To My Future Cheating Husband

IV. The Inches Matter

Ava's POV:

I slam my body against the lockers in the corner of the hallway and tilt my body until Luke passes by. Throwing my hood over my head, I close my eyes, huddling into a turtle-like position.

I can feel the burning critical stares drilling itself in the back of my head. I didn't care much for them because that is all they can do - stare at me. High school students are like children with an extra dosage of steroids.

They are unreasonable and out of control when feeling threatened, but they can't do much. Give them a little praise, and they will bow out of the battle.

For boys, all you need is to brush your fingers against their imaginary biceps, and they will fall on their knees. For girls, words of agreement are all they want. It's not what they need, but when you feel like the world is against you - which is quite frequent for a teenager - you merely want someone to listen to your minor problems.

The mumbling sound around me in regards to Luke and his pals dial down slowly. When no one was talking about him anymore, I looked up and released a deep breath.

I stand up, gripping onto the straps of my backpack, "Let's see — Junior year. Luke and I have two classes together. AP Calculus because he decided to take AP Statistics in his sophomore year." I stop walking, "Wait, or do we have AP English together because I'm actually decent in writing...or do we have P.E together?"

Standing in the middle of the hallway, I scratch my head, attempting to remember his schedule but fail miserably. I lean against the lockers, and look around, seeing only a few students leftover. "Was it two classes we have together or one? Maybe, we have none? No, wait that's senior year when he graduates," I continued mumbling to myself, pointing fingers in the air.

I heave a sigh before walking towards the cafeteria, where they were handing out the class schedules. Glancing at the line, I groan. I'm sure that waiting is a type of torture I imagine Satan establish in hell when he runs out of creative ideas to torture humans.

Going on my toes, I saw four sections with each holding five tables each. There are ten excruciatingly long lines per table. I sway back and forth until I find the first letter of my last name. "A-H, nope, not me." I grumble to myself, and move left, "There we go, I-M," I nod to myself, "I belong there." Elegantly, I slide into the line, grateful that it's moving faster than I anticipated. Then again, by junior year, everyone should already know each other.

Turning my head, I saw Luke at the senior sections with his friends. Quickly, I tilt my head to the other direction and sidestep behind a guy. He looked down at me, and I smiled at him, but he didn't respond. "Stupid Ava, of course, he needs to get his class schedule too." I self scorn while shaking my head.

"Hey! Wood! You're over here!" a chubby cheeks guy yells towards my direction.

"I'm coming! I'm helping a pretty girl hide from someone!" the guy in front of me screams back. He looked down and gave me a thumb up.

I groan, pressing my fingers against my temple. "Thank you."

Wood smiled at me before resuming to the game boy in front of him; while I continued hiding. One by one, we move forward. I began getting bored of waiting, so I decided to peek over Wood's shoulder. His fingers pressed against the buttons with instant motions, while his eyes concentrated on the colorful screen.

"Jump."

He pauses the game and tilts his head towards me, "What did you say?"

Shoot. Did I say that out loud? I stood there, staring up at him, which isn't much of a problem since there isn't much of a difference between our height, "I said...jump."

The corner of his lip curls up, mischievously, "How high?"

My throat produces some sort of snickering noise, "Five inches."

"Oh, only that much can please you?"

I couldn't believe it, I was laughing at this guy who somehow seems so familiar, but I can't seem to put my finger on why. Maybe I passed by him in my previous life somewhere, "Yeah, only five inches."

"Wood! Let's go!"

"Coming!" He leans closer to me, "Then, lucky for you. I got a foot long." He bit his lower lip, "-and for $2.50, it could all be yours."

I chuckle and tilt my head, "You don't deserve $2.50."

"You're right... You're absolutely right...for you... I'll sell it for $1.25."

"Half-off?"

Wood unzips his backpack and pulls out half a sandwich. "Here you go." He put it in my hand. "For you, pretty lady, I'm willing to give six inches, not just five."

"But I didn't agree to purchase it."

"It's because you're too good of a bargainer. I know my place, I'll back down before I owe you money."

I snicker, "Sounds desperate."

"Then, you haven't really seen a desperate person. Wait till I get on my hands and knees, begging you to take it."

I laugh at his vulgar but overly hilarious attempt of asking me to take his virginity. Although I'm quite sure he is only joking. However, I'm...a bit impressed.

"Excuse me, but next." The person behind the table said. We were holding up the line.

He smiles before snacking on the other half, "See you around Ava." He walks towards his friend, who was standing near the exit. The friend points at Wood and I merely shrug before walking off.

I took a step forward, only to stop and turn around. "How did he know my name?" I question. Shaking my head, I brush off the odd feeling. I shouldn't be surprised that he knows my name, after all, I'm quite popular in school.

Once I receive my schedule, I notice Luke and his friends are long gone. Twisting and turning towards my first class, I can feel the nostalgic air bursting around me as I munch on the sandwich. Never would I think I could get a second chance to be a high school student again. This time, I definitely won't f**k up.

