I notice Johnathan noticing me, and he walks toward me, smiling widely.
He leans closer to me and whispers, "I am glad you came."
I am irked and thrilled all at the same time while I smile at him, and reply, "Thanks."
I look away from him and at the other kids standing around, and I observe shocked they are all drinking alcohol. My dad will ground me for the rest of my life if there is even the slightest hint of alcohol on my breath.
Johnathan puts his arm around my waist, and I freeze. I have decided I am not going to let him string me along any longer. I am not going to be one of the many gossiped about girls in Johnathan's entourage.
Adam, Chris, Stephen and Anne start to play a game of pool while the rest of us are spectators, and although Johnathan removes his arm from my waist, he stays standing next to me.
After a while, he asks softly, "Shall we go and sit by the pool?"
I look up at him. He has a clear, suntanned skin, his blonde hair falls casually over his brow, his eyes are the colour of the sea, teeth so white, they sparkle and I do like him. I desperately wonder if I could ever convince him he likes me, only me, and then he runs his fingers through his hair. I say, unwisely, "Yes, let's."
We sit down on the trampoline and he starts talking first, "So, where are you from, Chrissie Taylor?"
I look at him stunned, because this is the first time, since I arrived at The Christian Academy someone has asked me this question, and I feel frustrated with myself, for once again falling for Johnathan's charms, so I mumble sarcastically, "I am from the other side of the railway track."
" Come on," he smiles. "Where did you go to school before you came here?"
" I went to public school in Mt. Pleasant."
" I also used to go to a public school," he says. "Imagine. We have more in common than I initially thought."
I look over to the others still playing pool, and I notice Anne enjoying all the attention. I look back at Johnathan, laughing softly, involuntarily, "You are joking, right?"
" No, and there is nothing wrong with public school, my parents weren't always wealthy. I only came here two years ago."
" Just to be clear. We have nothing in common," I look at him stubbornly.
He leans closer to me, and then softly, he says, "Yes we do. We both like each other."
I just sigh and shake my head.