The Crush

Yearbook Theme?

As we entered the building, other students were in the hallway from other club meetings around the school. Alex saw Jim Harris from the yearbook committee and ran after him. I didn't care. I was happy to get some space from him, even if we would be reunited in the room in a few minutes. Hopefully, he'll sit next to Jim.

Alex and Jim stood at the door talking. They both kept glancing at me. I hope he wasn't talking badly about me. I gave him a ride to the lake, and now he's probably telling Jim I was this huge know-it-all that refused to be his friend. I started to dread the thought of passing them. As I got closer, Jim smiled. In all three years in this school, Jim has never given me a smile; he was giving me at this moment. What was going on?

Sandra, the leader of the yearbook committee, was calling for everyone's attention when I finally passed Alex and Jim in the doorway.

"Everyone, we have to come up with a theme for this year's yearbook," Sandra shouted.

I pulled out my notebook with all my ideas. I need to make a good impression because I want to be the leader of the yearbook committee next year. It will look excellent on my college application. It will show my leadership skills.

"Any ideas?" Sandra asked, typing on her laptop. One suggestion was a superhero theme, and another student said we should do an emoji theme.

I raised my hand. "Well, I thought we could do a 90s theme yearbook. Make it colorful and fun like Save-by-the-Bell."

Meghan, another committee member, became super excited

about the theme. She added she could do a funky font. Everyone in the group clapped, adding to the theme I suggested.

"Good idea Winter. Everyone likes Winter's idea, so we have a theme. Unless anyone else has another great idea."

I should have seen this coming. I should have known. I turned to see a hand go up.

"I love Winnie's idea; however, I feel every school thinks to do the same

90s theme," Alex said.

I could feel my face turning red with anger.

"So, what idea do you want to suggest?" Sandra asked with a big smile.

"We should do a social media theme. Make it look like

Instagram or something, with captions on the bottom that look like comments. We can also sell digital copies of the yearbook on flash drives for $10 more to help pay for the juniors' and seniors' end-of-the-year class trip."

And just like that, my 90s theme was in the trash. Everyone clapped and started brainstorming. I looked at a smiling Alex, again getting praised for his brilliance.

He turned to me to mouth the words, "I' m sorry."

He wasn't sorry. He was waiting to outshine me all along. This was his plan. He wanted to get me relaxed and off my game, then he would cross me the first chance he got. Well, he may have won this battle. But he will lose the war because two can play this game.

At the end of the committee meeting, everyone was still excited about the new yearbook theme. They were sharing and exchanging ideas as they walked out the door. I felt defeated but not out. I just had to figure out a better way to get Alexander Tyler out of my life.

As I packed my things, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up to see Alex hovering over me.

"Jim has offered to drive me home, but I told him you may have wanted to hang out a bit more."

Is he crazy? Why would I want anything to do with him? I can't stand him.

"Alex, go with Jim."

Alex smiled, "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

What a jerk, I thought.

Alex turned towards the hallway and shouted, "Jim, hold up."

Jim told Alex that he would wait in the hallway, leaving

me and Alex alone in the classroom.

"I hope you weren't upset about the theme thing," Alex said with a little frown.

I gave a fake smile, "No. Your idea was better. And in the end, it is about picking the better theme."

I was being honest when I said that. At the end of the day, his theme was better, but I wish he had said something when we were sitting at the lake. Why allow me to look silly in front of everyone? It was like he was always trying to outshine me. Why? What did I do to him?

"I'm happy you said that because your opinion means a lot to me."

I was confused. And when I couldn't get any more confused by Alex's behavior, he hugged me, "Friends?" He asked.

***

As I got into the house, I crashed into the bed. I needed clarification on today's events. And I was still very much tired. All I wanted to do was sleep. I could nap before my mom called for me to eat dinner. My mind just kept going back to Alex. Why is he saying he wants to be my friend one minute and then so dead set on making a fool out of me the next minute? I need someone to talk to, but I can't talk to Jordan about this because she likes Alex.

[Ariel]: Fortmann, are you busy?