by Segunda L.
Using my softest voice, I purred, “You know, I think you looked pretty when you went to our house last time.”
Why did I say that?
She stared at me, unblinking, her mouth forming an O.
Her mouth appeared very inviting.
Our faces were only an inch apart. I can feel her body heat radiating. Now that I see her up close, she was even more beautiful than I thought. Her eye lashes were long and her skin was so smooth that it was an effort to keep my hands to myself. Her eyes, they were like a vacuum, pulling me into her. My heart was doing a crazy drumming on its own, I wondered if she can hear it. My breathing came out unevenly and ragged. I was overwhelmed by a strong desire to kiss Samara. All my senses were aware to every move that she made.
“If you don’t move, I’m going to end up kissing you.” My voice came out husky and needing. She better reject me herself because I was not sure if I could control myself anymore.
“I-I-I can’t move.” She said, barely a whisper that I struggled to hear her.
“I take that as you’re okay with it.” I leaned my head to kiss her. It’s great to know that I’m not the only one feeling it.
“No, I mean I can’t move.” There was panic in her voice now.
I stopped midway, just when I was just a few centimeters away from her lips.
Backing away a bit, I asked. “What do you mean you can’t move?”
“I can’t move. I’m stuck.” She dropped her gaze to the ground, blushing like the first time I noticed her in Biology class.
“You’re stuck? What are you talking about?” My eyebrows crunched. Now that I think about it, she hadn’t moved from her spot from the second I saw her here. I stepped back and studied her position. The space was too narrow, even for me. How did she manage to fit herself in there anyway? She seemed like a balloon that was forcefully jammed into a small opening and was about to burst. That was when I understood what she meant. She was stuck and now she couldn’t get out because her fat belly was in the way.
I burst out laughing like a maniac.
“You’re stuck!” If I had asthma I think I would have been wheezing by now, I was laughing so hard my whole body was starting to shake. “Oh God, this is so funny.” Every time I was about to recover, I looked at her then I had another spasm of laughter. I seized my iphone from my locker and took a picture of her against her will. I checked the image and I was in hysterics again. The picture totally captured the moment, Samara was stuck in between two locker cabinets, her entire head was already red, she blushed so much I was not even sure if a human being can blush that much.
“Are you done?” She finally asked after a few minutes when my laughter has subsided.
Still catching up my breath, I said, “Y-yeah. T-that,” I breathed in then breathed out, “was so much fun.”
“Glad you had your own fun.” She said with full of sarcasm. “Now, can we get me out of here?”
“Are you asking for my help?” I pretended to be shocked. Turning my back on her, I continued talking. “I’m a dick you know, you said that yourself.” I grabbed my gym clothes from my locker and started dressing.
“Never mind. I don’t need your help. I’ll figure this out myself.”
After putting on my clothes, I faced her again and watched her struggle. She grinded and grinded but that didn’t really improve her situation. I was getting thirsty so I got myself a Gatorade and laid on the bench, propping my elbow on one side to watch what other bright idea Samara thought of to escape from the evil clutches of the locker cabinets.
“The way you’re grinding, you look like you’re making out with the lockers.” I teased. I couldn’t help it, it was in my nature.
“Just shut up if you’re not going to help.” She snapped.
“Ooow, someone’s grumpy.” I took a sip of my Gatorade. “I can help you.”
“Yeah right. And to what extent?” She was now moving her body like a worm does, but of course that was no help.
“You just have to do one thing that I want.” I took on a sitting position and crossed my leg.
“And what would that be?”
My mind replayed the kiss that almost happened between the two of us. For the first time in a long time now, I blushed. Samara was also blushing, hinting that she also remembered what happened.
“I changed my mind. I don’t need any help from you because I’m sure the price is so going to bite me in the butt later on.”
“You do realize that in a few minutes from now, people will be pouring in. And I bet they’ll have the same reaction that I had. Or even worse.” I took another swig of my Gatorade. “Just imagine, twenty more people laughing hysterically at-”
“Stop! I get the picture, okay.” She seemed to be at least considering my offer. “Fine, help me. I’ll do what you want.”
I grinned. “Good choice.” I stood up and walked towards her. “So here’s what I want you to do.”
Chapter Eight
Samara
“Here’s what I want you to do.” Jared said with the same arrogance that he always had.
I hate myself right now for losing this battle, and more importantly I hate these blasted lockers! TJ and I were going to have a long talk later. It was his fault I was in this situation, well he didn’t exactly tell me to hide in the lockers but if he didn’t ask me to bring him his favorite superman sweat shirt which he left in my house the last time he visited then I wouldn’t be here in the first place.
