Time for School Ch. 10

It was a strange, sort of 'nothing' conversation that the two of us had built up doing over the years of knowing each other. We could usually keep it up for well over an hour or more. Maybe it was us wanting to feel like our typical, daily routine suddenly had someone else we could talk about it with.

But, not too long after, the two of us hung up and I went through the rest of my day just feeling really great. Maybe a little too great. I chatted with some of my online friends and, still feeling incredibly overconfident, said some things that may have rubbed some of the the wrong way. Yet, I thought nothing of it. I instead embraced my new, abrasive attitude all the way until I eventually went to bed that night.

My room was feeling a bit more cramped the next morning. After being on the computer for so long the previous day, I was a bit more eager to go outside. It was a fairly nice, partly cloudy day out. I slipped back into my swim trunks, taking a moment to once again enjoy what I was seeing in the mirror. My physique seemed to have chiseled itself into stone – pun very intended. I didn't notice any more new muscle growth, which I found pretty fortunate. My look seemed to be... 'just right.' Of course, it didn't help to settle down my ego any as I posed and showed off in front of the mirror.

I then grabbed a fresh towel, not bothering to take a shirt, and decided to go to the pool - one of my most favorite things to do. I set down my towel on one of the outdoor tables and slipped off my sandals before hopping right into the warm water.

Not long after I began to do some idle laps around the water, a young woman with long, blonde hair showed up all by herself. I'd never seen her before, so I assumed she was visiting a friend or maybe even a tourist. I watched her intently from afar as she, too, set her things down. From beneath the water, a sly smirk spread across my lips. If she was visiting, I thought about the kind of memories I could send her home with – ones she'd certainly never forget.

I casually drifted around the surface of the water and watched her like a hawk. She walked away and began to shower herself off before getting into the pool. I slowly sighed as she ran a hand through her long hair. She soaked every inch of her lovely, curvy body and the orange two-piece she was wearing before heading to the steps at the shallow end.

She calmly slipped into the water, gentle ripples resounding from her as she swam closer to where I was. Since I was at the shallower end of the long point in the 'L'-shaped pool, I stood up tall and just kind of casually stretched and flexed out my muscles for her. I knew that she couldn't resist the charm of a good-looking guy with a great, big smile like the one I had just from looking at her. To my surprise, she just kind of gave me a casual glance, quirked an eyebrow and then kept on swimming by.

I was a bit crestfallen, but I quickly shook it off. She was probably just shy; intimidated by my incredible physique. After all, if she was shy that just meant there was more to teach her about what she's been missing out on.

She came to a stop along the same wall I was on, pretty close by. I held back a chuckle – I knew she couldn't resist me, of course.

"Hey," I said to her with a confident smirk and a reverse nod - that usual quick lift of the chin that guys usually did to greet each other.

"Uh, ... hey," she greeted me back with some confusion. She didn't seem terribly interested in my presence or what I had to say, but I knew she was just playing hard-to-get. After all, what fun is the finish line without the chase beforehand?

She took some deep breaths and slowly exhaled each one, readying herself for a swim down the long stretch of the pool. At the same time, I decided to slowly close the gap between us. It gave me a better look at her – and she was cute. I was feeling cocky enough that I didn't need to freeze time or make use of any of the other powers I'd developed to try to charm her. Instead, just as she was about to kick off from the wall, I let my hand slowly travel up the outside of her thigh.

Needless to say, she was pretty shocked.

She gasped loudly and turned to me with an outraged expression.

"You creep!" she shouted before slapping me hard across the face.

Needless to say, that hurt.

She must've felt pretty satisfied with that hit, because she then humphed and began to swim her laps. I held my cheek and groaned. It'd been a while, so I'd forgotten how hard girls can hit. I flexed my jaw around and began to walk away with a confused look in my eyes.

This wasn't me. I wasn't like some womanizer that just walked up to girls and put my hands all over them. I mean, in a perfect world I'd be able to just do that and get away with it as I pleased, but that's not how things worked. That's not how I worked. Realizing what an ass I'd just been, I decided it was time to go home.

