“Zac, Ashton, let’s be reasonable about this.” I look between the two of them, astonished they are giving me the time of day.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kM39l9QRj
“Ellie, you have to pick between us.” Zac Efron brushes his long locks from his eyes. His basketball jersey hangs snugly against his muscular frame.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EcN7GqGDn
Fine, I pick you. And your muscles.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvodMynihY
“I agree with him, Ellie. You must pick,” Ashton Kutcher says, stepping forward and crossing his arms. His perpetual smirk rests on his lips. “And let’s make this quick. I need to be on set soon. We’re punking Rihanna today.”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfO1MI0cUiV
Just kidding, I pick you. Laughter is important in a relationship.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9b7bGktdl
“Oh, right, that stupid prank show you do. Can’t be late for that!” Zac huffs and steps closer to Ashton.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIiaiZubX9
“Oh, you’re just mad because I pushed your appearance.” Ashton turns and squints at Zac. “Don’t you have to go sing or something?”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCsJs2FOCM
The two continue to stare each other down. How did I get in this situation?
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfwWLyj3Xt
“Fellas, come on. We can all be friends, right?” I smile and give a thumbs up. They blink, unmoved. “Right?”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oN8o3m1Fn
Ashton opens his mouth to speak again, but all that comes out is a shrill beep.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhdfmfW9wu
I furrow my eyes. “Ashton, are you okay?”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtJkAK8EiT
He opens his mouth again. BEEP.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeiT6Fhuzo
“What is going on?” I step closer to the pair. Zac looks at me and opens his mouth. BEEP.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviDnDruKLO
BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvDrqQY69l
I groan and roll over, slamming my hand on my alarm clock. It figures I’d be woken up in the middle of a dream like that. I crawl out of bed and amble over to my closest, grabbing the first shirt and pair of jeans I see. Yawning, I head out of my room and to the bathroom, anxious to feel the refreshing hot water over my body.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYuBDhbGyG
Maybe I should take a cold shower and cool myself off after that dream.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLetPrhazSn
Stepping into the shower, I smile and replay the dream in my head. An imaginary love triangle with Zac Efron and Ashton Kutcher beats out a real relationship with Max any day.
--
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50Fc3ynjiT
After I shower and dress, I head to the kitchen to grab some breakfast. My mom sits at the table with Frank, my stepfather. They both look up as I enter.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9kjPiO3Th
“Good morning,” I venture, opening the fridge and taking out a yogurt and an apple.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzT0CORKV6
“Good morning, killer.” Frank picks up his coffee mug and takes a sip. “Who are you planning on knocking out today?”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzzurh1EQj
“Frank!” My mom scolds. “You shouldn’t be encouraging her behavior! She could have gotten into serious trouble!”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8lBG5L1a6
Frank nods. “I know that. I’m not saying I support it. And I’m thankful we’re avoiding legal issues, even if you would have had a fantastic lawyer.” He winks at me and takes another sip of his coffee.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEL3RBuQoPX
I smile in return. “Obviously.” I take a bite of my apple and drum my fingers on the table. “I apologized to Max last night, Mom.”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe90kH971Pr
She smiles wide. “Good! See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxvXKyliEb
I take another bite of my apple and look her in the eye. “I can think of several things I’d much rather do than have to do that again.”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8T0Ze7renE
Her smile instantly turns into a frown. “Eleanor, you mustn’t be so bitter towards him. You’re the one who punched him, after all.”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcUbUvbKPG
Of course she’s taking his side.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5TRW3KkXm
“Not bitter,” I say, shaking my head. “Just over him and how much of a jerk he is.”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIIKoioePk
“Honey, you can’t be mad at him forever. Forgiveness is important.”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUKjQFbpCq
“Mom, he broke up with me three days ago. Forgiveness can wait. He doesn’t deserve my forgiveness right now.” I take another bite.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRZkFhybmS
“Being spiteful isn’t a good look, dear.” She arches her eyebrows and lifts her coffee mug.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0PHLVkLWo
“I can do all things through spite, which strengthens me.”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeIBuAgleS
Frank chuckles as my mother sucks in a deep breath. “Eleanor, that is not appropriate,” she says, her cheeks turning red. I shrug and take another bite.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2UiYoygCF
