The Crush

Great Expectations

Being the girlfriend of the most popular guy has its downs, but it also has its perks.

For one, my popular status has climbed. I got invited to parties I was never invited to. Kids that never spoke to me now know my name and wave as I walk by. I even noticed some of the girls dressing similarly to me. Buying my shoe brand and wearing my favorite color. Plus, Lathan was always attentive to me, showering me with compliments and attention.

I remember one time when he surprised me with flowers just because. It made me feel special, and I couldn't help but smile. All the girls in the hallway placed their hands over their hearts and said, "Aww." I giggled and covered my face in his shoulder. We also went on incredible dates that I never thought I would experience, like going to a fancy restaurant or watching the sunset on a boat.

Of course, being with Lathan also meant I had expanded my group of friends. Lathan must have had a meeting with his friends because all of them are friendly now. They always walk the halls, smiling and patting me on my back when they pass. The girlfriends of the popular boys hang out and do fun things together, like going to concerts or having game nights. We even gathered together to have a bake sale for the football team. On game nights, we sit together with our boyfriend's jersey on a cheer. I feel like I am part of something special, which is a great feeling.

"Hi, Winter," someone said as I walked by. I waved and smiled as I headed to my locker.

I was gathering books for my next class at my locker when one of the girls I recognized as one of Lathan's admirers walked up to me.

"Hi, Winter. That is a pretty skirt," The girl said with a fake smile.

I brushed off the feeling of telling her off by smiling back at her, "Thank you."

She said something under her breath that I couldn't hear, but the tone of her voice gave away that it wasn't pleasant. I turned to her, and before I could say anything, she said, "You're lucky to have Lathan. But you know he only got back with you because he couldn't have me."

Her comment stunned me, and I could feel my face turning red. I didn't know how to respond, so I just stood there, trying to keep my composure. That's when I heard Lathan's voice.

"Excuse me?" he said, walking up to us.

The girl looked up at him, surprised by his sudden appearance. "Oh, Lathan. I didn't see you there."

"I heard what you said," Lathan replied, his tone firm.

"I was just joking around," the girl said, trying to play it off.

"That's not funny," Lathan said, his eyes fixed on hers. "Winter is my girlfriend, and I won't tolerate anyone disrespecting her like that. I suggest you apologize."

The girl mumbled an apology before walking away, and Lathan turned to me. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, grateful for his defense. "Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for standing up for me."

"Of course," he said, taking my hand. "I care about you, Winter. I don't want anyone to hurt you." Kissed me.

I smiled, feeling reassured. "I care about you too, Lathan."

We walked to our next class together, hand in hand, and I knew giving him another chance was a good idea.

Lathan kissed me on the cheek at the door entry to my class. His classroom was a few doors down. "Have a good class," Lathan said, winking before heading out.

"Enough with the teenage love affair. Winter will see Mr. Michael after school," Mr. Peterson said, standing up from his desk to the chalkboard. "There is a time to love and a time to learn.

Mr. Peterson taught AP English, and to say he's passionate is an understatement. The man himself is an encyclopedia of romance novels. He writes romance novels during summer break. My mom is actually a fan of his. She said I'm not allowed to read any of his books until I turn 21. I plan on buying every one of them and read them in college.

"Last week, we finished the book Great Expectations. Let's talk about it?" Mr. Peterson said, writing on the board. "Is this a love story or a tragedy?"

Thresa raised her hand and said it was a love s********e people booed, and some clapped. I laughed at the fuss this question brought. Alex smirked under her hand but said nothing.

"Winter, you're in love," Mr. Peterson said, smiling, "Tell me, is this a love story?"

I looked away from Alex, who turned his attention to me.

I swallowed hard, "No. I don't think this is a love story. I believe this story is about a woman who planned to ruin the world of love because she was played by the one she loved."

Alex combed his hair with his hand and looked away from me.

"Alex, do you agree," Mr. Peterson asked, noticing the sudden subtle change in Alex's expression.

"I don't know," Alex said, turning his whole body away from me in his seat.

"Sure you do. There are no wrong answers," Mr. Peterson said, reassuringly smiling.

"Well, I think it is easy to say Miss Havisham was this angry, jilted woman that taught Estella to be unloving; and perhaps she, on purpose, arranged for Pip to have his heart broken the way hers was, but I believe there is more to it. I think Miss Havisham wanted to protect Estella from the pain of heartbreak. A person who can't love can't be hurt by love. She was also teaching Pip the idea that this perfect love does not exist. Perhaps she wanted someone to have unconditional love for Estella. This book teaches that love isn't linear or perfect. A person can be perfect for someone, they can be in love, and time says differently. In the end, Pip was surrounded by people who loved him, but how long did it take for his sister to be loving, for him to accept Joe's love, or for Estella to finally hold his hand? Love isn't always beautiful." Alex stopped and quickly glanced my way. "In real life, we can never have the person we love when we want them. We sometimes have to wait."

Mr. Peterson beamed and applauded Alex's answer. "Alex," he joked, "Don't tell anyone else, but you're my favorite student!"

Everyone laughed at Mr. Peterson's comment. I didn't dare laugh, turn, or talk. I stayed silent for the rest of the class.