Our Love by Sheena Binkley @ChevonBink

3. Michael

“Why do I bother coming to school?” I asked my friend Chris Matthews as I got out of my BMW 528i.

“Because you have to,” he said while hopping out of the passenger seat.

As I started to walk through the crowded parking lot of Belmont High, I looked around at the same faces and wondered if anything would ever change. It’s hard being the most popular guy in school. I’m not being cocky about it; it’s what people labeled me. As soon as I stepped onto Belmont’s steps, I was considered the guy everyone liked. Every activity Belmont offered, I was in, captain of the football and basketball teams, and student body president. And, I still had time to master a 4.0 GPA. I’m not going to brag, but there is a list going around school claiming I’m the hottest guy at Belmont. So I guess I’m living the good life, huh? I am, but it gets old quick.

As Chris and I walked to the quad, three girls who looked like sophomores came up to us. They looked at me with huge grins on their faces.

“Hi Michael,” they said in unison.

“Hey,” I said.

As I walked away, the girls started breathing erratically because I said hi to them. That’s what I have a problem with. It seems like I’m a freaking celebrity around here when I’m just an average seventeen year old senior.

“I don’t get you man. Girls are throwing themselves at you and you don’t even notice,” Chris said.

“I notice. I’m just not interested.”

“Still having issues with Danielle, huh?”

I looked at Chris and rolled my eyes.

Danielle Peterson is my ex-girlfriend. We dated since freshman year and then all of a sudden, this year she broke up with me. Rumor has it that she’s dating some guy at our rival school, Bridgewall, but it’s not like I really care. I was going to talk to Danielle anyway about our relationship. It seemed like nothing was the same anymore. Danielle always thought she should be the center of attention. I hate that in a girl. It’s good to be confident in yourself, but when you take that to the extreme, it’s very annoying. I guess that’s why girls have been throwing themselves at me, because the whole school knows about the breakup. Belmont is a big school, but word travels fast.

“No, I’m not still on Danielle. I’m glad things are over between us.”

“Really? You and Danielle were the perfect couple. You two had everyone around here wishing they could be like you two.”

I laughed and sat down on one of the metal benches in the center of the quad.

“From now on, Chris, don’t mention her name to me, okay?”

“Who, Danielle?”

I looked at Chris and sighed.

“Real funny.”

As I looked around at how beautiful the day was, I noticed someone I never seen before walk toward the building. She was gorgeous. She had long dark brown hair that went to the upper part of her back, honey-colored skin, and nice long legs. From the side view, I could tell she had a body on her. As she turned her head, she looked straight at me. I looked at her and gave her a grin so huge, it showed all my teeth. She gave me a sexy smile and walked into the building.

“Who was that?” Chris asked curiously.

“I don’t know, but I’m about to find out.”

I got up from the bench and ran into the building. I had to find her, whoever she was. I practically ran into five people in the crowded hallway before I saw her turn the corner toward the principal’s office. I caught up with her just before she opened the door.

“Hello,” I said to the beautiful girl in front of me.

“Hey. Were you outside a minute ago?”

“Yeah, I was.”

“My, my, you move fast,” she said in a sexy tone.

“I do when I’m interested in something. Or someone.”

The girl smiled as she moved away from the office door.

“Why have I never seen you here before?”

“I don’t know. Maybe because I blend in well with the student body,” she said smiling.

“No way. I would remember every part of you.”

She looked at me and rolled her eyes.

“If that was supposed to be a pick-up line, you need to try harder.”

“No, it was not. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that. I guess it came out wrong.”

Her expression softened a little after I apologized. From the looks of it, I could tell she was feeling me, just like I was feeling her.

“It’s okay. Actually, this is my first day here.”

As she said those words, I realized that I had seen her before, mainly at football games. She was a cheerleader at Parker.

“Now that you said that, I have seen you around. You were a cheerleader at Parker, were you?”

She looked nervously at me when I mentioned Parker. I guess she would since Belmont and Parker hate each other.

“Correct; head cheerleader to be exact.”

“Michael Collier,” I said as I extended my hand out to her.

“Charlie Perry,” the beautiful girl in front of me said. She took out her soft hand and placed it in mine. The look she was giving me made me want to know more about the mystery girl named Charlie.

“Charlie. Nice.”

“Thanks. Usually people wondered why my parents named me that.”

“It’s different.”

“Yeah,”

“Well since you’re new here, I could show you around campus if you want.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

The school bell rang and everyone began to go to first period. Fine time for the bell to ring! As I looked at Charlie, she smiled and put her hand on the doorknob.

“I better go so I can get my schedule.”

“See you around, Charlie.”

“I hope so,” she said as she went into the office.

I watched Charlie go into the office with a longing look. I turned around and started to walk to class.

Maybe Charlie was the change I’ve been looking for.