The Boy across the Street

“You can't catch me!” I shouted and started running. He chased after me and soon enough he caught me.

Suddenly, it started raining. He twirled me around in the rain, and we were both laughing in excitement. He put me down when we were both out of breath. When we regained our composure, he looked into my blue eyes.

“I love you, Kayra (pronounced K-eye-ra['eye' as in eyes, nose and mouth])", he whispered and I smiled. I closed my eyes as he leaned in to kiss me.

“Kayra,Kayra, psst… Kayra,wake up.”

“Huh?” My eyes fluttered open.

Oh come on, I dozed off in class again?

“And as you all know, that is how George Washington became the first president of America”, I heard Mr. Hanson, our history teacher, say.

“Stephhh, why did you wake me up?”

“Do want to get sent to the principal's office for sleeping in class?”

“Ok fine. But what did I miss?”

“We were talking about American history.”

“Oh okay”

"Miss Summers and Miss Cole, would you care to tell the class what you two are discussing?" Mr Hanson interrupted.

"Um, it's nothing sir. I was just informing Kayra that she had dropped her pencil," Steph replied.

"Oh is that so?"

"Yes, Mr. Hanson," I chipped in, still very much sleepy, and hungry too.

I looked at my watch. 2 minutes to lunch.

Thank goodness

****Lunchtime****

I placed a burger and a diet Coke on my tray and moved to Stephanie and my lunch table.

“So, any plans for after school?” She asked once I was seated.

“No, but I do intend to have my siesta, this time uninterrupted, when I get home”

“Why do you always feel so sleepy? What do you do at night? What were you doing last night?” It was as if she was bombarding me with questions.

“Watching YouTube videos”, I answered simply.

She laughed, "Seriously?”

“Yeah, I couldn't fall asleep. By the time I finally got some sleep, it was past 1 am”.

“Whoa”

“Yeah”

“Hey babe”, Gale, Stephanie's boyfriend, came over to our table. He gave her a peck on the lips.

“Hi Gale, thanks for noticing me," I say sarcastically.

“Oh please, Gale is my boyfriend. If you want to be noticed, go get your own”, she teased.

“Ouch”, I pretended to be offended.

“So what's up, Gale?” He grabbed the seat next to hers, turned it around and sat on it such that he was leaning on the back of the chair.

“Nothing much, just missing you”, he said, and Steph blushed.

“Oh come on, you guys were in the same classes the whole day”, I scoffed.

“Once again, Kayra, go get your own boyfriend”, I rolled my eyeballs playfully and she chuckled.

“Whatever. Just allow me to have my lunch in peace.”

Just then, my eyes moved towards the cafeteria door and coincidentally, Jason Bradshaw walked in. He had his hood on and his hands were in his pockets. He walked nonchalantly, as usual, to the back of the cafeteria. He had just a few friends because of the aura he carried around him.

I looked away just before something untoward, like us locking eyes, could happen.

I guess you don't know anything about Jason Bradshaw but the only thing you should note is he's the mysterious bad boy of North hills high and having anything to do with him spells trouble and drama. Nobody knows why and how he became so mysterious, considering he wasn't at all that way in middle school, well at least the first few years of middle school. Nonetheless, I, Kayra Summers, have made up my mind not to cross paths with him till we graduate from high school. And I've been doing a good job so far, since we're in senior year, and he still hasn't noticed me,or so I think.

I hurriedly finished up just before the end of our lunch break.

I had life skills next. Sometimes, it's interesting and other times, it could bore a person to death. I hope today's period will be one of the fun ones.

***

“So I'll see you tomorrow”, Stephanie was saying. School had ended, and we were at the school's parking lot. She was waiting for her mom to come pick her up.

“Sure. I'll text you”.

“Okay”

“And Kayra.....”

“Yes”

“Don't forget to do your homework.”

I laughed. “Yes Miss”

“I'm serious, I don't want what happened last time to repeat itself.”

“Don't worry, I'll do it. And even if I forget, you'll call me and remind me, won't you?” I winked at her.

“The cons of being your best friend.” She sighed

"But you love me anyway," I giggled.

"Unfortunately "

I feigned a gasp and she laughed.

“Okay byee”

“See ya”, she responded before I drove off in the black SUV my parents got me for my 17th birthday.

********

When I got home, my parents weren't home. My mom was probably at the hospital, she was a nurse. My dad should be at work.

I went to the kitchen to drink some water because I was exhausted. I still don't see why we are not paid for going to school, I mean, it's a lot of work on its own.

When I was fully refreshed, I locked the front door because my mom is always particular about being security conscious, and made my way to my bedroom, to my sweet, sweet bed.

Immediately I got to my room, I dropped my backpack on the floor beside my study table, kicked off my shoes and threw myself on my bed. I knew I was tired, but I didn't know I was so fatigued, considering how fast I fell asleep.

I only woke up when I heard someone, whom I presume was my dad, shout my name from downstairs. I looked at my alarm clock and it was dinnertime.

“Coming!!” I shouted back despite my super sleepy voice.

My mom was still not back, which means dad cooked supper. Macaroni and cheese.

He isn't really a bad cook, but let's just say he isn't the best there is. And mac and cheese is surprisingly one of his specialties. His is really good.

I did the dishes after we had finished eating while my dad settled on the couch to watch one of his TV programs. I can't believe I used to beg my parents for extra TV time, now I barely even watch TV. Netflix and sometimes,YouTube are the ish now for me.

“Dad, if you need me, I'll be in my room”. I said and excused myself. I still had that homework Stephanie reminded me of earlier today.

As expected, I had a text from Steph.

I couldn't call you, so I decided to text. Do NOT forget to do your homework!!!

See you tomorrow xxx.

Please get yourself a best friend like mine.

After about forty minutes of battling with sleep and algebra, I finally finished my homework.

I changed into my sleeping clothes, brushed my teeth and made sure my alarm was set before falling asleep for the second time today.