Navigating Cute Boys and Frogs

Incoming (Lindsey’s POV)

       I wake ten minutes before my alarm, too excited for the first day of senior year. Most people probably hate school, but I don’t. I even enjoy most of my classes, with an exception to having to take physics this year. Science wasn’t really my area of expertise. I was planning on applying to Oregon State and majoring in Education, but hadn’t decided what grade level I wanted to teach yet. I love history though, and teaching high school would be fun. I couldn’t wait to finish this next year of high school, and move on. 

       I finish applying my make up with a whisk of my mascara. Standing back I look at myself in the mirror. My black hair is curled at the bottoms, and I chose to keep my make up natural looking. The outfit I chose last night looks great, and I decide to add another necklace to create a layered look. I smile at myself in the mirror, feeling my confidence grow. 

      I head downstairs to a quiet house since mom is already at work and grab a cereal bar, sitting at the island to wait for Aria to pick me up. I could just drive myself, but we both have to stay after for cheer, so we switch off every week, it’s her week to pick me up. As I sit there I think about Jonas. We texted for awhile last night, and it makes me smile. He is cocky, but for some reason I like it. I decided last night to just go with the flow of conversation, and that I am going to do that at school too. I was really nervous about seeing him today, and curious about how things would go between us. 

        My phone rings, shaking me out of my thoughts, before I even say hello I hear Aria blaring Beyoncé, “Let’s gooooooo b***h!!” I laugh and grab my bag to head out. I lock the door behind me and when I turn around Aria has her window down whistling at me, “Girl you look hot!! Logan who?!” I shake my head laughing, because since that incident at the party, I hadn’t really thought about Logan. 

        I jump in the passenger seat, watching as my best friend bounces around singing “Single Ladies” at the top of her lungs. Aria chose to wear black ankle books,  a black denim skirt with a gray long sleeve, looking closer at the long sleeve it has a pocket over her right boob, that says “I’m not a hot mess, I’m a spicy disaster.” 

       “Aria, that shirt fits you to a T!” I cackle when I read it. She looks down and laughs too, “Girl, my mom thought she was being funny when she bought it for me, but honestly it’s my favorite shirt! I figure I should start senior year right, and let ‘em know what it is!” 

       “I’m excited that we have two classes and lunch together this year! I feel like that’s a sign it’s going to be a great year for us!” Aria exclaims.

       “Girl me too! It’s nice one is before and after lunch too. You can fill me in all the trouble you get into before and after those classes.” I laugh giving her a look. Aria will definitely cause some kind of trouble. The girl has zero filter. 

      She gives me a wink, “It’s tough, but someone has to do it.” She turns up the radio and starts jamming out again. I join in laughing, when we pull into the school two minutes later, both Aria and I are singing at the top of our lungs, dancing in our seats. 

      We pull into her assigned parking spot, finishing off the ending of “Watermelon Sugar.” When the song ends, there’s a tap on my window. Of course it’s Jake and Jason. They are both smiling wide. Aria and I grab our bags getting out,

        “Ladies, that was amazing. Maybe next time we could join in? I mean it’s only fair.” Jake says grinning. 

        “Awe Jakey, and ruin the fandom of girls that are about to follow you around everywhere, never.” Aria cackles back. 

       “That’s true, but we are a little early today, so they aren’t here yet.” Jake winks. Meanwhile, Jason comes around and gives Aria a peck on the cheek and grabs her bag. I see Aria blush, which is new. I have to remember to ask her about things between Jason and her. 

      “Alright man, enough hitting on my girl. “ Jason says pointedly but still smiling. 

      “Woah woah woah when did this happen?! Your girl?! Jason are you declaring yourself off the market on the first day of school! You wound me. Have I not taught you anything man!” Jake says grabbing at his heart. 

       Aria laughs out loud, coming around to join us. “Come on playboy, I’m sure we can find plenty of other dumb guys who will follow your advice.” She nudges him toward the front doors. Jake slings his arm over my shoulder, “ Yeah, I wonder where Jonas is at.” Jake doesn’t seem to realize that he just implied, Jonas is a playboy just like him, so I try to keep the smile plastered on my face. But, the whole time I can’t help but hope that it isn’t true. 

       Jason holds the door open for us and we all walk in. Grove High is a smaller school in Oregon, around 450 students, only 120 of those being seniors  with us. Jake still has his arm slung over my shoulder, and I see some of the girls in the hall sending glares my way. Aria and Jason break off to the opposite side of the hall, just as I find my locker. No no no, this can’t be happening to me. I groan inwardly when I see the locker right next to mine, with his broad back turned to me, stands none other than Logan. 

        “Don’t worry babe my locker is only a couple down from you. If you want Logan to leave you alone, just say the word.” Jake says. 

      “Thanks but it’ll be fine. It was a crush and now I’m over it, no biggie.” I say shrugging my shoulders. 

      Jake’s eyes go wide at my statement, “Okay well I am all for you using my lips on your lips to create a statement if you want. You won’t even owe me a favor.” Jake raises his eyebrows suggestively at me. I laugh and start to walk toward my locker, “I have no interest in being apart of your harem Jacob!” Jake winks and opens his locker. I laugh again, shaking my head, turning back toward my locker. Logan turns and sees me for the first time. 

      Rubbing the back of his neck, he shuts his locker, and turns toward me.

       “Ahh hey Linds.” He says looking down.

       “Wow you remember my name, I’m super impressed already Logan.” I roll my eyes and fling my locker door in front of his face. 

      Logan pulls the locker door back further and steps into my space, while I’m trying to jam and organize all my books into my locker. “Listen, I’m really sorry, I just wanted Amber to shut the f**k up, the girl is kind of obsessed with you.” He says.

      “Yeah I get it Logan, you were hoping to score with her so you talked s**t about me, I’m sure it won you brownie points. Amber has only enjoyed harassing me since elementary school.” I say, sending a glare his way.

      “It wasn’t like that! We didn’t even hook up. I bailed on her after all of that went down at the party. Can we just try to be friends this year Linds, please? We had a good time in class last year, but never really got to know each other. Let’s start over?” As Logan says this he offers me his hand, “Hey I’m Logan. I can be a total jackass and say really obnoxious stuff, but I’d really like if we could be friends.”

      I stand there staring at Logan’s hand for what feels like forever. I can’t believe this is happening right now, I certainly don’t have the same level of crush I had on Logan before the party. But, let’s be honest, he’s still gorgeous. I know I can’t trust Logan, but I also don’t want to spend my entire junior year avoiding him either. I look across the hallway and make eye contact with Aria, she raises her eyebrows at the sight of Logan and me, and mouths “HOT b***h” at me. I laugh out loud, and look up at Logan. He gives me a questioning look, that turns into a smile when I put my hand into his in a firm shake.

      “Hi, obnoxious jackass. I’m Linds, and from here on out, you better be nicer to me.“ Logan laughs, letting go of my hand, “I plan on it.” He turns toward his homeroom, looking back to throw me a wink then heads inside. Once he’s inside, I realize we have the same homeroom too. Ohhh Lord what did I get myself into?