Stacey

A shriek somewhere between a delighted giggle and a witch’s evil chortle resounded through the once silent, vaulted ceilings of the library where I was desperately trying to finish up my paper before the library closed. 

I had thought that retreating to the farthest corner of the library would be the best place to remain undisturbed. Oh how wrong I had been. 

So far, about half the kids in my school had thought the same, for entirely different reasons. Blushes had abounded, including mine. So when I heard the irritating shrieker getting closer I couldn’t hold in my moan of frustration. I did not want to know who thought little Miss Shrieky Giggles would be a good kisser. And I definitely did not want another guy laughing at me for actually doing my homework in the back of the library.

Apparently my groan was loud enough to be heard from several rows away because the giggling abruptly stopped. I hadn’t even been found and I was already blushing.

Lady Shrieks-a-lot stumbled around the end of the last row of books blocking me from sight and began laughing. It wasn’t much better than her attempt at flirtatious giggling. Seeing Heather, I wished deep down that Owen, her latest fling, would not be with her.

I know that wishing for Owen to not be there was a dumb thing to wish. I mean, who else would she be sneaking around the back parts of the library with? Actually I take that back. With her, she could have showed up with any boy from school and I wouldn’t have been too surprised. Heather had a tendency to flit through boyfriends like a mosquito flitted from one unwitting blood donor to another.

“Don’t worry. It’s just some loser doing her homework. She won’t care.” I heard her mock whisper.

Of course fate chose to not smile down on me as Owen rounded the corner. One look at me and his jaw went tight.

Why was he mad at me? I didn’t ask for them to come back here and embarrass me.

Heather dragged Owen to the table next to mine and tried to pull him in for a kiss. I closed my eyes in frustration, or maybe it was from utter embarrassment. They wouldn’t sit there and make out right in front of me, would they? I mean I know that in Heather’s eyes I wasn’t even there but it would still be unbelievably awkward.

However, Owen didn’t allow himself to be pulled in. Despite her attempts at cutely grabbing his jacket to draw him to her, he did not move. He remained where he was, glaring at me.

“What are we doing here Heather?” He growled in a half whisper, moving his head enough to be looking at her while still keeping me in sight. I shivered. I couldn’t figure out why he looked so irritated with me. Well, other than the fact that I was ruining his chance at kissing his girlfriend. 

Maybe they would just go away like all the others had. 

Heather tugged again on Owen’s jacket, trying to get his full attention. “Aww come on Owen. I told you I wanted to show you something.”

He shook his head. “No.”

Heather flung her arms around him and landed her bubblegum glossed lips on his. I slumped further into my chair and refocused on my open history book. 

Nope. It was not to be.

When Owen not too gently pushed Heather away she once again glanced my way, her gaze hardening as she took in my mess of books and papers.

Heather sauntered over and shut my book. “Beat it, loser.”

I didn’t have time to do more than glare up at her before Owen was beside her, all 5’11” gorgeousness of a senior.  

“Quit it Heather. She was here first.” His arms were crossed and his heated gaze took in my scattered papers. “Lampton’s essay?”

I nodded. Maybe I nodded for longer than was really necessary. To be honest, I was a little stunned he could recognize what homework I was working on with just a glance.

“You know her?” Heather gaped at him. 

Owen ignored her, peering down at my stuff and tapped the paragraph I had been currently crossing out for the third time. “Need help?” 

“I…uh…” I couldn’t think of how to retreat from the glare being leveled at me in combination with Owen being so heart-stoppingly close. Heather was going to kill me and I hadn’t done anything. My gaze flicked up to Heather. “You seem a little busy.”

Owen glanced over at where Heather was tapping her foot impatiently, looking ready to smack him or maul me with her bare hands. I’m not sure which. Or maybe it was both. With a shrug he pulled out the chair across from me and plopped down.

“Owen!” Heather shrieked.

From where I was sitting, now hidden from Heather’s view since he was facing me, I could see him taking a deep breath as he tried to wipe off a very irritated scowl from his face. In seconds it was gone, replaced by his normal charming smirk as he turned to look at Heather.

“My mom promised you one date with me. You tricked me into agreeing to meeting you here. I think I’m going to help Stacey with her essay now.” He turned back towards me and blinded me with a dazzling smile altogether different from the look he had given Heather.

My breath stalled when he said my name. How did he know my name? How was I even on his radar? I didn’t think he even knew I existed. It was a struggle to get my breathing steady as Heather’s malevolent glare snapped to me as her hands shot to her hips. She stomped.

I didn’t dare say anything.

“Goodbye Heather.” Owen smiled tightly, no irritation in his voice whatsoever.

Did I just cause a break up?

I gulped as he turned his full devastating smile on to me once more.

“Hi.” It came out before I could stop myself.

“Hey.” He chuckled. “Thanks for the save Stacey.”

Lisa

“History class is the worst!” Will complained as he slung his arms over Lisa’s shoulders. His locker was nowhere near hers but she always found him there waiting, every time she went to grab anything. In fact, half the time he would put his books in her locker. After all, he’d known Lisaher locker combination as soon as she did.