This was just so absurd. Not just absurd but absolutely embarrassing! Who gets stuck in lockers anyway? Just my luck, the one person who witnessed my situation was the guy who enjoyed making a laughing stock out of me. For the rest of the school year, I was determined to keep out of his sight and I was doing a damn good job with it for the past few weeks. Every time my “bully radar” (which I have developed thanks to the constant bullying that I had experienced throughout my life) detects the dangerous presence of Jared Kippling, I hid to wherever hiding spot I could even if it was as narrow as a needle’s hole. Hey, I was not scared of him but it was better to avoid guys like him than confront them head on. Most of our encounters involved insults and I was proud to say that after our first clash in class (I ended up being absent for two meetings because I cried my heart out by eating cadbury), I managed to redeem myself and got the upper hand in all our collisions. He looked so sad that time when I saw him in class that I couldn’t help but talk to him, and he was TJ’s friend so I thought there must be some good in him if TJ sees him as a friend. But oh boy was I wrong. He was the reincarnation of Satan! Or maybe he was Satan himself under the disguise of a hot, brown, walking male sex organ! He even had a nice voice. Could the world be more unfair? Of course I didn’t tell him that. His ego was already as big as my waistline, there was no need to bloat it anymore. The guy was definitely good looking, but all thoughts of lust for him will go to the drainage when he opened his mouth. If only he was born mute, he would have been so much more attractive. I guess that was God’s way of balancing things. Nobody is perfect after all.
Whatever he wanted me to do, I was sure it’d be something that I’d regret. I’ve probably pushed him to his limits already, he was itching to for revenge and I know he won’t stop until he gets it. But then again, he could just leave me here instead and let me drown myself in embarrassment when the rest of his team arrives. Whatever he wanted then must be something worse than that situation.
“What do you want?” I inquired while counting each second before other people comes inside.
He stepped forward, holding his Gatorade on his right hand and looking all serious. “Smile for me.” There was no smirk or smugness in his faces anymore, call me delusional but I saw yearning in his blue eyes.
My first reaction was shock. This guy must be crazy. Why did he want me to smile? Not just smile but to smile for him. He must have studied Psychology because that was the hardest thing for me to do right now. Why would I smile to the person who I hate the most and a
lmost caused me an emotional trauma?
“Come on, I’m waiting.” He said while he leaned his back on the locker. His usual smirk was now plastered on his face. “You only got about five minutes before people starts coming.”
For lack of any word to say, I just stared at him.
“It can’t be that hard. Say cheese!” He said in a sing song voice.
Again, I just stared at him. He really was crazy. If that was his way of encouraging me, then he certainly lost his mind.
“Samara, you smile for me and I’ll help you. It’s my deal. Take it or leave it.” He sounded frustrated by now.
Was he that determined to get his way?
“Stop scowling because that won’t make me want to help you.”
“I won’t do it.” I’m sure he was doing this to make lose my pride. Smiling at him sounded so repulsive to me and it was just so demeaning.
“You really won’t do it”, he asked and I shook my head to say no, “I’ll just have to make you do it then.” He raised his hand to my face. I thought he was going to hit me so I cowered back to my hiding spot. But instead of hitting me, I felt a poking finger on my cheek.
My first reaction would have been to flee right then and now but I was still stuck. “Stop that.” I growled and smacked his hand away from my face with my one free hand.
“Shh.” He ignored me and snatched my wrist with his left hand. In one quick motion, his right hand was back on my cheek and this time he wasn’t just poking it, he was delicately caressing my right cheek and it felt…
Weird.
What was this guy doing? I really couldn’t read him. He’d been saying things that were so unlike him. I was still not over the kiss that we almost had and now he was acting like…
Like he’s into me?
Hold that thought. There was no way that was true. TJ did say that I looked like a goddess when I smile but it was still not enough reason for Jared’s behavior right now. I was sure he was just messing with my mind. He was trying to lick his wounded ego because I told him that he wasn’t my type. If he thinks I’d swoon just because of what he was doing then he definitely didn’t know me.
I turned my head to the left and while his hand was momentarily suspended in the air, I bit his fingers. Hard.
A girly scream echoed throughout the whole locker room and possibly the whole school as well.
And that was how the whole basketball team of Everson High found us. With Jared's finger stuck on my mouth while he screamed for dear life.
Chapter Nine
Samara
Silence.
Shock.
These were the first reactions of the twenty more or so members of Everson’s basketball team. I would have given anything for them to stay that way but it only lasted for a split second before they realize what was going on.
Then came the laughter. Loud and obnoxious laughter.
I didn’t know who had it worse, me or Jared. Sure I was in a sticky situation too, but Jared’s scream topped that and he was in an even more awkward position than me. The guys were laughing like there was no tomorrow, some of them were even catcalling. I let go of Jared’s fingers while I held back my tears from embarrassment. Jared was right, these people had worse reactions than him. Jared’s laughter earlier was filled with pure entertainment while these guys’ were filled with venom. I stole a quick glance at Jared and he was nursing his fingers, he was furious but didn’t seem to care about was going on in the room. Some guy took a picture of us with his phone.
“Okay, that’s enough people. Show’s over.” TJ came up from behind and seized the phone.
“Everybody,” TJ shouted amidst the noise, looking all badass, “Out!” He pointed to the door. He scanned through the phone and clicked something before returning it to the owner.