I spent the rest of the day just kind of going through the motions - chatting with friends, hanging out in a chat room and saying maybe one or two things. I was very preoccupied with my thoughts. Had I really become such an arrogant jerk just because I scored with Natalie? Or was it maybe the amalgamation of everything that'd happened to me over the past week? It certainly was a hell of a week. I found out I had not one, but several inexplicable superpowers, fought and won against the guy that'd been an asshole to me for years and, of course, had sex with a few different girls that I'd absolutely been fawning over for months.

But, with the others, there was always some kind of bonding there. I felt warmer with them, closer to them, much more friendly with them. I'd even befriended Eve before we went all the way, and actually got on good terms with Jennifer and Lila – both of whom I'd been convinced hated my guts. With Natalie, it was so much more different. There was no emotion there; it was just sex and nothing more. I thought, perhaps, that I would've been cool with that and brushed it aside.

Maybe it affected me more than I realized.

What I didn't realize was that, despite my cool new powers, I was still just a teenager. It was my youthful inexperience with sex and the opposite sex that left me feeling a bit out of sorts about the whole situation. Part of me had actually wanted to spend that extra time with Natalie, hold her a little bit, talk to her about how she felt. Instead, we just kind of threw jokes at each other and swept it under the rug.

I figured I'd just have to give it time.

With a sharp sigh, I went back to my usual rhythm. All the while, I tried not to worry about that girl from the pool possibly calling the police to report me for assaulting her. That wouldn't have been fun.

The next morning, I was feeling the hangover of the guilt trip I was on yesterday. I didn't flex my muscles in the mirror for once, instead just getting myself dressed and out the door like some normal, non-douchey person would. I was quieter than usual on my walk to the bus stop and the ride to school. I felt as though I was going through another epiphany about myself. I wanted to embrace who I was. I didn't want to become some boisterous, showboating dick like Jason. That was certainly a one-way ticket to knocking people down in the hallway and using my time freezing to steal money out of peoples' pockets.

Well, at least I'd imagine it was.

By the time I made it to first period, I was feeling a little more relaxed – more like myself. I just sat down and did my work like a good student. I think my friends had noticed how quiet I'd been during our usual morning chat, though they didn't press the issue any. Due to my faraway mindset, I completely neglected a very enthralling fact until our teacher mentioned it.

"... Winter break..." were the only words of his that permeated my preoccupied mind. My eyes lit up. It was the last week of school before we got a nice, long break for holidays and the start of the new year. What a great feeling that was, enough to put me more at ease.

Sure I'd just had the weekend, but maybe a couple weeks off from school was what I really needed. It'd give me time to come to terms with everything that's happened over the past week and center myself.

That Monday was an early release day and so, we'd only be doing our first three periods before the day was finished. It was just as welcome as the prospect of winter break. More time to myself to relax seemed like a good thing at that point.

Class let out and it was time for second period. I headed right next door and took my usual seat. With my utensils out and ready to go, Tamara walked up to me with that beautiful smile of hers – which was more giddy than usual for some reason.

"Hey, Anthony," she happily said.

"Hey," I replied back, finding her smile to be infectious. She was just what I needed to brighten up my day. "You seem really happy. What's up?"

"Well," she said as she spun her backpack around and began to rummage through it, "I'm having my birthday party on the 2nd–" she then placed a paper down on my desk, "–and you're invited."

I was very pleasantly surprised - stunned, even. It was the first time in quite some time that I'd received an invitation to someone's birthday party like that.

"Wow," I remarked as I held the printed paper and scanned over it. "Well, sure, I'll be there. What do you want for your present?" I asked with a sly smirk. She laughed in response.

"Whatever you get me is fine – even if it's nothing at all. I just want you to be there. In fact...," she then leaned in toward me and whispered, "don't tell anyone, but you're my special guest."

As she pulled away, I drew my fingers across my lips as if to zip them shut. She grinned and laughed once again.

"Oh, and one more thing," she said, hesitating for a brief moment. "Latisha is going to be there."

I had to think about that name for a moment before it dawned on me. That was when my heart sank.

