Hey, Clare

I picked up another rock and threw it. I had already thrown thirty-five rocks. Before that, I had counted 293 leaves on the nearest tree...after I had tried climbing it, which did not work by the way. And even before trying to climb the tree, I had listened to my iPod, being a normal child, semi-normal one anyways. But a person can only listen to an iPod for so long. At least I had a good excuse: I had missed the bus because I was talking to my English teacher about make-up work.

School got out at 2:45. It was now 5:30 and my mother was still not here. I reached down to pick up another rock when I heard my name.

"Hey, Clare." I spun around so fast I almost tripped; I knew that voice anywhere; my best friend's brother. I saw him every time when I was at Heather's house, and sometimes at school, but he was a whole grade ahead of me.

"Omigod, Justin, you saved my life!” I said dramatically. Justin just laughed.

"Um, and how did I do that? All I said was 'hi.' Did I knock you out with my good looks?” In fact, Justin was very good looking, but totally hands off; he was my best friend's brother.

"Haha, very funny. Where did you come from anyways?"

"Football practice. It just ended like two minutes ago."

"Oh. Anyways, I was wondering if you could give me a ride. I've been waiting here since school let out because I missed the bus, and my mom isn't coming anytime soon, so..."

"Yeah, no prob. Let me go get my bike; be back in a sec.” I just nodded my head as I dialed my mom's cell phone number and left a message. As soon as I hung up, Justin came back, this time on his shiny motorcycle. He held out another helmet, for me.

“Ugh. I’m gonna look like such a geek!” I screeched.

“No you won’t. You never look like a geek,” he said. I looked him quickly before I put the helmet on, looking for a sign, good vibes, something. He was only adjusting the mirror though. “Hop on,” he called as he purred the engine. So I wrapped my arms around his waist, feeling a slight thrill from being so close to him. Best friend’s brother, the little angel on my shoulder said. I ignored it.

Five minutes later and he was pulling into his driveway so I could hang out at his house until Heather came home and we could hang out. I got off the bike, quickly taking off the dreaded helmet.

“Hey, Clare?” Justin asked softly.

“Mmm hmm?” I asked turning around, and I found myself face-to-face with Justin. Woah. I never noticed until that moment how clear and so…pretty his eyes were. Justin was smiling slightly, making my legs feel like jelly. And all of a sudden, his mouth was on mine, his hands around my waist, and now my whole body was jelly. I wrapped my arms around him for the second time that day. The little angel on my shoulder was talking again: ‘you’re best friend’s brother.’ But at this rate, I was going to Hell.