Chapter 19|He's Not In Our Math Class

•In life, you're going to meet a lot of people. There are people who are meant to stay, others who shouldn't even have a spot in your life and the ones who are like warning signs. You just have to figure out, my dear little cousin, which people belong in their own category.•

Jacob Lockheart

The next day, Wednesday, ushered in the new month– December. Along with it came winter with so much force that my mom had been tempted to put on the fireplace but the thermostat started doing a good enough job so she didn't.

She's feeling better now by the way– my mom I mean.

Anyway, that's home business. Currently, I'm at the library with Jason and it's the period before lunch. The assignment is due on Friday and I've gotten just a little idea of what to write.

“So college ideas?” Jason asked as he looked up from our list.

We were making list of suitable things to write about.

Graduation, SATs and college applications were already on the list and now it was time to decide which schools I would like to apply to.

“Umm, I have no idea,” I said as I pushed my glasses up my nose bridge.

In thought, I twisted my pen between my fingers. “Genre art academy, I think. Lizzie loves it there. We're going to go to the same college.”

“Okay,” Jason said as he wrote Genre art academy in a pair of parentals next to college applications. His hand writing was a slightly messy cursive. I loved his ‘I’s.

Before I could say anything else the sound of bell signaling the beginning of the lunch period was heard.

“We should probably get going,” Jason let out a sigh as he grabbed his jacket off the table.

“Yeah, I'm meeting Lizzie, Sydney and Brandon for Lunch.”

“I'm meeting Ali, Belvia and the guys,” Jason replied as he slung his backpack over one of his shoulders and lifted mine for me. “Wanna walk together?”

“I would love to but I need to make a stop at my locker.”

“I can't walk you there,” Jason said as he pushed brown hair away from his eyes though his hair slid right back to his former position. “Ali wants to talk me into contesting for winter formal king.”

I got up from my seat. “You don't want to contest? It's like a 90% chance you'll win.”

“I guess,” Jason shrugged as we headed towards the exit. “Ali has been complaining that I barely spend time with her anymore. I'm pretty sure she'd yell at me if I'm late again.”

“Better get going, Golden boy,” I smiled up at Jace.

At the exit, he handed me my backpack then he reached out and tucked away a lose strand of hair from my face and sent a wink my way. “I'll see you around, Aesthetic.”

Once again, I got lost in his bright orbs for a second before I snapped out of it.

Jace and I parted ways and a few steps later, I collided into Matt or more like he collided into me but not in a way that made my books or glasses or whatever fall to the floor.

“It’s you,” Matt said as a smile-smirk spread slowly across his lips. “Hey.”

“Hey.”

“The cafeteria is that way,” Matt said and I rolled my eyes.

“I know,” I said as I nudged him slightly, “I'm just heading to my locker to drop my books.”

“I’ll help,” Matt offered as he lifted my backpack off my shoulder. I watched silently as Matt led me towards my locker.

What's with guys and holding my stuff?

“Thanks,” I finally said once we got to my locker and Matt shrugged as he leaned against the locker beside me, waiting. “That's what friends do.”

My mind was at war as I emptied my backpack and filled it with book's for the next period.

Finally, the positive side of my mind won and so I spoke up.

“Hey, umm, do you wanna eat lunch with Liz, Brandon and I?”

“Sorry, I think there's something wrong with my ears,” Matt said as a smirk stretched against Matt’s lips and he watched me. “Did you just ask me to eat lunch with you and your friends.”

I pushed my glasses up my nose bridge and with both hands, I tucked strands of hair away from my face. “Yeah, but that's only if you want to.”

Matt gave my arm a light punch. “I'd love to. A new lunch table once in a while wouldn't hurt.”

I shut my locker with a slam and gave Matt a closed lipped smile. “Great.”

✿

Matt and I set our trays down at the same time Lizzie put down her phone.

She flipped her blonde hair behind her and scrutinized us.

