Chapter 23: Why do I like such an idiot?

When I woke up on Monday, I couldn’t help but smile. Not only did I sneak out with Grayson on Friday but today is my last day of lunch detention, and my last day of being grounded. I stood up and stretched, walking towards my closet and grabbing my uniform before racing to the bathroom. Instead of being exhausted and grumpy, I walked downstairs with a smile on my face. My mother gave me an odd look. She has the day off today so she’s home rather than off at work already.

“Good morning, mom,” I told her as I grabbed two pieces of bread and placed them in the toaster. I walked over towards the fridge and gripped the orange juice while reaching for a glass in the cabinet. My mother sent me an odd look as I began to butter my toast.

I sat down at the table and she decided to speak up. “Why are you so happy?”

“Today is the last day of my punishments,” I told her and she rolled her eyes before grabbing her keys off of the table.

“I’m going shopping. Do you need anything?” I thought for a minute before shaking my head. “Good, because I wouldn’t have gotten it anyway," she laughed as she kissed the top of my head. I rolled my eyes and couldn’t help but laugh along with her.

~~~

The day went by slowly, especially AP English Literature and Composition. We were taking turns reading passages aloud out of Shakespeare and if that isn’t a terrible way to spend a class period, then I don’t know what is. All I know is that I was happy that Grayson was in that class. At least I had someone to look at. But not in a creepy way; we made faces at each other when the teacher's back was turned.

Kyle and I walked downstairs to lunch after Spanish class. It was silent until he decided to speak up. “How was Friday?”

I gave him an odd look. He can’t know, can he? “What do you mean?”

“School, work, sneaking out of the house with Grayson, sleeping in the next morning,” he listed and I stared at him.

“He told you?” I asked, earning a shrug in response.

“How else would I know?” he asked. “You act like you didn’t tell Lola and Sandra.”

“So? That’s different,” I muttered as I stared at my feet.

“And how is that?” he snorted, quirking an eyebrow.

I pursed my lips, deciding not to delve into the details of my crush on his best friend. “Never mind, anyway, how’s Lola doing?”

He smiled before sighing. “Great.”

I nodded, a small smirk finding its way on my lips. He gave me a curious look but I just shook my head and got in line for lunch. Once I got my food, I walked in the direction of the detention room, surprised to hear footsteps behind me. I turned to see Grayson jogging towards me, a tray in his hand.

“Where are you going?” I asked him and he motioned to the room at the far end of the hall.

“Lunch detention? What’d you do?” I asked him. He smirked before giving me a shy smile.

“I was going to prank you by putting a moldy piece of bread in your locker but a teacher caught me trying to pick the lock,” he admitted and I glowered at him.

“Are you serious?’ I asked and he nodded, opening the door to detention for me. We slipped inside of the room, sitting down beside each other. The rules were written on the board.

Sign in; no talking; no electronics; no fighting.

Grayson looked around the room before looking back at me. “Where’s the teacher?”

“He doesn’t come for another ten minutes,” I told him as I scribbled my name on the sign in sheet for proof that I’m here. Grayson signed in after me and I sat back down and began eating the food on my tray. I began to think about something. “Hey Grayson?”

He looked up at me and nodded. “Does Natalie still sit at the lunch table?”

He nodded. “She doesn’t want to give up. She keeps asking me to hang out after school, to go to her place to study, to do this and that. I keep saying no but she’s insistent.”

“What do you say exactly?” I asked him, trying hard not to stab the food on my plate.

“I tell her ‘maybe another time,’” he explained and I gave him a flat look.

“That makes her think that you want to but you can’t,” I informed him and he gave me a curious look.

“What am I supposed to say then?” he questioned, raising an eyebrow.

I shrugged. “Say that you don’t want to go over her house…ever.”

He smirked at me. “Do you want me to say that for me or for you?”

I glared at him and continued to eat while he sighed. “Just say something to her.”

We dropped the conversation and ate in silence for a minute. He looked at me for a few seconds before a slow, hopeful smile spread across his lips. “Can we talk about it?”

“No,” I told him before going back to my food. Why can’t he just forget about it?

He just sighed in response and we ate in silence until the teacher came into the classroom, munching on an apple. Grayson threw out my lunch for me and on the way back, he made a funny face, causing me to laugh. “Silence.”

I looked up at the teacher and frowned. How can he tell me to quiet my laughter? Deciding that the argument wasn’t worth it, I put my head on my desk. “Pst…Darling.”

“Didn’t I say silence?” the teacher snapped in annoyance and Grayson grew quiet. I felt something hit the back of my head and I groaned, sitting up and lifting the paper off of the floor.

‘Can we talk about it now?’ I crumbled the paper up and walked to the trashcan, allowing it to fall from my hands and into the bin.

Grayson didn’t bother me for the rest of the short lunch period. When lunch detention was over, Grayson grinned widely. “What class do you have now?”

He smiled. “I have a free period.”

I frowned, wishing that I didn't fill my schedule to the brim with classes. Rather than taking a free period, I signed up for an extra class; my mother said it would look good on a college application. “I have forensic science, no fair.”

He smirked. “Have fun," with that, he left me to travel up the stairs to class.