“Well, if it isn’t the female Mike Tyson herself!” A voice says behind me. I turn to find my older brother, Clark, standing at the counter. His shaggy strawberry hair, the same rosy shade as mine, is ruffled and falls into his eyes. He’s still wearing his pajamas and he looks like he rolled right out of bed.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjqirC2zEQ
Oh, to be a college student and have the ability to sleep in.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhrTP680Au
“Morning, C.” I finish my apple and crack open my yogurt.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjilzABjVJ
“I hear you really socked it to Max yesterday.” Clark sits down next to me and grabs a muffin from the center of the table.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCETfJMubhO
I shrug and ignore the glare we’re both getting from my mother. “It’s not a big deal really.”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRuft29lLZ
“Not a big deal!” Clark smiles wide. “It’s not every day my kid sister wallops a guy. You must tell me your secret.”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08h4gb63lG
“It’s all in the wrist. See, you’ve got to clench your fist like you’re holding on for dear life and keep your arm straight as you go in for the kill.” I mimic my movements from yesterday.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtt8BtwxcNA
“Enough, Eleanor!” My mother’s shrill voice cuts through the room. “This is not a joking matter!” Her hands are spread out on the table and her eyes are wide.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTtIa5rF76
“Sorry, Mom,” Clark and I say at the same time. I finish my yogurt and stand. “I’ve got to get going. Is Leo going to need a ride today?” I ask, rinsing my spoon in the sink and depositing my yogurt container in the trash.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAAWD5LyyN
“He wants to take the bus,” Frank says, standing as well. Leo, my 8-year-old brother, usually snags a ride from me in the morning.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cvMWZpimr
“Works for me.” I turn to leave the kitchen. A drive to school without having to listen to a full-blown recap of the latest superhero movie seems like a dream.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEZCboKy82
“Oh, and Ellie, don’t forget to come home right after school today.” My mother’s voice is back to nurturing. “No going to Lindsey’s or Romina’s. You’re still grounded.”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kD2RgQ5k9
“Yes, Mom.” I rush out of the kitchen and grab my school bag before leaving the house. I go to my car, a 1995 Saturn, and throw my bag in the backseat. I still needed to figure out how to get myself ungrounded, and I’m sure the conversation this morning deterred my mother from ever relenting.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuwFS4hHFS
I sigh and get in the driver’s seat, silently amping myself up for another day.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOOlWgLoSp
--
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxP4UNchHGp
“I knew your mom would flip.” Lindsey closes her locker and turns to me. “Now you have to miss my party!”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbN5pFvjSbI
“You can always reschedule it,” I offer, grabbing my Physics book and tucking it into my bag before closing my own locker.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTICiYdBri
Lindsey shakes her head. “No can do. My parents already paid the caterer.” Lindsey’s parents are known to consistently go above and beyond for any gathering, even a minor Labor Day party for their teenage daughter.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rr67kEpk9
I groan. “I will think of something, I promise.” The warning bell rings and we go our separate ways. I make my way down the hall to Physics.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwjbW8vH51
I will not punch Max today. I will not punch Max today. I. Will. Not. Punch. Max. Today.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQC1zynQaZ
Simon’s already at our table when I enter the Physics room. Max is with Tiffani, and neither of them notice me as I slide into my seat.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vQSkzQAmX
“Morning, Simon.” I take out my notebook and textbook.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4Xop5BZgX
Simon turns and looks at me. He has large bags under his eyes and his skin is pale.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2jv21PeAt
“You okay?”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0JYA4ek5K
Simon nods. “I’m fine. I was up late chatting with you-know-who last night.” He yawns and covers his mouth with his hand. I sneak a glance over at Marcus, who mirrors Simon’s ragged appearance.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXdJAGwheV
“Ah. That go well?”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7vmfKZS35
Simon shrugs. “I guess so. He still won’t tell his parents.” His voice drops. “But whatever, I can’t wait all year.”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBZWP9tWvg
Mr. Whitlock walks into the room just as the bell to start class goes off.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6HH670Pd0
“Okay, everyone, please take out your textbooks and open to page 394.”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEA3BWeWNnV
--
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgb3epyEl6J
That afternoon, I have Senior Planning with Romina and Lindsey. We’re supposed to spend the year figuring out our lives. I’m expecting this year to go as it has in the past, where seniors spend each class until May goofing off and then whip out a half-assed essay the week before graduation.