"Wait, do you mean eighth grade Shop class, screams louder than anyone I've ever met, hated me with a passion Latisha?"

Tamara looked a bit more nervous.

"Oh, I hope it's not a problem. She's one of my oldest friends and... well, maybe she's forgotten about that thing about the lizard in her backpack?"

"Well, miracles do happen," I said with a slight shrug. "But, Latisha or no Latisha, I'll still be there." Her eyes lit up with joy.

"Thank you so much, I'm so excited!" She gave me a very happy hug, allowing me to very briefly soak in the sweet scent of her perfume. She then let go of me and went to take her seat.

Oh, man. I was pretty excited when she first told me about the party. The Latisha aspect, not so much. I sighed and idly gazed at the invitation. 'Pool Party – Bring your swim trunks!' Well, I did like to swim and maybe Tamara was right. Maybe Latisha would forget about the stuff I did to her in the past.

It was just that the girl had a humongous attitude with me when we shared the same class. I just had to get her back somehow. So, I may have caught a lizard and dropped it in her bag during class and zipped it shut. I couldn't help but chuckle and shake my head as I recalled that memory. The image of her throwing the bag to the ground, screaming and jumping around was still pretty funny to me.

Algebra class seemed like it came and went that day. I almost felt like the bell to end class rung as soon as it got started. Okay, I'd never be that delusional about school but it was just an overall pleasant feeling. I knew exactly where I was going once the period was out. When the bell did ring, I gathered up my belongings and headed off to third period.

"See you later, Anthony!" Tamara said, smiling and cutely waving to me. I smiled and waved back to her.

I did notice, however, that Elizabeta was nowhere in sight. I didn't see - or hear - her at all during class and there was nobody punching my arm on the way out. I shrugged, figuring everyone's gonna be absent from school sometimes.

In Biology, I calmly took my seat, garnering more smiles and waves from my new female friends on the way in. And then, in walked Natalie. She noticed me from across the room, a big grin on her face as she winked to me. She walked down the further aisle from where I sat and took her own seat. Right then, part of me just wanted to quickly freeze time and talk to Natalie about how I felt since we parted ways. I sighed and shook my head, turning my attention to the front of the class.

It was something I was feeling, and so it'd be something that I'd deal with.

Just as the bell rang, in walked Jennifer, as per usual. She walked by and quickly noticed I wasn't ogling or paying attention to her at all. She decided to make her presence known by bumping her ass against my shoulder, jerking me to the side. As she took her seat, I couldn't help but hang my head down and snicker in amusement, trying to hold back a laugh at what she just did. She certainly was something else.

It was only when I heard the bell for lunch that I realized how hungry I was. I got up and began to head to the door before the rest of the stampede did, only to be stopped by a familiar voice.

"Hey Anthony, wait," Eve called out to me. I did a one-eighty and indeed waited for her as she got to her feet. "You want to come have lunch with Lila and I?" I looked over and saw Lila smile at me.

"Next time, for sure," I replied, politely declining her invitation. "I'm just ... trying to think some stuff over right now."

"I can totally understand that," she said with a smile. "After all, you have that ... one 'thing' you can do, so I can imagine it's something you have to deal with eventually."

I nodded to her, impressed at how perceptive she was. She then placed a reassuring hand on my arm before I took my leave. Just as I was about to turn the corner into the hallway, I was quickly grabbed and held around the arm by Talia. She looked up at me and giggled, causing me to grin in amusement. Apparently this was the norm for us now, and I was not complaining.

After dropping Talia off inside the cafeteria, I went and got my food and sat with my friends. I still wasn't really as chatty and, again, they didn't seem to mind. I was thankful for that, and acquired the nourishment I was seeking from the plate of macaroni and cheese and vegetables I had. I decided to sit around with my friends until the bell rang once more, beckoning us all back to our respective classes. Unsurprisingly, I took my leave from my friends and headed back to Biology.

The rest of class went as smoothly as could be expected. The otherwise tedious work felt easy for some reason. Maybe starting to pay attention in class had somehow made me smarter already. It wasn't long before the bell rang one final time and school was out for the day. I heard a couple of cheers from the other students in class as everyone got to their feet. The teacher quickly reminded us what our homework assignment would be at the same time I was heading out.

