
“Never mind.”
I just scoffed, how typical.
I texted Elliott to come open the door since he had taken the keys this morning and I had left mine inside. He came about twenty minutes later since he was already on his way back from the warehouse, Jakes car parked itself in front of my house and he got out of the car with Elliott.
Elliott had on a dark gray hoodie and blue jeans while Jake had on a tight white shirt and jeans as well. I walked to them greeting Jake, Elliott opened the door and we all walked in to the house.
Jake, Bridget and I took our seats in the living room, Elliott fixing up a glass of water for himself. When Elliott came back the only sound was the soft gulping of Elliott's throat.
"Jake this is my sister Bridget, Bridget this is Elliott's friend Jake." I introduced awkwardly scratching the back of my neck.
Jake muttered a “hi” and Bridget just smiled at him flirtatiously. Jake had a look on his face that just showed how entirely uncomfortable he was with the situation; it was only a few minuets until Jake left and Bridget went upstairs.
Elliott and I were sitting on the couch, I expected it to be awkward but it wasn't instead we decided on watching Saved By The Bell since Friends wasn't on.
I was leaning on the couch arm my legs resting on horizontally on Elliott's lap, he had complimented my socks which had carrots and pigs printed on them.
"What's A.Cs real name?" I asked Elliott when Slater came on screen.
"I can't tell you."
"Why not?" I pouted.
He smiled, "The point of watching a show is to learn about the characters as if they were your friends, you can't Wikipedia your friends favorite color. You have to let them tell you, so when Slater is comfortable enough to share he will."
I scoffed, "You're weird."
He shrugged.
It was only about two hours past lunchtime and I could already feel my eyelids starting to weigh on me. My mind wasn't tired but my body was, and for once I let my body win.
When I woke up I could see it was dark outside. I rubbed my eyes to realize Elliott was in the same position he was in when I fell asleep.
I glanced at the muted T.V; the corner said it was already eight in the afternoon I lightly removed my legs from Elliott's lap going upstairs to check on Emma and Logan. I softly creaked Logan's door open; he was already fast asleep so I walked back out.
Emma was lying on her bed listening to music, her eyes closed. I walked up to her quietly plucking out an ear bud, I knew what she was listening from the loud guitar chords strumming the ending of the second verse.
I sighed, "What put you in the mood?"
"Cecilia.”
"What did the bitch do this time?" I asked knowing Cecilia was never a good thing. Cecilia was the most popular sophomore at Stinson's. I don't believe in shaming girls for their sexual involvement but I think it is pretty safe to say that Cecilia got around.
Emma groaned, "She said I looked too young to be a sophomore."
I scoffed, I thought Cecilia would have done way worse since Emma was to Dylan Stone. She only listened to Dylan Stone in time of crisis.
I patted Emma's head, "You'll get over it." And with that I walked out of her room and back down stairs.
Elliott was still laying on the couch his arms crossed across his chest, his head was slightly tiled to the right and the smallest bit of drool accumulated at the corner of his mouth. I grabbed the pink quilt from the chest in the corner of the room; I laid it on top of him tucking the corners into the crooks of his body.
I laid down beside him leaning my head on his shoulder, I un muted the T.V and continued watching Saved by The Bell.
***
"Cole." I nodded in his direction.
"Riley."
"What are you doing here?" I asked motioning to him and his car.
"You left your bike at my house."
"Then why are you here?"
He gave me a planted look, "Bringing your bike. It's in the truck." He motioned to the back of his care with his eyebrow.
It was odd how Cole had such dark eyebrows but such blonde hair; I always thought he colored them in.
I narrowed my eyes at him walking to his car, the trunk was already opened and I noticed my bike was already out of the car leaning on its kickstand.
I wanted to smile but I wasn't going to give Cole the satisfaction of knowing he did something right.
I wheeled my bike to yard leaving it there.
"I could give you ride." Cole offered.
I shook my head, "I have to walk with Elliott."
He smirked, "He already left with Bridget."
I sucked my lips into my mouth, Bridget left with Elliott.
I popped my lips out faking a smile then, "Then lets hit the road." I opened the passenger door to Coles Porsche SUV. I threw my bag into the back seat not bothering to buckle my seat belt.
Cole backed out of the drive way smoothly, I let out a sigh. His uniform was crisp and ironed to perfection, I smiled a little.
No words were exchanged during the drive to school; he parked in parking number three which had been vacant awaiting his return. It was his space, literally. He payed the school to have a plaque with his name on it.
There were clumps of people scattered around campus lingering, but when Cole and I stepped out of the vehicle it was as if time stopped and focused on us. There were quiet whispers and looks of astoundment, my palms began sweating.
I swallowed the lump of saliva in my throat when the looks focused directly on me; I felt the goose bumps followed by chills running down my skin.
Suddenly it was like the world was spinning, I closed my eyes tight trying to make the blurring stop. I could hear the voices and calls getting louder and I wanted them to stop, I brought my hands to my ears clutching them hard. I felt as if they were about to bleed.
I felt someone grab my shoulder and push me in a direction I couldn't comprehend, they were saying something into my ears but it felt like blood being forced into me.
My breathing became more rapid and soon even air tasted stale.
Someone was grabbing my arms hard and I began thrashing violently, I wanted to stop the spinning, I wanted to stop the blood. I could feel the tears roll down my face as my breathing began to subside into its usual patterns. Slowly it was as if the earthquake began to pause and everything began to calm. The goose bumps began to fade and I slowly opened my eyes.
