Chapter 2
1658 Words
Everyone watches Mr. Allen as if he had grown an extra head.
"Yes, you and your partner will take care of a baby doll for the rest of the semester. This will teach you about responsibilities and why encouraging teenage pregnancy is a bad idea," Mr. Allen explains.
Matthew raises his hand. "Yes, Mr. West?"
"Can our parents help?"
"No, you and your partner must do this on your own."
"Can we choose our partner?" he asks.
"No, the girls will draw papers from this bag," he says, displaying it.
"Aw man."
"I hope you pick me," Asher whispers.
At least Mason and Gloria aren't in this class.
"Alright, I'm coming around," Mr. Allen says.
I reach into the bag, shake it, and pull out a paper. Alec Saunders. Seriously? Although I don't mind.
"Looks like I got you, Asher," Crystal says.
I force a smile. "That's nice."
"Yeah," she nods.
Asher doesn't look pleased, though.
"You okay?" I ask, and he nods.
"I got Matthew," Ally says.
"See, we’re meant to be," Matt says.
"Sorry, but I already have a boyfriend," she replies.
"I got Sam," Claire says from the back.
"Can you ex—"
"Hell no, I'm not working with my ex," Matt growls.
Crystal nudges me. "I thought he was with you. I saw him wink earlier."
I laugh. "He's my brother. I have another brother who looks just like him; we're triplets."
"Oh."
"Alright, everyone, go sit with your partners," Mr. Allen directs.
I walk over to Alec, who is grinning like he just won the lottery.
Ally is muttering behind me, glaring at Claire, who is sitting beside Sam.
"Alright, here’s your doll. Remember, you can't leave it unattended; bring it back every morning and collect it after school or practice," Mr. Allen reminds us while distributing lifelike dolls.
"It has my eyes," Alec tells me. "This is truly our kid; maybe it will look like this in the future," he grins, and I roll my eyes.
"Please, like I would date you," I scoff.
"You will reconsider it, Mia. I just know," he whispers.
"So who's babysitting later?" I ask.
"You. I have things to do," he shrugs, and I grumble.
"Also, babies aren't for parties, so please don't carry the doll around. If you have to, make sure to supervise," Mr. Allen adds.
"Matt, you're babysitting. Sam and I have a date later," Ally says, looking at Matt, who is holding the doll upside down.
"Sure, it’s not like I have anything planned," Matt rolls his eyes.
"Sorry, Alyssa, but Sam will be busy helping me with this project," Claire states.
"We're going on that date even if the baby has to come with us," Ally hisses.
"Alright, you can argue about who watches what when you leave," Mr. Allen says.
The bell rings, and we grab our bags. "Here’s my number in case you need me to babysit while you're busy," I see Crystal give Asher a piece of paper.
Ally smirks at me as Sam wraps his arm around her waist. "See you at lunch, Mia," she says before leaving.
"Let's go meet Mason in our next class, Mia," Matt says, swinging his arm over my shoulder.
"Wait for me!" Asher links his arm with mine on my other side. I smile up at him as we all walk out.
---
"Can you believe that stupid project? I got paired up with a nerd," Gloria whispers, and I laugh.
"Sucks to be you," Ally chuckles, and Gloria glares at her.
"Yeah, well, Claire is paired with Sam, so," Gloria retorts, silencing Ally.
"Sorry we’re late," Alec says, sliding his tray onto the table and sitting next to Gloria.
"We got held up," Derek adds, winking at a blonde girl who walks by. She blushes and giggles.
"Not my business," Ally files her nails as Sam pecks her on the cheek.
"So, Ash, when are you meeting up with Crystal?" Gloria asks Asher.
"Who's Crystal?" Derek questions.
"His partner for the project," Ally grins.
"Is she hot?" Mason asks.
"I call dibs on her already," Matt says.
"Since when?" Asher and I ask in unison.
"Since I laid eyes on her in class. You've got to give me her number, buddy," Matt requests.
“Go ahead, I won’t be calling her anytime soon,” Asher says as he hands his phone to Matthew, who smiles.
I notice Crystal entering with two girls. They grab lunch and sit at a half-empty table. She glances at us before turning back to her friends.
“I don’t trust her,” Gloria whispers.
“Me neither. I don’t want her getting too close to Asher.”
