I'll Be the Cure to Your Depression

I showed the boys to their homerooms and guided Ricky and Chris to our homeroom. There was a group of girls I sat with, but I rarely ever actually talked. I told the teacher that they were new and he added them to his roll. The room was empty, but it would fill up soon. I sat down in my usual seat and motioned to the two desks on my right side so that they wouldn’t take seats that the girls usually sat in. They took their seats, Chris sitting in the one right next to me, and Ricky sitting behind him. “So Zoey, your hair is badass.” “Oh thanks Chris.” At his words I ran my hand through my hair, taking a strand of purple between my fingers and playing with it. “I was dreading the move pretty bad, but once we met you something told me it wasn’t gonna be so bad.” “Why do you say that?” I looked at him, daring a quick glance at the silent boy that had this strange hold on my heart. “Because you’re like us, we’ve added another person to the group of misfits that we’ve formed. We’ve made our group stronger as well as hopefully giving you a place that you feel you belong.” His words struck me deep, almost to the point of tears. “Wow…thanks so much Chris. I’d like to belong somewhere. I want a group of friends that actually understands me.” “Well you’ve found it.” Ricky murmured and I smiled back at him. “Thanks Ricky,” “Oh and ignore TJ he’s a ladies man.” I laughed lightly, amazed at just how much I’ve laughed and smiled in the matter of minutes I’ve been around these guys. “I’ll keep that in mind.” “Yeah TJ will go for anything that has boobs and a vagina.” Ricky commented and I lightly giggled. “I kinda caught that vibe when he was actually taking a liking to me.” “Hey there’s nothing wrong with you.” Ricky spoke louder, sitting up from his slumped position. His words made my heart flutter and a light pink haze dusted my cheeks. “Oh, th-thanks Ricky…” I looked down, hiding my cheeks with my hair. All of the students I had homeroom with piled in, which wasn’t a lot. The four girls I sit with crowded around and I introduced them to the guys. Only one girl of the group liked the music and such that I did, so she instantly took a liking to the two boys sitting with me. Twenty minutes passed and the bell rang. I guided the guys to their first periods then made my way to maybe bond with Angelo and Ryan. Before I knew it, lunch came around and I found myself laughing my ass off as the guys cracked joke after joke. They weren’t perverts like most guys are when they were together, and for that I was thankful. I still sat with the group of somewhat friends, but I had the addition of the six guys that sat around me. There were groups of people like this, goths if you want to put a stereotype to it. So it was an amazement to me how many people stared at the group of boys around me. It didn’t make any sense. Or maybe it had always been this way and I just now noticed it. “So if you guys are ready, We’ll take our trays and let me grab my things for third.” “Sure let’s go.” Chris spoke and we all made our ways to the trash can. I led the way back upstairs and stopped at my locker. I grabbed my binder and then the bell rang. I had a feeling we were gonna have a lot of fun.