I felt as if I had just gotten off a roller coaster. It was dark.
"Cole?" I asked, my voice coming out raspy.
There was a sigh, "I'm right here." After he said this I began to make out his figure in front of me. His hand was on my cheek, "You're okay."
I nodded my head slowly my eyes tearing up, the goose bumps returning.
He pulled me into his chest and hugged me tight, "I'm right here."
I realized we were in a janitors closet when we were both calm and we exited. We were off to Miss. Hooters class, today was the final day to film our skits and we hadn't even started writing it. I was sure Zach had written a script since he was always the type to take over projects.
Cole and I were the first ones in the classroom, not even Jenna was there.
We took our appropriate seat, when Jenna came into the room she gave Cole a flirtatious smile, which he returned,
Gross.
I could feel my breakfast taco climb its way up my throat. I had my first taco today, Elliott had cooked breakfast and he had made us veggie tacos, they were actually quite good.
When Ghost poured her gelatinous self into the seat beside me I couldn't help but notice that she resembled Jell-O with her smarminess. Something was up with her and I was going to stalk her until I found out.
Meet me after school, we have a mission.
I texted Elliott.
We turned to the guys behind us expectantly looking at Zach.
He raised a brow, "Are you all expecting me to have written the script?"
"Yes." We all said in unison.
"Well I didn't." He smiled crossing his arms and leaning back into his chair.
Cole and I shared a glance and I knew exactly what he meant. I nodded. He grabbed Zach's arms in a quick notion and I dove for his binder.
Zach's eyes widened, "Stop!"
I opened the binder and there neatly tucked into the sleeve in a clear pocket protector was our script. I smiled handing him his binder and high fiving Cole. Zach pouted.
While Cole and I practiced our parts together Ghost and Zach took part in what seemed like a discussion between weather zombies or robots would win in an apocalypse, while Ghost defended both sides Zach defended his 'none of the above' side.
"But Karen we can't let Joey be alone in the wild." Cole said sarcastically as he read the script.
"Harold, Joey will be okay. He is fighter after all." I said.
We were both meant to laugh in unison after that.
When were done rehearsing we began filming, it didn't take more than seven minutes to finish.
We downloaded the clips onto Zach's laptop and began the editing process; Ghost handled most of it since she had incredible computer skills. By the end of the period we were finally done, Cole volunteered to hand the assignment in, he took his precious time watching Miss. Hooters drop our flash drive and pick it up, three times.
When the bell rang I headed to my second class of the day, the oh so riveting computers class. I took a seat beside Jacob Le Fete my friend in computer science, Jacob was a cool guy. He had dark blue hair and an extremely freckly face.
"Hey Jacob."
"Hey." He said too entranced in typing to actually look up.
He was playing Dark Souls, figures.
I had known Jacob for about a year since we took sophomore computers together as well.
This class flew by since the teacher never showed up, lunch past by in the same manner.
By the time Chemistry came around I was exhausted, people had been giving me weird looks all day.
I was the last person to come into class and I took a seat beside West who was smiling a lot, I wondered if something was wrong with him.
"As you know class we are almost a month into school which means that meet the teacher night is this Wednesday! Please see me after class to request a special time, and on another note please turn to page 255 in your textbook answer questions three through fifteen. That is all." And with that Mr. Hyson sat back down into his desk a few girls literally swooned over his arm flex when he leaned on his desk.
West and I decided to split the work into two and share the answers. We were done before the rest of the class and began playing ticktacktoe.
I won three times out of four. We tied the other time.
When class ended West had already asked if we could go on our 'date' on Monday after school.
I said yes.
When I finally got to the last class of the day I could barely even walk properly. I sat down besides Elliott who was staring at his phone smiling. I always loved seeing people smile at their phones, they could be smiling at anything, cute texts, pictures, or porn, there were so many possibilities.
When Mr. Kerr came into the room he began talking, “Today is a check in day,” Everyone groaned, “Ill be passing out the tests in a few minuets.”
I groaned.
I knew nothing about Elliott, I was sure to fail this. I couldn’t even remember the guys favorite color, when was his birthday? Did he even have a birthday?
My annoying teacher passed out slips of papers to everyone there were three questions. That should have been easy.
Describe their family in one word.
I knew nothing about Elliott’s family, I knew he had a dad and I knew he had a step mom but that was it. I wrote down warm as they should be, they should be loving and caring.
What is a secret talent of theirs?
I wrote down painting, from what I had seen he was really good at painting.
List three habits.
Jogging was the first one I came up with, I looked up to look at Elliott who was leaning against his chair with eyes closed and arms crossed. He had a habit of glaring. I wrote that down. For the third I racked my entire brain, was watching Saved by the Bell a habit? I wrote it down anyways.
When the thirty minuets were up I handed my test into the teacher for him to keep on file. We had another thirty minuets to talk.
“So what do you mean we have a mission?” Elliott asked.
“I mean we have a mission to find out why my friend is being weird,” I said.
He scrunched up his nose, “Why do I have to go?”
“Because you’re my assistant.” I told him.
He scoffed. “If anything you’re the assistant.
I narrowed my eyes, “Are you sexist?”
His eyes widened, “Of course not!"
I smiled, “Good.”
--
A/N
This was sorta filler chapter wasn't it ? Any who, whats up on the webesphere today?