The three of us sit in the back of the room. Lindsey has her notebook out and is party planning, ignoring what the teacher is saying about our major project.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEF2iUrwsg
“Now, I’m sure most of you in this class are expecting to waste your time before turning in what is a less than remarkable assignment,” Ms. Slovenhall, the teacher, says. She’s a younger teacher, new this year, and her black-rimmed glasses and bob haircut make her look much older than she likely is.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQGCbaKGpF
“However, this year, we’re going to do things a little differently. Each week, you will be responsible for meeting with me and showing me evidence of what you are completing. I know, I know, it’s terrible you have to actually work, but it will be better for you in the long run.” She smiles and starts passing out packets of paper.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbTyNm2UYY
“I want each of you to think about who you are right at this very moment. Then, spend this year growing. Challenge yourself. Become someone better and reflect on your time here.” She stops at my desk and puts the packet in front of me. A weak smile crosses her lips. “Chances are, some of you have made some serious mistakes. Now is the time to change who you think you’re supposed to be.” She walks away.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBR9F5oVxa
Great, so every teacher knows about what happened yesterday.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3btXRWhRzM
“Each week, when you meet with me, you will need to complete a journal entry. Requirements for this are listed, and I’m expecting each of you to really go all-out for this.” She continues on, explaining the project requirements in detail.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd39yxE3OpR
Lindsey pokes my arm with her pencil and passes me a note.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnitfCFrj9
Work session at your house after school?
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmy0TcqmQ4
I make sure Ms. Slovenhall isn’t paying attention before responding.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSufbTc6EC7
Unlikely. I’m grounded, remember?I pass the note back to her. She scribbles an answer.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aVqzclhIe
Even for school projects? Leigh won’t let you fail.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVasOZOpSX
She is, of course, right. My mother would rather saw off her arm than have me waste precious academic time.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CqVWzQOGD
I’ll ask. I write back. I pull my cell phone out of my bag and compose a quick text to my mother, all the while sneaking glances to make sure Mrs. Slovenhall isn’t watching. The last thing I need is to get in trouble for using my phone. A few moments later, my phone buzzes with a response.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovELVHNG49
Love the initiative. Work in the kitchen. No boys.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtr0XUCnDxm
I give a quick thumbs up to Lindsey and smile. I could use this time to prove to my mother that she could relent on the grounding.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqx0vBlIGs
--
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xd7bHb79Y
After school, Romina, Lindsey, and I sit at the kitchen table, our notebooks spread out before us. A platter of chips sits in the middle of the table, and I have my laptop open.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI192UzT8oQ
“I have zero clue what I’m going to do for this,” I mutter, eyeing the chips.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgwAw93OQa
“Same. I don’t even know what next week will bring,” Lindsey says, taking a drink from her soda can. “It’s like, how can teachers expect us to know what we’re doing with our lives at this age?”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxJwNPlht1
“You guys are being ridiculous,” Romina says. “Just do what you always do and bullshit it.”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcyblbjiDP
Lindsey and I stare at her.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKZFIlW67o
“What?” She raises her head. “It’s not like you guys were planning on actually putting in effort until you found out it was a weekly grade.”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU77Hu7jOrF
“You’re not wrong.” I sigh and grab a chip, sticking it in my mouth and savoring the salty deliciousness.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyQYb6Hnuz
We get back to work, each of us snagging more chips as the minutes pass by. We’re interrupted shortly after by Clark barreling into the kitchen. He’s followed by a guy I’ve never seen before and I find my heart picking up the pace.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZYr29z5sF
“Well, if it isn’t three of my favorite high schoolers!” Clark beams at us.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcuopnl0Yu
“Hi Clark,” the three of us say in unison. I take a second look at the boy behind Clark. He stands about six feet tall, has bright blue eyes and soft blond hair, which is perfectly styled in a spiky fashion. My heart continues to beat faster.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzingsqLM0
Stop it, Ellie. You do NOT need to get involved with another guy.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qUK7MIuHv
My heart doesn’t listen though. Instead, it starts doing somersaults in my chest. Mystery boy stands there grinning.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZgHrdBcAo
“This is Reuben,” Clark says, pointing to his companion. “Reuben, this is my sister Ellie and her two friends, Romina and Lindsey.”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmepCDeX1yx
Be cool, Ellie. Be. Cool.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7y5bRFzVpX
“Oh, neat, like the sandwich?” Four pairs of eyes lock onto me and my stomach joins in on the gymnastics happening inside my body.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrmfZZdyIs
Ellie, WHAT?