"Hmm...ham."

Lost in the memories and the sandwich, the school bell rang. I look around, realizing the hallway is empty, "s**t!" I scream and rush towards my first class. Stumbling inside, everyone was staring at me.

My eyes met with a pair of forest-like ones, and the beating resumed.

I hate it.

How my heart always beat for him.

Economics...right... That's the class we have together.

Scanning the classroom, I notice there were two seats left — one right beside Luke and the other in the front, besides the so-called losers of the school.

It would be weird if I sit with those guys I never interact with, but I really don't want to sit beside Luke.

My face scrunched when one of the guys in the front dug for gold.

"Makee?" the teacher calls my last name.

"Yes?"

"Move your feet and pick a seat," he demands.

I gave him a single nod then closed my eyes, and hesitantly walked towards the seat beside Luke. He sat there, chewing the gum inside his mouth as his foot tapped against the railing.

The teacher began introducing himself and what the school year would be like - grades, partners, attendance, etc.

Previously, I got a B- in this class because I was too focused on Luke, but I'm definitely getting an A now!

It's not cheating if I know all the surprises the teacher will present...right?

"Hey, Makee," Luke's voice rang beside me. It wasn't as deep or profound as it'll be in the future.

I glanced at him, "Yes, Parker?" I replied as normal as possible, feeling as if my bum is glued onto the chair.

He rests his chin on the palm of his hand as his eyes analyze me, a single foot unnecessarily tapping against the semi-clear tiles floor. "You didn't pick up my calls."

I tried my best not to roll my eyes, knowing Luke only call for a good f**k. Back in the good ole days, Luke and I always hook up every morning before school starts in the back of his car. Reminiscing in the memories, I wonder how I can handle all the times the seat belt scratches against my back.

"I was busy," I replied, returning my attention to the teacher.

"With what?" he continues talking.

"Stuff." I decide not to use any of my brain cells to come up with a legitimate excuse. I may need them later.

He covers his mouth with his hand, eyes still wrapped around me. "That sounds like something someone would say to the person they don't want to talk to."

Smartass.

"Makee...Parker...detention after school," the teacher said.

My hand lift, "But-"

"No, but Makee. Detention. End of discussion."

Great. Detention on the first day.

I slid down my chair, wishing I sat beside the gold digger instead. The gold-digger pushes his gold beneath the desk - scratch that, I'm content with where I am.

I press my fingers against my temples, remembering how I got detention on my first day of Junior year with Luke. Unlike our awkward conversational exchange, we were flirting in the middle of class. I would whisper things into his ear when I thought the teacher wasn't paying attention, and he would whisper words back.

Somehow, I couldn't avoid the fate of getting in trouble.

I look at Luke, who began doodling in his notebook.

Even when I want to.

Once the bell rang, I packed up all my stuff and walked out, feeling quite frustrated and - whom am I kidding - I am outright pissed. Luke pulls me back, then tug me towards a place with less of a crowd. "Sorry about that."

I held the urge to roll my eyes, "Apologies accepted. Can you let me go now?"

He releases me then moves his arms around in an awkward manner as if trying to look cool. In the past, I would've dropped on my knees for him now - God, he has too much hair gel. "Oh, sorry."

I nod once before turning my back and head towards my next class. Luke was walking beside me, "Hey, what's wrong with you?"

"Nothing," I grumble, walking faster.

"If it's nothing, then why are you avoiding my calls and texts?" his long legs were catching up without breaking a sweat.

I inhale a deep breath, "I'm busy all right?"

Luke grabs my elbow and pins me against the wall despite the waves of students passing by, "Something is wrong." His eyes flicker towards the white bandage hung on my head. "Woah, are you okay?" he asks, pressing against it lightly.

I flinch under his proximity, "Look-" I squat his hands away, "I'm done."

"Done?"

"Yes! I don't want to be your f**k buddy anymore," I declare, emphasizing each word slowly so he can understand. While he stares at me, I turn my body and walk away.

"Hey! Makee!" he suddenly screams, "What do you mean done?"

I stop walking and inhale a deep breath, turning my body. "Done means done! Finish! Completo! Don't talk to me anymore, Parker!"

I rush towards my next class before Luke can say another word, not sparing him a single glance. Perhaps, that will give him the idea that I don't want to spend any more time with him.

Settling myself beside the window, the teacher walks in. I pulled out a notebook and began brainstorming my plan for the future:

1. Start a business while going through school.

2. Keep Trev away from his future w***e of a wife while mending sib-ship.

3. Get a part-time job.

4. Ensure that mom eats healthy so that she won't get a heart attack.

5. Make actual friends.

6. Graduate high school as one of the top ten students.

7. Learn to love myself.

8. Enroll in an elite college.

9. Get a good job.

10. No Boys - mainly L.P. Date only men when you get older.

I nodded in approval of the list, "Excellent."