The Bad Boy's Average Girl

Chapter 5 : The Switch

I continuously glanced at the clock every few minutes in every class period of the day.  Its glacial pace made my anxiety skyrocket.  My heart beat unevenly, and I never seemed to catch my breath fully. 

After a little asking around, I was able to learn that Mr. Hatfield was scheduled to teach a class during 4th and 7th period today.   This was perfect.  I had an open 7th period today.

The day trudged by.  I was quiet during lunch and met with a barrage of “Are you ok?” from Layla.  I know I could trust Layla, but I just didn’t want to get her involved.  The less people who knew the better, and so far, it was just me, and I meant to keep it that way.

The 6th period bell rang, and I leapt to my feet.  I rushed out of the room and didn’t stop until I got to my locker.  I quickly opened it and grabbed my book bag.  I slung it over my shoulder and walked down the hall towards Mr. Hatfield’s office.

The busy hallway was a blur as if I was walking through a misty dream, but my feet kept moving me forward.  Suddenly, Mr. Hatfield’s figure began walking towards me.  I spun a full 360 into an open classroom door besides me.  I slammed my back against the wall hoping not to be seen.  I peered through the small crack between the door and the door frame and watched the counselor’s figure walk by then stop. 

“Mr. Hatfield, I have a question.”  A voice rang out.

NO!  Stupid freshman!  Go away! 

The teacher and student began a conversation just feet from the open door I found myself in. 

MOVE!  I wanted to scream. 

A small moan echoed in the classroom.  What?  That was not me.  Keeping my body still, I moved my eyes towards the center of the room.

Oh gosh!  What the hell!  I let out a small sigh and rolled my eyes.  I was not alone.

On top of a desk were two moving figures, their bodies entwined and writhing.  It seems Alexander the Great was making another conquest.  Was there a single girl in this school he had not locked lips with?  Well, other than me? 

The girl was sitting on top of Alex, her legs straddling him on either side.  One of his hands burrowed deep within her messy hair, his other hand, who knows where.   For how intense the exchange was, I was impressed with how quiet they were.  Out of all the classrooms, I found myself in this one!  And! They didn’t even have the decency to close the freaking door?!

I glanced back through the door crack to find Mr. Hatfield still engaged in conversation with the stupid kid!  Come on!  The conversation seemed sensitive; the student was speaking in a whisper.  I found myself once again waiting for the seconds to trickle by.  I glanced occasionally over to Alex and this girl. 

I found myself imagining for just a moment, myself sitting atop of him.   His strong hands rubbing up and down my bare thighs, climbing ever so slowly up my stomach and my chest.  His lips tracing my neck as I throw my head back in pleasure. 

WHOA!  What the hell, Rose!  I snapped back into reality as I felt a surge of heat radiate up and down my body.  That was weird, and totally embarrassing.  Why did I think that way?  This playboy was not going to be someone I found attractive!  He was a total player and seemed to make it his goal to make out with every possible girl in this school.  Did he have any idea how many heartbreaks he caused? Did he even care he played with girl’s emotions?  Yeah, he was not going to be taking over any of my thoughts anymore, I huffed.

I checked outside once again and found the conversation ending.

“Julia, let’s schedule a meeting and we can continue talking about this.  Unfortunately, I have a class to attend.”  With that he walked away.  Freedom at last.  I bolted out of the room, but closed the door, leaving those two to do what they pleased in private.

At last, I reached my hand out and turned the doorknob on the counselor’s office. It opened with a small click.  I crept inside and closed the door behind me.  The room had a large oak desk right in the center, three filing cabinets lined the back wall and a small closet with its door ajar made the room seem small and cramped.  I tossed my book bag on a chair and got to work.

I began skimming through the papers on top of his desk.  He had three paper trays filled to the brim.  Confidential student reports, parent communications, staff emails…...  Ugh.  Come on!  My hands shook with nerves as I continued searching.   I leaned farther and farther over the desk, till my nose almost touched the papers in front of me.  I was deeply focused and determined.  I just needed to find the letter to read it, make sure it was a decent letter.

Suddenly, the office door flung open and a tall figure burst in.  The figure twisted and slammed the door closed.  My concentration shattered, I let out a small scream.  This was it, the end!  I was caught!  It didn’t matter what my recommendation letter contained.  Hr. Hatfield would write a negative one now!

To my relief and horror, it was not Mr. Hatfield, but Alexander Great.  He stood in the doorway before me.  He didn’t seem to expect to see someone either and let out a gasp.  Quickly deeming it safe, we both sighed in relieve.

“Well, hello there.”  He said with a sly smile on his handsome face, he seemed out of breath.  Geez, I wonder why?

My heart began to race.  I felt my face redden and my eyes widen.  Thankfully he had no knowledge of my previous embarrassing thoughts but seemed to pick up on the blushing.

“Those are quite rosy cheeks you have, what’s your name?” He pushed himself away from the door and strode over to the desk.  He planted his hands firmly on the desk before him and leaned towards me.  He smelled of an odd mixture of cologne and women’s perfume.  His eyes, the color of a gray, blue sky were piercing.  His smile was crooked but only seemed to add to his charm.

“Uh, uhm…”  It was all I would muster. My breath seemed to catch in my throat.  He had on his basketball jersey, which was sleeveless and hung quite loose.  I was seeing too much skin.  His body was hard and lean.  His arm muscles budged as he pushed his weight farther over the desk. I adverted my eyes, trying desperately to not seem interested his hard chest muscles. 

“Uh, its Rose!”  I almost shouted at the ceiling, relieved the words came out at all.

