“Zac, Ashton, let’s be reasonable about this.” I look between the two of them, astonished they are giving me the time of day.
96Please respect copyright.PENANA5TUiZcnVl9
“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.
96Please respect copyright.PENANA0C6k52171P
Fine, I pick you. And your muscles.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAbRauy8C8Ay
“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.”
96Please respect copyright.PENANAtxC9xTuolc
Just kidding, I pick you. Laughter is important in a relationship.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAVUAMG8wY3t
“Oh, right, that stupid prank show you do. Can’t be late for that!” Zac huffs and steps closer to Ashton.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAsWmv3XpDko
“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?”
96Please respect copyright.PENANAHtbWiWIl9m
The two continue to stare each other down. How did I get in this situation?
96Please respect copyright.PENANAnQVi1K1VhN
“Fellas, come on. We can all be friends, right?” I smile and give a thumbs up. They blink, unmoved. “Right?”
96Please respect copyright.PENANAyOfRzE880e
Ashton opens his mouth to speak again, but all that comes out is a shrill beep.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAIAQ1Lcjbg3
I furrow my eyes. “Ashton, are you okay?”
96Please respect copyright.PENANA9WPWwGjhxe
He opens his mouth again. BEEP.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAJrBu9VsIUu
“What is going on?” I step closer to the pair. Zac looks at me and opens his mouth. BEEP.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAPQ21df9DHU
BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAJhmOkuoXQN
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.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAdi5R9GNV7U
Maybe I should take a cold shower and cool myself off after that dream.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAd6aD8p2dgA
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.
--
96Please respect copyright.PENANAKC3AW1M7IR
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.
96Please respect copyright.PENANASI6Up9KEJi
“Good morning,” I venture, opening the fridge and taking out a yogurt and an apple.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAJAUjs1Aj5q
“Good morning, killer.” Frank picks up his coffee mug and takes a sip. “Who are you planning on knocking out today?”
96Please respect copyright.PENANANCmoLFsViy
“Frank!” My mom scolds. “You shouldn’t be encouraging her behavior! She could have gotten into serious trouble!”
96Please respect copyright.PENANAXhut7KZ1aE
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.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAjgkLf6gkDG
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.”
96Please respect copyright.PENANAs5BW7PIY3R
She smiles wide. “Good! See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?”
96Please respect copyright.PENANAP9wgeUls4P
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.”
96Please respect copyright.PENANA3CsFbasdnI
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.”
96Please respect copyright.PENANAOb98xjGyAR
Of course she’s taking his side.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAF35WAZXFzL
“Not bitter,” I say, shaking my head. “Just over him and how much of a jerk he is.”
96Please respect copyright.PENANALq6Oye9BFy
“Honey, you can’t be mad at him forever. Forgiveness is important.”
96Please respect copyright.PENANAGcZIUAgDsj
“Mom, he broke up with me three days ago. Forgiveness can wait. He doesn’t deserve my forgiveness right now.” I take another bite.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAdTyt7YwxYg
“Being spiteful isn’t a good look, dear.” She arches her eyebrows and lifts her coffee mug.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAcC4cAkCMbm
“I can do all things through spite, which strengthens me.”
96Please respect copyright.PENANAAqXKosvySX
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.
96Please respect copyright.PENANA1owssnvNEJ
“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.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAqvIQbOZ5fW
Oh, to be a college student and have the ability to sleep in.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAd07EbzC9TC
“Morning, C.” I finish my apple and crack open my yogurt.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAvvfafMQjTc
“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.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAzW8ZFT94Jv
I shrug and ignore the glare we’re both getting from my mother. “It’s not a big deal really.”
96Please respect copyright.PENANAB5BvCMN7X6
“Not a big deal!” Clark smiles wide. “It’s not every day my kid sister wallops a guy. You must tell me your secret.”
96Please respect copyright.PENANA03RmFPwobA
“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.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAJy6cOtrvou
“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.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAwFvXeXYKuc
“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.
96Please respect copyright.PENANA34mrGauLFD
“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.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAjRA7SkyOgl
“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.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAE4CZlQgwE2
“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.”
