My Best Friends Guy - (18+)

Chapter 1: The New Guy

My attempt to sneak into class would have actually worked, if no one was actually in the room! Queue squeaky door! Mr Bateman's eyes loomed over his glasses in my direction as soon as my face appeared in the doorway.

"Late again, Miss Russo! Do you plan on making this an ongoing habit for my class?"

"No, sir! Sorry!" I closed the door behind me and avoided everyone's direct eye contact as I scanned the room for my empty desk at the back of the class. I had been fortunate to be sat so far back. It would normally distract the teacher from my doodling as he would concentrate on the boffins at the front of the class, however, I always managed to draw attention to myself in other ways, for example, by being late! I slid in behind my wooden desk and quietly grabbed all my supplies from my bag and laid them out on my table. I studied the board ahead of me, thankful that it was still empty, meaning I hadn't really missed anything. Mr Bateman was actually one of the only teachers that I genuinely liked. He always had something interesting to teach, and if it wasn't interesting, he would make it so! It also helped that I loved history, which I was hoping to major in once I left school. We had recently been learning about Egyptian Pharaohs and Gods, and I had really taken an interest in their cultural architecture and their storytelling through the hieroglyphs. My workbook was littered with random symbols and pictures, and I daydreamed about living in the city of Luxor during the reign of Rameses 1st. 

"God, is there anyone else to parade in late? Bugs bunny for example?" The classroom erupted in laughter as I was pulled from my daydream of white temples and sandy horizons. But soon enough, my mouth was as dry as the Sahara itself! Stood before me, was my very own God! Well, the spitting image of one anyway! Ash-blonde hair danced on top of a strapping figure of toned skin thinly stretched over two bulging biceps, and a jawline I could trace with my tongue. He stood tall, and as some of the girls gossiped and giggled, I just sat there with my mouth wide open. 

"Ahh, so your Cade. Welcome to History 101. Take a seat at the back of the class and find someone to share notes with."

'Hubba Hubba, baby! That man is a dish best served nak...'

"Hi. Do you mind if I sit here?" His voice was intoxicating, and I nodded, quickly silencing my inner monologue. I hadn't noticed him swim through the many tables towards me, but I was sure glad he chose to sit here. 

'He smells so good!'  

"Great! Thanks! I'm Cade."

"My...my name is Claire! Nice to meet you!" 

"You too! So, how do you find this class?"

"I actually find it really interesting! I'm planning to major in it at college!"

"Ahh, Miss Rosso! As you are so talkative today, would you like to take a guess as to the answer of my question? 'The first known labour strike in recorded history occurred under which pharaoh?'" 

"Ohhh, ugh. Ramesses III, During the 29th year of his reign."

"Very good! Can you tell me why?"

"Ugh. he was unable to provide food rations to tomb-builders and artisans so they staged a sit-down strike."

"Gold star Miss Rosso! You've swerved detention, for today!" 'Nailed it!'

"Smart arse!" I giggled at Cade's joking remark and continued to listen on at Mr Bateman's historical lecture. All throughout, Cade continued to whisper in my ear, and we shared a few flirtatious glances at each other for the rest of the morning. Turned out, he was in my next class, and quite a few others throughout the week. I was looking forward to the mischief we might be able to cause! I took the morning break as an opportunity to show him around the school. I showed him the library, the cafeteria and the football pitches. 

"Will you be trying out for the football team? Or are you into anything else?" His smile was soft, but enticing.

"I actually moved here for the football team. My dad grew up around here, and actually went to this school. He played for the team, and managed to bag himself a scholarship to College, and then Uni. I'm kinda hoping to do the same!" 

"Maybe I'll come watch you try out?" 'Yeah, he looks pretty fit! Strong enough to toss you over his shoulder, at least!'

"That would be cool! Might be nice to see a friendly face in the stands." 

******  

"Hey, Claire!"

"Oh, f**k sake! What do you want Brent!" We had been walking to our next class when Brent had appeared around the corner with his pack of goons.

"That's no way to treat your favourite guy!" He leaned against me and dropped his arm across my shoulder, but I shrugged him off before he could get comfortable. Cade stood next to me, looking on at the behaviour of the black-haired playboy who clearly didn't understand boundaries!

"Ha! Unlikely. Anyway, you just split up from Bri! Why would I want her regurgitated seconds?" 

"Oh, I'm hurt! I thought we were friends!"