“That’s fitting.”  He laughed.  “Well it looks as if you have been caught, Rosie Cheeks.  Now what shall we do with you?”  His smile grew, he seemed quite pleased with himself. 

I stood dumbfounded for only a second more, then found my strength. 

“I could say the same thing to you!  What are you doing here!”  I stood up straight now. He c****d his head to glance up at me, before standing up himself.  He was not as tall as I would have imagined.  He plopped himself on top of the desk.

“Looks like you’re looking for something.  Maybe I could help.”

“No thank you.”  I continued rummaging through the piles. 

“Fine then. I will just watch.” 

I could feel his eyes upon me, my face even redder.  I continued my search, adamant not to lift my head.  Minutes went by and I felt my pace and focus deteriorating.

“What do you want!”  I hissed up at him.

“I just thought, since we are both in here, we might as well take advantage of…“ 

“What?!! The empty room!”  I interrupted. “Think we should just push these papers aside in one big sweep.”  I motioned with my arms. “And just start making out, like you did in room 110 with that red head not moments ago!”  I glared at him.  “Well, let me tell you. I am not like those ‘easy’ girls.  I am on a mission.  And you, frankly, are not it!” 

He stared at me for a moment, then flung his head back and began to laugh.  “What a grand idea.  s**t, I am upset now that I hadn’t thought of that myself.” 

My eyes widened in horror.  “Uh, what?”

“No, its just, I thought that since I came to this room to look for something and you clearly did as well, we could help each other out.  But, damn, I like your idea way better.  What do ya say.  Want to have a little fun?”

Could my face turn any redder? 

“No thank you on that offer.”  I tried to say calmly.  I didn’t want him to know how my heartbeat quicken or how my body became slightly warm around him.  “But yes, lets help each other, uh we could do that.”  I desperately hoped that accepting this offer would ease my embarrassment.

“Alright then.  What am I looking for?”  He grabbed a pile, the smile too big on his face.

I leaned over the desk to grab my book bag, realizing too late how close this put me to him.  My arm bumping his arm ever so slightly.  He said nothing, so I tried to keep moving hoping he didn’t notice me stall.  I reached inside my book bag and pulled out the envelope I had filled out.

“It will look identical to this.”

“Okay.”  He began his search, I continued mine

A few minutes passed by then, “Got it,” Alex’s voice rang out.

“Thank goodness!”  I said reaching my hand out.

“Not so fast!”  He said, as he stood quickly pulling the letter out of my reach.  “I want to know what is in it.”

“No, no, no, I don’t think so.  You helped me, now I will help you, that was the deal.”  I said walking around the desk towards him.  I was not going to play this stupid game.

Alex clearly had other plans.  He raised the letter far above his head.  “Nah, I think you better tell me what this is about, otherwise I might just keep it for myself.”

I walked up to him and reached my hand up and jumped.  He wasn’t super tall, but hey neither was I, and his long arms kept the letter easily out of my reach.  He began to laugh and bob the letter around as if in play.

I jumped once more and collided with him, my body sliding down his hard body ever so slightly.  He laughed even more as my face reddened.

“Just tell and I will give it to you.”

“Fine”.  I slumped down on the chair behind me and folded my arms across my chest in defeat.  I probably looked like a 5-year-old, but I didn’t care.  “I am applying for college and I asked Mr. Hatfield to write me a letter of recommendation.  I am worried he said negative things about me or recommended that the school not consider me at all.  I just want to read the letter and make sure, before he sends it out.  This school is really important to me.” I buried my face in my hands attempting to keep the tears from falling.

“Okay.”  Alex’s voice was soft as he kneeled before me.  “I am sorry I teased you, I didn’t realize how serious this is for you.”   He remained on one knee and handed me the letter, placing his empty hand on my bare knee.  I instantly tensed at his warm touch.  He either didn’t seem to notice or just ignored it.  He continued, “What will you do if it isn’t a good letter?”  He asked calmly.

“Replace it.”  I reached for my own sealed envelope and showed him again.  I wrote my own under Mr. Hatfield’s name, just in case.  But I only plan on replacing it if I have too!”  I began weeping.   Gosh, how embarrassing.

“Well, better not wait then, but I am sure it’s a well written letter.”  He smiled kindly up at me.  I hoped he was right.

I took the letter and opened it.  The letter was very short.  I read aloud…

Dear Earlstone University College Admissions,

I am writing today to inform you of a student who will be applying to your school for the upcoming fall semester. You will be receiving Miss Rose Ferguson’s application along with this letter.  I regretfully wish to inform you that she does not have the esteemed qualities so valued by Earlstone University.  She has very little to offer that would benefit this establishment, and frankly her average skills have no place in Earlstone.  As an alumnus of this school, and considering my numerous monetary donations, I am confident my opinion will be highly valued and considered.

With Kind Regards,

Mr. John Hatfield

My voice shook as I finished reading the letter.  I dropped my head as tears began to fall.  It was worse than I could imagine.  How could my school counselor be so heartless?  It’s like he wants me to fail.  The attached survey Mr. Hatfield included was just as bad, scores of 3, 2, and 1’s filled the page.   

“He marked me average or below average on every question.”  I whispered, but Alex heard me.   

“Bastard!  Give me that!”  Alex abruptly took the letter and survey from my hand and quickly scanned its contents for himself.  “The asshole.”  He said more to himself than to me.  He scoffed and handed the letter back to me.  I put it into my backpack.  “Switch that s**t!  Where is your letter?” 

I quickly glanced at his signature and proceeded to copy it on to my own version of the survey and included it in the new envelope.   I handed him my version of the letter and he plopped it down on the pile where he had found the original one.  

“Done.”  He said triumphantly.   “Now I need your help with my mission.”