96Please respect copyright.PENANAb2XsRdTfX8
“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.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAZeZv8TI5s8
I sigh and get in the driver’s seat, silently amping myself up for another day.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAF9waIxHt2T
--
96Please respect copyright.PENANArnnTSI03go
“I knew your mom would flip.” Lindsey closes her locker and turns to me. “Now you have to miss my party!”
96Please respect copyright.PENANA8hxuiAsozC
“You can always reschedule it,” I offer, grabbing my Physics book and tucking it into my bag before closing my own locker.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAkSL2senzdS
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.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAMonD2shPZJ
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.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAoHh9jZ7hRk
I will not punch Max today. I will not punch Max today. I. Will. Not. Punch. Max. Today.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAYIsFKuJlNw
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.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAd9cQrI3D5Z
“Morning, Simon.” I take out my notebook and textbook.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAalCiCQZi1Y
Simon turns and looks at me. He has large bags under his eyes and his skin is pale.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAwOyXvmznRj
“You okay?”
96Please respect copyright.PENANAudvufXBFKv
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.
96Please respect copyright.PENANA0u5dArhoYf
“Ah. That go well?”
96Please respect copyright.PENANAN037XzoZnl
Simon shrugs. “I guess so. He still won’t tell his parents.” His voice drops. “But whatever, I can’t wait all year.”
96Please respect copyright.PENANALJvhrjbctV
Mr. Whitlock walks into the room just as the bell to start class goes off.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAqO9tCqQnq0
“Okay, everyone, please take out your textbooks and open to page 394.”
96Please respect copyright.PENANAoVP6Utoa78
--
96Please respect copyright.PENANAoIUoUPpMhV
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.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAup0FW6AcGm
“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.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAekNPXsjHP7
“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.
96Please respect copyright.PENANALWeAuEEk7u
“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.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAtMkuibaryk
Great, so every teacher knows about what happened yesterday.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAtRm0JwXdPM
“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.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAuxOvLpH8Py
Lindsey pokes my arm with her pencil and passes me a note.
96Please respect copyright.PENANASgLEktSI4X
Work session at your house after school?
96Please respect copyright.PENANA9SALvDNfjD
I make sure Ms. Slovenhall isn’t paying attention before responding.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAJ4GbBjI3i7
Unlikely. I’m grounded, remember?I pass the note back to her. She scribbles an answer.
96Please respect copyright.PENANA8aCYiorTXo
Even for school projects? Leigh won’t let you fail.
96Please respect copyright.PENANABNrZ7SYBk5
She is, of course, right. My mother would rather saw off her arm than have me waste precious academic time.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAJsDOBs5Gtf
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.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAeR75DODbR5
Love the initiative. Work in the kitchen. No boys.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAdQACtA6PVJ
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.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAQfik30JV5l
--
96Please respect copyright.PENANAnyOwts9kk6
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.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAt2ZFALNs72
“I have zero clue what I’m going to do for this,” I mutter, eyeing the chips.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAvjhT7pFTMr
“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?”
96Please respect copyright.PENANARLr7y7aQoa
“You guys are being ridiculous,” Romina says. “Just do what you always do and bullshit it.”
96Please respect copyright.PENANAT7yS41sHfD
Lindsey and I stare at her.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAQBR6SodavN
“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.”
96Please respect copyright.PENANAcqJ1KxN2s0
“You’re not wrong.” I sigh and grab a chip, sticking it in my mouth and savoring the salty deliciousness.
96Please respect copyright.PENANA49MDn3Np7V
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.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAB9E76WckWF
“Well, if it isn’t three of my favorite high schoolers!” Clark beams at us.
96Please respect copyright.PENANA48wsMehDDe
“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.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAttLzGjV4JM
Stop it, Ellie. You do NOT need to get involved with another guy.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAdJRpDEYeOI
My heart doesn’t listen though. Instead, it starts doing somersaults in my chest. Mystery boy stands there grinning.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAJVSmno5s8c
“This is Reuben,” Clark says, pointing to his companion. “Reuben, this is my sister Ellie and her two friends, Romina and Lindsey.”
