Bad Boy Blues

chapter two

I once read online that suicide isn't the only choice if you wanted to kill yourself. You could kill the old you, and make yourself a better person. For some odd reason that tumblr post stuck, and ever since the 'new me', it's been going through my head at least fifty times a day.

The first day of senior year was over. I decided to go out and hang out with Theo's friends out on the track field to watch Marlo train. Marlo was an athlete and his sport was track, so we decided to sit on the bleachers and just chill out. "So," Stacy asked, pointing at me. "You're new right?"

"Last time I checked." I answered, slightly sarcastically. Theo stifled a laugh while Stacy just playfully rolled her eyes. On the bleacher above her was Mary Mason, and to her right was Greg Evans. Theo was on the bleacher below Stacy, and I was two bleachers down from Greg. From afar, we looked like we were forming a very misshaped circle.

Greg cleared his throat before asking me a question. "You look really familiar though," he said, squinting his brown eyes. "I think I've met you before."

"Nah, man," I say, putting my hands up. "Everyone keeps saying that, but I swear I'm new here." I lied through my teeth. Lying got easier the more I did it.

Theo nodded, playing along. "Yeah, James moved here from Redwater, I think," he said, pretending to think. "Or was it somewhere else?"

"Doesn't matter." I said, closing the topic. Too many questions lead to holes in our plan.

Mary sighed. "Look, over there," she pointed out, "Marlo's about to start running."

We immediately all turned to look. True enough, Marlo was decked out in running shorts and a muscle shirt. His pale skin stood out from his tan teammates, but physically he was as fit as them.

Marlo saw us, and gave us a quick wink; then he broke off into a sprint. The rest of us kept watching him, but out in the corner of my eye I saw a timid girl look at Marlo longingly. She struck me, because that's how I used to look at Harper. Her chocolate brown hair was in a long braid that went all the way to the middle of her back. She was dressed awkwardly, her shirt and pants a size too big for her. Thankfully, she didn't have thick glasses, because if she did than goddamn me, I'm in a cliché love story.

"Hey guys, I have to go use the bathroom," I said, standing up. "I'll catch you all later."

I got up and left before anyone could reply. As quietly as I could I went over to the mystery girl. I managed to sneak up behind her before she turned around, surprising us both. "Oh!" she said, eyes widening.

"Hey," I said, giving a small wave. "So, I saw you looking at Marlo."

"No... I—I wasn't," she stammered, avoiding my eyes. She kept fiddling with her fingers, so I just decided to ask her point blank.

"Do you like him?" I asked, as casually as I could.

My question must have gave her quite a shock because she actually choked on her own spit. "I—I—I don't!" she sputtered, bending over.

"Believe me," I said, helping her stand up straight. "I know you do."

She glanced at me quickly before looking back down, giving me a glimpse of her shockingly electric blue eyes. "So what if I do?" she asked after a moment, worriedly. "Please don't tell him."

"I won't," I lied. "But you have to give me your name."

She held out her hand. "I'm Fiona West."

"And I'm James Jones." I replied, taking her hand.

Now, this is totally off the plan, but I noticed Marlo has been a bit down lately. Perhaps a little lady friend would get him back on track. Besides, I might be acting like a dick, but I care about my friends.