“Zac, Ashton, let’s be reasonable about this.” I look between the two of them, astonished they are giving me the time of day.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmk2Nn1AEZZ
“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.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgzHah3jsn
Fine, I pick you. And your muscles.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3jLoYDYpL
“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.”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OnFJLfCYE
Just kidding, I pick you. Laughter is important in a relationship.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zflSfLqqd
“Oh, right, that stupid prank show you do. Can’t be late for that!” Zac huffs and steps closer to Ashton.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxq0cHRirj
“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?”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMrcTMbzUv
The two continue to stare each other down. How did I get in this situation?
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObRUEldzmN
“Fellas, come on. We can all be friends, right?” I smile and give a thumbs up. They blink, unmoved. “Right?”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfk2dL3jkd
Ashton opens his mouth to speak again, but all that comes out is a shrill beep.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nfBWz6XOu
I furrow my eyes. “Ashton, are you okay?”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPIxyNPGYO
He opens his mouth again. BEEP.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdssopZvNr1
“What is going on?” I step closer to the pair. Zac looks at me and opens his mouth. BEEP.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqPAqEwUSA
BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2K5oMB4hDu
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.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUUIT7JTXn
Maybe I should take a cold shower and cool myself off after that dream.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JtHZAJGfL
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.
--
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTHKiNQ7zC
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.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxu1791PvsW
“Good morning,” I venture, opening the fridge and taking out a yogurt and an apple.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9L2iAOv0sF
“Good morning, killer.” Frank picks up his coffee mug and takes a sip. “Who are you planning on knocking out today?”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblvZfOkWJb
“Frank!” My mom scolds. “You shouldn’t be encouraging her behavior! She could have gotten into serious trouble!”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW1hszAd73
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.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCrp1GCCne
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.”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMFELpGRmZ
She smiles wide. “Good! See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOs1FUClYa4
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.”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDApddjkvR
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.”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpMv35lXJb
Of course she’s taking his side.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mj7bSbQic
“Not bitter,” I say, shaking my head. “Just over him and how much of a jerk he is.”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKJzpxtQYl
“Honey, you can’t be mad at him forever. Forgiveness is important.”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbx6MjJHTpt
“Mom, he broke up with me three days ago. Forgiveness can wait. He doesn’t deserve my forgiveness right now.” I take another bite.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTliuErkc7g
“Being spiteful isn’t a good look, dear.” She arches her eyebrows and lifts her coffee mug.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9f88zD6Vv
“I can do all things through spite, which strengthens me.”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuWhQDdnNu
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.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dXhcnBX4f
“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.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnxxuQ3Kyk
Oh, to be a college student and have the ability to sleep in.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLJrIjvBzy
“Morning, C.” I finish my apple and crack open my yogurt.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfofCiKpNB
“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.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4n7I63W5Yk
I shrug and ignore the glare we’re both getting from my mother. “It’s not a big deal really.”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUd7SNL7rPk
“Not a big deal!” Clark smiles wide. “It’s not every day my kid sister wallops a guy. You must tell me your secret.”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ECVOmn3F8
“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.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrpBUpgnFl
“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.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLanPoEuv8
“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.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIGKCr1jc6
“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.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAjRLPN1Rb
“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.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAXOyFr8xj
“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.”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsGTOxqg7W
“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.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzJjv3wFty
I sigh and get in the driver’s seat, silently amping myself up for another day.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxdJhJl5gQ
--
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgG7EsiMUt
“I knew your mom would flip.” Lindsey closes her locker and turns to me. “Now you have to miss my party!”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMF0wZ7hklb
“You can always reschedule it,” I offer, grabbing my Physics book and tucking it into my bag before closing my own locker.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7R4KRxnvH
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.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolkIyLtxKE
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.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSHxYZjSmk
I will not punch Max today. I will not punch Max today. I. Will. Not. Punch. Max. Today.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ438c4DVn0O
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.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sYHCRsk5X
“Morning, Simon.” I take out my notebook and textbook.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjLEEgyiDk
Simon turns and looks at me. He has large bags under his eyes and his skin is pale.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9FqHguS4S
“You okay?”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fZHgq0m5k
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.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNarcM2m4Cs
“Ah. That go well?”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBskm3As3Ul
Simon shrugs. “I guess so. He still won’t tell his parents.” His voice drops. “But whatever, I can’t wait all year.”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xx4VoMz1R
Mr. Whitlock walks into the room just as the bell to start class goes off.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstbmFrDoQB
“Okay, everyone, please take out your textbooks and open to page 394.”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNmrr1rCjs
--
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK48Afft6Gw
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.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbS0tJvihw
“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.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZKpJkX6Nl
“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.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblB4ulVE3V
“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.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQgCnypfeD
Great, so every teacher knows about what happened yesterday.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnTd9i7B1w
“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.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKI3513qWf
Lindsey pokes my arm with her pencil and passes me a note.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnW7eEMjrv
Work session at your house after school?
