15 14

For two weeks, Linda and I meet to study at her house. But never at school.

I wouldn't call it avoiding or ignoring her. I mean we don't even run in the same social circle in school.

During the first week, Esperanza isn't around. But by the second week, she is back, giving me glares and delicious food.

I open my locker in school, placing some books in and taking some out.

" damn it, where the hell could it be. I need to turn it in today. "

At that moment, I see Linda heading towards me.

Maybe I left it at her place. She's such a life saver.

She's just six steps away from me, when she slips and falls. But I know she didn't fall by herself, cause as soon as she has fallen, Peter Roman, Alexia's new boyfriend and some of his other friends from the soccer team start laughing and crowd her.

" you really should watch where you're going Linda. I mean a bad ass like you who could push Alexia, should know falling is inevitable when you don't watch your step. "

Soon enough, Alexia and her minions arrive. A brief make out session between her and Peter takes place and I have to say I'm glad that we're over.

Linda looks up at them with disgust.

" uh! Linda fell. " Alexia crooned standing over her with her hands on her hips. " who's gonna help you now? That stupid friend of yours is not in school. Or maybe you expect your ' reading partner ' to help you " Alexia said using air quotations.

I know I should help her but I don't want the popular clique knowing about the moments I actually have fun with Linda so instead I choose to act aloof. " I believe that's mine. I'll be taking it. " I take the book from her hand and walked briskly out of there but not before seeing the hurt look in her eyes.

It's not like I care about them, it's just that hanging with them feels like the only way I can get rid of all the anger. Like I can loose control without anyone trying to tame me and I can't lose that freedom.

One thing I've discovered whenever I'm with Linda is that I never have that need to get angry. It almost always feels peaceful and right even with all the taunts, insults and this fake friendship between us. I can't bring myself to find out why. So I choose to stick to what I know the fake friends, the fake life and that anger always burning inside of me.

~ ~ ~

" oh my gosh, did you hear what happened? Alexia and her minions got their ass whopped by Linda. " says Vera Miguel, as soon as she sits next to Toria Aguirre.

" I heard she thought Leah wasn't in school that's why she tried to bully Linda. But apparently she came late and then had to beat up some guys from the football team. Guess who Leah came with to school? "

" I don't know just tell me already. " she says almost jumping out of her seat.

" uh! Fine. So impatient. " but she is smiling. " she came with Dave Logan. "

Luke who has been quietly listening, as he leaned against his chair, sits up quickly.

" he even helped her beat up some of the guys from the football team. "

Now, isn't this interesting?

" They have detention together cause principal Daniels saw the fight. " Toria continues.

" oh my gosh, that is so sweet" Vera says gushing.

Seriously? Girls.

Jack and Russ ditched school today, while Dave is apparently avoiding me.

After school, I head down to Linda's. Knocking for a couple minutes and standing for a couple more, I'm about leaving when the door swings open, revealing a sleepy eyed Linda.

After rubbing her eyes for sometime, she narrows it at me.

" uhm...hi " I say pathetically.

" uhm...bye " she says sassily and shuts the door on my face.

" come on Linda, you know I couldn't help you. "

" then you shouldn't be reading with nerdy little me. "

" We don't run in the same circles, do you know how awkward that would be? "

" go already! You just woke me up from the most peaceful sleep ever. Let me get back to it. "

" you're supposed to be helping me study not sleeping. "

" go away, please. "

" if I fail I'm going to have to repeat another year. Mave you no conscience? " I say feigning a teary voice.

" my conscience died a couple hours back. "

" fine then let's make a deal instead. "

" more interested in this nap I'm trying to get back to. "

" I'll let you get back to your nap if only you listen and agree to my proposal. "

" oh fine already. " she says and almost immediately I hear her foot stumping towards the door. She swings it open and leans against the door, crossing her legs. " say what you have to say so you can go away. "

" wow that rhymed. "

She's about shutting the door in my face, when I fling out my right arm to stop her.

The door hits my wrist and I can feel the pain shoot up my arm. " ouch...I'm gonna kill you Linda. "

She leans against the door once more, perfectly relaxed. " does it hurt? "

" of course it does. " I say glaring.

" good " she says smirking.

Wait till I wipe that stupid smirk off your stupid face.

" about my proposal, let me help you get back at Alexia. "

" I don't need your help with that, just ask your girlfriend. "

" Alexia's not my girlfriend. "

She rolls her eyes.

" fine then, another deal. Let me help you get out of your shell. "

" I don't have a shell. "

" yes you do. "

" fine let's say I do, what makes you think I wanna get out of it. "

" cause if you didn't want to, you wouldn't have went along with Leah's plan on kicking our asses. "

" how did you... " she asked looking surprised.

" judging you from the past two weeks, let's just say you don't do certain things deliberately. "

She sighs and does that thing that seems like she's having a discussion with herself. Then rolls her eyes. She bites her lower lip for sometime, then sighs again. " fine then, it's a deal. What's the plan to ' bring me out' of my shell? " she asks using air quotes.

" first of all we need to kill the coward inside of you " I say smirking.

She narrows her eyes at me. " well how do we do that?" she asks looking pissed.

" write me a list of things you've never done. "

" fine get your bag and come in. "

I rush to the car and rush back to the house. After about five minutes of sitting on the couch together, she presents me with a list comprising of twelve things.

List of things I've never done.

1. Never dated.

2. Never gone against school rules except fighting.

3. Never put much effort into my looks.

4. Never gone shopping.

5. Never been open about my opinion.

6. Never gone against the law.

7. Never gone on a fun trip.

8. Never gone on a fun trip with friends.

9. Never tried making friends.

10. Never hosted a party.

11. Never been to a party.

12. Never forgotten my first crush.

" so this isn't all of it but if I remember the rest I'll tell you. Why's your mouth wide open? "

" some of the things I'm seeing right now are just too shocking. "

" there's nothing shocking on that list. " she says sounding irritated.

" really? How about the fact that you've never dated. "

" it's perfectly normal. " she says whining like a five year old kid.

" no, it's not. Neither is the fact that you've never gone shopping. I mean, I'm a guy and I go shopping at least three times a month. Average rich girls are supposed to go shopping at least five times a month and the fact that you're a girl should be enough to make you go at least three times a month. Never said your opinion, now that is more than absurd and unbelievable. So like maybe you want to have a sandwich and someone's like nah give her a salad and you're cool with it. Like i said unbelievable. I mean, I get you not throwing a party cause you're such a dork. "

She throws the nearest cushion at me, which I expertly dodge.

" but I don't get you never going to a party. "

" I go to parties that my dad throws just not those stupid parties that highschool students throw. "

" for someone who's been there to someone like you who has never been there, I'm telling you to take it by my word they are not stupid. "

" whatever "

" I just can't believe you've never dated. Have you even had your first kiss?"

Linda's eyes grows wide open and she immediately turns red in the face. " how dare..."

" oh my God, you're a virgin!"

She turns even more red in the face, although I didn't see how.

" I can help you take care of the kiss and virginity issue right now you know. "

" oh my God, take the filth that is your mouth, then take that list and get out of my house. "

She pushes me out of the house and refuses to let me back in.

I think this is seriously going to be fun.