Chapter Seven: Essays and Mall Runs

The only thing worse than Monday mornings are Tuesday mornings. Okay, so thats not true. I'm just saying that because it is Tuesday morning and I really don't want to get up. I mean, yeah, I'm really happy Dave and I made up but what am I supposed to do about Andi? Because as odd as it sounds, I wasn't upset about the kiss. I was upset about him just storming out and not explaining anything. He left me so confused inside, however cliche that makes me seem.

"Ugh." I groaned, sitting up in bed and running my fingers through my messy bed hair. I had to get up. I couldn't just stay here and mope about Andi all day. I got ready for the day and made my way downstairs for breakfast.

"Hey Dad. Hey Chris. Good Morning." I smiled, sitting down, "Whats for breakfast?"

My dad gave me a warm smile placing a plate in front of me, "Pancakes. But you'll need to eat fast, bus comes in ten."

"Kay." I said, already pouring the syrup and digging in. I finished up and threw my plate in the sink, placing a kiss on my fathers cheek.

"See you guys later. Bye Chris." I waved to her as I past the stairs and went out the front door. I hopped on the bus and pulled my ipod out. The bus pulled away but soon halted at the next assigned stop. My eyes widened in shock as I saw the familiar shaggy black and piercing green eyes. It had somehow slipped my mind that Andi and I rode the same bus. Our eyes met only for a moment before he took a seat in the very front of the bus as far away from me as possible. I glared at the back of his head. This was not how this was going to work. Before the bus could pull away again I jumped up from my seat, grabbed my bag, and marched up the aisle to plop down right beside him. Andi kept his gaze forward very blatantly ignoring me.

I grabbed a hold of his chin, turning his exquisite face towards me, "Andi. Look at me." I demanded.

Andi's eyes glared into mine, "What's there to talk about?"

I dropped my hand and sighed, "I just- I just want to know what happened yesterday. Everything was fine, or well I thought it was and then you totally flipped out. What was that about?"

"Alex, don't play dumb with me."

My eyes widened, "Goddammit! I didn't do anything! And I'm NOT playing 'dumb'! Why can't you just answer a question for once?!"

"I suppose you want a congratulations on you and Dave getting together? Oh, well, big shock Alex, I'm not going to give it to you!"

I stared in shock, "That's what this is about?! Andi, Dave is gay."

Andi's sarcastic expressions disappeared and he uttered a soft, "Oh."

"Yeah, exactly. I don't know why it would upset you so much if we did hook up though. It's not like you and me are together."

Andi's annoyed expression came back, "Like I said Alex, you're not that dumb. I like you. I wouldn't have kissed you if I didn't like you."

"I like you too." But, I thought.

"But.." Andi prompted.

"I'm just worried I guess, I don't know. Andi, you're 17, I'm 15. You have more experience than I do and I don't know about the whole jealously issue. And we have chemistry, we do. I just, I don't know.. It's too fast. I want to just stay friends for now, can you do that?"

I tried to explain how I felt the best I could to Andi. It was hard though considering I wasn't even sure how I felt about everything. It was odd because it wasn't the kiss that had made our relationship awkward, it was everything else.

A smile graced Andi's face, "I can wait."

"Alright," I smiled back, "Good."

The bus pulled up to the sidewalk of the school and people began piling out.

"Rain check for that skateboarding lesson good for tonight?" Andi asked as I began to get up.

My grin faded, "Ah, no actually. Me and the girls are going out. Mall and dinner and everything. Sorry. Tomorrow maybe?" I offered.

"We'll see."

"Alright, bye." I called over my shoulder as I made my way over The Tree where Jenni was waiting for me.

"Is that the famous Andi I've been hearing about?" Jenni greeted me with a grin.

I laughed, "Yeah. I can tell you and the girls all about that tonight!"

Jenni's smile faltered, "About that, Michelle has a family thing she can't get out of so it's just you, me and Crystal. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, of course it is, it's fine. I mean, yeah, I'm a little disappointed because we all haven't gotten to hang out in so long but it'll be okay."

"Okay. Cool. I just wasn't sure if you'd be upset or not since well.. you know like you said. We all haven't gotten to hang out in so long. Anyway, I have to go all the way to the back building so I'll see you after school. We're all meeting in the parking lot and Michelle is going to give us a ride there since she's the only one with a car." Jenni smiled, "Okay, I think that's it. See you later babe!"

I gave her a quick kiss to the cheek and a hug before walking the opposite direction towards my first class, English, with Mr.Stephens. His name pissed me off to no end. It was very clearly spelled S - T - E - P - H - E - N - S but was pronounced "Mr. Stevens". What was up with that?

I was nearing the classroom and spotted Mr."Stephens". I pasted a smile on my face as I greeted him and went into the room, sliding into my seat behind Andrew.

"Hey. Any idea what we're doing today?" I whispered, prodding his shoulder.

Andrew turned to me, "Probably something boring as usual."

I grinned, "Most likely, so what's -"

"Alight class, pull out your sketchbooks and turn to page 143!" I was interrupted mid sentence by Mr.Stephens booming voice.

I waved a hand at Andrew and mouthed 'Another time'. He nodded in understanding and we both turned to pull our sketchbooks out.

"Today we are going to be doing a free write about friendship and friends in general. This is going to be later used as a 1000+ word essay which you will turn into me so do a good job. You have 40 minutes beginning now, ready and start!" Mr. Stephens turned the timer on the board to 40 and with the beep we all began writing.



