Almost Easy(Chapter 1)

One

Jack's pov

Alex stole one of my French fries and, with his mouth still full, he pointed over to a table and said, “Dude, Claudia Freeman totally likes you.”

Rian nodded in agreement, quickly wolfing down his lunch and running out of the cafeteria, eager to go and finish his project that was due next period. That left Alex and I at our table, which I really didn't mind. I didn't like when Rian was giving us looks for having “absurd conversations” as he called it.

I looked over at Alex, shaking my head. “No. Impossible.”

He laughed and drank his pop, giving me time to sneak a glance of Claudia. How could anyone like her? She had short, brown hair that stopped at her chin and green eyes. She was short, probably skinnier than me, deadly pale, always wore the color blue or neon orange, and she never swore. I always swore. Swearing was like a hobby of mine. And, she was always too bubbly. She always seemed so happy and giggly, and it annoyed me. She needed to shut up sometimes. Don't get me wrong, she was very pretty, she was just super annoying.

Alex elbowed me. “Lookin' at Claudia, huh?”

“No!” I blurted out.

Alex smirked. He was so evil sometimes. “I dare you to go talk to her.”

I sighed. I knew I always played this card, but it worked and made his stupid dares smoother. “Okay, I will. But what's in it for me.”

“All the money in my pocket.” He pulled out a five and slams it on the table, then digs out a few coins. “Now, you go talk to Claudia. And I'll make you a cake if you get her number.” He pushed me out of my seat, making me smack him as I walked over to Claudia.

She stood up and grabbed her books. “I gotta go,” she told her friends. “I have to go see my friend in the hospital.”

“Who's in the hospital?” I asked curiously. If there was one thing about me, it was that I absolutely must know everything. I like to be updated on stuff. I had no clue who was in the hospital, and Claudia had tons of friends, so I was shocked that I didn't notice that anyone was in the hospital.

Stammering over her failed sentences at the shock of my presence, Claudia turned around and blushed violently. “I---uh---a friend--- you wouldn't--- uh--- know---”

I cut her off with a laugh. “Oh really?” I shoved my hands in my pockets, acting casual though I felt Alex's gaze on me. “I would know them. I know a lot of people.”

Claudia shook her head. “This one, you wouldn't know.” Before I could answer, she added, “Family friend.”

I nodded again, following her out of the cafeteria into the bright yellow hallway. “So, why do you have to go see your friend? Can't you wait until after school?”

She shook her head, turning around, still smiling. “No. After school, I have plans.” She continued walking, falling back to keep up with me. “And why are you walking with me? I figured that you'd be over with Alex and talking about pretty girls to get this weekend.”

I had to admit, that's what we usually did. It was a beautiful thing to be a boy. “Nah, I decided to come talk to you.”

Claudia took it the wrong way. “No!” she blurted out. “Jack, I--- I'm really not that kind of girl. Okay?”

Laughing, I punched her shoulder playfully. “No, Claudia. I just decided we could be friends? Plus, you don't fit my.... qualifications.” That seemed to hurt her, so I added, “I'm picky about my girls. I don't like hurting the super pretty ones, ya know? It's okay to treat the sluts like shit.”

Claudia giggled that giggle that I found so annoying. “Okay, then!” She slung her bag over her shoulder and looked up at me. “So, I guess this is it? Like, I can go now...?” She seemed a bit eager to leave, like going to the hospital was more important than talking to me. I don't think so. I was Jack Barakat.

“Sure,” I said. “Oh, hey! Wait, gimme your number!”

“Why?” She bit her lip, still giving off a slight smile.

“So we can make plans and hang out,” I said lamely, but wanting Alex to make me a cake. He made the best cake, honestly. I watched as Claudia grabbed my arm, wrote her number on it, and then walked out the door, a slight bounce in her step. I walked back into the cafeteria and smirked at Alex, flashing him my arm. “Got her number. You mad, bro?”

He laughed. “Guess I'll have to make you a cake, huh?”

I nodded, sitting down in my seat, taking a drink of his pop, licking the side of the can just to make him mad.

“Jack!” he whined, yanking the can out of my hand. “Cut it out! Gosh. And are you gonna text her?”

“No,” I snorted. And I really wasn't. I didn't care about the annoying, over-giggly, Claudia Freeman at all.

___________

Sorry it's short hahaa. I hope you guys like it! :D

PS... tomorrow's my last day of school. I'm stoked! :)