“You say that every year.” Lisa tried hard to ignore her best friend’s arm and the warm feelings his casual embrace stirred in her. If he knew what she was wishing, she would die of embarrassment. In an effort to remind him and herself of their ‘friend’ status she promptly elbowed him. “And you are going to get in trouble with Anna if you keep hanging on me Will.”

Instead of dropping his arm as she was expecting he wrapped both arms around her waist, pinning her arms to her side, and lifting her off the ground in a huge bear hug. 

“Anna doesn’t care. She knows we’re just friends.” He laughed as he bounced her around.

Lisa couldn’t help but laugh, although she knew for a fact that Anna cared very much. “Let me down.” She ordered, even though in the deepest back part of her brain she hoped he wouldn’t. When he didn’t listen she repeatedly tried to kick his legs but he managed to nimbly dodge each kick, swinging her all around like a rag doll. “Will!” She screeched, erupting into giggles. 

He didn’t stop as he easily slammed her locker shut with his foot and dragged her out the hallway, tucked snug and secure to his chest.  Everyone else in school was as used to Will’s antics as her and didn’t pay Will any attention. While she was glad she wasn’t getting laughed at she also wasn’t being rescued. As he walked out into the quad he jolted to a stop and shifted her up and over his shoulder. “That’s better.” He declared, “Now I can keep you up there forever.” 

“Will!” Lisa tried again. “I don’t have my backpack.” Anything to get him to set her down, especially before Anna saw. 

He didn’t even slow down. Instead he hitched her further onto his shoulder so she couldn’t ‘accidentally’ wiggle off. She pounded on his rugby-hardened shoulders but he either didn’t care or didn’t notice her efforts.  

“Will?” Anna’s shrill voice echoed through the quad. 

Lisa stilled. She knew instantly it was too late to avoid angering the latest girlfriend. Again, in a last desperate attempt, Lisa whispered. “Put me down Will.”

Will laughed as he swung to face Anna. This effectively cut Lisa off from entering the conversation in her own defense. She could only listen. If she wasn’t the one slung over his shoulder Lisa would probably be on the sidelines laughing but, as usual, she was the one Will was getting in trouble with his girlfriend about. Many breakups had happened because of his friendship with her. 

Again, she struggled to be put down but screeched when he tickled the back of her knee in order to stop her. 

“Something wrong Anna?” He asked. 

Lisa could practically hear Anna’s hands go to her hips as she huffed in irritation. And here Lisa was going to be stuck on his broad shoulder through the whole fight. With a sigh of her own, she put her elbows on Will’s back and her chin in her hands. She might as well be a little comfortable. 

“Put the girl down Will.” Anna demanded. 

Lisa was jostled as he tried to shrug. “Aw Anna. You know it’s Lisa. We’re just having fun. See?” With that Will spun around so that Lisa was abruptly face to face with Anna. She didn’t have time to do more than grimace in Anna’s angry face before she was whirled back away. 

“Will.” Anna whined in her poutiest plea. “I haven’t seen you since this morning. I want you to kiss me.”

Will leaned forward, holding tight to Lisa’s knees. 

Anna protested, “I am NOT kissing you while you are holding her like a caveman.”

“Now’s the time to put me down.” Lisa added, hoping reason had finally set in. Instead he simply tickled her knees again, not even bothering to answer her. She persisted, “Stop ignoring me Will. You’re starting to hurt me.” 

With a jolt Lisa was once again on the ground. Thankfully Will still had the presence of mind to help her stay standing since her legs had fallen asleep. When she looked up, his full attention was on her. “I’m sorry Lis. I wasn’t thinking. You ok?”

All Lisa could do was nod. She seemed to be the only one acutely aware of Anna and the bitter glare leveled her direction. When Lisa tried to step back, his arm snaked around her shoulder and to her waist, effectively tucking her into his side. She couldn’t stop the blush. After a few heart stuttering seconds she thought to at least try to push away. Anna was standing there and here Lisa was melting into a silly puddle of goo in front of her.

“Will!” Anna screeched.

“What?” Will jerked his attention away but took a moment before he could focus on Anna. “What?” He repeated when she continued to glare, his hands up in defensive confusion.

“I am still waiting.” Anna stomped her foot. “For my kiss!”

“I’m not a dog, Annie. I don’t sit, stay, or kiss on command.” For the first time since they’d started dating Will wasn’t going out of his way to appease Anna. Even Lisa was surprised by the change. Instead of seeing it as a warning sign, Anna snapped.

“Do not call me Annie!” She shrieked.

Lisa tried to step back and away, but Will had forgotten about his hold on her waist. Unfortunately the movement caught Anna’s attention. In seconds Anna narrowed all of her anger into one point: Lisa.

“You.” Anna seethed.

Will quickly stepped in front of Anna, enabling Lisa to finally back away. “Leave her out of this.” He growled.

“How? She is always in this. I feel like the third wheel with my own boyfriend. If I didn’t know any better I’d think that she was your girlfriend.”

