“Zac, Ashton, let’s be reasonable about this.” I look between the two of them, astonished they are giving me the time of day.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ljY5kpcD8
“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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfYeAEDllm
Fine, I pick you. And your muscles.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAJiYYOG1J
“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.”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0R2ZJhXt2A
Just kidding, I pick you. Laughter is important in a relationship.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5C3wC5p1cN
“Oh, right, that stupid prank show you do. Can’t be late for that!” Zac huffs and steps closer to Ashton.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDKc6VJfid
“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?”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPC72CLJ2IA
The two continue to stare each other down. How did I get in this situation?
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15oEhxykUX
“Fellas, come on. We can all be friends, right?” I smile and give a thumbs up. They blink, unmoved. “Right?”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOmUK3Dm3W
Ashton opens his mouth to speak again, but all that comes out is a shrill beep.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk77mY1x0IX
I furrow my eyes. “Ashton, are you okay?”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQqw6Hh2BI
He opens his mouth again. BEEP.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKGGBuSFnd
“What is going on?” I step closer to the pair. Zac looks at me and opens his mouth. BEEP.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgKVSBVJP4
BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVrStuyUlt
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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKqisloX3M
Maybe I should take a cold shower and cool myself off after that dream.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmf2MmQZHg
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.
--
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTkJSV224h
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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gOTFewCiR
“Good morning,” I venture, opening the fridge and taking out a yogurt and an apple.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgmlIqWuf1
“Good morning, killer.” Frank picks up his coffee mug and takes a sip. “Who are you planning on knocking out today?”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpmASXHqof
“Frank!” My mom scolds. “You shouldn’t be encouraging her behavior! She could have gotten into serious trouble!”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ot27eV8fE
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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUts0yoPr8g
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.”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXZ3YJH4KK
She smiles wide. “Good! See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1b7YHepiH
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.”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTA3GCcnijx
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.”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLDefg2DvE
Of course she’s taking his side.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lUutAJvZ7
“Not bitter,” I say, shaking my head. “Just over him and how much of a jerk he is.”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfhZvP6ZtO
“Honey, you can’t be mad at him forever. Forgiveness is important.”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMSVxC8lvQ
“Mom, he broke up with me three days ago. Forgiveness can wait. He doesn’t deserve my forgiveness right now.” I take another bite.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfebAPNuSy
“Being spiteful isn’t a good look, dear.” She arches her eyebrows and lifts her coffee mug.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTK61iGUXwU
“I can do all things through spite, which strengthens me.”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc29yHwOctF
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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwQ1J8uaxC
“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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0n720JOcxS
Oh, to be a college student and have the ability to sleep in.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZmp9Qr5Ie
“Morning, C.” I finish my apple and crack open my yogurt.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xKeqStgPD
“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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdncpxBbqQ
I shrug and ignore the glare we’re both getting from my mother. “It’s not a big deal really.”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqCZ8wJui5
“Not a big deal!” Clark smiles wide. “It’s not every day my kid sister wallops a guy. You must tell me your secret.”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFPi5zymxM
“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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkeHjd3hC9
“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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqdjD3Hg0G
“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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILEux3xhkg
“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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFuqsqFMVa
“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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kpxFWllb1
“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.”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZQvdDpUJQ
“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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfndYmmy7f
I sigh and get in the driver’s seat, silently amping myself up for another day.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eZ3NMFwPi
--
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nqKFlmrm7
“I knew your mom would flip.” Lindsey closes her locker and turns to me. “Now you have to miss my party!”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLPPzIpNrj
“You can always reschedule it,” I offer, grabbing my Physics book and tucking it into my bag before closing my own locker.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJXRXWVfpY
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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBIvhrYEyq
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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTW4gmzXts8
I will not punch Max today. I will not punch Max today. I. Will. Not. Punch. Max. Today.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8Fl3oMQKK
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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfguKvpPZso
“Morning, Simon.” I take out my notebook and textbook.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmJ7QkDBc0
Simon turns and looks at me. He has large bags under his eyes and his skin is pale.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQeV4ubGe1
“You okay?”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRys7blPcUD
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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQ8VXoAHH4
“Ah. That go well?”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NxUPwyqcM
Simon shrugs. “I guess so. He still won’t tell his parents.” His voice drops. “But whatever, I can’t wait all year.”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYi205wVZp
Mr. Whitlock walks into the room just as the bell to start class goes off.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdfbhNKzbp
“Okay, everyone, please take out your textbooks and open to page 394.”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdRoIFEv8D
--
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6D2HclPcjM
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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkB7Jgu1BH
“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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKK7zfg4nGg
“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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteDQKNpzU3
“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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8M5QaIvnw
Great, so every teacher knows about what happened yesterday.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6sS6hG1rg
“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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hlrx3h9tZ
Lindsey pokes my arm with her pencil and passes me a note.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kV2PGkDIG
Work session at your house after school?