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJvAMdfhWj
Lindsey starts shaking with laughter and Romina’s lips pull tightly together. Clark stares at me in disbelief and I would like nothing more than to be invisible.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsu1ybnpmlz
Reuben’s eyes widen. “Sure, just like the sandwich.” His voice is as warm as the sun and I am melting.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFqFvixAcK
I smile. Reuben smiles back and my heart has resumed its practice for the Olympics.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhVh3RcCAX
“You uh, have something.” Reuben brushes the side of his lip. I reach up and to my horror find crumbs lining my lips.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHEiuqcPYa
Why God, why? He likely thinks I’m a complete slob.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsVjrgWzRX
I wipe them away with a napkin and will my cheeks to stop burning.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcp09UXj4PQ
Now would be a great time for the apocalypse.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgW9c72UMHx
“Well, it was nice meeting you.” Reuben raises his hand in a wave. “See you all later?”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitl3yiEzNZ
“Bye now, Reuben!” Lindsey waves back and forth. “We hope to see you again soon, especially Ellie!”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pNjuZpEph
Best friend or not, I want her dead.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl65pnedVWE
I pull her down into her seat. “What are you doing?” I hiss, looking back at the doorway. Thankfully, Reuben and Clark have left.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqMJ56diLc
Lindsey smiles. “I fancy a sandwich. Do you, Romina?”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiMxEuAKPL
I groan.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8oSS05pYY
“What kind will we make?” Romina’s eyes are sparkling with laughter.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5zSRFKSv2
“Grilled cheese?”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv03BvY2L5Y
“BLT?”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9f4VEtEFw
“Club?”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVq9gdLCwhM
“Peanut butter and jelly?”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeKSv0krgw
“You two are hilarious.” I close my laptop and begin gathering up my things.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwYvojLVZ1
“I know!” Lindsey says, sticking her finger in the air.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2b6eiOlGvN
“REUBEN!” The two of them say this together and break into fits of laughter.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YPiaV7Vgl
“Hardy har,” I grumble. “I’m so glad my embarrassment brings you joy.”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSGb6z9eeq
“Let’s be real, though. He was cute, right?” Lindsey leans in close.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkilQUvehBK
I shrug. “He was alright, I guess. If you’re into that sort of thing.” I flutter my hands in the air.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLPJVHZi2C
Lindsey snorts. “‘That sort of thing.’ Right. Whatever you say, Ellie.” She grins as she picks up her pencil. She starts writing in her notebook.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtY5Itf2Qx
“What are you writing?” I lean over. “Are those names?”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DNgDxJXar
Lindsey nods and hands the notebook over to Romina. “Have any to add?”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRXcEgEEkP
Romina scans the notebook before chuckling. “Kale? Clementine? Benedict? What are these?”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsX5q6Ld1QE
Lindsey flashes that devilish grin again. “Future baby names. I figured we’d stick with the food theme.”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aeM4qCu2M
I drop my head on the table. “You guys suck.”
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdZmkW3tR5
“You forgot Olive! And Colby!” Romina picks up her pen and adds to the list.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmul5AOr6b
I am never going to live this down.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPx1q3En5BX