I finish my sandwich and diet coke while Ally takes a selfie with Alec.
“So, Derek, when are you taking me out on that date?” Claire asks, approaching our table with a hand on her waist.
He chokes, “W-what?”
“Our date, remember?” She rolls her light gray eyes.
“When is that happening—February 30th or December 35th?” He frowns, and we laugh.
She scoffs and storms off, pushing a guy with glasses aside.
“How can you stand her?” Derek asks Matt.
“I just go along with her and got used to her attitude,” he shrugs.
“Hi, Gloria,” a guy with dark brown hair and glasses says.
Gloria sighs, “Yes, Michael.”
“Um, I was thinking I’d take the doll later, and—”
“Sure, no problem,” she interrupts, checking her nails.
“Oh, okay then. See you tomorrow,” he says hurriedly as he leaves.
“Gloria, be nicer. He looked like he was about to freak out,” Asher chuckles.
“I am nice,” she scoffs.
“Could have fooled me,” Asher whispers to me, making me laugh.
“So, are tryouts later, Mia?” a girl from the squad asks.
“Yeah,” I nod and turn to Ally, who also nods. “In the gym,” I add.
“Cool,” she smiles, then giggles at Matt before leaving.
“She’s really into you,” Alec nudges Matt.
“Yeah, because we hooked up at a party once,” Matt smirks, and I roll my eyes.
***
“Alright, ladies, here’s the list of girls trying out,” Mrs. Smith hands it to me.
“Crystal wants to try out too?” Ally frowns, pointing to her name.
Oh boy.
Ally, Gloria, and I sit behind the table, waiting for the girls to come out.
Crystal steps in wearing a thin strap top and a skirt, her hair in ponytails.
“First on the list, give me three backflips, two front flips, and a split,” Ally orders.
The first girl has short brown hair and nails the flips, but her split is off.
“Next,” Gloria waves her off, and the girl runs out crying.
“If they can’t handle rejection, why even come?” Gloria sighs.
“Next,” I call out.
A blonde, chewing gum, steps forward.
“Can I show you what I’ve been working on?” she asks.
“Sure, why not,” I reply, leaning back.
She performs flips and a perfect split.
We all clap, and she takes a bow.
“She’s good,” Ally whispers, and I nod.
Twenty minutes later, Crystal appears before us.
“Triple backflip, double front flip, a backflip, a shimmy, and then a split,” Gloria smirks, and I’m taken aback.
She actually did it.
Crystal nods and executes the routine flawlessly. Gloria scoffs, crossing her arms.
“That was great,” I say, writing down her points before she skips away.
***
“So, coach, here’s who made the cut,” I hand her the list.
“The girl with the glasses too?”
“Yep, she’s really good,” I assure her.
“Okay, that’s all for today, girls,” the coach dismisses us.
“So, babe, how was practice?” Alec throws an arm around my shoulder.
“For the millionth time, Alec, we’re not dating, so stop calling me that,” I say sternly.
“Saunders, what did I say about harassing my sister?” Matt snaps, pulling him away from me.
“Not to bother her if she ignores me,” he grins, “but I don’t take orders from you.”
“If I e—”
“I can handle myself. Matt, why don’t you and Alec get the dolls, and I’ll meet you in the parking lot?” I suggest as I walk away.
Outside, I see Asher talking to Crystal. She grabs a doll, says something, and leaves.
“You can help me babysit then,” I say, and he turns around.
“I don’t mind; it’s our movie night,” he grins.
“Hell yeah!” I punch my fist in the air.
“What do you mean we can’t go on the date tonight?!” Ally shrieks, catching my attention.
“My mom wants to have dinner with me, plus I ha—”
“Forget it," she interrupts and storms off to where Derek is waiting by his jeep.
Sam sighs and kicks an empty can.
“I’ll go talk to him,” Asher pats my shoulder.
“Here’s your doll,” Matt tosses it to me as Alec rides away.
“Where’s Mason?”
Matt sighs, “He’s always late.”
Asher returns. “He’ll be fine; his mom just wants some quality time with him,” he explains.
“I’ll talk to Ally. She can be a drama queen sometimes.”
“True. I don’t know how Sam handles it,” Asher shakes his head.
I also need to text my sister to tell her about my day and ask how her final year of nursing is going. She might be in the hospital now.
- Writer
