She said, “Oh just studying for my psychology test coming up.” I nodded.
I admired Kendall’s patience.
She could live on campus but to save money, she attends community college and will go from home until she transfers.
I found it fascinating.
I don’t think I could do it.
That is why I am working my butt off to get into college on a full scholarship.
Gosh, we could use that help.
You see my dad lost his job at the factory. He worked for them ever since I can remember. It was all part of his retirement plan.
Mom didn’t have to work much.
She took care of us and the home but once Dad’s job went south; she had to find something to do.
That is why she is now a nursing assistant.
She leaves home early most days and returns much later working a double shift. I wished she would slow down.
When Dad lost his job, it had a major effect on him. He used to have a positive outlook on life but now it seems not so much anymore.
He keeps trying to find work. But things have changed over the years and will not be getting any easier, soon.
I sigh.
I think about how different our lives would have been if dad had gone to college.
That is why he tells us we need to stay in school.
I got lucky to attend this all prestigious high school on a scholarship. Luckily it was my senior year and knock on wood, I will attend Stanford once I graduate.
“So do you think he will ask you to senior prom?”
I smiled and said, “Oh Kendall, I hope so that would be amazing. I would love the opportunity to go with him.”
Kendall nodded. She said, “Sounds great and all but just be careful. Do not fall in love too soon. He is from a different world you know.”
I nodded and said, “Okay miss…” she paused and said, “I am serious. You know. You might think you have it all figured out. I was just like you. I fell for the hot rich guy. Remember Owen?”
I rolled my eyes and raised my hands in the air. Here we go again. Owen Owen Owen. Owen is not him.
I rise up, place my hands on my waist and declare, “Owen is not Owen.”
She nodded and said, “I know he is not. Just be careful. Okay, sis?”
I take in a deep breath and exhale, “Fine I will.” Just then Amy my younger sister walked in.
“Oh, my gosh you are going on a date with the hottest guy! You are so lucky. I want to be you!”
I raised an eyebrow. How long was she listening to our conversation?
“How long have you been listening in on our conversation?” I asked my sister.
She giggled and said, “long enough to know you like this Owen guy.”
I swallowed.
she’s right. I blurt out:
“ I like Owen and I’m hope our relationship would move further than where it is right now.”
Kendall continued studying.
She completely zones out on me.
I ask Kendall, “What do you think?”
She raised an eyebrow and said, “you already know what I think. I’ve told you already. I have nothing else to add. I only want you to be careful when you go out with him, or any other guy on the team.”
She paused.
I sat back down on the bed.
I asked “Kendall what are you thinking?”
She sighed and said, “I hope you know what you’re doing. I hope you are making the right decision.”
I swallowed.
I wondered did I make the right decision?
That’s when my little sister Amy said, “you found the greatest guy on the planet. Don’t listen to her, you will have fun.”
She knows nothing about dating or relationships.
I sighed and said “well it’s a date. I will help him with his literature Exam.”
Kendall’s Eyes widened.
She asked, “You’re helping him? Really?”
I quickly replied:
“Oh no, I am not taking the test for him or anything like that. I’m just going to you know study with him that’s all.
Kendall exhaled. She said,“OK whatever you do just be careful out there OK.”
I hugged my sister and assured her everything would be fine.
Owen
I was super excited.
I couldn't wait to see her soon. I couldn’t hide it and guess who noticed? None other than Blake of course.
He remarked: “So what's going on between you and that girl?”
My smile turned into a frown. I raised an eyebrow and said, “She has a name you know.”
He shrugged, shook his head and replied: “If you say so. I guess a no name is better than nameless.”
Taken aback, I raised an eyebrow. What did he mean by that?
Blake quickly said off handedly, “oh forget I said that. Well, so does she have a social media account?”
And knew what he was getting at. He has obviously seen it. This is just his way to mock her that is all.
I said, “of course she does”
Blake forced a smile. Then he laughed.
He said, “she's not even cute even with a filter. Judging by her social media profiled, once every one finds out about her and you Your reputation would be ruined. Seriously, Forget about her. Girls like that they're not for us. We have the hottest girls in school. They are the ones for us not girls like what's her name again?”
I clenched my fist. I wished he would not talk about my girl that way.
I thought wow I just called her my girl. I guess I felt like she was my girl. She is mine.
I let go of my fist and said to Blake, “I don't know what kind of girls you hang out with, But Avery is different. There's something about her plus she codes. Just so you know, we're are going to study together.”
My words really got him all riled up.
He ran his hands through his hair and exclaimed, “what did you say?” "You heard me." "No I don't think I heard you correctly. I don't think you actually making sense right now."
