“Jesse!”

My brain came back to earth, and I had to blink twice to remember where I was. Rocky’s voice always had the power to snap me back to reality, and her timing couldn’t have been better. I turned around and automatically grinned at the sight of her sprinting toward me. She looked so cute running down the hallway, her hair tied up in two loose braids that bounced against her shoulders.

“Hey, yourself,” I greeted, switching the strap of my backpack from one shoulder to the other, ensuring there was nothing in the way between us.

She skidded to a stop beside me looking like a cartoon character. All she was missing was the screeching noise and the cloud of smoke at her feet. She tugged at her braids nervously. “Stephanie told me she gave you a talking to. You okay?”

I smirked. “I think I’ll survive.”

“She’s really something sometimes…you can tell me what you really think about it, you know. I won’t tell her.”

A smile teased my lips, but I wasn’t about to bite. No way was I going to start bad mouthing one friend to another—even if she deserved it. “Yeah, she’s something all right, but she does make a good point.”

“What do you mean?” Rocky paused and glanced up at me curiously. Her thick eyebrows, which she often forgot to pluck, curled down toward the center of her face.

Without answering her question, I nudged her forward. “Let’s just talk about it later.”

“But—”

“Come on, let’s get to the gym. Gotta burn the burger I ate last night.” To make a point, I grabbed at my gut and shook at it the best I could, which was hard to do since I basically had no fat in that area.

“Like you have any gut to get rid of, Mr. Six-Pack. Believe me; I’ve seen it countless times…” As soon as the words left her mouth, she broke into a bright red blush. Though I wanted nothing more than to tease her about spying on me—a thought that strangely excited me—I resigned myself to grabbing her elbow and guiding her to class even though gym was the last place I wanted to be. Gym. It didn’t help that seniors didn’t usually take the class, but due to my excessive truancies and due to Rocky’s incessant need to be joined at my hip (but hey I’m not complaining), we found ourselves enrolled in fourth period physical education with Coach Lowe, the most overweight and anti-stereotypical gym coach you could possibly have. At least the school gods shined down upon us and gave us an easy A in that regard.

After a few moments of silence, I glanced over my shoulder and gazed down at her sadly. “Listen, about what Steph said…”

“Uh huh?” she prodded, undoubtedly relieved I was willing to talk about it.

I swallowed and took a deep breath. “Rocky…I…”

“Just spit it out, Jesse.”

“Okay, fine.” I stalled, trying to figure out how best to word what I was about to say. Communication of any sort wasn’t my strong suit, and after a few moments of realizing I’d piss her off no matter what, I thought, Ah, fuck it.

“Listen, Rocky, we both know that I’m meant to have a pretty messed up life, but not you. Maybe our good friend,” I used the term sparingly, “is right after all, don’t you think? Maybe you should stop trying to be something you’re obviously not and…stop following me around all the time.”

Rocky’s eyes clouded in disbelief. “I don’t believe that.”

“You don’t believe you’re not meant to have a messed up life? Or you don’t believe you’re faking the funk?” I chuckled softly.

“No! I mean I believe you deserve a good life too. Besides, I think it’s fun hanging out with you.” Her voice trailed off so I had to strain to hear. “It helps me keep an eye on you…”

“What was that?” I leaned over close, catching a whiff of her floral scent. I wanted nothing more than to stick my face into her hair and inhale the sweetness once more, but even I knew that was a bit creepy.

“Nothing,” she replied quickly, running her fingers through her hair and setting her braids free. I practically drooled at the sight of her mermaidish hair cascading down her shoulders. Fuck. I loved it when she wore it down. I always imagined myself running my fingers through it, tugging her head toward mine.

She snapped her fingers in front of my face. “Earth to Jesse. Are you there?”

I blinked sheepishly. “Um, what were you saying?”

“Never mind.” She shook her head quickly, flinging her hair like a shampoo commercial. Ugh, was she killing me. “Let’s put aside all this serious talk and just get to class before we get into trouble again.”

“What do you mean by ‘again’? We didn’t get in trouble last night.” I watched dumbfounded as Rocky pushed her way to the girl’s locker room, leaving me behind. “What the hell is her problem?”

“Move it, ass wipe!” a familiar and overly annoying voice shouted from behind me.

Before I could move a muscle, I felt myself being shoved forward, but instinctively straightened myself and threw my arm to the side, making contact with someone’s stomach.

“Oomph!”

I turned in time to see Dwight Mansfield’s huge body lurch forward in pain. Before I could grin smugly, his fist flew toward my face.

“Jesse! Jesse! Are you okay?” Her voice was like an angel calling out to me, struggling to pull me out of the abyss. Unfortunately that darkness felt good. I almost didn’t want to leave. “Jesse, wake up!”

My vision cleared and I spotted Rocky’s worried eyes peering at me. Her dark tendrils framed her olive-toned face, which made her look even more like an angel glowing in ethereal light.

“Rocky?” I attempted to lift my hand and touch her face, but something held my fingers back. I struggled against the hold, feeling as if my muscles would snap at any minute. It took a while before I realized it was my own body pinning my arm against the floor. That’s when it all came flooding back to me. I was punched—embarrassingly enough—and knocked out. Apparently, I also landed in a very ungraceful position. Oh well, at least it prevented me from caressing Rocky in my delusional stupor. Once I crossed that bridge there was no turning back.

“Everyone out of the way!” Our plump school nurse, Miss Lance, stomped through the growing crowd before abruptly kneeling beside my face. I could have sworn I felt the earth move from the sudden impact. “Mr. Tyler, how you feeling?” I must have moaned some sort of response, because soon she responded, “Good. Let’s get you to my office now.”

“Are you sure you should move him?” Rocky asked doubtfully. “I’ve seen some of those shows on TV, and they make sure to have a brace around the victim’s neck or something.”

Victim? Wow! I was pathetic.

“I’m a health professional, aren’t I? I think I know what I’m doing, Miss Rossi.” With that, our hefty nurse tugged at my arm and before I knew it I was upright, trying my hardest not to wobble forward. To make matters worse, Nurse Lance smacked me on the back and laughed. “Looks like there won’t be any P.E. for you today, kid.”

“What?” Rocky gasped. “Are you sure I can’t go with him? I hate gym enough with him there.”

“No can do, kiddo.”

“Rocky,” I whispered, tugging at her shoulder. I weaved back and forth a little bit, but tried to remain firm.

Her wide eyes examined me carefully. “Are you sure you’re okay?” She eyed Nurse Lance, who was busy chatting with another student, and clucked, “I don’t have much faith in our hero over here. I can take you to the hospital if you want.”

“Don’t worry about me.” Even as I said those words, the walls felt as if they were closing in on me. Fighting impending nausea, I croaked, “I know this sounds weird, but don’t let Dwight bother you today.”

“He wouldn’t hit a girl.” All humor quickly washed off her face. “At least I don’t think so…”

“That’s not what I meant.” It wasn’t the time or the place to explain that Dwight had obviously had a boner for her since sophomore year. I’d rather peel my toenails off than stand back and watch her get with a Neanderthal who didn’t deserve the time of day. I shifted slightly, trying to remain balanced. “Just watch it, okay? If he bothers you, tell me.”