The last class bell rings and I smile while I pick up my stuff.
“Allie, can you stay?” my English teacher says and I walk over to him.
“Yes Mr. A?”
Mr. Anthony smiles, “I heard you’re going to Fernbrook.”
I nod grinning, “Yes. I got my letter last week.”
He smiles, “That’s great. I graduated there you know?”
I roll my eyes, “That’s probably why I decided to go there, I was brainwashed at how awesome it is.”
Mr. Anthony is my favorite teacher because he doesn’t just talk about literature, he’s passionate about it. He’s also given us the pep talk on College life he says it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity that we shouldn’t miss. We could learn a lot from it if we focus on the right things, he says.
He hands me a notebook, “This was my notebook from my first year there. It has all the hacks about living there and all of the good places to eat. I would like for you to read it and maybe you’ll pick up some things I haven’t already told you before.”
I take it and nod at him, “Thank you Mr. A.”
He waves me off, “Well, go on and get.”
I give him a small salute and I walk out of the classroom.
It’s our last few weeks in school, and after this I’m off to College.
I’m excited to get out of here and start my new life in Fernbrook College. It’s far from home, but that actually adds to its appeal. I know that Alex is going to South Harmon on the other side of the country so that’s a big plus.
Nic is waiting for me at my locker as usual.
“Are you sure you don’t want to check out the community college here, Allie? I’m going to miss you,” Nic pouts.
I give her a soft smile, “I’m going to miss you too, Nic but I’m there’s no way in hell that I’m staying here.”
She shrugs while leaning on the door of the locker beside mine.
I’ve known Nic since grade school. I was crying quietly in the restroom because of the gum Alex put in my hair, and Nic barged in with scissors in hand and gave me a disastrous haircut, but she did get the gum out. We’ve been best friends ever since.
She’s saved me multiple times from Alex’s attacks and has helped me plan on how to get back at him. We were successful most of the time.
I smile at Nic while I put in my code, “You’re going to be fine, Nic.”
I open the door of my locker and I don’t have enough time to react when I feel the icing hit my face. There were screams of disgust and delight around us.
“Point Alex!” one of his friends’ shout.
It’s been a spectacle around here how Alex and I exchange jabs. Some people find it funny; some find it annoying and some actually don’t give a shit anymore since we’ve been at it since we were kids.
I couldn’t even open my eyes, the icing is so thick. I lick my lips, it’s vanilla – I hate vanilla. Nic tries to wipe my eyes with her fingers, “Oh my God. I’m going to kill that guy, Allie.”
I should have been more careful; I knew he was going to get me for the stone to his leg this morning.
Amateur move, Allie.
I nod to Nic, “just get my stuff will you? I’ll go get cleaned up in the restroom.”
I’m used to this. In fact, it’s not very original this time. He’s done much worse and I haven’t been nice to him either. I’m just glad he did this after class.
I wash the icing off my face, and off my hair, but I can’t get the icing off my clothes. I need to change. My shirt is sticky and disgusting.
Nic holds the door open for me, “Are you ready to go? I can give you a ride.”
I think about the offer and I know Nic’s just trying to help out. She would even go with me to TP that douchebag’s house if I ask her, but he needs to pay tonight.
I nod at Nic, “It’s okay. I’ll catch a ride home.”
She shakes her head, “I still don’t understand the dynamics between you two.”
Only Nic knows of our arrangement, I already explained to her how our Moms are best friends and how we need to play nice sometimes. She still doesn’t get it.
She looks me over, “You look like shit, you know that right?”
I laugh at her and flick my wet hair, “I’m used to it. He’s losing his touch actually; this was pretty lame.”
She gives me a thumb down, “Negative ten for creativity.”
I chuckle, “Someday you have to explain your point system.”
She lifts up my bag, “Are you going to bring your bag?”
I think about my strategy and bite my lip before saying, “Actually, can you keep the bag for me? Bring it tomorrow?”
She shakes her head, “You’re just as crazy as he is. I hope you know what you’re doing.”
I grin, “You know me. I always have a plan.”

#
I wait in my usual spot.
He usually takes about fifteen minutes after class before he picks me up. Just to make sure no one sees us together.
Before leaving the restroom, I wet my hair even more than I have to. So, now I look like a sad, disheveled dog sitting on the pavement. I’ve also been trying not to blink at all since I got here. My eyes sting from the lack of moisture and my eyes are red from crying.
I hug my knees as I sit here shivering.
Damn, it’s cold tonight.
I’m already regretting this plan since it’s pretty cold out and my wet shirt is clinging to my skin. This would probably be the meanest prank I’ve ever pulled on him since he’s never seen me cry before. But I have to up my game. We’re probably down to our last couple of pranks before College so I have to show him how it’s done.
I see his car coming, so I hang my head and I hug my knees closer to my chest.
His car skids to a stop in front of me and I hear his car door open and close.
He sighs, “What is this about now?”
I glare up at him and as soon as he sees my eyes his demeanor changes, he looks worried. It just takes him a second, but he immediately kneels in front of me and I’m met with his piercing blue eyes, “What the hell, Allie?”
My lips quiver as I say, “I didn’t have any extra clothes. The icing got on my face, my hair and my shirt.”
His mouth opens and closes with no words coming out.
Well, I’ll be damned. I stunned him into silence.
I bite my bottom lip and look away.
I keep telling myself not to laugh, this is way too good.
Then he does something I never thought he’d do, he stands up and removes his hoodie. He kneels back in front of me and puts it over my head, “Here. Put this on.”
Now it’s my turn to be taken aback, I blink a couple of times and he says again, “You’re shivering. Put the god damned hoodie on.”
That wakes me up and I sniff my voice cracking, “A- are you yelling at me? Are you serious?”
He gulps, “I- I’m just – “
Woah. He’s really buying this.
I can be a fucking actress.
He looks at me gently, “Just please put the hoodie on. You might get a cold.”
I sniff and sit straighter; he puts the hoodie on my head and guides my arms to the sleeves.
Once I have it on, he puts the hood up to my head and he tucks the wet strands of my hair inside the hood, “There. Better?”
Okay, this is unexpected. I thought he’d just freak out and drive away or something, I could actually up the ante and pretend to be sick for a couple of days. But his reaction right now is freaking me out.
I just nod and he helps me up.
“Where’s your bag?” he asks as he opens the car door for me.
I bite the inside of my cheek, “I gave it to Nic, I thought it would be bad if I went home looking like this and my bag’s a mess.”
His brow furrows as he puts my seatbelt on, “You gave your bag to your friend, but you didn’t want to catch a ride with her?”
He’s acting all nice and it’s just weird.
So, I yell at him, “I have icing on my hair! I don’t know why I did it, okay? Are you happy?”
He backs up and yells, “Fine! Jesus Christ you’ve gone insane!”
He closes the passenger car door and walks over to the driver’s side; he gets in and says one more thing before we leave.
“It was just pie. I’m sorry, Allie.”