Cooper/Joshua

“Josh,” Jared waved his hand in front of my face, “are you even paying attention to me?”

Of course, I wasn't. I was staring at the girl sitting at the top of the pyramid. I’d had a crush; no, I’d been in love with her since I’d stepped into the school junior year. She didn’t even know I existed.

The popular sophomore cheerleader with the shiny red hair and pale blue eyes was all that I’d thought about those days. The only chance I’d gotten to see her was during a mutual study hall, and there, during her daily practice. I always hid under the bleachers with my friend, Jared. We'd smoked to pass the time. He thought I was insane for wanting the girl so much, but I couldn’t help myself.

“Earth to Josh.” Jared shook my shoulder.

“What,” I snapped, finally focusing my attention on him.

“I asked if you plan on asking ginger over there to the dance.”

Shoving my hands in my pocket, I shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe.”

Jared rolled his eyes. “Seriously man, act like you’re older than her and grow some balls. She’s not that intimidating.”

But she really was, I’d thought to myself. Bethany Phillips was beautiful, and I’d been a scrawny, big nosed, blond haired loser. “She’d probably say no if I asked her anyway.”

“I can’t believe that you’re forcing me to say this.” Jared ran his fingers through his hair. “You are a good-looking guy, and she’d be a fool not to be interested. There, I said it. You’re such a tool sometimes; do you know that?”

“A tool that saved your life.”

Jared’s face cringed at the reminder, not because I’d saved his life, but for what caused him to almost die.

Friends since the age of seven, Jared had always been the type of guy who’d try anything. About a year ago, he’d had the bright idea to trip on mushrooms. I’d declined at first but then figured what could go wrong.

For us, everything did.

Our town had a series of rock formations, some at least thirty feet off the ground. In our tripped-out state, we’d decided it would be a cool idea to follow the trail through the woods and take photos from the top of one of the mini mountains. At some point, Jared slipped and fell over the cliff. Before I’d looked over the edge, I’d assumed he died. I was relieved that his hand caught a protruding tree branch instead. I’d hoisted him up with monumental effort, but it hadn’t been easy. After everything was said and done, he’d told me how grateful he was that I’d saved his life, and that one day he’d do something awesome for me. I’d hoped so. Maybe he could get Beth to like me. I’d chuckled at the thought. Never in a million years would Beth be the least bit interested in me.

“I need to head home,” Jared announced as he’d bent over to grab his backpack.

I gave him a questioning look and he grinned in response.

“The cheerleader next to your girl is meeting me there.”

“You have to tell me one day how you get so much tail.”

Shrugging, Jared told me, “I know what they want, sexually, and word of my awesomeness with the lady population has already spread throughout the entire school.”

I shook my head. “You know, normal high school teenagers date one girl.”

“Who says I’m normal?” He laughed. “I bet you’d change your tune if you were in the same position.”

“Nah. I only want one girl.” I chanced a glance over at Beth again who was packing up her stuff. I realized I’d stared a little too long when I heard Jared groan from beside me.

“One day you'll get some balls, my friend.” Jared punched me in the shoulder.

“Perhaps,” I mumbled.

“Oh shit. I have the perfect idea.”

“I know all about your ideas.” I rolled my eyes. “Usually they involve one or both of us getting hurt, in trouble with our parents, or both. What category does this fall into?”

“Shut up. It's foolproof, but don't be weird about it.”

“Fine. Tell me your master plan.”

“Okay.” He rubbed his hands together like a mad scientist planning world domination. “We’ve already established that you like Beth, but you have no game.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I muttered, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Well, it's true.” Jared gave me a pointed look. “Anyway, what if I showed you the ropes, you know, how to do things and such.”

My brows furrowed. “Things like what?”

“How to talk to girls, and umm … what to do with them.”

I opened my mouth to speak; however, Jared interrupted me.

“Listen, I know you're a virgin, and it's no big deal. I figure you need some guidance.” I must have looked freaked out, or worried, because he continued. “Relax. I'm not going to confess that I'm in love with you, and want to do you or something. I only want to help you because I owe you my life, and this is how I want to repay you. Hell, maybe I can make money on this one day. Before you tell me no, think about.”

Letting out a long sigh, I nodded at him as he left. I’d always admired Jared because he couldn’t give two shits what people thought of him. He never fit into any of the typical high school student roles. Not only was he smart and driven, he’d always marched to his own tune which would make him successful in the future.

Grabbing my backpack, I walked around the bleachers in the direction of my house, which happened to be where Beth was packing up the remainder of her stuff. I kept my head down as I passed her, but paused when she spoke.

“Josh, right?”

At her using my name, my heart pounded so fast I thought it would come out of my chest. I kept imagining the movie Alien, where the creature ate his way out of the man’s stomach. I prayed it wouldn’t happen to me. That would be really embarrassing.

Turning around, I stared at her, saying nothing. I was too mesmerized by the smile she beamed at me. I was fairly certain she was asking me something, but the way she said my name was on repeat in my brain. She brought me out of my fever state when she touched my shoulder and shook me, the warmth of her hand awakening the senses in my body, including my unused dick.

“You in there, Josh?” She was still grinning.

“Yeah … Umm, what did you say?” The question came out in a mumble, and I was surprised she understood me.

“Well, first I said your name, and then I asked if you could come to my house later.”

My eyes went as wide as saucers at the invite. I had no idea why she would want me in her house. Thoughts of Jared’s offer ran through my head. I should take him up on it because I had no fucking clue what to do.

“Your house?”

“Yes. Your friend Carl, with the dark hair, overheard me complaining about Mr. McCoy’s math class, and said that you tutor sophomores. Can you help me?”

I wanted to laugh because I had no friend named Carl, and I’d never taken Mr. McCoy’s class. The set-up reeked of Jared, but I couldn’t be mad at him. He just wanted me happy.

Before I had the chance to agree, an extremely large lacrosse player stalked in our direction. When he arrived, he immediately put his arm around Beth, giving me, a scowling look the entire time.

“Hey, Lou,” she said as he gave her a kiss on the cheek. It wasn't a boyfriend type of peck. I classified it as brotherly. Lou however, did not remove his arm.

“Is this loser bothering you?”

Beth tapped his appendage, obviously in an attempt to soothe the beast.

“Calm down. I was asking Josh to tutor me is all.”

“Not gonna happen,” the man-beast replied sharply. “I talked to Quincy's sister and she said she would. That way we can study together.”

Beth turned to me, her expression apologetic. “Guess I don’t need you anymore.” What she said felt like a thousand knives stabbing me inside my chest. I knew she didn’t mean to injure me, but it did. It was then I realized how much I really wanted her.

“Okay,” I muttered as I walked away. At that moment, I swore to myself that I would do whatever it took to have her, even if it meant crossing certain lines.