“So the both of you are serious about this whole friendship thing?”

I gave a nod as I unwrapped my turkey sandwich. “If I didn't forgive him, all the bad things he's done would follow me around.”

“Si, you're a saint,” Lizzie said as she took a sip from her juice box, “I trust you to make your own decisions but I don't know about Matt. I don't trust him. Matt, I'm watching you. If you slip, you're done with.”

“Good thing I don't plan on slipping then,” Matt said before he gave Brandon a boyish nod thing which Brandon returned.

I looked around and my eyes met Sydney's who sat beside Owen at Jason's table. She sent a smile my way which I returned whole heartedly.

“So are we meeting at the store today?” I asked Lizzie who had her phone in her hand again.

“I don't know. Any particular reason why we should meet except the usual?”

“Exams are next week,” I told Liz. “Math tutoring sessions obviously.”

“No need,” Liz said as her eyes lit up and she wrapped get arms around Brandon tightly. “Bran's tutoring me.”

I glanced at Brandon for a second. His eyes were on me, watching for my reaction. My gaze returned to my bestfriend. “But he's not in our Math Class.”

“Does it matter?” Lizzie asked as she let go of Brandon. “He's really good at Maths. He scored a 97 on his last test!”

I scored 90% but in my defense Math was my least favorite subject.

“Oh,” I said before I took a small bite from my sandwich.

“But we can study together as usual,” Lizzie suggested. “we can look over flash cards and stuff.”

“Sure.”

“Si, are you upset?”

Using my hand to wave the subject away, I replied, “Of course not. It's just different, that's all.”

“If you say so.”

✿

It was time for physical education and Lizzie and I were exiting study hall together.

“Do you need anything from your locker?” Lizzie asked and ai nodded.

“Yeah, my clothes are in my locker.”

“Okay, let's–”

“Sienna!”

Lizzie and I turned at the sound of my name.

Kenzie was hurrying towards us.

“Hey,” I smiled when she reached us.

“Hey,” she smiled as she gave me a quick hug them she turned to Lizzie. “Elizabeth, right?”

“Yeah,” Liz nodded,“but you can just call me Lizzie like everyone else. Elizabeth sounds to formal. It makes me feel like a queen or something.”

“Well, you do look like one,” Kenzie complimented and Lizzie blushed.

“Thanks. You're pretty too.”

Kenzie nodded. “Where are you guys headed?”

“Lockers,” I answered. “I wanna get my stuff for PE.”

“Can I come? My friends are waiting for me outside and I don't wanna have to walk out to the tracks alone.”

And so that was how Kenzie, Lizzie and I walked out to the fields together. It was freezing but none of the other students looked as though the temperature had dropped by a couple degrees. They all stood around laughing and talking.

“There they are,” Kenzie pointed as we walked into the fields and she waved her friends over. Martin and Nelson crossed the fields to meet us.

“Hey,” Martin smiled down at Kenzie before he placed a quick kiss on her cheek and slid his arms possessively around her shoulders.

“Sienna, Lizzie, this is my bestfriend, Nelson–”

“Sup?”

“–and my boyfriend, Martin–”

“Hey.”

“You guys are dating?” Lizzie asked, her gaze shifting from Kenzie to Martin.

“Yeah, pretty much,” Martin answered with a shrug but before anyone could say anything else, coach Kyle stepped onto the field looking more irritated than ever. I couldn't blame him. Judging from his looks, he was a 39 years old sports instructor for a private school of snobby rich kids and with a high enough salary to pay for a nice date but without good enough looks and attitude to get a date that was willing to stay with him after the first day.

FFFFFTTTTT!!!

The sound of his annoying whistle pierced through the air. “Alright, trouble makers, enough chit chat. Get on the tracks. You'll be three laps today. If you got health issues, I need to see a slip before you can sit out. If I hear noise or I notice you slouching, you've got two 2 extra laps. Warm ups! Let's go, people! I haven't got all day!”

