It wasmetime. Self-care.
The noise of first-day anticipation surrounded me as I waited for Gabby on a bench outside of Gilchrist Point High School. I tugged my white t-shirt down to cover my midriff and pulled at the loose strings from the rip in my tight black jeans. My black Converse that were a few years past their prime pulled the ensemble together.
I had hit the snooze button one too many times this morning and had to rush to get ready. It was nothing much, but for me that was normal. I didn’t have to spend hours on my hair and makeup. A comb-through and some mascara was good enough for me.
As I waited for Gabby–who was a habitual tardy queen–a familiar matte black Challenger whipped in the drive and parked half on the grass, half in the parking space. I’d spent the last two years avoiding my neighbors and they happened to appear right in front of me on the first day of school.
West jumped out of the car like his ass was on fire, and Bronx looked around nervously. West was dressed in the same clothes he always wore: jeans, a black t-shirt, and black boots. Tattoos wrapped around one of his forearms and disappeared under the sleeve of his shirt. I hadn’t noticed the ink at Aces because the lighting there was fucking horrible.
In the dawn sunlight, West looked mysterious and dangerous. He knew it too. He smiled as Bronx talked animatedly about something. They began walking in my direction because–of course–I had to pick the bench near where they parked. I thought I’d be safe further away from the school.
West noticed me first, his smile getting swiftly replaced by a scowl. Bronx spotted me next, and his eyes lit up in recognition–and probably because I didn’t get up and run in the opposite direction like I would’ve last year. West walked over to a group hanging by the steps leading to the school which included Cade, Axel, and a few other people I didn’t recognize. I didn’t pay much attention to people at school. As far as I was concerned, those who don’t matter won’t mind, or whatever Dr. Seuss said.
Bronx jogged over and plopped on the bench beside me. “Long time, no see,” he said as he looked around. “Waiting for reinforcements?”
“Gabby.” I shifted uncomfortably on the bench and crossed one leg over the other. “We didn’t talk again Saturday. What’s the verdict on Aces?”
Bronx laughed. “I approve. Max was an awesome waiter, by the way. Not sure how he would look in your uniform.”
“Isn’t he the best?”
My phone buzzed with a text message as I scoped the parking lot for Gabby’s car. She drove a bright yellow Volkswagen Beetle, so she was hard to miss.
Gabby: I’m going to Starbucks, want anything?
Class was starting soon so there was no way Gabby would make it on time.
Me: Café mocha, please and thank you :)
Gabby: Aye aye captain!
Me: I’m waiting on the benches out front
Gabby: Whatttt?!?! No, not my little mouse!
Very funny.I rolled my eyes at the nickname bestowed by my best friend. She thought I was way too timid for my own good and didn’t hold any qualms about reminding me of it.
Me: I am, and now you’re going to be late. Which leaves me here with Bronx. Alone.
Gabby: What about West? ;)
Me: What about him…
Gabby: I bet he would keep you company ;)
Me: Is there something in your eye?
Gabby: *Winking GIF*
I turned the screen off and chucked my phone into my bag. When I told Gabby about the incident at Aces, she thought it was hilarious.What are the chances they would sit in your section?Very unlikely, but alas, this is my life.
Bronx had been telling me about Axel’s party on Saturday, insisting yet again that I attend.
“I checked my schedule and I’m definitely working Saturday, otherwise I would check it out.”
He shot me a knowing glance. I tried to school my smirk, but he saw right through it. “Bullshit. You won’t ever come to one of our parties. I wish you would. I think you’d have a lot of fun. I hate that my brother ruined our time together.”
I anticipated that Bronx would bringhimup at some point. West was the huge elephant in the room, and we were all dancing around it.