by Rua Hasan
And you don’t have to guess who was walking next to me in the crowded hall.
Yup, Tyler.
You can already see the look of annoyance on my face as Tyler walked with his group of friends while I’m glued next to him. You might be asking why I was walking with him to my fourth period class when I could be well away from him enjoying the last minute of freedom I have left.
Well the answer was simple.
Tyler was just too damn stubborn I tell you!
When I came out of my third period class, I was about to spend the five minutes I have left for the fourth class by hanging out with Matt at his locker but, no! Tyler wouldn’t allow that! He just had to introduce me to his friends which I could tell were all good looking but that wasn’t not the point! The point was everyone or should I say every girl in the hall were sending me death glares because I was walking with one of the hottest guys in school.
Hey! And it wasn’t not like I wanted to be here! Tyler’s arm was wrapped around my waist for some unknown reason making me feel weird, and when I did ask him about it, he would send me a teasing smirk saying he didn’t want me to run away. You see, people? This could most likely be a kidnap because I clearly didn’t want to be here.
I was brought out of my thoughts when a cute looking guy with curly hair spoke which sounded like Ryder. Well, that was what Tyler said when he introduced me to him, but I wasn’t really not good with names so . . .
“Hey Gem, I was thinking maybe w―OUCH!” Ryder shouted dramatically as he held his shoulder. Let me make it clearer, his shoulder was going to make a bruise. Oh, and let’s not forget the icy cold glare Tyler was sending to Ryder.
“Why the hell did you punch me dude?” he asked as he rubbed his shoulder.
“Why the hell did you call her Gem?”
“I don’t know, it’s just you call her that all the time so―OUCH! Stop punching me!” Ryder said making some of Tyler’s friends around us chuckle and cough a few words like ‘pussy’ to Ryder.
“I’m the only one to call her with that name, understand?” Tyler said as if I wasn’t here.
I would have pointed that out but I noticed his arm wasn’t wrapped around me so I took that as an advantage to slip away but Tyler glanced at me and brought me to his chest! Like why! It’s not like we were dating for him to be this protective over me! It wasn’t that I hated it, it was just so darn confusing and the glares of jealous girls were making me extremely uncomfortable.
“Jeez, relax dude. I won’t call your girlfriend that sweet adorable nickname anymore. Fine. Happy?”
“I’m not his girlfriend.”
I pointed out as I tried to move myself away from Tyler’s chest but it only worked for a couple of seconds before I was brought back to it again. His friends glanced between us and smirks appeared on their faces but I had no idea.
“Well, that doesn’t look like it,” A guy with ginger hair said.
I then glanced up at Tyler, hoping that he’d say something to prove to his friends that there was no way in hell we’d be in a relationship. But instead, he scooted me to the side so I wouldn’t be bumping into students hurrying to their classes.
“Me and my buddies are going to have a little talk. Why don’t you go to class first?” Tyler suggested making me roll my eyes. He didn’t need to ask because I’d be delighted to walk away, even though I was interested to know what they were going to talk about.
As I walked down the hall ignoring the curious stares, I took out my phone and looked at the time, I had two minutes left to get to class before I was considered late. Just as I was about to make a turn to where the class was held, I remembered that my textbook was left in my locker. I then cursed in my head and decided to make a run for it, hoping I would make it within two minutes.
I ran to my locker within seconds, opened it and grabbed my textbook. I then run to the same direction I left Tyler because it was the quickest way but I stopped running when I noticed that Tyler and his friends were not going to the class yet and were still talking.
“Okay, okay, we get it dude. No flirting with her! Fine!” Ryder said as he threw his hands in the air dramatically while Tyler stuck his hands in his pockets.
“Understood?” he said as he glanced at every one of his friends.
“Dude we get it! Why don’t you just tell—” the guy with ginger hair stopped talking when he noticed me approaching. Everyone’s attention turned to me, making Tyler turn around. The annoyed look on his face immediately went away when he noticed it was me. I noticed his face brighten just for a little bit before the look of confusion took over.
“I thought I told you to wait for me in class?” Tyler said as he walked toward me. I was breathing heavily as I brought the textbook up and showed it to him.
“I forgot this in my locker.”
Tyler turned to look at his friends.
“Okay, I’ll see you guys later.”
By now the halls were almost empty so Tyler and I decided to run hoping we’d make it in time because I really didn’t want to get stuck in another detention with him. I may have not heard most of the conversation with Tyler and his friends but I could tell they were talking about someone. I wasn’t that stupid and naive not to know they were talking about me, I was just confused. And what the hell did his friends mean when he said he had to tell me something?
Why did Tyler warn them not to flirt with me? I mean, yes, I know we didn’t start off so great but now that we are close enough to call each other friends, that reason wasn’t good enough for him to be so protective. Maybe it was just something personal.
I didn’t let my thoughts wonder off too far when I walked into class with Tyler behind me. I let a sigh of relief escape my lips as I heard the late bell ring when I sat on my seat. Tyler then sat next to me as he breathed heavily then muttered something under his breath which I didn’t quite hear. It came out as a blur but I did get something that sounded like ‘all those years of training came to use’. I didn’t know what that meant but maybe he was talking about working out and its benefits.