96Please respect copyright.PENANAPVOcY55p6e
Be cool, Ellie. Be. Cool.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAks8VjeCKJJ
“Oh, neat, like the sandwich?” Four pairs of eyes lock onto me and my stomach joins in on the gymnastics happening inside my body.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAvXX3177Q07
Ellie, WHAT?
96Please respect copyright.PENANAdVlNBu48ZC
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.
96Please respect copyright.PENANANeGhLr9gRv
Reuben’s eyes widen. “Sure, just like the sandwich.” His voice is as warm as the sun and I am melting.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAY31kSp3eT6
I smile. Reuben smiles back and my heart has resumed its practice for the Olympics.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAulnZy9maOc
“You uh, have something.” Reuben brushes the side of his lip. I reach up and to my horror find crumbs lining my lips.
96Please respect copyright.PENANADpZVtsCqiA
Why God, why? He likely thinks I’m a complete slob.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAoo4McjgJTQ
I wipe them away with a napkin and will my cheeks to stop burning.
96Please respect copyright.PENANA6vD59kbLMr
Now would be a great time for the apocalypse.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAIwEGXFcRQ4
“Well, it was nice meeting you.” Reuben raises his hand in a wave. “See you all later?”
96Please respect copyright.PENANAaNRzhry608
“Bye now, Reuben!” Lindsey waves back and forth. “We hope to see you again soon, especially Ellie!”
96Please respect copyright.PENANAP2LWHKN2Gx
Best friend or not, I want her dead.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAgLTQez7sad
I pull her down into her seat. “What are you doing?” I hiss, looking back at the doorway. Thankfully, Reuben and Clark have left.
96Please respect copyright.PENANALbisteLVVg
Lindsey smiles. “I fancy a sandwich. Do you, Romina?”
96Please respect copyright.PENANASFpgzykvd2
I groan.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAAANWclFaj2
“What kind will we make?” Romina’s eyes are sparkling with laughter.
96Please respect copyright.PENANADSnp5CBH94
“Grilled cheese?”
96Please respect copyright.PENANATumjdCkuvZ
“BLT?”
96Please respect copyright.PENANA9PWI00Pldm
“Club?”
96Please respect copyright.PENANAP0YLtutHvN
“Peanut butter and jelly?”
96Please respect copyright.PENANA1nkh6JbKbB
“You two are hilarious.” I close my laptop and begin gathering up my things.
96Please respect copyright.PENANA9Zd1i5Woyy
“I know!” Lindsey says, sticking her finger in the air.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAz1SFWR7hVd
“REUBEN!” The two of them say this together and break into fits of laughter.
96Please respect copyright.PENANA4NAfMzJmmi
“Hardy har,” I grumble. “I’m so glad my embarrassment brings you joy.”
96Please respect copyright.PENANARzoAZUWCEB
“Let’s be real, though. He was cute, right?” Lindsey leans in close.
96Please respect copyright.PENANA79y1vdjj4L
I shrug. “He was alright, I guess. If you’re into that sort of thing.” I flutter my hands in the air.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAvrczwvjnCQ
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.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAVRaCx1XQAp
“What are you writing?” I lean over. “Are those names?”
96Please respect copyright.PENANAgz3wL9yTu3
Lindsey nods and hands the notebook over to Romina. “Have any to add?”
96Please respect copyright.PENANAjqda0TUeUB
Romina scans the notebook before chuckling. “Kale? Clementine? Benedict? What are these?”
96Please respect copyright.PENANA73HCx6NWqE
Lindsey flashes that devilish grin again. “Future baby names. I figured we’d stick with the food theme.”
96Please respect copyright.PENANAeZqKtzbfWQ
I drop my head on the table. “You guys suck.”
96Please respect copyright.PENANAUClGjKWGPY
“You forgot Olive! And Colby!” Romina picks up her pen and adds to the list.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAVoWzckdbML
I am never going to live this down.
96Please respect copyright.PENANAtvSjyo4T0x