~~~

Once class was over, I quickly exited the classroom, prepared to run to my locker and put some stuff away before going home. Grayson was standing outside of the classroom, staring at the floor. I awkwardly walked by him and reached my locker, whipping around to see him grinning at me. “What did you do?”

“I couldn’t let a moldy sandwich go to waste,” he sighed as he motioned towards my locker. I groaned as I unlocked it and grabbed the sandwich with a stray piece of paper. I tossed it into the nearest trashcan before spraying perfume into my locker to try and rid of the smell. It didn't do much. I grabbed my coat and my backpack, sighing in frustration. It'll take days for my locker to air out.

“How’d you even get into my locker?” I asked him.

“Kyle," he answered with a shrug. I gave him a curious look. “He knows how to pick locks.”

I nodded as I pursed my lips. We walked out to the parking lot together. “Are you coming tomorrow?”

I furrowed my eyebrows as I looked at him. “Well I figured since your friends are coming, you might as well come. The guys and I are going to the public indoor gymnasium to play football.”

I shrugged. “Sure.”

He nodded. “Do you want to carpool then?” he asked and I tapped my chin in thought. He nudged me in the side. “You know you want to.”

I just rolled my eyes before nodding. “Sure.”

~~~

Work yesterday went well, Grayson and I occasionally joked around. I was happy once I was released from punishment. Tuesday was heaven; I woke up and nearly cheered when I waltzed downstairs once I was ready for school- my bag over my shoulder and a smirk on my face. “Why are you so happy?”

“I’m off of my punishment," I grinned widely. I then realized that whilst on my punishment, I’d left the house to go eat ice cream with Grayson. I guess you can say I wasn’t a complier to the consequences of my unruly actions.

“Stop looking so smug or else I’ll toss on another three days,” my father snorted as he placed a bowl of oatmeal in front of me.

I laughed awkwardly, trying to stop smiling. “So dad, can I go out with my friends after school?”

My father shrugged. “Sure, why not? When will you be home?”

I pursed my lips. We have work at five so I figure I’ll be home before then. “Four?”

My father raised his eyebrows. “Is that a request?”

I shook my head. “I’m not sure if we’re going straight to work after or what.”

He sighed. My parents don't like not knowing what time to expect me home. My mother will probably call the cops if I'm not home before six. “Well, give me a call as soon as you know.”

I was finishing my oatmeal when the doorbell rang. I popped out of my seat and kissed my dad’s cheek, running to the door. I opened it and Grayson’s eyes widened at my quickness before he smiled and pointed to his idling car. I can't help but miss his motorcycle; stupid winter weather and its chilly air and icy roads. “Let’s go, speedy Gonzales.”

I rolled my eyes but closed the door, following him outside. I got into the passenger’s seat and we drove down the street in the direction of school. He looked at me for a second before he continued to drive. “What?’

He shook his head but I insisted that he say what's on his mind. “Remember when we used to take the school bus to school and you always sat in the front, even when the kids in the back were gone?”

Two years ago, in sophomore year, I would sit in the first seat on the bus- in front of the freshman. Little did he know it was because I wanted to avoid interaction with other people- aside from my small group of friends who weren’t even on my bus. “You were one of the kids that sat in the back, even in sophomore year.”

“Because I was cool.," he smirked, glancing over at me occasionally. I wanted to sigh as I admired his side view. He’s so beautiful. But he's also ugly as dirt.

“I see that wore off,” I snorted before turning my head to the window, blushing profusely. I was technically ogling him in the middle of a conversation! Not smooth, Audrey, not smooth at all.

He laughed. “Maybe from hanging out with you.”

I slapped his arm and he gasped. “No hitting the driver.”

“My dearest apologies.” I gave him a deadpanned look while he just continued to laugh. I looked at him curiously. “So, after your practice, are you going to shower or what?”

His eyebrows shot up at lightning speed and I’m sure that if he were drinking something, he would’ve choked. I felt my face go as red as a fire hydrant when I realized what he assumed I’d meant. “No! I just need to know if you plan on taking me home first or if we’re going straight to work afterwards. My father asked, if that makes it any better.”

He fell into fits of laughter, causing me to stare at him as he struggled to keep his eyes open. He managed to drive us safely to school, where he proceeded to sit in the car and laugh while I got out and embarrassedly walked to Pre-Calculus. I tried to rid my brain of the awkward moment but continued to hear his faint laughter in the back of my mind. When it grew louder, I began to get scared. Could other people hear it ricocheting off of the walls of my mind, bouncing around like a stray bullet?

There were a few people in class and I noticed his familiar laughter making its way down the hall. He arrived at the door with his three main friends at his side. All of them were laughing and when they caught sight of me, they laughed even harder as they struggled to walk in a straight line to their classes. Grayson couldn’t look at me without falling into fits of laughter throughout the class.