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JbW3kkv6M
I make sure Ms. Slovenhall isn’t paying attention before responding.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0mu6wbbwc
Unlikely. I’m grounded, remember?I pass the note back to her. She scribbles an answer.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIJhdPUsNV
Even for school projects? Leigh won’t let you fail.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroTNi2w8JQ
She is, of course, right. My mother would rather saw off her arm than have me waste precious academic time.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YL6lBunOC
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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZawSSq6Kw
Love the initiative. Work in the kitchen. No boys.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzGsT7uEak
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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRn92fu2vYH
--
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQ5mPeBH6d
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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TxOMjHmhJ
“I have zero clue what I’m going to do for this,” I mutter, eyeing the chips.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKFvNGXqi5
“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?”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7jQRB5IBV
“You guys are being ridiculous,” Romina says. “Just do what you always do and bullshit it.”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXHDzuyf22
Lindsey and I stare at her.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTr4xDbTk6
“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.”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Qf1hLoeQ5
“You’re not wrong.” I sigh and grab a chip, sticking it in my mouth and savoring the salty deliciousness.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOXXPjFwkh
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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4rv2FrQYB
“Well, if it isn’t three of my favorite high schoolers!” Clark beams at us.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcVg0s5yXp
“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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhilu7PKDx6
Stop it, Ellie. You do NOT need to get involved with another guy.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgZtj7AbSh
My heart doesn’t listen though. Instead, it starts doing somersaults in my chest. Mystery boy stands there grinning.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugG4CSZAoC
“This is Reuben,” Clark says, pointing to his companion. “Reuben, this is my sister Ellie and her two friends, Romina and Lindsey.”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3lfkM7U0n
Be cool, Ellie. Be. Cool.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtUJDAq42F
“Oh, neat, like the sandwich?” Four pairs of eyes lock onto me and my stomach joins in on the gymnastics happening inside my body.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiz5qlyDG3
Ellie, WHAT?
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGROJDgg3q
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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRma3qOzjal
Reuben’s eyes widen. “Sure, just like the sandwich.” His voice is as warm as the sun and I am melting.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8g70ncBaJr
I smile. Reuben smiles back and my heart has resumed its practice for the Olympics.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwpYRP58Fc
“You uh, have something.” Reuben brushes the side of his lip. I reach up and to my horror find crumbs lining my lips.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr039CFYExv
Why God, why? He likely thinks I’m a complete slob.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0WAmbyxRq
I wipe them away with a napkin and will my cheeks to stop burning.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDeP8LqSV7
Now would be a great time for the apocalypse.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClnxi6sjtI
“Well, it was nice meeting you.” Reuben raises his hand in a wave. “See you all later?”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NbgMiuHbN
“Bye now, Reuben!” Lindsey waves back and forth. “We hope to see you again soon, especially Ellie!”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kBisWqsJL
Best friend or not, I want her dead.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacROH9h9lq
I pull her down into her seat. “What are you doing?” I hiss, looking back at the doorway. Thankfully, Reuben and Clark have left.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdWxk6T1My
Lindsey smiles. “I fancy a sandwich. Do you, Romina?”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZN478pjyD
I groan.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhSuvF2rJH
“What kind will we make?” Romina’s eyes are sparkling with laughter.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReKJKW3r2T
“Grilled cheese?”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5Ndetgz3C
“BLT?”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixj6IqtwRy
“Club?”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw9uM7Abii
“Peanut butter and jelly?”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAP7sniBnJ
“You two are hilarious.” I close my laptop and begin gathering up my things.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjpz6gZLSM
“I know!” Lindsey says, sticking her finger in the air.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtqOqCxY2x
“REUBEN!” The two of them say this together and break into fits of laughter.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRTWWZKvrT
“Hardy har,” I grumble. “I’m so glad my embarrassment brings you joy.”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qPtWidfmU
“Let’s be real, though. He was cute, right?” Lindsey leans in close.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ycNf3ak3C
I shrug. “He was alright, I guess. If you’re into that sort of thing.” I flutter my hands in the air.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdOHaoSo7b
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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnok53NrAt3
“What are you writing?” I lean over. “Are those names?”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMUQ3jP33j
Lindsey nods and hands the notebook over to Romina. “Have any to add?”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuj3XUVStIC
Romina scans the notebook before chuckling. “Kale? Clementine? Benedict? What are these?”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGee3GKFMS
Lindsey flashes that devilish grin again. “Future baby names. I figured we’d stick with the food theme.”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVNmnX266A
I drop my head on the table. “You guys suck.”
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7mxWn06xJ
“You forgot Olive! And Colby!” Romina picks up her pen and adds to the list.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJ4zYV1s92
I am never going to live this down.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm83pexZPQ6
