Chapter 1: invitation
"And remember kids, we have an important field trip next week. A last senior bonding week for all of you graduating soon so remember to inform your parents and let them sign the hand-outs given to you." Said Mrs. Mitchell as she tried to get the attention of the students rushing out of class the very second, they heard the bell. "except you mister Connors, I need a word with you." She said as she caught me at the door about to leave. I sent my friends away and told them to save me a seat at our quiet place, while I turned to face a very concerned looking teacher, which was never a good thing.
"is it my grades?"
"no, it isn't, actually its far from anything educational", she said this time her face almost becoming a bit too concerned.
"not educati...., I know where you're going with this, and no I'm not going".
"listen, I know your high school life hasn't been that great, but you could really turn it around with this trip, maybe ev... ",
"I really appreciate what you're doing ma'am I really do but, I'll be fine" I interrupted.
"you've never been to any of these trips, just go just this once, please?"
"you know what, maybe I will, thanks", I said turning to the door and walking out. I sped out of the classroom as fast as I could to try and avoid anymore worried teacher concern. But what I didn't realize is maybe I was moving a bit too fast. In my hurry, I had rushed into another student who was coming into the classroom. The impact was so great that it sent both of us hurtling to the ground. Before I could even tell who, it was, my body had already begun yelling at the poor fellow I had just run into even though it was kind of my fault.
"watch where you're going assh---,"
"I'm sorry," he said whilst struggling to get up.
"are you okay?" he asked while stretching out his hand to help me up.
Now, the thing was this "fellow" as I put was no ordinary fellow but in fact one of the hottest people in our class and maybe even the school. It was Richie Coleman. He was dubbed head boy, five-year streak of being crowned prom king and well he's captain of the swim team.
He stood in front of me, in a very scruffy jean, his very expensive Nike sneakers, a black shirt that complimented his chest perfectly and his swimming captain's jumper which he wore with a bit of scruffy hair on his scalp, which made him look even hotter.
"are you going to sit there all day or are you going to take my hand?" he asked with his hand still stretched out to me.
"I'm fine thanks, I don't need your help." I said before getting up on my own and walking away from, which in my head was a stupid idea cause you see, I have a uh major crush on him, since the 4th grade, and it all started during the hotdog incident which ill touch on later. But he was too perfect for me anyways. So for almost 8 years, I would suffer silently each time he would be dating a girl, or pleasuring another one, or asking her to go for prom, Fun right?
Anyways after that, I went to go find my friends at the quiet place. Which was more of a bench in the far side of the school. When I arrived where they were, Maureen, did the traditional greeting of hitting me in the knees and john would begin telling me of all the hot girls he met on his way there.
"no, she much older than that, probably 18 or something", said Maureen before my troubled face and aura trapped hers.
"what's with the long face pretty boy. Got dumped or something", said john while scrolling on a bunch of girls profiles on some dating site he found while trying to watch a pirated show. "I knew she'd call me in because of the stupid trip," I grumbled.
"I mean, its not my fault id rather be at home than being with a bunch of hormonal teens at a resort or whatever, it's just unnecessary,"
"but this would be our first, and well last trip before we uh---," john said before stopping and turning away.
"before you guys what?" I asked, when deep down I knew the answer.
"well tell you later okay, but please just think about it alright," Maureen said before caressing my shoulder and walking away to her mom's car, which was already in the parking lot waiting on her.
"please come, I –,"
"hey john, let's go man we have practice c'mon." one of johns' friends, whose also in the swim team interrupted.
"hey, ill text you later alright, I have to go,"
"sure, ill see you later then."
Sometimes, I usually thank whoever is up there for my friends, they are always there, always so good to me. Then comes the part when they aren't there, when I'm alone like right now.
"maybe it won't be so bad", "maybe I might like it",
Were the thoughts running through my head as I walked back to the class to go look for the little piece of paper I was supposed to give my parents to sign, which being myself I had accidentally misplaced. I checked the floors, the trash bins, heck I even asked Mrs. Mitchell, but she only printed enough for every student in class. She didn't have an extra one.
Maybe this was it, a sign I needed to not go. i didn't even want to go a few minutes ago, but why do I feel so sad. This always happen, the very second, I decide to do something new, or different. Something always happens that just discourages me. Well, I've had it, maybe being home won't be so bad. Ill just have some snacks watch a couple movies, all alo....
"looking for something?" Richie said, he must have dodged the practice that was going on. Though his hair was wet. Maybe he left them early.
"no, I was just heading home",
"oh, well then don't forget this," he said pulling out the little paper that was causing me mental hurricanes, what was more shocking, was that I was actually glad he had found it. which was weird seeing as how a few minutes ago i just made peace with not going.
"where did you....?"
"well you dropped it after our little tumble back there, I thought you might need it."
"thanks, but I think I'm not going",
"oh, well, I want you to go",
What the heck. Richie Coleman, wants me to come on a one-week trip, with him to a resort? That doesn't sound right this must be a prank, right?
"you wa...want me to go, why?"
"we've been in the same class for more than 7 years now, I think its time we got to know each other better",
I couldn't believe this was happening, and to top it all off. I think he was blushing.
"I.... uh... I don't know what to uhm say",
"don't say anything then," this time he walked towards me until the distance between us was just about the same as that of the molecules in a solid, but besides vibrating close to each other. I was the one shaking, with every word he spoke to me. He moved closer and looked me straight in the eyes, and lets just say, I got lost in them. He then gripped the paper and placed his hand on my chest.
"here, please consider it atleast",
I reached to grab the paper, and for a moment my hand caressed the top of his.
"I..... I will",
"good, ill see you tomorrow then".
He then grabbed my hand and placed the paper in it. Then he turned and walked away, leaving me in an empty hallway, with my mind at this point at the brink of insanity. Why did he do that, why did he say all of that why and why was it to me.
I just stood their watching him walk, and another thought popped into my mind. it was a thing, I found on social media that said that if someone walking away from you looks back and maybe smiles, well, they might like you. I didn't believe in such, but part of me was waiting to see if he would. But I knew he wouldn't so I too just turned around and was about to walk away until......
"wait, what if he actually....",
I then turned, and there he was, staring back at me, with a small smile at his cheek.
uhhh what the hell?