~~~

I couldn’t live down my awkward question in the car this morning; even if it was just Grayson who had heard it- by lunch time, he’d made sure all of our mutual friends had heard. I sat down at the lunch table to see everyone holding in their laughter while Natalie just looked misplaced. I sighed and they lost it, letting out howls of laughter like wolves.

I ate, something they struggled to do between their giggles. I wasn’t the only one growing annoyed with it. “What’s so funny?”

Everyone quieted down as they glanced at Natalie. “Because it seems that you’re laughing at one of us, or maybe even both of us.”

I suddenly realized the reasoning for her slightly exaggerated anger. She thinks they’re laughing because of the fact that I socked her; it makes sense because t we’re the only two not laughing. I decided not to say anything, assuming she’d seek revenge any moment. Today was supposed to be my first day back at lunch and at first it was filled with laughter at my expense and now it’s filled with awkward tension because of a girl I dislike. How great.

When the bell rang, I quickly got up and made my way to Home Economics, prepared to dive into a seat farthest away from people. I entered the classroom to see Ms. Cora standing there with a smile on her face. Mr. Hugh was placing sticky notes on the desks. “Find your name and sit down.”

My eyes nearly bulged out of my head. Assigned seats? I began looking at each yellow sticky note, searching for my name. I finally found my name in the back row on the left side of the two person table. Although it was two people to a table, I sat alone. Thanks to that event that took place a few classes ago, I’m probably seen as the class interrupter now. I looked at the table in front of me and wanted to groan aloud. Grayson’s name was written neatly on the sticky note. I looked at the name underneath it and couldn’t help but be relieved. It was a guy who I don't know, thankfully. I looked at the table to the left of mine, at whoever had the right side and I urged to groan again. Carson. Because you know, my life is just a cliché romance novel, isn’t it?

I sat down at my table and watched as students came in with disgruntled looks on their faces. I would be too if I was told I could no longer sit next to my friends. Oh wait; I don’t have any friends in this class- excluding the two idiots who giggle uncontrollably whenever they see me. When Grayson came in, he automatically walked towards me. I pointed towards the table in front of me and he grinned, sitting down while I internally screeched.

Carson wasn’t that far behind and I pointed towards the table to the left of me. He laughed as he made his way to the seat; looks like somebody isn’t over it. Ms. Cora smiled as she stared at the filled tables. Everyone had someone beside them aside from me. “These are your assigned seats for the rest of the year. The person beside you will be your partner on all assignments. Introduce yourself.”

