Chapter 3
I GOT to Spanish class early, as usual, and waited for the bell to ring. Ms. Harper said hello and looked back to the papers on her desk. I looked up involuntarily each time someone came in the room, waiting for Wesley. I was nervous to see him; the things he said yesterday followed me to bed and woke up with me in the morning. How was I supposed to act around him now? Wesley rushed in late, apologized to Ms. Harper quietly, and glanced at me as he took his seat. He had a whisper of a smile on his face and my stomach tingled.
“Uds. tienen un examen mañana,” Ms. Harper began, followed by a barrage of Spanish that no one really understood. She explained that she would finish up the lesson plan and then give a review in the second half of class.
The test would cover chapters twelve and thirteen, and Ms. Harper warned us that the exam would be vocabulary-heavy. I made a note of it in the margin and Wesley raised his hand. He went through his usual repertoire of exam jokes, finishing with one about giving us the answers. Ms. Harper smiled and tried to conceal her rolling eyes.
“Even if I did give you the answers, I somehow doubt you would study those either, Wes,” she answered flatly, then smiled.
The class laughed and Wesley laughed too. Ms. Harper was young, fresh out of college, and a little more lenient than older teachers. She was comfortable joking with students and was a popular teacher.
The bell rang and Ms. Harper told us to study hard.
Wesley called after me and I turned to see him trotting toward me. He had a grin on his face, and I felt a few butterfly wings in my stomach.
“You wanna study for Spanish together?” he asked, walking next to me.
My eyes strained to the side, trying to look at Wesley without looking like I was looking at him. “Um… I don’t know,” I answered, remembering the things he said.
“C’mon, you gotta study too, right? So why not study together?” He held his books at the side of his head and I could see the faint outline of muscle in his upper arm.
“Well, um, sure, okay,” I answered. He did have a good point.
“Sweet. Wait for me after history, all right?”
I watched him walk away from the corner of my eye; I liked the way he walked—as if he owned the world. He was so confident and I really admired that about him.
I wasn’t able to concentrate for the rest of the day. My mind wandered to Wesley and what he said. Did he mean any of it? I couldn’t deny the feelings that he aroused in me, but I worried that I might just be a game to him.
I waited in History class. I was always early to my classes and couldn’t seem to break the habit even when I wanted to. Wesley came in and sat on the corner of the desk next to mine and smiled at me.
“Hey. What’s up?”
“Nothing,” I answered, looking down at the desktop. He chatted with me as the classroom began to fill up. He talked about school, how eager he was for the summer, and that between me and him, he kinda liked Spanish class.
“Ms. Harper’s pretty hot, so I guess that kinda makes the class go by faster too.”
I looked up at Wesley and he grinned. “Yeah… she is,” I murmured. I tried to sound convincing.
Mr. Hannity came in and slapped his forehead when he saw Wesley. “Well, damn, if it isn’t Mr. Carroll. Not only on time, but actually early!”
Wesley nodded sarcastically and rolled his eyes. The bell rang. Wesley patted my shoulder and went to his seat. I looked around and saw Jen and Olivia watching me. It was common knowledge that Jen had a crush on Wesley; they even dated for a short time. I suddenly felt self-conscious. Did they think I was competition? Of course not; I’m a guy. I furrowed my brows and stared at my desk. Fortunately, Mr. Hannity began the lesson and I forgot about Jen and Olivia.
The bell rang and Wesley walked me to my locker and waited for me to fetch my stuff. I turned toward the library and Wesley stopped me, his hands casually pushed in his pockets.
“Where are you going? My car’s this way.”
“Um… I thought we were going to the library.”
“Well, we have to practice speaking for the oral, right? And the library isn’t exactly the best place to do that. Besides, I wanna get the hell outta here anyway.” He waited for me and then flashed a grin in my direction.
“Hey, Wes! Wait up a sec!” Benny shouted, running up to Wesley and glancing at me. “Hey, I got a question for you.” He glanced at me again and then leaned forward, next to Wesley’s ear. I heard him mumble something and I stood awkwardly to the side.
Wesley backed away from Benny and nodded. “Yeah, it’s in my car.”
“Is he cool?” Benny asked, glaring at me.
Wesley furrowed his brows. “Don’t worry about it. Toren, you comin’?”
At his car, Wesley searched under the passenger seat and pulled out a small bag. Benny gave him ten dollars and pocketed the bag. Wesley rested his arm on the open door and put his other hand on his hip.
“So… you wanna hook up later and pick up some chicas?” Benny asked, glancing over his shoulder at me. I felt strange standing there, like a tagalong or a fifth wheel.
“Nah… got stuff to do. See ya around,” Wesley said. Benny sneered and walked off. Wesley stepped to the side and held the door open for me. “Get in.”
I sat down and pushed my book bag down on the floor and Wesley shut the door. He got in and turned down the radio before starting the car.
“Man, that guy annoys the hell outta me. You know, don’t tell anyone, but sometimes I cut in