“Well, maybe she should be.” He barked out angrily. He suddenly paused with a blink, going quiet as Anna stormed off with a shriek. Will turned slowly, looking very contemplative. Lisa gulped.

Beth

Beth paused. You aren’t supposed to knock when you’re invited to a party right? She pulled out her phone to text Joey and ask, but stopped herself. Did she want to sound even more like an outdated outcast?

Moving into town last month had been enough of a tough reality check. She was lucky Joey had taken pity on her and invited her to this party at all. With no way to confirm what was ‘cool’ etiquette she stood there debating. Just as she was about to knock, the door opened and four girls tumbled out giggling, laughing, and luckily ignoring Beth. Ignored or not, it solved her dilemma. The door was open and she could go in.

Within minutes she was thick in the crowd and had only recognized one person. The only problem with that, actually two problems were: one, he was a guy and two, he was gorgeous. Living out in the middle of nowhere with only her parents had not prepared her for dealing with guys who looked like him… or any guy for that matter. So instead she stood there looking for a good place to try and blend in or at least not stick out.

The table covered with chips and treats was a good bet, no friends were required to grab some. As she made her way over, Beth was stopped by a black-haired pixie of a girl who looked vaguely familiar but she couldn’t place where she knew her from until the girl spoke.

“Go home newbie.” Rosh glared. 

As easy as that Beth remembered. Rosh was in her english class and had made a point to throw verbal jabs her way any time she was close enough to hear.

“I was invited.” Beth ventured.

Rosh scoffed. “A pity invite is not really an invite. Who would even bother to invite you?” Rosh leaned forward to whisper. “‘Cause I’m going to make sure they regret it.”

Beth silently shook her head and stumbled past. Stunned by the open anger directed her way, Beth puzzled over what she had done to deserve it.

As she moved once more toward the food an arm slipped around her shoulders and Beth was surprised to find her nervousness had instantly morphed to flutters. It was him. Mr. Too-Gorgeous-to-Talk-To. She stared up at his bright smile and dark green eyes.

“Beth!” he exclaimed happily. “Joey told me to keep an eye out for you till he got here. Boy am I glad he’s late.” Almost as if it was an afterthought, he broke eye contact with her to look back Rosh’s way. “See ya Rosh.”

With little prompting Beth stayed nestled in his half embrace as they made their way to a large room off the kitchen. It was decidedly less crowded and more quiet. There were only a handful of people who were all talking but did not have to resort to yelling over each other to be heard.

One linebacker of a guy sitting on a huge oversized red bean bag noticed them first. “Now look who Greg dragged into the inner sanctum. It’s the new girl.”

Beth began to wilt under his open curiosity. Greg gave her a quick comforting shoulder squeeze. “Give her a break Trent. She doesn’t even know you. Joey invited her and you should all give her a chance.”

She watched as that simple comment stopped Trent’s teasing and drew the curious attention of everyone else in the room. Joey must have a lot of influence over this group. How had she not known? It was obvious that she had entered the realm of the popular by stepping into that room with Greg.

“Huh. Well with that ringing endorsement you can sit by me.” chimed in a good looking blonde guy who patted the empty space of the sofa with great exaggeration.

Greg kept his arm wrapped around Beth’s shoulders as he steered her toward the empty sofa away from the blonde. Even if she wanted to go sit there she wouldn’t have been able to.  Beth couldn’t help but feel protected. “How about introductions first, then she can pick where she sits.” Greg suggested as they stood in front of the sofa. He started pointing and saying names. She tried to keep track of the names with their faces as he went but she quickly got lost. “Emma, Josh, Trent, Ria, Chrissy, Brandon, and Courtney. Guys, this is Beth. Her name is not new girl.”

For a half second Beth again worried how she would need to find a seat. Truthfully though, she didn’t want to move away from Greg, yet wouldn’t it be awkward to just stand there like a dunce? She was saved from deciding when Greg leaned over and whispered, “Sit by me.” All she could manage was a nod.

As they sat, Ria started chattering about places to eat and the focus moved away from Beth. She relaxed a little.

Beth happily sat and listened to the conversation without feeling any pressure to say anything to contribute. It wasn’t until Greg spoke up that she realized that she was snuggled in securely next to him, his arm still around her shoulders. It’s not like they had sat down in sync and not broken contact. Yet here she was. Her heart giggled.

Every once in awhile she would catch Greg glancing her way and giving her a soft smile. The tenderness and concern shining through his eyes made her heart sing with a tantalizing heat.

After a half hour of contented semi-snuggling Greg turned to face her directly. “We were going to watch a movie when Joey got here. Do you want to stay and watch with us?” He paused for a moment, quirking his head to the side with a meaningful grin. “With me?”

“Yes please.” Beth smiled. For a second she worried that her ‘please’ would be taken as a weird response but she didn’t have to fret for long.His answering grin lit her insides and any doubts she had vaporized. He settled back in beside her and she tentatively laid her head on his shoulder. His arm over her shoulders changed into a snuggling embrace  What a party! She thought to herself. And thank goodness Joey not only invited her, but had also been late!