Chapter 32 - Maguires

It was Saturday when I got the text. It was a simple "Maguires at 7, if you and Brinson still want to go."

I called Brinson right away to inform her.

"Hey!" She practically screamed. I knew it wasn't from excitement, well not yet anyways.

I pulled the phone farther away from my ear, "Brinson you don't have to shout while you're on speaker phone I've told you that a million times."
"Sorry!" she shouted, "I'm trying to paint my nails!"

"What's the special occasion?" I asked. I knew there wasn't a special occasion - she ALWAYS had he nails done, not matter what.

"Aren't you going to tell me that right now?" She knew the reason I called.

"Yep," I replied. "Make sure they're dry before 7, that's when we're leaving".

I heard a shriek, and I ended the call.

~~

 We walked up to Maguires right at 7:15.  Remus and Raven went to  a friend's house previously so they were going to me meet us there. This meant me and Brinson could talk excitedly about what was going to happen to us

Right when I opened the door to Maguires, I spotted Brenton near the far tables with the whole crew. We made immediate eye contact and I  could feel the heat rushing to my face.

He waved us over to sit down, gesturing to the empty tables. That's when I noticed my Raven, looking ever so annoyed.

The walk over to their table seemed to take forever. Thank God they were already immersed in full conversation - I wouldn't be able to take any stare downs right now as I was pretty sure my face was beat red and sweating from how nervous I was.

 "Glad you came," Brenton said, walking over to me.

"Yeah me t-too" I managed to say. I was so happy that I was stuttering, I bet THAT made me look reaaal cool. I looked over at Brinson for moral support, maybe a nod of her head, but nope, she was already joined in on the conversation between Remus and his friends.

Brenton looked over his shoulder to what I was looking at.

"Well seems like she's enjoying her time already" He said, as he walked a little past me.
I was so confused. No way was he just going to leave me standing here like an idiot while my best friend was flirting with some guys. No way was he just going to bail and make me look like an idiot.

But then I remembered it wasn't a date. We were just hanging out as friends... with friends.

 "Yeah she gets a long with pretty much everyone" I said, turning to face him, my back to Brinson and the others.

"Well she won't mind if we leave then?" He said, smiling. "Well, not really leave but, we could go for a little walk right? Before the music starts?"

 Woah woah woah was all I could think. Me and him on a walk... alone? That got my hands to sweat again, and my throat was as dry as the Ulaysian desert.

"Sure" I said. I couldn't really think and I'm not sure why I got so nervous around these people.

He looked past me with a smirk as he grabbed my arm and led me out.

 I looked to see if it was his guy friends egging him on or mocking him because he was taking me outside but I saw none of that. The only thing I saw was my sister's cold hard stare burning right back at me.

As if I wasn't nervous enough.

~~~

The next morning I sauntered to the kitchen more hungry than a rabbit in the winter time and sat down with a nice bowl of cereal.

I ate my breakfast looking like a zombie, but all for a good cause. I couldn't stop thinking about last night...

We walked for what seemed like forever, my legs were blanketed with goose bumps which couldn't be blamed entirely on the cold weather.

He laughed as I told him stories about me and Brinson and I listened as he talked about what he wanted to do in the future, which was something in the military.

We got back to Maguires and danced with everyone else and for once I really didn't care what they thought of me, I felt accepted because in a way he accepted me.

The images of last night faded away as my sister approached, something I had been dreading. Her evil glare from last night had to mean something.

"So you and Brenton,  huh?" She asked, sitting across from me.

Technically we weren't together. I came to like him a lot, but Brinson told me that those talks we had and they way he treated me was just him being friendly. She said not to tag it as anything relating to being a couple, or dating, or talking, or whatever until he said we were.  She said not to take it personally and I didn't. I knew she was looking out for me. 

I finished chewing the cereal I had in my mouth. "We're just friends" I said, contemplating her tentatively.  

"Keep it that way" she growled. "He's off limits. He's just playing games with you, and you should know that. Brenton doesn't get with losers."

I considered her, thinking of what to say. The words finally came to my mouth but she had already upped and left, leaving me dumbfounded at what had just happened.

Chapter 31 - Nice to Meet You

The bell had just rung it's three chimes to let us out of school. Everyone rushed out, not wanting to spend another second in this "hell hole".

I didn't really mind school so I packed all my things up, taking my time.

 I thought I was the only one left in the room as my teacher ran out shouting something about the copy room.

But I could hear someone walking over towards my desk, not bothering to conceal their footfalls, the wooden  floor creaking ever so slightly.

I had no idea who it could be, but I wasn't going to turn around like I was interested. No way was I staying after to tutor some helpless jock again. I finished packing my stuff up, ready to leave. 

"There you are" I heard his voice from behind me, and I knew that voice very well.

It was Brenton Creech, one of those "popular" guys that Remus and Raven hung out with.

He was like their little ring leader, and he was talking to me.

"Hey, Jay!" he said clapping his hands together to get my attention, like I was  dog.

"You there?" He asked. This time I could hear the smile on his face.

I hadn't realize that I totally zoned out. There I was making a complete fool out of myself in front of the most popular guy in school.

I guess I was shell shocked, I mean he was talking to ME.

 I  got up, trying not to reveal  how utterly surprised I was.

"Oh sorry I was just thinking about this project I have that's due" I said, trying to make up an excuse for my blank stares.

"No biggie" he said smoothly. I could see that devil look in his eyes that Brinson mentioned once, and boy was it cute.

He walked over to me and held out his hand.

"I don't think I've ever properly introduced myself" he said.

I took it and he shook my hand. I'm pretty sure a cold chill ran up my spine but I can't remember. My heart was beating way too fast and too hard and I couldn't hear over my own thoughts.

"It's nice to meet you" I breathed, hoping he wouldn't notice how small my voice was.

He laughed and I'm sure my heart exploded. I didn't have a crush on him. No, that wasn't me. It was my mind playing tricks on me because he was Brenton. BRENTON CREECH.

"We're all going to Maguire's this weekend" He said letting go of my hand. How long was I holding on for?  "I thought it would be nice to invite you," he said pulling out his phone "since you're Raven and Remus's sister. And it's also nice to get to know someone who you don't really talk to."

Yes, yes it is I thought. 

"Oh and just so I can remind you, what's your number?"

I recited him my seven digits like they were lottery numbers.

~~~

I had to find Brinson. She would be so excited for me. Not to mention that before Brenton left I had managed to get Brinson invited too.

I told her everything and of course it was so like her to not be able to contain her excitement.

"Do you know what this means for us?" She looked like she was going to pee her pants. That was one of the best things about her, she was so sporadic and she didn't even care.

"No, I don't" I said laughing at the way she looked.

"We are one of them now" She said, fists flying through the air.

"Not necessary" I said, trying not to be a total downer on Brinson. "This is the first time they actually invited to us to hang out, and it could be the last" 

  "But you don't understand," She started to explain, her excitement starting to anti-climax.

"I don't get how I don't understand -" I started.

 "Why you then? Out of all people he picked you." She gave me a smirk with a little wink before we walked out of the school together.