Haven at the cusp of Reality

One “Have?” Mia whines beside me as I chew on my burger. I need to start getting to the cafeteria sooner. “What is it Mia?” I finally ask as Toni throws herself beside me with a loud grunt and a slam of her tray. Mia glares at her as I smile. “Anyway, before we were so rudely interrupted, I was going to ask if you’d come to a double date with me, Willy and Josh.”  Toni scoffs shaking her head. “Before she even answers here’s some advice; don’t make beds you can’t sleep in.” I nod in agreement taking a bite out of my big hamburger. Mia groans but stops half way to swoon at something at the door and I all but scoff already knowing who this someone is. “Not this again, come one Mia he’s just a boy.” Sammy mutters sitting in front of Mia to block her view on purpose. “Plus, he’s not even your type.” Toni mutters pointing at her. I just smile staring at the fiend in question. Harrison Oliver Paine, he’s been here but three weeks and already has the female population swooning, with his eccentric tattoos and six pack abs. “I know he will not even as much blink my way, but wow guys. Look at him. He makes me feel like if my next companion does not look like him then I don’t want him you know?” Sammy looks back over her shoulder and nods in appreciation. “Tall, silent. Handsome. The list goes on.” “Are you forgetting he got into a fight on his first day?” I ask quietly looking at them as if though their insane. Which they are if you ask me, but I love them for it. “Hush now grinch.” “He’s British.” Sammy whispers just as he passes our table a big goofy smile on his face as he walks over to the a few feet away filled to the brim with jocks and cheerleaders. “Shut the front door.” “Can the both of you stop.” Toni finally snaps glaring at the two. “I’m all about a good swooning, but ladies please I need to prepare myself for that AP History test today.” Everyone around us pauses for a moment and a girl from the hockey team turns around from her position to look at Toni. “Yoh Dashing?” She mutters with a small nod. Toni nods at her not saying anything. “You say that test was today?” “Yup.” “Shoot.” She mutters scrambling for her things. “I’ll take it as she forgot?” I nod getting up just as the bell rings. The others don’t even bother, but before I can even comment on their lack of commitment an object bounces off of my shoulder. “Crackers and cheese. What the actual heck!” I whip my head around so fast I scare off a few freshmen. “Charlie if you got a death wish tell me already.” I manage as I pick up the soccer ball throwing it back with ease. Charlie smiles uneasily at me once he catches the ball. “Sorry Doc.” I smile waving it off. “You really need to learn to lose your temper.” Toni grumbles leaving her tray where it is. “Come on let’s go to class heifer.” “See you guys at practice later.” Toni and I both nod in unison moving along the see of bodies to head out to our next class.   … “Do we have to practice with the boys Sammy?” A freshman groans at the back. “The boys football team no less, they’re not even the same dang sports.” Another groans and I look at Sammy sympathetically. There’s nothing worst then practicing with a bunch of hormonal female teens with shirtless boys in the vicinity. I mean I don’t mind, but… oh heck I don’t have an excuse. “The soccer team is out of town today, captain isn’t feeling too good, and coach Golding was kind enough to let us practice with his boys, so shut it and suck it up.” Toni mutters sternly managing to catch up with us even though she was still in the locker when we left. “Yeah, ladies shut it, Harrison is like apart the of the team so.” Mia says walking backwards winking at everyone with a devious smile, and a few ooh’s circle the girls and I snort. I’m not immune to his pretty trust me, the boy could smile and you’d melt into a puddle, but I’ve got enough on my plate and spending my free time swooning when I should be focused on exactly what I’m going to get Uncle Berry for his birthday this weekend. What do you get a man that has it all? I sigh shaking my head just as we reach the field. Coach Golding smiles at us and not a single word nor sound escapes the boy’s lips as they stare at us as if though we were the plague. “Where’s you co- captain?” He drawls looking at us just as we stop. Everyone looks around and even Toni steps back not saying a word. “Sammy!” Someone coughs out from the back and I hold back a sigh of relief. I look at coach holding back a smile. “We were going to do passing drills today, but I guess it’s a good day to push till we see what yawl had for lunch.” He smiles and a few boy’s groan. “Another word from you ladies and you’ll be running until you can’t feel your legs.” He says sternly not looking over his shoulder. “Keep your girls in line, we start with five laps around the field, straight line no show offs girls go first your captain will lead you. Any questions?” Silence. “Good.” He takes his silver whistle and blows it with all the air in his lungs, and we’re off. “Unbelievable.” Toni mutters from behind me obviously displeased. Even though their far back you can hear the displeased mutters and complains of the boys’ team. “I hope you stretched ladies we don’t want anyone pulling a hamstring.” Sammy, screams not even looking over her shoulder from in front of me. “Oh, shut it Sam you don’t want a bug flying into your mouth again.” Deborah Simms says and we hold back a few chuckles just as we reach the finish line. “Pick up the pace each time you cross the line Rodriquez!” And she does without hesitation just a little. “Omi gosh Sam he knows your name!” Mia screams once we’re out of earshot. “Shut up you dehydrating yourselves.” I finally manage shutting my mouth again focusing on the track and the heavy footsteps behind me. By the third lap more then half the girls have quit and are sprawled out onto the grass, along with Sammy who threw up halfway through the second. I reach the finish line and pick up the pace some more feeling my legs and body protest with displeasure. “Feel the burn.” Toni says tiredly behind me and I can’t even smile that’s how hard I’m trying to keep my composure.  “I hate it here!” Mia screams catching up the boys trailing behind her. Coach Golding must be really strict with them, because not one of them has fallen out of the leg race, I reach the finish line again ending our fourth run and I push it, full speed. “Nice work Docket! Everyone else keep up! Keep up don’t you dare break the chain!” “Screw you Docket!” One of the boys booms and I smile running even faster. My mind is clear and I can’t feel my face as my lungs burn for more oxygen. When I reach the 200m line on the track I speed up not listening to my legs protest. I did it! It takes me a few more seconds to come to a halt. I scream turning to look back and Toni is already kicking out her legs barely breathing Mia is on the ground groaning with every breath and Sammy is walking over shaking her head just as the last of the football team crosses the line. I look over at coach and he nods his head in approval towards his boys. “Two-minute stretch break after that we work on partnership.” I sigh making my way the water containers. “I should’ve just become a cheerleader.” I mutter causing Toni to spit out her water and laugh. “Mia you hear that?” She smiles over to our drooling friend. She nods and I shake my head grabbing a foam cup. “Docket.” I look over my shoulder and there he is, Noah O’Connell in his 6’7 glory casting down a heavenly shadow over me, his Nike vest and covering too much hello prom date. “Yeah?” I accidently whisper unable to contain my anger. This was not supposed to be like this. I had it all planned out we were supposed to meet at the shelter this weekend when he takes his little cousin to adopt his new pet. Do not ask me how I know all this. “Good job out there.” He smiles and I swear I hear a few girl’s swoon. I cannot hide the blush that makes its way to my face, but to my luck he’ll probably presume it’s the heat from running all those laps. “Thanks, wish I could say the same, but you were too busy eating my dust.”  His smile widens just a bit as his brows raise up in surprise. Before he can say anything, coach blows the whistle and we all line up on the grass. “Ladies on one side girls on the other.” And so, we do it silently. The boys outnumber us, but that’s not the problem. The problem is I’m staring at Harrison and not Noah. “I look beside me to find Mia paired up with Noah, I look over at Mia, we make eye contact and we both frown at the irony. I lookover at Toni who’s too busy looking at her shoes to even care that she’s been matched with Marco- someone who she absolutely cannot stand- heck half the school population can’t stand the dude. He is what we call; douchebag. Certified and all. Real jerk honestly, but I am judger of no one. Now where is Sammy? “Alright. Boys make the lines balance out. Everyone should be staring at another pair of eyeballs.” I look back at a very serious Harrison. His dark brown hair is in all direction and his mouth is slightly parted as he tilts his head. I take in a deep breath. He looks like he belongs on a billboard for healthy, young and rebellious. Coach begins to hand out rope. “Today I want to test your ability to work in a partnership I bet neither of you probably want to be paired up with who you’re looking at and that’s good.” Good? I can’t hold it back this time the groan escapes me as I lean my head on Mia’s shoulder. “It’s okay booboo.” She coo’s patting my wet hair. I didn’t get to drink water; I was too busy planning my wedding. Shoot. Coach hands me two pieces of rope and proceeds down the line. “The two pieces of rope you just got is to tie your hands and feet to your brand-new bestie.” I walk forward to Harrison. I stretch out my hand a hopeful smile on my face. He looks at my hand for a moment tilting his head at me again. “Coach how am I supposed to be partners with this behemoth?” Toni voices out. Sammy snorts out a laugh just as a genuine smile breaks out on my face. “Repeat yourself in more friendly words Rodriguez.” Coach says walking over. “He’s tall!” “If you direct your eyes down the line to Docket and Paine…” He pauses to look at us just as a few boys’ whoop and scream “Harry Potter.” I want to crawl into my shirt. “Notice the amazing height difference there?” Toni nods displeased with the answer. “Good.” I sigh. “I’m not even that short he’s just super tall.” I defend a frown on my face as I look back up at him. “Not my fault you were in the wrong gene line lass.” He shrugs taking one piece of rope from me. “Legs first.” He orders standing beside me and my knees buckle when his knuckles graze my calf. I look down and I’m met with his back. Woah. He gets up slowly probably trying not to lose his balance. “Coach can’t we just hold hands or something? Bethany has the balance of an infant.” Charlie groans. “One minute left partners.” Coach says not making any effort to answer the question. I look back at Harrison his firm body pressing up against mine. “Wrist please.” I whisper not bothering to look up at his face. I throw the rope over our conjoined wrist and it hits me. I’ll need his help to tie myself to him. “I should’ve just become a cheerleader.” I huff out “Why’s asking for help such a big problem for you Americans? What’s the big problem with just going oi mate need a little help.” “You should’ve chosen soccer.” I bite back as we tie our wrist together “That’s quite racist las.” … I lay on the bench in the loccer room trying to catch my breathe. My arm hurts and my wrist hurt. “Ow!” Deborah winces as she stumbles into her locker. “You think that’s bad try getting paired with a linebacker.” “Oh no love if this is a competition Haven wins for sure.” Sammy laughs out a big smile on her face. “Girl was getting thrown around like a rag doll.” I groan not bothering to look up. I stay put for a few minutes before heading out to the now scarcely populated shower. I dislike him gravely.