I folded my hands. I shot him a dark stare. Blake might be my best friend but he could be annoying sometimes.
He pulls out his device and it shows me Avery’s social media Pictures. Well I guess I was right after all. He already saw them so why the question? Besides
I've already seen her account. It was not a big secret.
His actions confused me.
He swallowed and said “ I mean what is she wearing. Don’t take this the wrong way, but honestly, she needs to head to the gym. And you my friend need to stay away from her. she's not good for you.”
I shook my head and said “How do you know what is good for me? Everything about her is perfect. She's great and fine the way she is. She's everything anyone could ever want and more."
Blake said, "oh yeah? Well maybe for you. I don't think you're thinking right. Have you lost your senses. What is she wearing? I mean why would you want to hang out with that?"
I stayed silent and rubbed my chin.
If Blake was not my friend.
I would be livid.
I don’t know what I would have done.
It took a lot to restrain myself from saying something I Might regret.
That's the moment, Blake said, "a few years later nobody would care about girls like her. Oh sure, she could go to college. But she's going to end up single or something somewhere she needs to lose some….”
I cut him off and said “watch it.”
He gasped and said, “Wow sticking up for the curvy girl, I see. Well, it's going to be your loss when it all goes south.”
And with that he walked away.
I growled, clenched and released my fist.
I glanced in my watch.
I guess it's time to go meet gorgeous Avery for our study date.
I called her and asked where she lived. She seemed evasive for some reason. Instead she asked I meet her at the library. I guess she's reall
y busy? It must take a lot to keep her scholarship.
Blake and I never had to worry about that, we both came from trust fund homes.
Our parents were both wealthy. honestly it's not something I talk about a lot. They are hardly home. I was raised most of the time by the nannies. The family had one rule, no one was allowed to talk about money.
I guess people with wealth are just protective that way. So in some ways I was raised humble. But honestly Avery inspires me. I cannot wait for our study date tonight.
Avery
I have to say this much, I got super excited to see him drive up outside the library.
He laughed and asked, “do you always hang out at the library?”
I giggled and said “for the most part, I do. I love the solitude. It is the perfect location for reading and coding. I feel like this is my happy place.”
He nodded.
“Sounds great. Are you ready?”
And with that he opened the car door to let me in. I smiled and got into his car.
He said, "well next time I would love to pick you up at home if that's okay?"
I gasped and said “I guess, maybe.”
He looked at me with widened eyes. I giggled and tried to play it off.
“I mean sure.”
The truth is, I didn't want him to see my home because it was nothing like his magnificent mansion.
My family’s struggles is not something I want him to see. I don’t want him to feel sorry for me, who knows once he finds out he might break up with me.
Then I caught myself, did I just say dating? Well we are not exactly dating, but I feel like they could be something here.
I smiled as we drove along.
His car was quite comfortable.
I smiled at him and asked “So where are we headed?”
He smiled and said, “I know this diner, the perfect exclusive diner. I'm certain you will like it.”
I swallowed.
of course I knew the perfect exclusive diner.
oh my goodness it cost a fortune to eat there.
I've never been there. But my friends have.
I just thought about it.
Most kids who had dinner there usually came from wealthy families.
He looked at me and asked, "do you have anything in particular you would like to order. we can order right away, that way we could just get into the conversation and just hang out?"
I laughed.
I wondered why he was in such a hurry to get through the dinner.
I think you like the place it's really nice.
He said to me.
I smiled as we continue driving until we got to the diner.
The moment we arrived at the location, he walked out that open the door for me like a perfect gentleman.
Then he held my hand and ushered me into the building.
We got seated as soon as we walked in. I smiled.
we sat across each other and stared directly into each other’s eyes.
It felt like we had the world at our feet.
He talked about his hockey games and all the things he liked.
I realized he was not such a bad guy like people think.
He is quite nice, considerate and understanding.
I mentioned my dreams. I told him I would love to attend Stanford. I thought first I will study computer science and then I would love to become a lawyer someday.
he laughed and said “my dad's a lawyer. Well, he used to be a lawyer before he became an entrepreneur.”
I was about to respond when I noticed a change in his facial expression. His smile turned to a frown.
He looked up and took a deep breath
I wondered, what’s wrong?
I turned around.
My eyes widened when I noticed his friends heading towards us.
I sighed, shook my head and thought oh great that goes out private hanging out.
They noticed us immediately. They made a beeline to our table.
I swallowed.
great I thought.
There goes my private time with Owen.
Blake looked at me with disdain at first. But then he proceeded to ignore me. I guess I didn’t exist in his world.
His girlfriend sat next to me.
She started playing with my hair which made me mad.
she asked If I had on extensions.
