Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12

Sam, Jack, Jack, and I begin to walk out the door and down the hallway when the bell dismisses us.

Sam talks to Jack G while Jack Johnson and I begin to chat once again. Until I get to the hallway where I have to turn in order to get to my locker.

"You want me to walk you to your locker?" Sam calls after me. I tell him I'm good and thank him for the offer then turn and continue down the hall.

I walk with my books tucked into my chest. I probably look so awkward and reserved. I'm not. I have never been shy, I just appear that way especially being the new girl and all. Emily smiles at me and waves vigorously from the side of lockers across the hall. I wave back and give a peppy smile then move along to my locker.

•••

The next day is the same. Boring classes and dreadful notes. With the lovely pop quiz in science. Of course I got a B-. Whatever. I am just glad the morning is over and it's time to go to lunch. Obviously it's my favorite class being able to unwind and see my friends. I'm pretty sure this weekend drama is wearing off and there isn't as much weight hanging over my head as before.

As I'm walking down the hallway to get to my locker before I get to lunch I get a text from an unknown number.

It says; hey find me at lunch, I'll save you a seat.

I text it back saying; who is this?

Of course it responds; JG

When Sam called him from my phone the other day he must've gotten my number.

So as I walk into the lunch room I keep an open eye for Jack. I spot him out of the corner of my eye but continue towards my friends. I look at him to see if he's looking. He is and catches me. He waves me over and I give him the "One minute" signal.

Bianca looks my way sensing a weird vibe from me, "Hey, everything alright?"

I nod my head, "yeah everything's fine. Why do you...?"

Right then a hand is set on my back and I see Jack leaning over the table giving a smile-as though he sucking up to a teacher-smile.

"Do you guys mind if I steal Catherine for the lunch period?" He says eyeing each of my friends.

Of course, Jack is just down the table a ways, but Bianca shoots me a flirty smile and says sure. Following with, "but have her back by midnight," getting a small chuckle from Jack and I give an awkward smile.

Jack leads me with his hand on my back down to the other end of the table and offers me a seat next to Jack Johnson and the seat across the table from him.

Jack Johnson immediately starts up a conversation. We talk about my previous living area which was Chicago and he seems to know a lot about life and monuments from the city. Then we start a conversation about interests.

Both the Jacks discuss basketball and dancing along with a few other sports. Johnson shares how he has played guitar and piano for as long as he can remember so that and rapping is a big part of his life. Jack G shares that he's amateur at the guitar and a decent singer.

Gilinsky throws in, "and vine is a huge part of our life now... But you already knew that," he sends me a really teasing smile.

"Oh you're a fan?" Johnson asks.

"I mean yeah I've always watched the famous vine boys' vines. I mean they're the shit." I give a sarcastic smile to match my tone back at Gilinsky, "but of course there are these two very...something viners... They have to try sports, music, dancing, and comedy... Ones the geeky little blonde boy and the other is a desperately attention-seeking shirtless boy," I could never be this rude, even though I am joking, with just Johnson around. The teasing was a Gilinsky vibe thing.

I was one hundred percent joking as I thought both of the boys were really talented and always make me smile, "Oh wow..." Jack G started up with a cheesy smile, "desperate? Oh that hurts."

Jack Johnson playfully smacks his dramatic friend in the arm from across the table.

"No but really," I started up again, "You two are really talented and I think it's inspiring the way you've made something of yourselves this way." Jack Johnson nodded taking his share of credit.

"So what about you? You haven't told us much about Miss. Catherine." Gilinsky says leaning forward as if he were getting ready to receive some sort of secret.

"Well I'm glad you know my name Jack," his smile turned into a lip bite and I couldn't help but watch. I shortly snap myself out of the trance and continue, "there's not much to tell. I like music and sports are fun."

"You play any instruments? What sports ya play?" Johnson said with a mouth full of grapes.

"Yeah I'm also amateur at the electric bass/guitar, I play piano and... Uh I sing a little," I notice Tammy making a weird and rude like face at me. I rub it off, "I also can play the cherry flute. I play volleyball and and I'm a champ at street football. I play it with my cousins all the time... If that counts. What else?"

Johnson finally asks the dreaded question, "So why did you move here?"