Chapter Four

                                    

                                          
 "Riley Jacobs, I love you," said a handsome boy. He had dark black hair and green eyes. He was tall with broad shoulders and a muscular frame.
                          
"I love you too, Xavier Andrews," I replied. I couldn't help my staring. I was enthralled with how striking and handsome he was. Had I ever seen a boy more attractive?
                          
We were laying on a fuzzy, grey blanket in the grass. The night sky was black with twinkling stars sprawling across it. As we stared up at the sky, he interlaced his fingers with mine. He turned his face toward me.
                          
"Your eyes," he sighs, "they are so beautiful." His face begins to lean into mine, my heart races, and my breathing begins to quicken. This is it, our first kiss.
                          
"Good morning Ashlynn, how are you feeling this morning?" my mom woke me. Ashlynn? I'm Ashlynn. I yawn and try to blink away Riley and the dream. 
                          
"I'm better, well-rested," then think aloud, "Is there any coffee made?"
                          
She laughs, "Go get yourself some, then get ready for school. You wouldn't want to be late for your second, first day, would you?"
                          
I run down the stairs to grab a cup of coffee. I take a few sips before rushing upstairs to get ready. I dress in the capris and baby doll top, apply my makeup, and pull my hair up into a messy bun. As I open the bedroom door, the aroma of homemade french toast wafts towards me. My stomach gurgles and growls in anticipation. 
                          
My eyes search for the french toast as I walk through the kitchen doors. I find it, "Thanks mom, this looks amazing!" Plopping myself down on the barstool next to my mom, I eat my french toast and down the rest of my coffee.
                          
"You'll call me if you need anything at school today?" she said it like a question, but I knew she meant it as a command.
                          
"Of course mom, but I won't. I will be fine, I promise," I assure her as I collect my things for school. "Are you ready to go, I don't want to be late."
                          
She smiles at my eagerness, "Let's go." Then she gathers her purse and keys before making her way to the door. I follow her out to the car.
                          
The school is only about five minutes from our suburban home, but my mom feels the need to fill the short silence. "Will you be inviting Lis over tonight?"
                          
I  take a moment to think, "Yeah, I don't think I have anything planned tonight." Then I add, "Don't think she has anything after cross country tonight either." We are pulling into the school. Lis has been waiting on the front steps for me, she bounces over to our car as it pulls into the student drop off lane.
                          
Lis attacks the door and rips it open, "Oh my god, Ash, I was beginning to worry that you weren't coming today either! What happened yesterday?" I climb the rest of the way out of the car, maneuvering around her. This allows her a clear view of my stitches, "What happened to your head?" 
                          
I laughed at her very Lis-like enthusiasm, "Girl, I fell leaving the house yesterday and hit my head on the steps." From the corner of my eye, I can see my mom raise an eyebrow.
                          
Lis shrieks with laughter, "Ash, you're starting the year off with stitches, and you're going to have a scar." She grabs hold of my arm and steers me away from the car, towards the school.
                          
My mom yells out, "Have a good day Ash! Good to see you, Lis!" We both smile and wave at her in response.
                          
After walking through the double doors of the school, we enter across from the gym. Lis pushes me to our lockers. I had texted her my locker number earlier that month when we received our class schedules in the mail. I had locker 106 and Lis had locker 121. Only one classroom between the two. 
                          
I craved the ability to match Lis's enthusiasm. "Let's go get supplies tonight. Then, we can decorate our lockers tomorrow after practice," I volunteer the idea.
                          
She squeals with excitement, "Oh my gosh, yes!"
                          
I giggle, "I can not believe we are juniors!"
                          
She sighs in contentment, "I know."  The bell rings, interrupting us and putting a stop to our conversation. It was ten til eight. We had ten minutes until homeroom began. 
                          
"I'll see you in second period," I said. We rush away in opposite directions to get to our homerooms. I turn around, I had forgotten my books. I open my locker and grab the books I need, stashing the rest away within the locker.
                          
Ms. Welsh is my homeroom teacher, she also teaches pre-calculus. Thank god I didn't have that class until after lunch. She speaks in a low, monotone voice and has no enthusiasm for her job.
                          
As she collected attendance, I talked in hushed tones to another cheerleader.  We were discussing this year's football team. We met them over the summer during camp. Our school, wanting to save money, held our camps- football and cheerleading, at the same place. The cheerleaders and football players got to know each other quite well at Camp Meadows. We would sneak around to hang out with each other.
                          
The other cheerleader was talking with excitement about all the cute boys on the team this year. The only one I had my eyes on was Kory Brown. We had talked a few times over the summer. I felt sparks, but we hadn't ever flirted, not yet. I'd called dibs on him, making him off-limits to the other cheerleaders on the squad. The girls did this to avoid any unnecessary boy drama.
                          
The bell rang, signaling the end of homeroom. So I told the other girl good-bye and made my way to the next class. That was how the day progressed, the bells herding us from class to class. Each class focused on reviewing the class rules and syllabus.
                          
My schedule wasn't bad.
                          
Homeroom  Ms. Welsh
                          
1st Period  Dr. Gerard  American History
                          
2nd Period  Miss West  Creative Writing
                          
3rd Period  Mr. Grand  Chemistry
                          
4th Period  Mrs. Andy  Gym
                          
Lunch Period
                          
5th Period  Ms. Welsh  Pre-Calculus
                          
6th Period  Mrs. Mathews  Classic Literature
                          
7th Period  Ms. Lee  Study Hall
                          
The highlight of my day was my second period. Lis and Kory were in Creative Writing with me. Lis was also in my Classic Literature class. That would be a lifesaver, I imagine that the class will be a bore.
                          
As the seventh-period bell rings, I jump out of my seat. The day hasn't been bad, but I'm ready to go. I'm clearing the desk in preparation to take a nap when I spot Kory. He saunters across the room and takes the seat beside me. A smile begins to spread across my face. I can't help but blush. This is going to be a great year!