“Zac, Ashton, let’s be reasonable about this.” I look between the two of them, astonished they are giving me the time of day.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7SnOCR1S0
“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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0SUSAJAko
Fine, I pick you. And your muscles.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmF4bTEm2j
“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.”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡll6FpZ04E7
Just kidding, I pick you. Laughter is important in a relationship.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthVWPd86Hx
“Oh, right, that stupid prank show you do. Can’t be late for that!” Zac huffs and steps closer to Ashton.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQOr0CYITC
“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?”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTddnwegac
The two continue to stare each other down. How did I get in this situation?
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA46sUsnUk1
“Fellas, come on. We can all be friends, right?” I smile and give a thumbs up. They blink, unmoved. “Right?”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSU2E27SgGD
Ashton opens his mouth to speak again, but all that comes out is a shrill beep.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpXOMoCNps
I furrow my eyes. “Ashton, are you okay?”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqneqDy5LGq
He opens his mouth again. BEEP.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4l20Vmdvl6
“What is going on?” I step closer to the pair. Zac looks at me and opens his mouth. BEEP.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCybMFEwcM1
BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPS7IWTEmt
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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mTpoWAzL6
Maybe I should take a cold shower and cool myself off after that dream.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡup0aUR1d9j
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.
--
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUQKXniuVl
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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbtMd8Drk8
“Good morning,” I venture, opening the fridge and taking out a yogurt and an apple.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJOqSd5E7u
“Good morning, killer.” Frank picks up his coffee mug and takes a sip. “Who are you planning on knocking out today?”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEIk4qv4QX
“Frank!” My mom scolds. “You shouldn’t be encouraging her behavior! She could have gotten into serious trouble!”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gUoFx7Pg6
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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6d4xWLWX4
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.”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53m5zto8dd
She smiles wide. “Good! See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmZoBMXFoS
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.”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzeKbQcifJ
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.”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdG8n4aDICk
Of course she’s taking his side.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbERW4AfQCO
“Not bitter,” I say, shaking my head. “Just over him and how much of a jerk he is.”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk22kNqk5QV
“Honey, you can’t be mad at him forever. Forgiveness is important.”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyjUfmDiES
“Mom, he broke up with me three days ago. Forgiveness can wait. He doesn’t deserve my forgiveness right now.” I take another bite.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAnLdWOSND
“Being spiteful isn’t a good look, dear.” She arches her eyebrows and lifts her coffee mug.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Hwjij8lPo
“I can do all things through spite, which strengthens me.”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3iz4ZVTTg
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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v8mCjwHrQ
“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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bo5oDzuPw
Oh, to be a college student and have the ability to sleep in.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQI1F5mR2X
“Morning, C.” I finish my apple and crack open my yogurt.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeV92xvrvN
“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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VYDwFnSkI
I shrug and ignore the glare we’re both getting from my mother. “It’s not a big deal really.”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZENeztjoS
“Not a big deal!” Clark smiles wide. “It’s not every day my kid sister wallops a guy. You must tell me your secret.”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXvxeMiabm
“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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9afhZO09W
“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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc73QNXlyYC
“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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyuMMxlQxe
“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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLel7ARCE5o
“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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsVqsp3O09
“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.”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD17zIibD9D
“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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1kZsVmSwM
I sigh and get in the driver’s seat, silently amping myself up for another day.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3W4T4gDynU
--
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZn58ooB43m
“I knew your mom would flip.” Lindsey closes her locker and turns to me. “Now you have to miss my party!”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2izGTzw5T
“You can always reschedule it,” I offer, grabbing my Physics book and tucking it into my bag before closing my own locker.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7y94f0Gwxe
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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlv2ioEo7vc
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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqtrLHfaQg
I will not punch Max today. I will not punch Max today. I. Will. Not. Punch. Max. Today.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmBT4b47wG
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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2N7S52mcZu
“Morning, Simon.” I take out my notebook and textbook.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sk17bhGzT
Simon turns and looks at me. He has large bags under his eyes and his skin is pale.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrhiWkKFdR
“You okay?”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibqOX9jkaJ
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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BMfw2UZ5A
“Ah. That go well?”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4bzRmDUxA
Simon shrugs. “I guess so. He still won’t tell his parents.” His voice drops. “But whatever, I can’t wait all year.”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrG78mLeumo
Mr. Whitlock walks into the room just as the bell to start class goes off.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHfy2SFQwo
“Okay, everyone, please take out your textbooks and open to page 394.”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgT4ktKNB1
--
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9s4rivlQaf
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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4DEGKpfoq
“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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt985eS9bW9
“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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2K4T2hMkv
“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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQ9jZLol0F
Great, so every teacher knows about what happened yesterday.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGad0rp9k1I
“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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhF8ZcB8nZF
Lindsey pokes my arm with her pencil and passes me a note.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEG3WVD9SQ
Work session at your house after school?