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yH1bhWSCu
I make sure Ms. Slovenhall isn’t paying attention before responding.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC0BaSNgdM
Unlikely. I’m grounded, remember?I pass the note back to her. She scribbles an answer.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVogtAymncZ
Even for school projects? Leigh won’t let you fail.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEemeRvIOIy
She is, of course, right. My mother would rather saw off her arm than have me waste precious academic time.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofcOS0csPV
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.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHnqSIosF9
Love the initiative. Work in the kitchen. No boys.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9t75bMRDv
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.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9o7cTCKZF
--
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgZR31PNvq
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.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8Wournd4H
“I have zero clue what I’m going to do for this,” I mutter, eyeing the chips.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhq7o4K4uS
“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?”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyEn145KAz
“You guys are being ridiculous,” Romina says. “Just do what you always do and bullshit it.”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVGFp4G5Ei
Lindsey and I stare at her.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2yrTasVq9
“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.”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEplL0Onshr
“You’re not wrong.” I sigh and grab a chip, sticking it in my mouth and savoring the salty deliciousness.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFx3CDViWeS
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.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRvcGGgozL
“Well, if it isn’t three of my favorite high schoolers!” Clark beams at us.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9klFO9NjSr
“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.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm70uS3kpdV
Stop it, Ellie. You do NOT need to get involved with another guy.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcX6U2VJFZt
My heart doesn’t listen though. Instead, it starts doing somersaults in my chest. Mystery boy stands there grinning.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYBBeE2l7G
“This is Reuben,” Clark says, pointing to his companion. “Reuben, this is my sister Ellie and her two friends, Romina and Lindsey.”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRM9LW6d4wP
Be cool, Ellie. Be. Cool.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdhG9Kg2Gv
“Oh, neat, like the sandwich?” Four pairs of eyes lock onto me and my stomach joins in on the gymnastics happening inside my body.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmyJITjUda
Ellie, WHAT?
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcg3HyL7Hm2
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.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCgJd0E2tG
Reuben’s eyes widen. “Sure, just like the sandwich.” His voice is as warm as the sun and I am melting.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FiF2MSwIj
I smile. Reuben smiles back and my heart has resumed its practice for the Olympics.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcFNZ3ous8
“You uh, have something.” Reuben brushes the side of his lip. I reach up and to my horror find crumbs lining my lips.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8KbNhGl8Z
Why God, why? He likely thinks I’m a complete slob.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHH4t1oroR
I wipe them away with a napkin and will my cheeks to stop burning.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelFCXkZwCr
Now would be a great time for the apocalypse.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1XIy1ArLQ
“Well, it was nice meeting you.” Reuben raises his hand in a wave. “See you all later?”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkw7DrcK9eb
“Bye now, Reuben!” Lindsey waves back and forth. “We hope to see you again soon, especially Ellie!”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡun0Lw2wi1p
Best friend or not, I want her dead.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JH0LrqwDn
I pull her down into her seat. “What are you doing?” I hiss, looking back at the doorway. Thankfully, Reuben and Clark have left.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyl0YtEDE6I
Lindsey smiles. “I fancy a sandwich. Do you, Romina?”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gjY6MISG8
I groan.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWibZdcbTx
“What kind will we make?” Romina’s eyes are sparkling with laughter.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilFGMNak2f
“Grilled cheese?”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj64BnCJthV
“BLT?”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyx6bEt06fm
“Club?”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8zyXMeERN
“Peanut butter and jelly?”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFX6zCHdx9
“You two are hilarious.” I close my laptop and begin gathering up my things.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXn2UFULJF
“I know!” Lindsey says, sticking her finger in the air.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSHVrDzhYe
“REUBEN!” The two of them say this together and break into fits of laughter.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6AdgrTmo4
“Hardy har,” I grumble. “I’m so glad my embarrassment brings you joy.”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRjXgtHXLq
“Let’s be real, though. He was cute, right?” Lindsey leans in close.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiP6oPNrzz
I shrug. “He was alright, I guess. If you’re into that sort of thing.” I flutter my hands in the air.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Z0gxI5Dru
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.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBqBppO1Pb
“What are you writing?” I lean over. “Are those names?”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqb2bfCN1ok
Lindsey nods and hands the notebook over to Romina. “Have any to add?”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNAHvIpeMr
Romina scans the notebook before chuckling. “Kale? Clementine? Benedict? What are these?”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGSeM0MFS2
Lindsey flashes that devilish grin again. “Future baby names. I figured we’d stick with the food theme.”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRppSeaFTA
I drop my head on the table. “You guys suck.”
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuxh9CHs1d
“You forgot Olive! And Colby!” Romina picks up her pen and adds to the list.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUVmblZWOy
I am never going to live this down.
180Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm94Aa9tq8j