“So where do you want to meet up today?” Tyler asked.
“Huh?” I asked.
“You know, so we could finish the project already.”
“Oh yea that, um how about my place at five.”
“Fine by me.”
Mr. Jones began the class without forgetting to warn us about our project’s deadline. The first couple of minutes went by with me and Tyler sending notes to each other and I’m pretty sure if someone caught us, they wouldn’t send us to the principal’s office. No, they’d send us to the hospital for crazy people.
‘So, do you think we can do it?’ Tyler wrote.
‘Are you crazy? Why would you want to kidnap the president’s daughter?’ I wrote back as I tried to keep in my laughter.
‘I heard she’s really pretty,’ he wrote then glanced at me as if he was waiting for a reaction.
I lifted an eyebrow then glared at him as I became really annoyed. Why? I don’t know, maybe it was just my hormones because my period was getting near.
‘You’d be willing to put your life in danger for a girl?’
Our little moment was interrupted when the door opened and walked in a guy wearing an orange jacket, indicating that he just came from the main office. He then walked over to Mr. Jones and gave him a little slip and walked right out the door. Mr. Jones read the slip then looked at my direction and began walking towards me. Once he was standing right in front of me, he gave me the slip and spoke.
“They want you in the office for some training.”
I read the slip then nodded my head and got up. I glanced at Tyler and gave him a small reassuring smile because he was looking at me in confusion then walked right out the door. I took my time walking down the hall as the sound of my shoes hitting the floor echoed throughout the empty hall. Well, that’s what I thought until I found Dan smoking in an opened boys’ bathroom. I walked pass it but backed up a bit and tilted my he
ad to the side as I lifted an eyebrow.
“I caught you red-handed,” I said as a smirk grew on my lips, catching his attention. He took the cigarette away from his lips and turned to look at me.
“Ah my soul mate! How are you?” he said as he walked over to me and dropped his arm on my shoulders.
“Are you trying to distract me from the fact I caught you smoking in school?” I asked.
“Yup but it’s a good thing you won’t tell anyone because we’re really close friends,” he said as he nudge his elbow on my shoulder.
“Actually we’re really not that close.”
“But you’re still not going to tell anyone right?” he asked, as he sent me an innocent look as if he was a baby about to tear up. This made me huff.
“No . . . ” I said, not really knowing what to say next.
“Great!” he said as he ruffled my hair.
What’s with everyone messing my hair? I mean I put so much effort in the morning to make it look perfect but now everyone just had to ruin it. I sounded like Matt but what could I do. He was my best friend for a reason.
“So tell me why are you skipping class?” Dan asked.
“Uh, I’m not. I was just heading to the main office when I saw you here,” I answered as I took his arm from my shoulders and dropped it to his side.
“Really, why? Are you in trouble again?” he asked as if he was a mother ready to scold her child.
“No, actually I have some training to do and you say it like I get into trouble all the time.” I pointed out.
“Because you do.”
“Well I’m not the one smoking in school.” I shot back then crossed my arms under my chest. Dan then put his hands over his heart and closed his eyes as he pretended to be in pain then fell onto his knees.
“Oh, the burn is real,” he whispered more to himself.
I chuckled to myself then took a step forward and patted his shoulder.
“I’ll just leave you here to think about what you just did, young man, while I leave.” I tried to make my voice sound like a mad mother but totally failed. He then nodded his head as he wiped an invisible tear.
“Okay, I’ll try to pay for my sins,” he said. I then turned around and started walking away but then turned around to say something, because I just had to have the last word.
“I’m keeping my eyes on yo―HEY!” I gasped once I saw Dan bring the cigarette back to his lips, making me put my hand on my hip.
“What?” he asked. “I paid for this! I can’t let it go to waste. Just one last time, I swear,” he explained as he threw his hands up in surrender.
I rolled my eyes.
“Whatever,” I said then turned around again and started to walk towards the office. Once I was there, I gave the slip to the lady behind the counter and waited until she was done doing whatever she was doing. She then got up and lead to the gym. It didn’t take long before I found myself standing in front of the big doors which lead to the gym.
After the lady left me alone, I opened the door and walked into the almost empty place. I said almost because it seems as if no one was taking a class, only a couple of students that were standing to the side as I saw a woman’s back facing me.
I started walking towards their direction, attracting everyone’s attention. I noticed that there were four students in total inside the gym. One girl, other than me and two boys. I guess they were the ones who entered this competition. This made me nervous since only one of us could win and represent this school. I just hoped I’d be the one to make it to the finals.
I felt my mouth open by surprise when I saw the lady who was standing in front of the students turn to look at me. All the anxious feelings I had suddenly went away when I saw who she was. It was a face I knew all too well.
Tyler’s mother.
Is she going to be the one to train me?
“Crystal dear! You’re finally here. Why don’t you stand over there so I can say a couple things,” she said making me nod as I sent her a smile then walked over to stand next to a really tall guy.