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21Mo2ugfIA
I make sure Ms. Slovenhall isn’t paying attention before responding.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarrzWQrVbS
Unlikely. I’m grounded, remember?I pass the note back to her. She scribbles an answer.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTVjHZjQmv
Even for school projects? Leigh won’t let you fail.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTn6u99sLQh
She is, of course, right. My mother would rather saw off her arm than have me waste precious academic time.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQT35EMGUU
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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCK1S3uE8AN
Love the initiative. Work in the kitchen. No boys.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAavnnz0ef1
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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02r0AGOScs
--
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vGFY57gMX
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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEd4Vhhc2o
“I have zero clue what I’m going to do for this,” I mutter, eyeing the chips.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25CpztxRUS
“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?”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ775c2cgpuF
“You guys are being ridiculous,” Romina says. “Just do what you always do and bullshit it.”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyiiommBFv
Lindsey and I stare at her.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUgwjbKgSY
“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.”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjpZ6wMFK2
“You’re not wrong.” I sigh and grab a chip, sticking it in my mouth and savoring the salty deliciousness.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJBlwZavnf
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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWx91CnfDt
“Well, if it isn’t three of my favorite high schoolers!” Clark beams at us.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YesTllyIq
“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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7vwH6mn0w
Stop it, Ellie. You do NOT need to get involved with another guy.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCVElZfJmb
My heart doesn’t listen though. Instead, it starts doing somersaults in my chest. Mystery boy stands there grinning.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymCxyM0LHG
“This is Reuben,” Clark says, pointing to his companion. “Reuben, this is my sister Ellie and her two friends, Romina and Lindsey.”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUk4hFbKrf
Be cool, Ellie. Be. Cool.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOJM4eY3nP
“Oh, neat, like the sandwich?” Four pairs of eyes lock onto me and my stomach joins in on the gymnastics happening inside my body.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21NOiNCCor
Ellie, WHAT?
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeVzEwtvc0
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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriiW0Y5nRe
Reuben’s eyes widen. “Sure, just like the sandwich.” His voice is as warm as the sun and I am melting.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZra32Uy00J
I smile. Reuben smiles back and my heart has resumed its practice for the Olympics.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqprfitu7g9
“You uh, have something.” Reuben brushes the side of his lip. I reach up and to my horror find crumbs lining my lips.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIX2PVvBvg
Why God, why? He likely thinks I’m a complete slob.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQfCDt9vDd
I wipe them away with a napkin and will my cheeks to stop burning.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIJcpDCRuU
Now would be a great time for the apocalypse.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpu854jGRw
“Well, it was nice meeting you.” Reuben raises his hand in a wave. “See you all later?”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4pJqaw8Jj
“Bye now, Reuben!” Lindsey waves back and forth. “We hope to see you again soon, especially Ellie!”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4unJXUvIw
Best friend or not, I want her dead.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNwINHc7MB
I pull her down into her seat. “What are you doing?” I hiss, looking back at the doorway. Thankfully, Reuben and Clark have left.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxZ2LYpDPv
Lindsey smiles. “I fancy a sandwich. Do you, Romina?”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90EhWkVINo
I groan.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9j6P4gxpP5
“What kind will we make?” Romina’s eyes are sparkling with laughter.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Alp1Fv42C
“Grilled cheese?”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfTrJbJata
“BLT?”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueJPwonxT7
“Club?”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeHsvBvJ85
“Peanut butter and jelly?”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YW85r4eKw
“You two are hilarious.” I close my laptop and begin gathering up my things.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTi2SQuWyH
“I know!” Lindsey says, sticking her finger in the air.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgEKdReBCv
“REUBEN!” The two of them say this together and break into fits of laughter.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6jr8tYpZf
“Hardy har,” I grumble. “I’m so glad my embarrassment brings you joy.”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2S7ACbbjy2
“Let’s be real, though. He was cute, right?” Lindsey leans in close.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJ8wSuydIe
I shrug. “He was alright, I guess. If you’re into that sort of thing.” I flutter my hands in the air.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqPceDj7fK
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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffnriUd7Qk
“What are you writing?” I lean over. “Are those names?”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYj4GXXuFOL
Lindsey nods and hands the notebook over to Romina. “Have any to add?”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEGza1h0ub
Romina scans the notebook before chuckling. “Kale? Clementine? Benedict? What are these?”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ebdAdgC5x
Lindsey flashes that devilish grin again. “Future baby names. I figured we’d stick with the food theme.”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKGZirE6fZ
I drop my head on the table. “You guys suck.”
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjyzNBhSRz
“You forgot Olive! And Colby!” Romina picks up her pen and adds to the list.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Uac093Uc5
I am never going to live this down.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeE5NF5RF5z
