Page 3

A fter returning from school I felt completely exhausted because I stayed up partying on Tuesday night.

After closing the front door I landed on the floor. As my head dropped to one side I became aware of several people staring at me.

"Oh, hi, guys." I sigh.

Tristan says "Sup Em" while he lifts his gaze from the TV screen.

His friend Nolan sat next to him on the couch as he waved at me.

The sound of footsteps reaches my ears so I lift my gaze. "Elijah...can you help me up?" I ask as he walks towards me.

"Can't you do that yourself?" he raises a brow at me. "Don't be annoying." I sigh, holding out my Hands. He laughs while he takes my Hands to lift me up. Standing up becomes slightly more challenging because my backpack weighs me down.

"So, how was the yearbook?" As I settle on the carpet before the couch Tristan asks me a question.

I rotate my bag towards me before setting it down beside my position. I remember something important when I reply "It was good" and then show my laptop on the coffee table.

After entering my password, I navigate to my photo collection to find the pictures I need to show them.

What sports section picture should we choose? I ask, leaning away from the screen.

The screen brightness hurt my eyes while my head swelled up.

As I closed my eyes they started debating while my laptop ended up in El's Hands.

"What are you guys looking at?" A softer voice Calls out to me from the space immediately in front.

"Felix?" Open one eye.

"Hey, Em." He greets me and then takes a seat on the couch.

I mention we're picking a picture for the yearbook then lean my head against someone's knee. Who from our team members has gathered today? I ask.

Typically plenty of people showed up but today only a small group appeared.

Tristan and Felix were the two cornerbacks. Nolan was our punt returner.

The two youngest players present were juniors Tristan and him while all the other players were seniors. Elijah was our wide receiver. And a good one, too. Scratch demonstrated performance levels which surpassed being good yet I'll stop there.

On our defensive line stood Camden who played safety and JAMIE who was a defensive back. But those two weren't here today.

A person I haven't mentioned yet is-

"Only your favourite player ever." A familiar irritating voice interrupts the silence.

I scoff in response, "Yeah, right."

"You know it's true." he shrugs while sitting on the couch.

I move closer as I watch him retrieve my laptop from Felix. I recall special details about today and choose to spend my time on personal entertainment. Entertainment consists of provoking Jaxon. My feelings about him are contradictory because I dislike him annoying me while I also find satisfaction in annoying him.

I understand why people might find me hypocritical, but frankly I don't give a damn. I know I'm beyond bored.

"You know what, maybe you're right." I make sure my voice sounds enthusiastic.

"I'm always right," he says nonchalantly.

I ignore his ego and go on. "Maybe Jaxon is my favourite player, guys." I smile.

The joke gets me a chuckle from one of them. "What are you talking about, Em?" I hear Elijah ask.

"And did you just Camdenl him Jaxon?" Felix's laugh fills the room.

The urge to join in his laughter crossed my mind but I maintained my self-control. "Jaxon, can I ask you something?"

He moves closer and gently closes my laptop.

"Can you stop calling me Jaxon?"

The irritation in his voice was audible right away. Perfect.

"Why? Do you not like it?" I asked dumbly.

"Nobody calls me Jaxon," he emphasizes. And no, I don't like it. You'll probably call me it from now on just because I said it. I give him a smile of satisfaction. "You know me so well it's astonishing." I gush.

"Okay, where is this going?" Tristan asks from above me.

"Oh, right. Jaxon." I repeat his new name.

He leans back in his chair as he starts to mutter words which make Felix burst into laughter.

"Jaxon." I try again.

Still, he ignores me.

"Jaxonnn." I extended his name but received no response.

My amusement grows as everyone begins to laugh around me. My words cause everyone's faces to fall.

Would you like to attend prom as my date?

For a moment all eyes turn to me while the room goes silent. Holding in my laughter was difficult but I managed to remain composed.

"What?" They all blurt in disbelief.

"Sorry, let me rephrase." I raise my body into a sitting position while locking gaze with him. "Jaxon. Would you like to attend prom with me? Once more, the room goes quiet. He leans forward to shut my laptop and sets it down on the coffee table. "What?" he asks again.

I let out an exaggerated sigh. "Oh my god, are you, like, deaf? My question was about your desire to attend prom together.

I maintained a calm tone while keeping my facial expression serious. The other people remained seated while their faces displayed expressions of pure shock.

What is happening at this moment? Nolan asks his question with no idea like everyone else around him. "Are you... okay?" Jaxon asks, giving me a look. This concussion might have damaged your preexisting fragile mental state?

Wow.

I feel completely okay but I need to get the truth about this situation. "She's not serious." Tristan assumes.

I turn to face him. "And why can't I be serious?" I repeat his comment. "I'm asking him.

Why is that so weird?"

My sanity must be questionable because Tristan stares at me as if I've lost my mind. You must explain why you think it's so strange! he raises his voice. You're asking him to prom even though you two can't stand each other. There's no way you're being serious!"

I want to laugh so damn bad. But I don't. I delivered him a shrug. If you are not secretly engaging in sexual activity behind our backs, then I-

The sudden rush of air causes me to gasp and then cough.

I signaled that I was finished while uncontrollable laughter escaped me. "God, you guys are too gullible sometimes." I practically wheeze out the words.

"I knew it!" Tristan shouts.

"Same. There was no way." Elijah agrees.

"Oh, shut up, El. I know I got you. I could see it in your eyes." I laugh, my oxygen supply waning.