FFFFFFFFTTTTTTTTT!!!

“I SAID MOVE IT!”

Lizzie leaned in to whisper something as students scrambled into position and we walked towards the tracks. I was grateful I was still able to hear properly. “Okay, Si, what are we doing about that whistle?”

“We can either stuff it into his throat or strangle him with it,” I suggested as I put my hair into a ponytail.

“I say strangle him,” Kenzie said,“He looks pretty miserable. I think his last date just left him. Strangling will put him out of misery quicker.”

“Agreed,” I nodded.

“Let's do it after running,” Lizzie said before she started jogging and I followed suit.

“Well, I'll see you guys later,” Kenzie said before she turned to Nelson. “Last one done is a rotten egg.”

I watched as Kenzie and Nelson took off. They navigated through the sea of students and they were really fast.

“Wow,” I muttered as I jogged behind the other students trying to get into my pace.

“I know,” Martin said beside me. “Kenzie’s been running since she was four. She's hoping to run in the Olympics someday. Yet she chooses to be on the tennis team instead of being on the cross country club.”

“Are you a member of any club or team?” Lizzie asked from her spot beside Martin.

“No,” he answered as he slowed down a bit. “I don't work well with people.”

“Do you want to join any though?” Liz wondered.

Martin let out a groan. “Yes.”

“Why’d you groan?”

“Kenz, Nelson and I are saying ‘yes’ for the day.”

“Oh really?” Liz smiled with a devilish glint in her eyes. “Do you think Si is beautiful?”

“Yes.”

“And do you think she and Jason Macaulay would make a totally great couple?”

“The Jason Macaulay.”

“Obivously.”

“They like eachother?”

“Just answer the question.”

“Umm, yes?”

“Liz, you know he's only saying yes because he has to right?”

“Well it doesn't–”

FFFFFFFFFTTTTTTTTTT!!!!

“Elizabeth and get friends, enough discussions!”

✿

After all the excruciating exercise was done with, I sat with Lizzie on the field as I tried to get my energy back.

“Do you think Si and Jason Macaulay would make a totally great couple?”

Liz just had to ask.

I groaned inwardly and wondered if it that was what Martin was telling Kenzie and Nelson about at their spot on the other side of the field.

As I watched them, Brandon came over and settled beside Lizzie from a few feet away where Jason stood absorbed in a conversation with Alisha, Belvia and a couple of other people.

He was in his element.

I could tell from the way he had everyone's attention the second he opened his mouth to speak or the way his laughs came effortlessly.

He fitted perfectly into the crowd. Even with his hair stuck to the sweat on his forehead and how he used his sleeve to wipe it off occasionally.

I, along with all the other people that were around him, watched as Alisha reached up and pushed his hair backwards.

He flashed her the typical Jason Macaulay smile as though it was an inside joke between them and all the girls swooned.

Maybe, just maybe, it wouldn't be bad to like Jason Macaulay a tinsy bit more than a friend.

I mean, he was obviously very attractive, he was nice and really funny.

He was definitely likeable. He was very likeable. But maybe I'd do something about my ‘maybe’ feelings for him in another world where perfect girls like Alisha didn't exist and where he wasn't loved by another.

As I pulled the hairband out of my hair, Jason turned and his blue orbs met my brown ones. They lit up and he smiled. Somehow, his smile seemed different from the one I had seen a moment ago. He raised his hand and Jason actually waved at me.

I looked behind me to make sure he was actually waving at me before I returned the gesture.

He chuckled and he winked at me again the way he had at library.

I rolled my eyes playfully. Then I glanced to the side and Alisha had her eyes locked on me. In them were something I couldn't decipher.

I looked away and then I caught Matt staring at me. He gave me a weird smile before he glanced away.

No way he had actually liked me all these years.

JASON MACAULAY POV

The thing about an infatuation was that it faded away.

It faded slowly in a way you didn't notice it and it turned into a feeling of fondness which sometimes turned into something more and sometimes... didn't.