School was over and I made my way out to my car. “Hey Zoey!” I felt a smile appear on my face as I turned and watched the guys walk toward me. “Hey guys,” “You wanna do something tonight?” Chris asked and I felt my cheeks heating up. “Um yeah sure, we could go to the mall and run around.” I laughed lightly and they nodded. “Ooh can I ride with you Zoey!” TJ asked and I glanced toward Ricky but only for a second. “Sure I have a small backseat, but two more of you can ride with me then the rest of you could follow.” “Sure that sounds good we all pretty much rode in together anyways. Come on Ricky we’ll tag along with Zoey.” Chris spoke and so him, Ricky, and TJ followed me to my yellow car. Ricky and Chris got in the back and TJ took up the passenger seat. I put in a mixed CD and waited til the others pulled up so they could follow. I called my mom and told her and she was happy that I had made some friends. “Dude this song is so kick ass!” TJ commented and I had to agree. The whole ride was nothing but laughs. These guys had to be the funniest people I’ve ever met. I still couldn’t get over how much I had actually laughed in just one day. I felt safe around these guys. I felt like I could share anything with them, even so much as to let my guard down. Maybe I finally found a group of friends that wouldn’t betray me in the end.
We arrived at the mall and Josh and the others parked beside me. We all got out, and as we walked toward the entrance I felt TJ’s arm go around my shoulders again. “You know we could totally ditch these guys and go see a movie.” “Knock it off TJ she’s not interested in your STD’s.” I giggled lightly at Ricky’s words, stealing a quick glance his way as he stuffed his hands in his pockets and started walking on the other side of me. “Yeah Ricky’s right,” Chris laughed, “Zoey isn’t interested in you period. Right Zo?” I didn’t want to be mean to the guy. Yeah he was gorgeous, but he wasn’t my type at all, if I even had one. I realized I did as I found myself looking back at Ricky again. “Sorry TJ, I’m just not the girl you should be interested in.” “Oh why not Zoey?” He pouted, but pulled his arm away. “Come on we’re complete opposites. I’m quiet and you’re loud. I’m shy and you’re outgoing. You’re gorgeous and I’m-” “The next word that’s coming out of your mouth better be beautiful.” Chris cut me off and I looked back at him in shock. “But come on we all know that’s not true.” “It is too!” Balz shot out and Ryan and Angelo agreed. The only one I wanted to agree with me didn’t say a word. “Ok guys,” I let out a sigh before I stepped through the mall entrance. The first place we hit was Hot Topic. When we were done there, we approached Gamestop, my other fav store in the mall. “Dude guitar hero!” I then found myself in a battle with TJ in guitar hero. “Dude no fucking fair! I play guitar how the hell did you kick my ass?” I stuck my tongue out at him and hung up the guitar. “That’s because I’m awesome like that.” “No fair! I’ll so get you for that.” And before I could run from him he had grabbed me and started tickling my sides. Have I mentioned I’m probably the most ticklish person in the world? You can basically look my way with the intent on tickling me and I start freaking out and laughing at the same time. “Guys help me!” I cracked up, twisting and turning in TJ’s arms in a sad attempt at trying to get away from him. I looked around and the guys were in the very back of the store. “TJ quit!” I laughed and made the mistake of turning around to look at him. He instantly stopped and now I was in the middle of a very awkward stare-off with him. I didn’t realize he had started leaning in until his lips pressed gently against mine. I hated to admit that it was amazing, and was my first kiss. But, for some reason all I was seeing in my head was Ricky. It was strange because I barely knew any of them. But for some reason I found myself kissing him back. “Oh TJ dude can’t you take the hint that she’s not into you?” Balz laughed as he pulled me away from him. I instantly felt my cheeks heat up. I can’t believe I kissed him back. What if Ricky saw? Why was Ricky the only one I was worried about? “Hey if she doesn’t like me then why’d she kiss back?” “Well maybe you brainwashed her.” Balz laughed then released me. I saw Chris shake his head and I felt something stab at my heart when I noticed him and Ricky talking. What were they saying? Did they hate me now? Was it because I kissed TJ? “Look Zo I’m sorry if I crossed the line.” “It’s ok TJ…” I found myself staring at the ground after I spoke, wondering if I really meant that it was ok. “Well can we step outside for a sec? I’d like to talk to you.” “Um, ok.” I nodded and followed him out of the store.

He stopped and pulled me down on a bench a little ways from the store. I clasped my hands together, nervous of what he wanted to talk to me about. “Listen I know the guys have told you I’m a big flirt. And I know they probably warned you to avoid me, but I really like you and I’m not just saying that because you’re hot. I would say I’m sorry I kissed you, but I’m not. The few seconds we just shared was amazing, and I’d love to do it again.” “TJ-” Wait let me finish.” I shut my mouth and waited. “See Zoey, damn it,” He looked down at his feet, fighting for the words he wanted to say. “I know we just met this morning and I know it’s insane and I know you’re gonna think it’s insane and flat out refuse, but I gotta ask anyways. Is there any chance at all that you’d like to be my girlfriend?” Oh no. My hands were getting sweaty as I clamped them tightly together. What should I say? What would the others think about this? Why was I freaking out so much? I just met these guys this morning and they were already like a family to me. I looked over at TJ and he was looking at me, waiting for an answer. And for some reason I heard myself say yes. He grinned widely and wrapped his arms tight around me, hugging me tightly. What had I just done?