Freewrite - The Power of Friendship


When you're young and naive you typically seem to think the world revolves around you. This is the mindset of many young teens in middle school. You learn as you go along in the journey of life that not everything is about you. There's a whole world out there, you just have to find it. Friendship gives you the power to discover that world.

I remember the first day of 6th grade, scared and shaking, worrying how I would open my locker and get to my classes on time. I was afraid that maybe I wouldn't be able to do it on my own. I was one of the lucky few who didn't have to. I found two people who would soon become my best friends, Jenni and Andi, who were just as terrified as I, to go through it with. I know I can never thank them enough for being there when I just needed someone to let me know I wasn't alone in my fear. They were right beside me the whole time.

Little did we know all the other drama we would come to experience. Firsthand gossip and rumors spread like wildfire in a matter of minutes everyday. The stories of he said, she said that we never thought would bother us suddenly became a huge issue. There was the constant pressure to fit in and just be normal. What was the definition of "normal" anyway? I guess, in the end, that didn't matter really matter because at the end of the day we all had each other. Andi was someone I could always be real with and not have to watch every word I said. Jenni was the one I could moan and groan to about the gossip I'd heard that day. When any of us was crying, we'd cheer them up. We got each other through the day. I came to realize that having a few true friends was far more important than a bunch of fake ones. A true friend can save a life.

As I entered the 8th grade, I soon discovered just how true my 6th grade revelation had been. Cliques and backstabbing seemed more popular than ever. Cheating boyfriends and girlfriends seemed to be an everyday occurence. Somehow, throughout all the mayhem, I yet again managed to find those few true people. People I am proud to call my friends. Michelle, Evan, and Crystal.

It was during my 7th grade summer that I met Michelle at an adventure camp we both attending. She was a year older than me but we were still placed in the same cabin. Many of the girls we were bunking with immediately took a disliking to her. Michelle was the girl we all love to hate. That spontaneous girl who shouts out in class what you would be too afraid to say. She was spunky and had an aura of mischief that just seemed to hang over her like a black storm cloud threatening to break. Michelle was gorgeous but not vain about it which sparked my interest even more to become her friend. We seemed to click instantly and we were soon out casted by the rest of the cabin. It didn't bother us too much because we had each other to go through it with and that was all that really mattered.

The way I met Evan was in no way a coincidence. He was introduced to me by my best friend Jenni on the first day of 8th grade, as her boyfriend. Immediately I was wary of Evan as I came to hear of how "perfect" he was. He was a football player, a gentleman, funny, and popular. He seemed to be too good to be true. Determined to find a fault in him, I asked him to hang out one day. Jenni had been right. He was a perfect gentleman the whole time and he kept me amused. I couldn't find one fault in him and to this day I still haven't.

I met Crystal through my English class during the 8th grade. She was a very shy and timid girl who's words were few. She lived with only her father who, later in the year, I learned was abusing her. I went to the school counselors and repeated what Crystal had told me. She was placed in foster care and her father taken away. I felt like my heart could break for this girl and I took her into my circle of friends where she still remains today.

My friendships are stronger than just a bond. It's a common understanding and love we have for one another. No matter how bad things get, I know my friends will be there to help through it all. My friends give me the confidence to try things I never would have even dreamed of doing on my own. Whether it's asking that cute guy out or just going on a roller coaster when I'm terrified of them. Friends give me the strength to do all of these things. Even when everyone else leaves, they remain to help me to my feet. After all, It's the experiences I remember, not the words that were said.

I guess what I'm trying to say is the strength of friendships are more powerful than words can say. Never take your friends for granted because one day they might not be there anymore. Friendships enable you do amazing things with your life. I know I can change the world, even with only the power of friendship. It's stronger than you think.



"Beep, beep, beep, beep!" The timer went off just as I finished my last sentence. Perfect timing.

Mr.Stephens went up to the board and turned the timer off, "Alright, times up! Everyone put away your sketchbooks and take out your lit textbooks."

I sighed. It was going to be yet another boring class simply reading from the text.

"Turn to page 764 in your textbook and follow along as..." was all I heard as I completely zoned out from the class and turned to stare out the window.



...



"BRINNNNNNNGGGG"

The bell sounded, signifying the end of block four and therefore the end of the day. I nearly sprinted out of my Algebra class and to my locker. I shoved all my unneeded textbooks and binders into the bottom of it and slammed the door closed with my heel.

I waved goodbye to several friends but didn't bother to stop for any conversation in my rush. I made my way through the crowd to the front of the building and headed to where I knew Michelle's silver convertible would be waiting. There was nothing I loved more than a good mall run and I didn't want to miss a moment of it. I spotted Michelle leaning against the shiny hood of her car and waving to me. I waved back and jogged to rest of the distance to her.

Her hearty laugh sounded in my ears, "You seem excited."

"Ha, yeah, I am. It's been a while."

"You know, it really has. I wish I could come.." She said with a disappointed sigh.

I smiled in sympathy, "I promise we'll tell you all about it. Everything and anything."

"Deal." She smiled in return, "Looks like we got the rest of the group." She pointed behind me.

I turned and spotted Jenni and Crystal making their way towards us.

"Yep. Lets hit the road. Shotgun!" I shouted, hopping into the front passengers side.