chapter 8 Trouble Makers
Ethan P.O.V.
A whole week passed by like a breeze. I'm not one to complain. I was listening to my playlist while heading to the Chemistry Lab. When I got to the door, I noticed that most of the people in the room were formed in a circle at the back part of the room. I went to see what was all the commotion about. That is when I saw Brittany dragging Maddie by the hair. I immediately went over to them to help Maddie and removed Brittany's grip from Maddie's hair.
"What are you doing, Brittany?" I asked, removing Brittany's grip from Maddie's hair.
"She started it first. She threw a milkshake at me earlier. I'm just here getting a payback." she lied. If there is anything, Brittany loves attention. After a week of being classmates with Maddie, I know she does not drink milk shake. "Brittany, Maddie does not drink milk shake. Now stop causing a scene and just leave." I told her, helping Maddie to a seat.
I then looked at Jessie and asked, "Are you ok Maddie? Why did you not fight back?"
"I was about to, but you beat me to it. Thanks, by the way. You did not have to do that." she said while trying to fix her messy hair.
Before I could say anything, the teacher had already arrived.
"Okay, class. For today, we will conduct an experiment. I will give you all the instructions and you will follow them step by step. Reminders, this is not a game and every chemical should be handled with caution."
Everyone started preparing with their safety precautions. Mrs.Parker started giving out the instruction paper and all the chemicals we would need for the experiment. I was still bothered about what I just witnessed when I did not notice that I was staring at the instruction paper.
"Do you want to do the mixing and I read the instructions?" Maddie asked me, bringing me out of my trance.
"Why don't we both do the mixing of chemicals?" I suggested.
She just nodded. I can feel that there is something wrong and I feel worried.
"Are you sure you are ok? We can go to the clinic if your head hurts." I asked sincerely.
"Yes, I'm fine." she simply replied.
"Then what is wrong? You seem hesitant." i insisted..
She was hesitant at first, but then she replied.
"Don't you see it? You are partnered to a nerd - the person at the bottom of the popularity pyramid. You are the school basketball captain - the person at the top of the popularity pyramid. You being partnered to me will affect your social status. That is why Brittany is all over making my life miserable." she explained.
"Who cares? Besides, you are not a nerd. Just because you get high grades and focus on your studies does not make you a nerd. Even so, the so-called "popularity pyramid" is all bullshit. I don't care about all that. And since we are partners for a lot of our subjects, I want us to be friends because we will work a lot together. Ok?" I told her.
She just ignored what I said and started the experiment. The class finished early. I was about to talk to Maddie about what happened earlier, but I could not find her in the room. It seems like she left already.
'I will just call her later.' I thought.
We had training again today. We even got to play one game. Coach let us go home early.
I grabbed my stuff and drove home. Mom was not yet home when I arrived. I went straight to my room and took a shower. I took a quick nap afterwards. I woke up 1 hour later and remembered that I was going to call Maddie. I dialed her number, but she did not answer.
'Maybe she is sleeping or doing something.' I thought.
I headed downstairs and eat some dinner. After dinner, I did a little advance studying for History before going to bed.
I woke up the next day at 6 am sharp. I got ready for my morning jogging. After jogging, I went and got ready for school. I arrived at the school a few minutes before the first bell rang. I was walking with Zach and Cole by the hallway when I saw Jessie on her way to the room.
"Maddie, I was calling your phone yesterday. You did not answer." I said.
"Oh, you did? I did not receive any calls." she replied.
I was about to reply to her when she left right away. I ignored it. During Biology, Mr. Bennett gave us the first topic for our research. He even gave us the last 10 minutes of the class to plan about it.
"So, shall we meet later after class to work on it?" I asked Maddie. "I don't have basketball training later. We can do it at your house if you want."
She seemed to think about it before replying.
"Yeah, sure. Meet you after Chemistry." she said.
The rest of the day just finished like a blur. After Chemistry, I went straight to the parking lot waiting for Maddie. A few minutes later, I saw her making her way to the parking lot with Chloe and Brooke. I went over to them.
"So, you ready?" I asked Maddie
"I will just ride with Chloe and you can just follow us with your car." she replied.
"Why don't you just ride with Ethan, Maddie? It's going to be easier that way."Chloe suggested.
I nodded my head, agreeing with what Chloe said.