"Friends, possibly! Favourite people, hardly!" Brent's eyes finally landed on Cade.

"And who is this? Your new fuckbuddy?" 

"Oh god! Really! No, this is Cade. He's trying out for your team next week. His dad used to play here in the past."

"Oh yeah? Who was that?" Cade took a step closer to me, and placed his fingertips gently on the back of my elbow.

"Dave Knight. Used to play quarterback."

"Oh cool! Yeah! He's a bit of a legend around here! We will expect good things!" Brent and his pack slowly edged away from us as the school bell finally rang, but not before turning to me.

"Oh well, one-day Claire, if you ever fancy a taste, give me a holla! Gotta try both fingers of the Twix!" He licked between his parted middle and fore-finger and laughed his way down the hall towards his class.

'That. Was. Disgusting!'

"He's a f*****g prick!" 

"That he is! He used to date my best friend, but they broke up a few weeks ago. Good riddance I say!"

"Lucky escape, I'd say." With another smile towards Cade, we parted ways to go to our next classes.

"Thanks for showing me around, Claire. See you at lunch?"

"Definitely!"

******  

"So, how was your morning? Did Mr Bateman scold you for being late again?" Bri scooped down next to me in the canteen with her tray of boring salad and bottle of water. Her hair bounced around her face, almost reflecting her bubbly character. 

"Umm, yeah. But it wasn't all bad! There was a new..."

"Ugh Brent! You know, I'm so glad we didn't get too serious! He is such a player."

"Yeah. I bumped into him just before third. He was repulsive! Said I should 'call him if I ever want a taste'!" I gestured to Bri what Brent had done to me, and she covered her mouth in horror!

"That is gross!" I laughed at her reaction. Although her flamboyant behaviour sometimes annoyed the hell out of me, I couldn't deny loving her. She was always there for me, and always knew how to be supportive, even if she wasn't always paying me the most attention. She suddenly jumped to her feet in excitement.

"It's him!" She shuffled around her chair and squealed as she ran to someone behind me. The falling feeling dragged my stomach out of my arse when I realised who she must be talking to.

'Please, god no!'

She appeared in front of me as I bowed my head down, trying to hide from the embarrassment I knew was about to befall me.

"Claire! Claire! This is the guy I was telling you about! Claire, meet Cade!"

'f**k sake!'

"So, the Bri you were on about earlier is 'this' Bri?" Cade sat next to Brianna across from me as she nuzzled against him. She tangled her arms around the biceps I had just been drooling over all morning, and a sting of jealousy flickered in my stomach.

"Would seem so! She mentioned a new guy this morning, but I didn't think it would be you." His smile almost seemed to shine at me, and when he flashed it towards Brianna, her arms seemed to strangle his muscles even more!

"Small world, isn't it! It's so great that you two have already met! It means I don't have to do the whole 'intro' thing again."

'Yeah, she does that lot!'

"Yeah. We had first and second period together. She really knew her stuff in history! I was impressed!"

"Oh, our Claire here is a clever one! She got the brains, I got the beauty!" Brianna just kept looking up at Cade in awe of him. Her radiant smile would have been infectious if it wasn't for the feelings of loss that I was experiencing over her man. 

'Plenty more fish in the sea! And you'll be at college next year! All the 'D' you could want!'

I smiled inward at my rational thinking. Sure, Cade was mega hot, but he was just one guy! There were plenty more to have fun with! It isn't like I was looking to settle down with three kids and a golden retriever anytime soon, so why should I sit here all depressed over a guy I knew I just wanted to play with, then move on! I picked my stomach off the floor between my legs and focussed my attention to this weekend.

"So, Bri! Are we still on for movie night this weekend? It's been ages since we've done one! I've found this amazing brownie recipe that I was thinking I could try out for it, and I just found this movie on Netflix about...."

"Claire! I'm sorry! I completely forgot! I already agreed to go out with Cade for dinner on Saturday night! We could do another night?" Just more disappointment. 

"Bri! Don't be silly! We can reschedule! Go have your girlie night!" The look on Brianna's face was almost insulting! She gave him a death stare and gripped his arm so hard between her fingers that Cade flinched.

"Oh babe! Are you sure? I mean, you've booked a table and everything?"

"I insist!"

"Bri, if you don't want to, that's fine! I'm sure another night will be fine!"

"No! She will be free."

"Okay, great! I'll be over at yours for 7?"

"Fine...."

'What the hell is her problem?'