You'd become at ease with the person and you'd really like the person but not just romantically.

This was how I felt toward Sienna but for some reason, a small part of me saw us becoming something that was more than friendship.

I watched her as she sat with Brandon and Lizzie, absorbed by their conversation.

A sad thought came to my mind. The reason why something more than friendship between us would never work was because she needed to be the one to take the first time to show she wanted it because if I went after her, she would hide and retreat.

She would always run.

And waiting for Sienna Hart to make a move on me was like waiting for my dad to come home from work.

He never did come home that day even after he had promised he would and I'd distract myself with something else.

Guess that's where Janette got her promise breaking thing from.

But I'll cherish my friendship with Sienna and it'll grow on me.

It has to.

I hate to wait for something that'll never happen.

I'm someone who takes what he wants when he wants but that wouldn't work with Sienna.

I couldn't wait for Sienna.

But what I could do, I wouldn't call it waiting. The thing was, whenever she was ready and she realizes that she wants to take that step, I would be available.

Afteral, she's the only girl that I've developed feelings for in a really long time.

The little things she does will always have a special place in my heart.

SIENNA HART POV

Lizzie and I watched as Sydney stepped into the store with a younger version of her except her hair was brown and was long enough to be pulled into a ponytail.

Sydney and her sister slid silently into the other side of the booth Liz and I sat in.

“So, umm, this is Hailey,” Sydney said as she grabbed a menu off the table. “Hails, this is my friend, Sienna. You know Lizzie from the cheerleading team.”

Hailey’s grey eyes watched me for a second.

“Hi,” she said to me before she pulled out her phone and plugged her headphones in.

“Wait a second, DJ,” Sydney rolled her eyes before she took off her sister's headphones. “Mom asked me to make sure you eat so what do you want?”

Hailey let out a groan. “Umm, I think I want a salad. No, I had that his morning. I'd like a veggie burger, fries, a strawberry drink and maybe a fruit salad if they've got it.”

“Oh you're a vegetarian?” Lizzie asked Hailey who nodded and Sydney rolled her eyes.

“For now,” she said as she signaled for a waiter, “she's just twelve. By the time she's thirteen she'll go back to eating meat.”

Hailey sighed. “Can you not discuss me?”

“Sorry,” Sydney said politely as she put her sister's headphones back on for her.

“Guess what?” Lizzie squealed. “I'm modeling for VL today!”

“Yeah,” Lizzie nodded. “They’re doing the photoshoot at my house for their first magazine. I'm going to be on the front cover! They're setting up all the cameras and stuff in my house as we speak.”

As if on cue, Lizzie's phone pinged and she stared down at the gadget.

“That’s my mom,” Lizzie said with her eyes bright, “it's time for the pictures. I hope yours gets better.”

“Your mom is sick?” Sydney asked.

“Not anymore, she was yesterday.”

“That’s better,” Lizzie said, “Say hi to her for me. Laters.”

“Have fun, Lizzie.” Sydney called after her before she turned to me. “Owen asked me to be his date for winter formal.”

“Already? It's still weeks away.”

“That's what I said but you know what he said?”

“What?”

“That he's scared we'll get into a fight like we always do or I'll be too busy for him.”

“Do you guys really fight that much?”

“Nothing serious but we argue a lot over petty stuff,” Sydney shrugged. “You've never met him officially, have you?”

“Not really.”

“He knows more about you than you think though.”

“What do you mean?”

“You didn't hear this from me but Matt’s been talking about you a lot lately,” Sydney said. “He likes you.”

“I know.”

Syd's eyes popped. “No way! How?”

“He told me.”

“And?”

“We agreed to be just friends.”

“That didn't stop him from still being hopelessly in love with you though.”

“Honestly, there's nothing I can do about it.”

“I get the feeling,” Sydney nodded. “It took a while before I actually found the guy I liked though he can be a pain in my ass sometimes.”