Secret Lucidity by E.K. Blair
For the ones who’ve ever wished upon a wish.
3:12pm
ONLY THREE MORE MINUTES LEFT of my junior year. Three more minutes to go until summer begins.
“I can’t wait to officially be a senior,” Linze says, twirling a lock of her golden hair from the desk next to mine.
“I know. It’s gonna be great.”
“I need to find a boyfriend before the end of summer though. There’s no way I’m starting senior year as a singleton.”
“A relationship is not what you want, and you know it.”
She rolls her eyes and laughs in agreement. “Let me rephrase that, I need to find a boy to kiss on who’s loyal to me and only me.”
We both laugh.
Most people find her spitfire personality over the top, but not me. Linze and I have been best friends since middle school when her family moved here from Los Angeles. She was born with sunshine in her blood, while I was born with red dirt in mine. Oklahoma, America’s heartland where nothing exciting ever happens, has been my home since birth. The day Linze arrived was the day this state notched up on the coolness meter.
“Sit down, boys,” Mrs. Lancaster groans from behind her plastic-rimmed glasses, which sit crooked on her face. Our teacher, whose expiration date has come and gone, still shows up loathing each day more than the one before.
“High school guys are so annoying,” Linze says about the kids at the back of the class who are making a ruckus.
I tune out the obnoxious testosterone behind me and turn back to my friend. “What time do you want me to head over tonight?”
“Whenever. Sooner rather than later though.”
“Okay. Well, I’m going to hit the water for a little while and get some laps in.”
“You never quit, do you?”
Smiling, I grab my backpack from the back of my desk as the second hand nears the end of its final rotation to freedom.
An eruption of cheers and exasperated “Thank Gods” bounce off the painted cinder block walls when the final bell of the year rings. Chairs and desks screech against the tile floors as students flee the classrooms.
Linze and I weave through the crowded halls, and I’m whisked off my feet in an instant.
“Seniors, baby!” Kroy boasts loudly, sparking excitement within me.
With my arms wrapped around his neck, I smile at his boyish charm before kissing him as the student body swarms around us in total chaos.
“This is why I need a boyfriend,” Linze shouts over the crowd. “You two are disgustingly perfect.”
Kroy plants me down on my feet. “What’s got your panties in a wad, Linz?”
“Don’t get her started,” I tease. “Long story short, the girl needs to get laid.”
Linze shoots me a snarky eye. “Oh my God! For a virgin, you sure talk like a slut.”
“Don’t worry. You’ll surely find a boy to kiss on tonight.”
“Party at your place, right?” Kroy asks her as he walks with me tucked under his arm.
“Yep! I gotta run though. Call me when you’re on your way, okay?”
Before I can respond, Kroy cups my face in his hands and backs me up against the lockers, mumbling between kisses, “Maybe we can fix that virginity problem tonight.”
Nudging his ribs, I playfully try to push him away, but his large frame doesn’t budge until he glances to his left.
“Coach Hale,” he acknowledges in an even tone, taking a step away from me. “How are you doing, sir?”
“Do I need to reiterate the school’s policy on PDA?”
“No, sir. Just a celebratory peck was all that was going on.”
“Dad,” I groan under my breath. “Why are you always giving him a hard time?”
“Because you’re my little girl. It’s my job to harass your boyfriend.”
“The shotgun wasn’t enough harassment?” Kroy questions, to which my father responds, “Not even close, boy,” before clapping his hand on the back of Kroy’s shoulder and letting loose an endearing chuckle.
Kroy grew up down the street from me. He used to pick on me when we were younger, but that didn’t stop us from playing. Our families have always been close, and it came as no surprise to my mother when he eventually asked me out on a date our sophomore year. My dad, on the other hand, had a bit of a hard time with the idea and made sure to be cleaning his shotgun when Kroy came over to pick me up for our first date. I know that behind my father’s intimidations, he holds a great deal of respect for Kroy, so I don’t worry.
“What’s this party I’ve been hearing about?”
“Just a party,” I tell my dad, throwing an innocent smile behind my words.
When your dad is a history teacher at your high school as well as the head swim coach for the team you swim on, nothing is secret. He hears it all, which is why I make sure to fly under the radar and keep my reputation intact. Not that I have anything to hide. I’m just your typical seventeen-year-old. I’m an A student, have lots of friends, and I keep out of trouble for the most part. Like I said, nothing major really happens in this town.
“Is there going to be alcohol at this party?”
“Kroy, help me out here.”