Go over and say hi
From Create Your Own Story
You order your coffee at the counter and decide to head over and say hello to your classmates. As you walk toward their table, Penny looks up and notices you first.
“Hi, Jake,” she says, smiling. Her long red hair falls neatly over one shoulder as she closes her notebook, freckles standing out against her pale skin.
Samuel lifts his head from his laptop a moment later, dark eyes blinking behind black-rimmed glasses. “Hey, Jake.”
“Hey, guys. How’s it going?” you ask casually.
“Not so great,” Penny replies, shooting Samuel a pointed look that makes her irritation obvious. “We’re working on a few newsletters for the summer school programs, and some people are perfectionists. If they don’t hurry up, I’m going to miss Mr. Hodges’ summer art class.”
“Okay, okay—I’m done!” Samuel says, snapping his laptop shut and pulling a pen drive from the USB port. He’s smaller than Penny, even sitting down, and when he stands he has to tilt his head slightly to meet her eyes.
“About time,” Penny mutters, rolling her eyes before breaking into a satisfied smile.
“Well, we’ve gotta get going,” Samuel says as he pushes his glasses up his nose and slides his laptop into his backpack. “I need to drop this pen drive off at the principal’s office, and then I’ve gotta get Penny to her art class. Nice seeing you, Jake.”
“I thought you were attending Mr. Hodges’ summer art classes,” Penny adds, her tone smug as she looks you over. “Being one of the most talented artists in the school and all.”
She’s always been jealous of your art skills. Art is the one subject where she isn’t the top student, and it’s clearly left her with a bit of a chip on her shoulder.
“You can grab a ride with us if you’re going,” Samuel offers, adjusting the strap of his backpack.
You’d completely forgotten about the summer art classes. You’d meant to sign up before the school year ended, but it slipped your mind. Then you remember your favorite hoodie—the one you left stuffed in your locker weeks ago. You’re not even sure it’s still there. For all you know, the lockers might’ve already been cleared out for the summer.
You glance between Penny and Samuel, coffee still warm in your hands, weighing your options.