"That's actually a good idea, Chloe. She is right Maddie." I said. "Don't worry, I drive safely,"
She was looking at Chloe and Brooke, and after a minute she then agreed. She got in the car and I went straight to the driver's seat. I started the car, and she gave me the direction to her house. I played some songs so that the ride would not be awkward. The ride was around 25 minutes. We arrived at her house and she invited me in. I waited by the living room while she went upstairs to get her laptop. She came back 5 minutes later with a laptop, snacks and drinks in her hands. After she placed them down on the table, we started working on the project.
I was actually surprised because she was so easy to work with. She knew everything we were talking about. I was actually enjoying it. Time passed by fast and I did not know that it was already getting late until her parents came home.
"Hi Mom. Hi Dad. How was work?" Maddie greeted them.
"Hey sweetheart. Oh, you have a friend over." Mr. Carter said.
"Mom, Dad, this is my Biology partner, Ethan. We were working on our research project." she said, introducing me to her parents.
"Good evening Mr. and Mrs. Carter." I greeted.
"Good evening, Ethan," Mrs. Carter replied. "Are you guys almost done? Why don't you stay for dinner, Ethan?"
"It's okay, Mrs. Carter. We are almost finished. I can just continue this at home. Thanks for the invitation though." I replied.
"We insist Ethan. Please stay for dinner." Mrs. Carter insisted.
"Thank you, Mrs. Carter." I replied.
Her mom cooked baked chicken with mashed potatoes. I casually talked with her parents over dinner. Turned out her dad is also a surgeon and her mom is a plastic surgeon. After dinner, I excused myself and told them I will head home. I thanked them for their hospitality and for the amazing dinner, then went home.
By the time I got home, Mom and Dad just finished dinner.
"Hi Mom. Hi Dad." I greeted them.
"Where have you been, Ethan? You missed dinner." Mom asked.
"Sorry, Mom. I was doing a project with a friend and we lost track of time. Her parents insisted I stay over for dinner." I explained.
Mom and Dad looked at each other ,then Dad gave me one of his "looks".
"She is just a friend, and we studied. That is all we did.
Nothing else." I said.
My mom and dad are both cool about me dating and all, but sometimes they just assume wrongly on things.
"Ok. Ok. We said nothing." Mom said laughing.
"Yea right. Well, I'm heading upstairs now. Good night, Mom. Night Dad." I said, giving Mom a light kiss on her head before heading upstairs.
I placed my phone in the charger and grabbed my towel on the way to the bathroom. I took a quick shower before doing some assignments. I just finished doing my assignments when I heard a notification from my phone.
Ding!
THE HOTTIES
Zach: Hey Cap... I heard you are partnered with that nerd Maddie in Biology class... Is that true? (shocked face emoji)
Cole: Who is Maddie??? (thinking emoji)
Dylan: Is she that nerd who got Brittany mad? (wondering emoji)
Zach: I heard she never had a boyfriend...
Ryan: She is kinda hot tho... I wonder if she kisses good...
Zach:(laughing emoji)
Cole: (laughing emoji)
Dylan :(laughing emoji)
Ryan: (laughing emoji)
Cameron:(laughing emoji)
Seriously!!?? What the hell is wrong with these guys? I was about to reply when Zach sent another message.
Zach: We should make a bet...
Ryan: ooohhhh sounds interesting
Zach: whoever can sleep with Maddie will get $100
Ryan: I am so IN!!
Dylan: sounds fun...
Ryan: I bet she is hard to get.
Zach: Maybe you are just scared that she will deny your offer (laughing emojis)
Ryan: Burn!! (laughing emojis)
Zach: I can bet you $100 I can kiss her by this week!
If I was upset earlier, now I am furious. Why the hell would they make a bet out of someone's virginity?
Me: What the hell guys?!?! Leave her out of your stupidity! Why would you make a bet out of such a thing???? You talk about girls as if they are just some kind of achievement.
Zach: Why Cap? Do you like Maddie the nerd? (laughing emojis)
Ryan: Don't tell me Cap you are falling for a nerd?? (laughing emojis) That would be a total disgrace for the team.
Me: Whatever you do, leave Maddie out of it! Don't make me kick you out of the team. I am warning you.
After sending that message, I closed my phone and went downstairs to get a glass of water. I have to warn Maddie, but how? We are not totally close friends and she barely talks to me unless it is about the project. I have to make sure that those boys will do nothing stupid to her. With that thought in my mind, I went to sleep.