Totally Not Average

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I only half-listened as my science teacher droned on and on about something we were learning. I twirled a piece of my blonde hair in my fingers, closing my eyes and imagining I was somewhere else. The beach…a book store…maybe even at home, just watching TV and eating ice cream.

I almost laughed out loud, I sounded so…depressed. I shook the thought out of my head and watched the clock as the bell rang. The rest of the class shuffled out of the room and I followed, gripping my books to my chest.

I headed towards my locker, hoping that Tricia or Sage would be there. Instead, I saw Zach.

I opened my locker, and gave him a weird look, wondering why he was here. Zach cleared his throat and leaned against the locker next to mine.

“I have a problem.” He stated, shaking his dirty blonde hair out of his eyes.

I raised an eyebrow and continued to put books in my locker, and take them out.

“I like Sage.” He whispered, and I fought the urge to laugh.

“What are you smiling about?” He asked me, his green eyes narrowed suspiciously.

I laughed this time, “It’s pretty obvious you do, and she does too, by the way.”

“She likes herself? Whoa, that’s kinky.” A goofy smile was plastered on his face.

I slapped his arm lightly, “No, silly.” I chuckled and rolled my eyes, “She likes you.”

A lost look appeared on Zach’s face and I just sighed. Guys would always be dense; it was a secret rule somewhere. A teenage guy couldn’t see a girl that liked him, even if she slapped him across the face. Where, at the point that she would slap him, she wouldn’t like him anymore. Their loss.

“Ohhh.” Was all he said, and I knew he didn’t get it.

“So how do I get her to like me?” He asked, looking like an excited puppy.

“Just tell her you like her, that’s it.” I slammed my locker shut and put my hands on my hips; or one of them, at least.

“It’s not that simple…” He argued weakly.

“Yea, it kind of is.” I nodded my head and looked at him sternly.

Zach groaned, “I want to make her jealous, but I don’t know how.”

“This situation is going to get fucked up.” I told him seriously.

“Will you be my fake girlfriend to piss off Sage?” Zach asked out of nowhere.

I blinked, “What?!” I shook my head, “No.”

“Why not?!” He practically whined.

“Because she’s my best friend,” I reasoned, “And she will bitch-slap me if I date you.”

“It’s pretend.” Zach muttered childishly. “She’s supposed to get mad, though.”

“No.” I answered again.

“Please.” He looked at me with his puppy-dog green eyes, “Please?”

I sighed, “Fine.” But before he could start cheering, I cut him off, “But if Sage gets mad, we end it and I tell her the truth. Then you guys can hook up and whatever.”

“Okay. Thank you, Amanda!” He kissed me on the cheek and then left me there.

I shook my head and scolded myself, what have I gotten myself into?

---

“So,” Tricia popped her bubble gum and flipped her auburn hair over her shoulder, “I heard you’re dating Zachary Merrick."

I gulped, if Tricia had heard, then Sage already knew. Faking a smile, “Totally,” I said.

She scrunched up her nose and I could see the disgust in her green eyes, “You know that Sage is in love with him.” She whispered.

I pursed my lips, “I know, but…” I shrugged.

I knew this would get me kicked off the ‘best friend list’ or at least knock me down a couple of ‘best friend’ points, but I had to do this. Zach was right, whether I liked it or not. Getting Sage jealous was the only way to get her to wake up and do something about the fact that she likes Zach.

“Speaking of Sage.” Tricia muttered as Sage sat down, a glare pointed at me.

I acted innocent, and tried not to let her look get to me. “What’s up Sagey?” I used her nickname from when we were kids.

Sage shot me another murderous glare and ignored me, “Tricia, do you want to sit somewhere else?” She sniffed, lifting her chin.

Tricia shot me a pointed look as if to say ‘I told you so,’ and smiled coldly, “I’d love too.”

My mouth dropped open; no way did Tricia just choose Sage over me. Sage wasn’t even supposed to be acting like this! Damn Zach, I shouldn’t have gotten into this.

Zach sat down next to me, a grin on his face. “Hey Amanda.” He greeted, kissing me on the lips. I kissed back briefly and pulled away, looking at him seriously.

“Sage and Tricia aren’t talking to me anymore,” I muttered, “Because of your brilliant plan.”

“It is brilliant, isn’t it?” He smiled his adorable smile, but it wasn’t working.

Zach, clearly missing the sarcasm, waved over some other people and soon I was engulfed in a crowd of people I really didn’t want to hang out with.

I missed my friends.

After lunch was over, thankfully, I headed to class, ignoring everyone else in my path. I never stopped until I bumped into somebody, and it hurt.

“Ouch.” I rubbed my shoulder and looked up, my blue eyes meeting a cold pair of brown ones.

Alex smirked, “Amanda.” He said the name bitterly, but still, the sound of it coming out of his mouth sent shivers down my back.

“Couldn’t get enough of me, Alex?” I muttered, cocking my head to the side.

“Hardly,” He didn’t seem fazed at all, “You’re the one who bumped into me.”

I smiled bitterly, “You like making up bullshit don’t you?”

“Ooh, cold. Even for you.” He smiled at me, a real genuine smile.

It caught me off guard and I didn’t know what to do. Insult him, or thank him. Damn him, this was leaving me confused. He saved me from answering though, by asking a question.

“You’re dating Zach Merrick right?”

I nodded, “Yea, why?”

“No reason, just make sure you don’t mess him up. He loves that girl, Sage.” His eyes shined and I felt curious.

“You know Zach?” I asked, pursing my lips.

“I’m not anti-social, Amanda, I just don’t like you.” Alex didn’t sneer, but the words made me flinch.

A smile tugged at the corner of my lips for no reason, “Never said you were, but hey, never said you weren’t either.”

“Getting smarter by the second.” A laugh escaped his throat, “I’m a good influence on you.”

“I think the opposite, really.” I laughed along with him, “I’ve been nothing but mean around you.”

“Being mean is sometimes a good thing.” Alex leaned down and whispered in my ear.

“Not in my world.” I whispered back, my face heating up from having him so close.

Alex shrugged, and then winked at me, heading away. I couldn’t help but watch him leave, curiosity bouncing around inside of me.

Who was he? What did he want with me? But most importantly, why did I act that way around him? So many answers and not enough questions, it was why days like these gave me a huge headache.