Free Eighteen (18) by J.A. Huss Page A

I wander over to the wall where Sunday and his friends sit and I come in on the middle of a conversation about me.
    “What?” I ask Rocky.
    “I was just telling them how you went off on the counselors the other day.”
    “Jesus, that’s old news, guys. And way less interesting than it sounds.”
    “You’re just a tough chick, Shannon,” Rocky says.
    She goes on and on about it for several more minutes and when she gets to the end, I realize Sunday never told her about my almost-breakdown. I look over at him and he’s smirking, a crooked smile that lights up his dark eyes. “Wanna ham sandwich?” he asks me, holding one out. “They’re the only edible thing on the menu.”
    I take it. “Thanks.” I’m starving. He looks pleased as I eat in silence, just listening to the chatter of his friends.
    But he never brings up our conversation or the fact that I said I won’t take rides from him anymore. I’m impressed with that, actually. Most guys would be all, Fuck you, bitch. You know? I’ve had my share of boyfriends. I’ve had my share of choices too. And no matter who you choose, there is always someone unhappy with you about it.
    But he’s not unhappy. Or if he is, he hides it very well. He takes it all in stride. Like he’s got some secret. Something in his back pocket that will change my mind. Like all he has to do is bide his time.
    And it’s a smart move. Because I do like him. And how practical is Mateo as a real boyfriend? What could we possibly have in common?
    Sex.
    I almost blush when the word manifests in my mind.
    I don’t know why he makes me so turned on, but just thinking of him right now is enough to make me want it.
    “Why are you blushing?”
    I look up from my thoughts and realize everyone is getting up to go to their next class. “Um…” I laugh.
    “You’re thinking about me, huh?”
    “A little bit,” I confess. “I’m curious about why you’re so nice to me, actually.”
    Sunday grabs my backpack and motions for me to walk with him.
    I do. He’s got my pack, right?
    “I’m nice to everyone I like.”
    “Oh.” I chuckle a little under my breath.
    “You’re pretty,” he says, shooting me a sideways look. “And smart. AP classes. I got a lot of details about you when we were sitting in the counseling office.”
    “Yeah, that kinda sucks. No privacy.”
    “Well,” he says, veering off into the main building where my English class is next period. “You handled it well. Aside from the three fucks.”
    I laugh out loud at that one. “Bowman should’ve suspended me. I was expecting it, actually.”
    “He didn’t because he likes you too.”
    “Right.”
    “Nah, really. I watched him when you were talking about your geometry class. He was fascinated. Like you’re his dream student and he can shove you into being a productive adult if he can just get you through second semester senior year.”
    “He’s nosy. He read my file. He knows about my sister. My situation.”
    “What is your situation?” We stop outside my classroom and Sunday leans on a locker. And for some reason I don’t get the feeling that he’s being nosy.
    “My sister died right after she gave birth to my niece. I live with my brother-in-law and the baby right now.”
    “He’s the one who hit you.” It’s not a question.
    “I got him back, so don’t worry about me. Sometimes you just need to have a who’s-in-charge fight, ya know?”
    He stares at me. His smile is gone. “No, Shannon. I don’t know. I’ve had my share of fist fights, but I’ve never had them with the people I live with.”
    “You’re lucky, I guess.”
    “I guess I am.”
    I don’t know what to say after that, so I just look down at my Chucks.
    “I’ll take you to school if you want. I mean, after-school school.”
    I should say yes. Everything inside of me wants to say yes. But it’s not fair to him. “Nah, my brother-in-law is gonna take me. Make up for the other night. And buy me dinner,” I add, to