Since when did Tyler’s mom work here?
“Okay, so you all know why you’re here and only one person will make it to the finals to represent our school.” She began.
We all nodded.
“Now I don’t want to take up much of your time because you all have classes but I just wanted to bring you all here so that I could tell you that I would like each and every one of you to come here every day after school starting today so we can begin your training,” she explained. “Is that clear?”
Everyone nodded.
“Great, now since that’s out of the way, I also want you guys to be dressed in your PE clothes or just any sport clothes you brought from home. It really doesn’t matter as long as you have something comfortable to run in.” Emma said before dismissing us.
I was about to walk out of the gym but stopped when Emma called my name. I turned around to see her walking toward me with a smile on her face, I of course returned it.
“Hi! Emma. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t surprised to see you,” I said.
“It’s okay darling, I never actually told you what my job was anyway.”
“So how long have you been training students?”
“Quite a while now. I’ve trained all kinds of people and don’t tell this to anyone but I sure do hope you win.”
“I hope so too.”
“Don’t worry dear. I’m sure you will especially with me helping. I’ve trained my own son to win the same competition two years ago―oh and speaking of Tyler, he’s told me so much about how fast of a runner you are.”
I really didn’t pay attention to what she said next because I tuned her out when I heard Tyler entered a competition like this two years ago and won. How come he never told me that? Yes it was obvious he works out but I never expected him to actually enter something like this. Well now that I think about it, it kinda does make sense since his mother is the trainer after all.
“Tyler won a competition before?”
“Yes he has and trust me, it wasn’t easy but it happened in the end and I sure do hope you’ll make it too―no! I just know it,” she said as she patted my back. I gave her a big smile then said my goodbye and walked away.
Halfway through my walk, I decided to turn around and walk to the cafeteria when I heard the bell rang, indicating that fourth period was over. I was one of the first people in line to get my lunch which was really rare since Mr. Jones’ class was far away from the cafeteria. I then sat on the table I usually sat in and waited for Tyler–I mean Matt and my friends to arrive,
Tyler? Why on earth would I be waiting for Tyler? There’s something definitely wrong with me.
I was about to throw french fries into my mouth when I saw someone sat next to me. I turned my head and smiled when I saw it was Matt.
“Why are you so early?” he asked.
“I think I’m sick!” I said dodging his question and letting my brain space out.
“Huh?”
“I said I think I’m sick,” I said dramatically as I grabbed his hand and placed it on my forehead.
“Do I have a fever?” I asked.
“No . . . ”
“Then what’s wrong with me?” I asked more to myself as I banged my head on the table.
“Crystal what’s wro—”
Matt was interrupted when someone called out my name. Wait let me correct that. My ‘nickname’, “Gem.” Tyler’s voiced echoed next to me. I then lifted my head and looked up at him.
“Why were you called into the office?” he asked.
And that’s how I spent my lunch. Sitting between Matt and Tyler, squished like a sandwich as I actually tried to eat mine in peace but I couldn’t because my mind was driving me nuts. I felt weird. Something I really couldn’t describe. I didn’t know what it was, but I do know it had to do with Tyler.
“I’ll see you at five,” I said to Tyler as I grabbed my bag and walked out of my last period
class.
“You have training to do?” he asked.
I nodded. “Yea I do. It’ll only take an hour―oh and speaking of training, how come you never told me you run?” I asked making Tyler shrug in response.
“I don’t. It’s just I ran a competition to help my mom succeed in her new job she got a couple years back,” he explained.
Oh. That makes sense.
“That’s nice to know you have a sweet spot for your mama.” I teased as I pinched his cheek. He rolled his eyes then grabbed my hand and pulled it down but what really got to me was when he didn’t pull away.
“I have to admit I was a mama’s boy,” he said as he sent me a charming grin.
“Was? Don’t you mean ‘is’?”
“Don’t you have training to get to?” he asked changing the subject.
I let him get away with it.
“Yea you’re right I do. But don’t worry, I’ll tell your mama you said hi,” I said as a smirk grew on my face.
Okay maybe I didn’t.
I then walked to the girls’ locker room and changed into my running clothes. It was almost empty since everyone was leaving except the people who had practice after school.
Once I was done, I walked into the gym and found everyone ready to start their training. The training would last for a couple of weeks before the competition. Once Emma gets to know us and our abilities, she would choose the best person to represent our school. After that, she would train the chosen one who made it to the finals personally to get them ready for next month.
We started our training by stretching for five minutes. After that, we began jogging around the gym for twenty minutes. Emma began testing our speed individually. Each and every one of us would have to run three laps around the gym as she recorded our time. This went on for about thirty minutes until we were all sweating so much, the sweat would fill up buckets.
Emma then decided to let us go home five minutes earlier since it was our first day. I then walked into the girls’ locker room, washed my face and arms then put deodorant because there was no way in hell I’d take a shower here. I just never liked to, instead I’d wait till I made it back home. I got dressed into my regular clothes then walked out of the locker room and stopped in my tracks when I saw someone standing outside waiting for me.