Without any questions, the boys went out of the room while still snickering and enjoying the scene. TJ rarely used a commanding tone on people but when he did, people followed him. He’d always been like this ever since I can remember. He was a leader type but he prefered to be on the background and avoided the spotlight as much as he could. His goal to be in the shadows didn’t always go his way because well, he was gorgeous. With hair as dark as night, defined jaw line that seems to be sculpted by God, a perfect straight nose and black eyes that always seem to be brooding, people are fully aware of his presence. (I know I was being poetic but that was the only way to give justice to his beauty). He has this mysterious air in him that made him even more attractive. He was my childhood friend so I was a bit immune to his effect on people but during these rare moments when he showed the dominant side of him, I felt a stir deep inside of me.
He closed the door and locked it before approaching us. Jared and I were both silent. When I released his hand earlier, I saw hurt in his eyes. Might have bit him just a bit too hard. Oh well. He’d been quiet since then. I didn’t want to talk first so I just kept my mouth shut and waited for the questions.
“Anyone care to explain this to me?” TJ asked like a parent who caught his children stealing candies.
Jared and I exchanged looks.
“She’s stuck.”
“He’s a dick.” Both of us answered at the same time.
TJ looked even more confused than before but was able to come up with another question. “Sammy.” TJ started. Jared flinched at the mention of my nickname. “Why were you chewing the fingers’ of Everson’s team captain?” Chewing? Was that how it looked like? “And dude, what was that all about? Was that a new form of foreplay? It sure looked painful judging by the way you screamed. Or was that you moaning? ” TJ directed his question to Jared.
Okay, TJ is a pervert and I find it a turn off but girls like him even better because of that. His exterior was a contradiction to his attitude, he was actually the laid back type of guy.
I didn’t give Jared a time to answer. “TJ,” I said while trying to remain calm, “if you don’t get me out of here now I swear to God you will find all your Naruto collection in the trash bin.”
My outburst seemed to have fazed Jared. TJ on the other hand was used to it by now, and he knew I wasn’t kidding with my threat. Well, duh? I just want to get out of here and these two don’t seem to realize that.
“Geeze, Sammy, why do you always have to threaten my babies? Okay, I’ll help you.” He turned to Jared and asked, “A little help here?”
Jared rolled his eyes but came up to me, once again our bodies were side to side and I was starting to be very conscious about it. He and TJ pushed the locker aside to give me space. For two boys to be able to push that humongous locker, they were unbelievably strong. Their six packs abs were not just for show then.
“Oh thank God.” I exclaimed when I was finally free. My muscles were a bit sore from being trapped for too long and my legs felt wobbly. I was overweight for a reason and that was because I ate too much and no exercise. The adrenaline rush must have gone by now because it was as if all stress of the event hit me at once. I stumbled and was about to fall but two strong hands caught me just on time. On my right was TJ supporting me, and to my astonishment, on my left side was Jared holding me up. His hands were big and steady on my arms, our eyes met for a brief second.
“Woah. Easy, girl.” TJ said while trying to help me get to my feet.
Jared was the one who broke eye contact first. He let go of my arm and I felt a tingling sensation from the spot where our skin touched.
“Are you okay?” TJ’s voice was filled with concern. He cupped my face, brushed the stray hairs then tucked it on my ear. “Does it hurt anywhere?”
Jared was making coughing noises on the background.
“I’m fine. Just tired.” My voice was a little shaky.
“Why don’t you sit down first?” TJ offered while still cupping my face.
“I just want to go home.” I answered, my voice weak. You know the feeling when someone babies you when you’re sick and you suddenly feel even weaker because of the way he was treating you? Th
at was what I was feeling right now. TJ and I took care of each other since we were kids. Both our parents were always not at home because of their jobs. Whenever one of us was sick, the other nurses him or her. We were very close when we were little but when we entered high school we kind of drifted, he was surrounded by popular people and I was with the “misfits”. Typical story of childhood friends who were in opposite social circles. It got worse when he met Jared. He’d been hanging out more with him than me, I get that they were both guys and had more things in common but I couldn’t help but think of Jared as my rival.
“Can you drive home?” TJ was treating me like I was terminally ill but I didn’t care. I missed this, I missed his attention. I missed him.
As much as I wanted TJ’s undivided attention, I knew he had priorities right now. “TJ, I’m fine, really. Go change now, and I’m sure the guys outside need to change too.”
“Don’t worry about them. They’ll do what I tell them to do.” TJ said with confidence and let loose of his hand on my face.
Jared made a coughing sound again and it was really getting on my nerves. “I hate to break it up to you, pal,” Jared made his presence known, “but coach will be here anytime soon.”
“Damn,” TJ cursed, “I forgot about that. Sammy, wait for me in the benches, I’ll drive you home.”
“But―,” I protested.
“No buts, okay.” TJ didn’t let me finish my sentence. “Practice usually takes about two hours but I’ll figure out something to get to you sooner. For the mean time, you go rest.” He was being pushy but it felt good somehow. At the corner of my eyes, I saw Jared watching the conversation closely.
“Okay, you win. I’ll wait for you there.” As I said, when TJ used his commanding tone, it was hard to say no. He had that kind of power on people. I fixed my shirt first before going out. I still didn’t trust my knees, they were still unsteady and each step I took was taking a lot of energy from me.