"Anthony," Eve said, catching my attention. "Remember, you said lunch next time!"

"I'll be there, promise!" I replied back with a big grin. She quietly laughed and began to talk with Lila. Talia then intercepted my exit with a tight hug around my chest.

"See you on Wednesday," she sweetly said to me before planting a kiss on my cheek.

"Looking forward to it," I said. She then smiled and let go of me, allowing me to take my leave. Out in the hallway, I suddenly felt a sharp kick to my calf that made me yelp in surprise. I turned around and immediately saw Jennifer smirking at me.

"You know," she said, "I expect you to be pissing me off at least once a day. We had an agreement that things weren't going to change, right?"

"It was an off day for me," I explained with a casual shrug. She placed a hand on her hip and humphed in amusement.

"Don't let it happen again," she pointedly said before turning to walk away with a haughty saunter. I smiled as I watched her depart. She somehow knew how to always be so damned enticing, even when she was mad.

"Wow," I heard yet another familiar voice say. I glanced over to see Natalie remarking in awe as she grinned at me. "You certainly are becoming a ladies' man, huh?"

"I try my best," I replied.

"You most definitely do," she replied with a chuckle. "I know first-hand." She then waved to me with her fingers before taking her leave. "See you around, big boy."

I shook my head as I parted ways with her. It was certainly a refreshing change to be called 'big' for once.

Outside, I made my way onto the bus and found myself sprawling out as usual – I knew I was feeling normal again. After all, I didn't break down and fall to pieces in front of Natalie back there. Everything seemed to be going good again. It was enough to make me take a deep breath and sigh happily. That mess that I'd gone through the previous day was behind me, so I could turn my focus toward what's ahead.

Things only felt better on the walk back home with Sofia. I was more talkative with her than I'd been with my friends all day. That was mainly because I didn't want her to worry about me and think that something's wrong. I held each door open for her along the way, being the courteous, young man that I was. The two of us then got into the elevator together with a nondescript, old man as a third passenger this time.

As the doors closed, I couldn't help but notice Sofia started to nervously chew on her thumbnail. She seemed incredibly deep in thought. She coyly glanced to me and almost immediately dropped her gaze to the floor. It was as though she had something extremely important to say, but just could not let it out. The doors opened upon reaching my floor, and I stepped out.

"See you tomorrow," I said to her.

"Err–oh," she responded. She fidgeted for a brief moment, opening her mouth to speak, but no words came out. The doors began to close and she quickly shot her hand out to force them back open. "Wait!" she exclaimed, catching my attention as well as the old man's. "Umm, ... see you tomorrow, Anthony."

I glanced over at the old man who gruffly sighed and pressed for the doors to close. I couldn't help but feel Sofia was acting a little strangely. Usually she was so candid with me. Yet, in that moment, it was like she was holding back. I shrugged and calmly strode down the hallway back home again.

The next morning, I rose and shone nice and early. On my usual trip into the bathroom, I realized I was getting used to my new look. Obviously, I was happy with my body, but what's the point in me fawning all over it? I mean, that's what other people were for. I then got myself dressed, backpack over my shoulders, and out the door for a new day.

After the bus ride to school, I headed onto the grounds where I spotted Eve sitting and reading once again.

"Hey, there," I said with a big grin as I approached her. She looked up at me and smiled.

"Hey!" she responded. I leaned down to share a quick hug with her, receiving a kiss on the cheek as my greeting. "Another great morning, huh?"

"You know it," I replied as I pulled away. She then stared at me with a playful smile as she idly traced a finger around her book.

"I gotta thank you," she spoke up. "For getting my mind off my ex last week."

"You already thanked for me for that."

"Yeah, but now I'm completely over him. I think, if not for you distracting me and showing me such a great time, it probably would've been a lot rougher."

I happily smirked. "As I said before, anything I can do to help."

She chuckled suggestively, "I'll bet." She then took a deep breath and sighed happily. "Well, I don't want to keep you from the rest of your great morning, so... I'll see you around."