I looked over at the empty seat beside me. “Hello, I’m Audrey,” I scoffed before raising my hand. Ms. Cora looked at me. “I don’t have a partner.”

“Your partner switched out of this class; it’s a shame. Well, I’ll guess you’ll have to get with a group when we do have projects,” she told me with a smile. I wonder if this was accidental or on purpose, probably the latter. I just nodded as she continued to take notes on the board.

~~~

“Are you ready?” I nearly jumped out of my shoes when I turned around and saw Grayson standing behind me, against the wall.

I nodded and closed my locker, following him out to his car in silence. We were in the parking lot when he turned to me, quirking an eyebrow. “Do you know how to catch a football?”

My mouth opened slightly at his odd question. “No. Should I know how to catch a football?”

He smirked as he shook his head, proceeding to open the passenger’s side door for me. I got into the car with a confused look on my face before I buckled my seat belt. When he got into the car, he turned to me. “Do you know how to throw a football?”

What’s up with all of the football related questions? “I know how to throw a Pokeball.”

He snorted but didn’t say anything else as we drove to the community gymnasium. As expected, it was empty. Aside from our group of friends nobody else was there. The boys broke out a football as the girls and I moved towards the opposite side of the gymnasium, prepared to sit down on the floor. Sandra was muttering about how she wanted to play but she didn't want to be the only girl playing. However, Lola and I weren't taking the chances of playing and embarrassing ourselves. Unfortunately, the bleachers were pushed in and you need a key to extend them. Shane called out to us. “Where are you guys going?”

I pointed to an area out of the football’s range. Knowing Grayson, he’d try and peg it at my face again. And this time, there isn't a fence to protect me. “Here.”

Grayson snorted. “Let’s all play a friendly game of catch, shall we?”

I shook my head while the other girls shrugged and began walking over to him after dropping their belongings. “You’re just going to sit over there all alone, Darling?”

I smirked as I sat down, sitting against the wall. I was pretty safe from his terrible aim. “If you think I can’t toss that far, you’re mistaken.”

This is definitely not going as expected; I expected them to toss the ball around. Maybe Grayson would take off his shirt, but no, they’re inviting us girls to partake in a game of catch. I groaned as I stood up and dropped my bag and coat, walking over to the circle they made around the large gymnasium. It used to be an actual gym with equipment and everything, but they moved to a larger location. I stood there as they explained the rules. “Throw the ball to anyone; don’t drop it.”

“What happens if we do?” Sandra asked.

“We’ll have Audrey punch you in the face," Grayson retorted.

At first the guys would toss it slowly and it went at a good pace. Aside from the fact that it was hard to catch the ball; the game was going pretty smoothly. That was until Grayson decided to throw the ball in my direction at very high speeds. The guys would complain about me dropping the ball yet they wouldn’t even look in Grayson’s direction. The girls would smile at me and proceed to flinch when the ball was thrown at them, yet they caught it.

Around the fourth time Grayson pegged the ball at me, I threw the ball at him with all of my strength and he caught it. He smirked before tossing it at me again and in response, I threw it to him with the most amount of strength I could muster. “I knew you’d have a good throw; violent people always do.”

"That's probably why Sebastian is a better player than you," I bit back and he threw me a flat look, shaking his head quietly. Kyle shook his head in disappointment; Carson winced and started cheering 'ooh' at the top of his lungs; Shane, on the other hand, mouthed the words "you player" to me. My two friends snorted as they rolled their eyes.

I just narrowed my eyes at Grayson as the game continued. I quit the game at one point and sat down, taking out a book. Shane, who quit as well, walked over and smiled at me. “You do realize he was only doing that to get you angry, right?”

I snorted as I shook my head. “He’s so annoying.”

“But you like him," he nudged me and I just glared at him. I can’t believe I actually had a crush on this boy, not that it was technically a bad thing. But if I would’ve have personally known him, I know I wouldn’t have had a crush on him- his personality just doesn’t suit me. Although he’s funny and a great friend, he’s just not boyfriend material. But then again, I’m not sure if Grayson is either.

“Yeah, I know that,” I muttered as I placed my head in my hands.