Wanting You (Book 1)

Juggling

Astrid's POV

I was exhausted and found myself being absent-minded in classes more times than usual. Cheer practice was tiring, and it made every muscle in my slender body ached. I mentally cussed Keri for getting us into this ordeal, but I couldn't bring myself to say such a thing to her face. She longed for too long to be a cheerleader, and I wasn't going to make her feel bad about that.

~

"Miss. Beltown, are you with us?" Mr. London, my Socials teacher, asked aloud from the front of the class when he caught me yawning.

"Yes, I am, Mr. London," I answered quickly with a lie. I haven't any clue what he was talking about and I strongly hoped he wasn't going to ask me any following up questions on his topic.

He eyed me for a brief moment then continued with the class discussion.

~

The bell rang and I picked up my books and bag pack and was filing out with the others when Mr. London spotted me and summoned me over to his desk.

"Astrid, you're an amazing student but this is also a social class so I would need you to participate, speak up on topics, volunteer for group leaderships and be heard. Okay?"

"Yes, Mr. London. I understand."

"Wonderful. Oh, and I've yet to receive your assignment," he said.

"What assignment?" I questioned flaggergastedly.

"You were select any community or a neighborhood and write five hundred words on an impact you'll think it will make in someone's life. Being it negative or positive."

"Oh. I wasn't aware of such an assignment."

"Okay. Then I'm failing you."

"WHAT!?" I shrieked.

" I. Am. Failing. You," Mr. London repeated his awful words.

"Mr. London, please! You cannot fail me. Can I please make it up, I can have this ready by the end of the day. Please, I'm begging you?" I was on the brink of tears.

"Okay. I'll be lenient this one time, Astrid. End of the day it is."

"Thank you, sir."

~

Keri caught me as soon as I stepped out of the classroom.

"Hurry! Annalise called an emergency meeting!" she informed.

We rushed towards the gymnasium and took a seat on the benches. Shortly there after, Annalise and Stormi walked in.

"Where's Trisha?" I asked Keri in a whisper tone of voice.

"I have no idea but something tells me we're about to find out."

"Trisha is unwell and due to those circumstances, she'll be replaced for game day. Therefore, meet your newest member," Annalise announced.

Denise Stoneridge walked in wearing a satisfied but cocky smile on her face. Keri growled underneath her breath. Denise was nothing but a pain in the ass.

"Good! I don't need to remind you that the game is only two days away so I'll need each and every single one of you to be on point! Absolutely no excuses and no mistakes! Practice would also run half an hour later than usual. See you back here this afternoon. You may leave!" Annalise finished and dismissed us without any protests from a member.

~

"Unbelievable! Denise of all people?" Keri asked rhetorically as she slammed her locker. She was rather upset.

"Pretty sure almost everyone said the exact same thing about me," I told her. She gave me a pitiful look and pulled me into an embrace I didn't know I needed before heading to our next class.

~

The day went by in a haste. Everyone was speaking of and anticipating the game in a couple of days.

I watched as a group of girls practically drooled over Trent as he and the footballers walked through the hallway. Trent at the front and the others trailed after.

"Trent is so handsome."

"Annalise is so lucky. I'll do anything to trade places with her."

"His eyes are captivating. I wish they were looking my way."

"He's everything and more."

"I want him."

"Not like I want him."

~

I scoffed and found a quiet place to begin and complete my social class assignment. Before I could have even get started, my phone buzzed with a call.

"Hi Keri," I picked up.

"Where are you, a bunch of us are on the rooftop. Annalise gave us access."

"The Rooftop?" I questioned.

"Yes!" Keri answered with delight.

The Rooftop was like a VIP section to the popular seniors. Both Keri and I longed and dreamt of being there. Rumors had it that it was like an enchanted forest.

"Are you coming?" Keri asked.

"Uhhh.. how long would you guys be there for?"

"Only for this free period. Aren't you free too?"

"I am...but..."

"No excuses. You have to come here," Keri encouraged and I did went, and I did enjoyed.

At first sight, I couldn't believe this was the top of our school. 'Enchanted Forest' was the perfect name for it. Trees and birds and lights and decorations and a sitting area. It was all too beautiful to sum up.

"Wow," I mouthed as I indulged myself in the moments with the others.

~

Practice ran for an extra hour instead of half as Annalise previously stated. I was more relaxed when I realized I had learnt all the steps, counts and choreography. My rhythm had improved tremendously and I felt like I was on cloud nine when Annalise acknowledged me with a nod of approval.

~

"Can you give me a ride to work? I have the afternoon shift today," I asked Keri.

"Of course."

~

It was a slow day at the parlor but I wasn't complaining. I needed a quiet afternoon after the day I had at school.

I exhaled in relief then held my breath in recollection. I mentally slapped myself. I didn't keep my word to Mr. London on having my assignment ready by the end of the day.

"I could conjure up an excuse. I'm smart enough to do that," I told myself as I served someone a cone of ice-cream.

~

Upon arrival at home, I came face to face with my mom's disappointed expression.

"Astrid Anika Beltown!"

"Full government."

"You're damn right about that! Because what have I told you about your classes and your grades, huh?"

"That I should maintain them and I have been maintaining them, mom."

"Then why did I received a phone call from Mr London, informing me that you've failed to even notice an assignment and you've failed to deliver the assignment so he had no choice but to fail you for said assignment?!"

"He failed me already?"

"Did you or did you not had to give him the assignment at the end of the day?"

"Yes."

"Then why didn't you?"

"Today was hectic for me at school. I couldn't catch a break."

"Astrid.. you have way too much on your plate and you need to lessen on your load before it's too late."

"Mom.. I'll simply complete the assignment in my room and Mr. London will accept it tomorrow."

"No, he wouldn't. A deadline is a deadline, how you cannot understand that?"

"I can understand."

"Good. So you can also understand this, it's either the ice-cream parlor or cheerleader. Pick."