"Whatever." I see him roll his eyes.

I inhale deeply to regain control over my breathing. You guys thought I'd take him to prom? I threw out a jab.

"And by that, do you mean me? Was that phrase about the most handsome and charming sexiest man in the world referring to me? His response includes elements of his ego shining through his words.

"No. I'm referring to the guy who is a player and a jerk yet plans to bring 20 girls to prom. That's what I mean by that." I explain, making myself clear. "Whatever, Em." He rolls his eyes before he leans back on the couch.

"Anyways..." Elijah diverts off our conversation. What benefit did everything achieve?

How could you guys forget what day it is right now? I give them all a look. I believe both Nolan and Felix should be aware because they demonstrate logical thinking. Only Nolan and Felix possess any logical thinking in this room.

Their laughter reaches my ears as everyone else looks at their phones after my remark.

"Ohhh." I hear Tristan come to the realization. "It's April Fool's Day." he laughs.

My performances are phenomenal according to my own assessment. I boast.

"Bravo. What do you want? An award?" Jaxon speaks quietly from the couch's far end.

After giving him a quick look I refocus on the rest of the group. "It looks like someone's mad," I whisper.

They chuckle.

Which picture did you prefer between the two options? I repeat my previous question to them.

Nolan points out that his favorite photo was taken in the end zone.

"Same," Tristan adds.

I look at Elijah. "Same."

Then, at Felix. "Same."

After finishing the count I get up from my seat. "Thank you guys." I pick up my bag from the ground and extend my arm towards my laptop.

"So you don't want my opinion?" Jaxon pipes up.

"Don't need it. Don't want it. I'm being honest here if I say that I don't care about it. As I started walking toward the archway I let out a small laugh.

"Fuck you." I hear him mumble.

"Oh, wouldn't you like to do that?" I roll my eyes as I respond to Jaxon by returning the insult he had thrown at me a few nights earlier.

"Emerson." Elijah snaps behind me.

I rotate at a slow pace to observe their reactions.

"I'm sorry," I lifted my hands in a defensive gesture. Sometimes I speak without a filter because I can't help myself.

I laugh at Elijah's expression. He gets upset whenever Jaxon and I exchange those remarks about each other. The reason behind their actions is clear but he initiated this whole situation, and I refuse to retreat.

"Just forget I even said anything." I dismissed his stare and began ascending to the upper floor. "You cracked me up yesterday," Felix said as we sat next to each other.

I tend to have that effect on numerous individuals. I boast. "Whatever," he punches me on the shoulder.

"But I was joking. The idea of asking him crossed my mind but I would never actually go through with it. I would rather die than do that." The idea of it makes me scrunch my nose.

The two of them rarely remain in the same space together without starting an argument. he laughs.

As art class progressed we worked on completing our final projects for the year. The projects included some sketches and allowed for either a painting or a collage creation.

Of course, I chose a college.

My position as head of the yearbook club made my decision a straightforward one. I take pictures all the time.

I turned around distractedly before someone asks "So, what are you doing this sum-"

The sound of something toppling interrupts my conversation. I turn my head toward the object I have struck and immediately realize my mistake.

It was a water bottle. And an open one at that.

"Fuck." I seethed through my teeth.

After taking the water bottle in my hand I examined my sketch which I had already completed. It was utterly ruined.

Felix took it and placed it elsewhere, but nothing changed. "Just throw it out. I'll redo it," I told him.

He acknowledges with a nod before disposing of it as I attempt to control the leaking water on the table.

Felix asked Mrs. Greene if she could point us to the location of any paper towels. Felix asks.

"Why? What happened?" She stood up from her desk.

"Water spilt." I gave her a short answer.

"Oh goodness." she sighs. My previous class finished all the paper towels, so you need to go to the store room.

I avoided the small puddle on the floor as I walked toward her desk. She handed me a set of keys which allowed me to walk out of the room with Felix.

We reached the hallway and began laughing after moving a few feet from the room. "Well, that's one way to leave class." I swung the keys around my finger.

We leisurely strolled through the hallways. We have plenty of time before we need to return.

Will you be prepared to join the Savannah league? I ask.

"I honestly can't wait. He confesses that he hasn't participated in a real game for an extended period.

I give him a nod as we move along.

The place I call home treats football as a major event. Football holds a special place in Georgia particularly among college and high school teams.

The teams in my area developed such strong pride that they eventually established their own Savannah league. The Savannah league serves as a season extension where schools compete against each other.

Players attend practices two to three times each week and participate in weekend games. El and Tristan's participation on the team is why I have this information.

The Savannah league begins in two weeks which prompts everyone to show their support for their teams. It's like football season but extended. Watching sporting events throughout Savannah becomes enjoyable. The sound of someone approaching us pulls me back from my thoughts. I look up and see Jaxon. Ugh, kill me now.

Jaxon approaches and exchanges nods with Felix before inquiring "Where are you two going?" he asks.

"To get paper towels," Felix tells him.

I make no effort to conceal my desire for him to leave.

He becomes aware of our presence when he pauses and joins our group. "I'll go with you guys. Let's do this later because math class doesn't need our attention right now.

His grin reaches me while Felix bursts into laughter. I roll my eyes in annoyance while we decrease our speed once more. The closet appears several doors away and when we arrive there I identify the key among all those hanging against it.

The key enters the lock as I turn it. As soon as I open the door, voices reach my ears.

The only thought I can see above me.

What the fuck.