(again, thank you a lot Ramona for the copy desk)
Nicole spent her early classes lost in thought. She was impressed that Rose had the initiative to approach her and flirt, not the other way around. It might not have been common here, but it was amazing. He was cute, nice and smart—not exactly lost, confused, or on the verge of an anxiety attack, like Jonatha.
Elsewhere in the school, Rose couldn't pay attention in class. What the heck is happening with me? Why can't I get her off that mind? she thought. She looks and acts green. Even with all that alpha woman body language, it feels...forced. For Jez's sake, she froze for a while! Yet... I can't get her out of my mind.
After second period, Rose pulled out his phone and checked his messages, seeing he had a new one from Aarona Knox, his best friend since elementary school.
Is the rumor true? You and Basketball Nic?
Yeah it is. Spread it 'round.
Does he know? Aarona replied.
Not yet, but you know me...
Jelly licker! Aarona replied with a laughing emoji. What about you and Shan?
She moved on to some lollipop a long time ago.
You'll have to tell me more at lunch. With that, Rose realized he needed to speed along to his next class.
On the other side of campus, Nicole was just out of class when Sam Gomez went up to approach her.
"Hey girl."
"What's up woman?" Nic sighed.
"I'm gonna ask you something which might seem rude...or a joke." Nic tilted her head. "My boyfriend heard some gossip that you and Rose Flowers are a thing. Is that true?" Sam asked as the two started walking together to health class.
"I dunno... We talked before school. Why?"
"Well, I'm worried Jonatha's already heard about it. You and him were a big thing and now it seems like everything is all crumbling."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Sam's tone puzzled Nicole.
"You don't know Rose's reputation, do you..." Sam looked around. "He's a broken boy and it seems he chose you. Consider yourself lucky."
"What do you mean chose me? I did nothing than talk with him, and I felt attracted to him like any red-blooded girl would," Nicole explained, already thinking if Jonatha was the right boy for her.
"Relax woman, he is already yours... You just didn't know it. Now enjoy... Once you date a BB, you never will look for the other boys anymore," Sam added as the two walked into the classroom.
Nicole couldn't get the conversation out of her head. As she walked to lunch, she debated whether to seek Rose out—a question she didn't have to answer, because she suddenly saw him at a nearby table. Nic froze again, replaying Sam's advice in her head. Relax woman, he is already yours... You just didn't know it. She looked around. Realizing she had nothing to lose, she walked over to Rose. Also at the table were several boys, like Aarona, who was a good singer and in that rarest of things, a quality high school rock band.
"Hi," Nic mustered, prompting Rose to turn and look at her.
"Hey you... You gonna freeze again?" Without thinking twice, Nicole put her hands on Rose's hips. "What are you waiting for? Lift me."
Nicole picked Rose up, holding him close and then surprising him with a kiss on the cheek.
Over at the cheerleaders' table, Jordina suddenly turned around. "Jonatha! Look!" He pointed to Nic and Rose. As Jonatha looked over at the basketball player hoisting the boy up, all he could do was watch agape like every other cheerleader.