I swallowed and said “it's natural.”
She said, “I can tell. but you could do so much better, you know. I have this perfect hairstylist, she can make things happen for you.
It costs only $1000 I'm sure you can get that kind of money. Oh my god you could get some and be a major influencer like me”
I did not respond. I wanted to barf.
I got so uncomfortable, I kept staring at Owen hoping he would free me from this.
But then he seemed like he was having fun. He laughed at their jokes.
I tapped my fingers on the table.
That is the moment, he looked my way.
He seemed taken aback.
I guess he thought I would find humor in what they had to say, but I did not.
All they did was talk about their million-dollar parties.
Plus who they were going to take to the prom.
Blake's girlfriend blurted out: “Owen, so you are taking Lisa to the prom, aren't you ?”
I gasped and thought, how could she ask that when I am right here. It was rude.
I had enough.
I got up and acted like I really need to get home.
Owen then said “yes I'm sorry we have to go okay guys will catch you later.”
He ushered me out the restaurant and into his car.
He apologized for the way his friends behaved.
He also wanted to address the Lisa question.
I declined.
I shook my head and said “it's okay. I just need to get dropped off at a friends place.
His eyes widened.
he looked at me and asked, "why can I drop you off at your home?"
I swallowed.
I lied.
I said, “Hmm, I have to study with my friend. she's waiting for me. “
He looked puzzled.
He said “but I thought we had a date tonight and you will going to study with me?
I said “it's okay. Maybe tomorrow. I need to get to my friends place now.”
I was so confused. I didn't want him to notice how upset I had become.
The thought of him taking someone else to the Prom hurt. I wanted to be his date.
He nodded and turned on his car’s ignition and drove to my friends place.
The moment I got out Carrie was waiting for me outside she looked at me surprised.
She then waved at Owen as he drove away.
She said, "I can't believe it you have a fantastic day with the hottest guy in school and suddenly you been dropped about my place."
I said to her, "it's a long story can we just go? Please just take me home.
She noticed the tears welling up in my eyes.
She said, "okay but I you all right?" I shook my head and said I don't know but I really hope so.
She nodded and said “wait let me grab my coat and keys. I'll take you home.”
I smiled appreciatively.
The moment I got home I hurried into my room laid on the bed and burst out crying.
I stared up at the ceiling.
I clutched my pillow and thought about how my perfect date of got me ruined by Blake and his girlfriend. I disliked the way the ambushed our table.
Then I thought:
Oh my goodness, so he's going take someone else to the prom?
I should've known better.
Guys like him do not date girls like me.
Avery
It was really nice of Carrie to drop me off at home
The moment we pulled up at the driveway. My father stood waiting for me at the door.
I sighed, got out the car and said goodbye
to her.
She waved at my dad and drove away.
Somehow dad could not make out who dropped me off.
He thought it was some guy?
Dad asked “where's your date?”
I shrugged.
He raised an eyebrow and asked, “Well, where is he? I want to meet him?”
So many questions, I didn't want to answer.
That is moment I remembered, I didn’t tell Dad where I was headed.
So I made up an excuse and lied. I guess I shouldn’t have done so. It was wrong.
I said he had an emergency.
Honestly, I could tell Dad wasn't buying it.
Dad raised an eyebrow and asked, "a family emergency is that what you kids call it these days?"
I swallowed.
I couldn't possibly lie to my father?
Dad than folded his arms.
He asked “why didn't you invite him in?”
I said, “It is okay dad, maybe next time.”
Dad sighed.
Then he said, “Why are you making excuses? what? Our family is not good enough for him?”
I shook my head. Dad then said:
“Listen I know you have your reasons for not inviting him into our home. But you must understand that a guy who truly likes you will not be ashamed to meet your family.
You should not make excuses for him. We might not be the perfect family, but we have love and we stick together.”
I swallowed.
Dad was right, I should've invited him over.
But then Carrie dropped me off.
I said , “Next time I will.”
He smiled and said, “Okay dear.”
And with that I told my father I had a long day and would like to turn in for the night.
He nodded and said, “okay Avery, get some rest.”
I smiled grateful to him.
All I wanted to do was get into my room and lay on the bed.
I thought about the day’s events.
I had a good time up until his friends showed up.
I felt bad thinking about dad’s situation.
He was under a lot of pressure. Ever since the factory closed down, He has not been able to find another job.
It affected his relationship with mom.
I then walked out and said, "I forgot to ask you if you have eaten?”
Dad tried making up an excuse.
He said “oh I had a little something.”
Avery And The Popular Bad Boy: A BAD BOY HIGH SCHOOL ROMANCE Page 2
