The Bad Boy Wants Me

Skylar was glad when English was done. She had felt too awkward around Karly. She had gone back to her seat and taken out her phone. Reign didn’t come back, and she was glad.

She went outside and was relieved to see Lola waving at her. She walked up to her. “Why do you look so down?” Lola asked.

“Long story,” she said as they made their way to the cafeteria. When they had gotten their food and sat in their usual spot, she went into detail about what had happened in English.

Lola was paying attention, making sure she didn’t miss anything.

Lola’s eyes were huge when she finished the story. “I told you that Karly is psycho. Something about her puts me way off, besides the mean girl vibes.”

Skylar fumbled with her food. “I met this guy named Tyler and he told me about some party this Friday.”

Lola’s eyes widened in excitement. “That’s what I wanted to tell you about last night, but it seemed as if you’d had a long day. Jessie is hosting it. So, it would be cool.”

“I’m guessing you are going?”

“What? You have to come with me, Skylar.”

Skylar tilted her head. “No, I don’t want to. Parties are not my scene, okay?”

The excitement was gone from Lola’s face. “Then I can’t go, if you are not going.”

Skylar looked at her friend. “Why not? I am not stopping you, but by all means, go and have fun.”

“I won’t have any friends if you don’t come,” Lola said.

Skylar started to feel a bit sad for her. “Fine, I will come, but I am not staying for long.”

Lola squealed. “Thank you! You won’t regret it. I promise. We have to go and buy outfits.”

Skylar smiled at her. “Why not.” Even though she wasn’t a big fan of shopping, Skylar could see that her friend was excited, so she didn’t want to ruin her mood just because hers got ruined by Karly.

“When should we go?” Lola asked.

Skylar thought about it for a second. “Thursday after school.”

“Okay, that’s perfect,” Lola replied.

Skylar was making plans as if she was already going. She still had to ask her mom for permission. The break finished, and they headed to math.

The class was full today and she realized why. She saw Reign, Jessie, Karly, and two other girls who weren’t there before.

She quickly averted her gaze and went to sit down next to Lola. She took out her textbook. Lola whispered in her ear, “Talk about awkward.”

Skylar whispered back, “I know, right?”

A figure came and stood in front of them. It was Jessie. Lola looked excited that he was at their table.

“Skylar, you didn’t say if you were coming to the party or not?”

“We are coming,” Lola answered eagerly.

“Cool, should I come to fetch you?” he asked.

Skylar declined his offer before Lola could accept it. “No thanks, we can make it on our own.”

He grinned at her. “Do you at least know where I live?”

Lola laughed. “No, we don’t.”

Jessie pulled out his phone and handed it to her so she could put her numbers in. She hesitantly did. When she was done, she handed back the phone.

He looked pleased. “I will text you the directions to my house.”

She looked at him. “What time does the party start?”

“You can come at whatever time you want,” he said. She saw that he was being serious. Before he could ask another question, two girls came over. They were sitting with Karly.

Skylar had already guessed who they were.

“Jessie, what is taking you so long?” It seemed as if they wanted to show Skylar that he belonged to them.

Jessie looked at them in annoyance. “I was talking to them, as you can see.”

They finally made eye contact with her. They acknowledged her presence. “You must be the new girl,” the one with a short bob said. The other one with shoulder-length hair just glared at them.

“I’m Vivian,” she carried on.

“I’m Beth,” the other one piped up.

She looked at them both. “I’m Skylar. Nice to meet you.”

“We have heard about you,” Beth replied.

Skylar didn’t want to know what they had said about her because the way Beth had said it, it didn’t seem pleasant. It was more of a mocking tone.

She was relieved when the teacher arrived and they dispersed from her table. Before Jessie left, he said, “I will text you later.” She just nodded.

Math was very long, and she worked fast so that she wouldn’t have much homework or studying to do if she had to go to the party on Friday.

She didn’t look at the back even once. She felt as if she would meet deathly eyes.

She knew that Karly, Beth, and Vivian would be gossiping about her. Not that they hadn’t already started. It seemed as if Karly had reported to her minions about her.

Skylar couldn’t lose focus on her work, so she put it at the back of her mind. She would think about it later when she got home.

Skylar was glad when the day was over. She and Lola started making their way home.

“I can’t believe Jessie came and spoke to us,” Lola squealed in excitement. “I mean he came over and told us about the party himself and even offered to fetch us and I can’t believe you declined!”

Skylar didn’t see what the big deal was in being fetched or going by themselves. They would eventually get there one way or the other. “Well, it’s done. I already refused.”

Lola’s smile turned mischievous. “You could tell him that you rethought the offer and that he can fetch us.”

“No.”

“But Skylar, please.”

“No, Lola. I am already going as it is.”

“Fine.” Lola gave in. “We are going to have so much fun.”

“We are,” Skylar agreed, even though she didn’t feel any confidence in her own words at all.

Lola hugged her goodbye when they got to her house. Skylar carried on to her house when she got into her room. She dropped her bag on the floor, took off her shoes, and jumped on her bed.

She would now relax.