Chapter 10: Just Friends
"Jess you're late" Aunt May scolded as she sat down for breakfast.
"I know, the alarm didn't rang. I think the clock is broken" Jess explained. "Where's M J and Red?"
"Why can't you call them by their given names?" Aunt May asked as she marvelled at the silly nicknames children come out with these days.
"Sarah went to drop off some books in the library before school starts and Michelle said something about extra classes for Maths" Aunt May stated. "Eat slowly. Don't just stuff everything up"
"I'm late. Jamie is probably waiting so I've got to run....byee" With a toast in hand, Jess rushed out of the door.
Jamie waited for her beneath the big oak tree like he always did everyday as Jess cycled to his side.
"Did you wait long?" she asked.
" Yes and I was seriously leaving but I have something of yours so I waited" he said as he handed her a box.
"What is it?" Jess was surprised as she opened the box and beheld a black baseball jacket with the school team logo on it.
"I know how much you liked mine so i got one for you too. Consider it my thanks for putting up with me through countless hours of practice" he explained.
"Thanks Jamie" she said gratefully. "Race you to school. Come on" she shouted as she cycled past him while he followed suit.
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Roseville high was a school founded by the pioneers of the town, the Kingsley family. Situated at the heart of the town it boasted of quality education, good social skills and an all round curriculum integrated with variuos extra curricular activities in the form of clubs or associations. Every student was expected to be an active member of a club to encourage both mental and social growth. Jess belonged to the News Club, thus an active reporter for the school newspaper. Michelle was with the Drama Club and Sarah belonged to the Science Club.
The news room was empty except for Sally who presided as the editor of the club as Kat submitted her report on the game last night.
"This is all well and good Kat" she began as she read the report "but I want you to do an exclusive interview on Alexander Jacob Steele."
"Who?" Kat asked.
"The batsman who won us the game" Sally was exasperated. "Readers would be interested to learn his back story as well as any juicy tit bits you might find."
"But I barely know the guy" Kat protested.
"So when has that stop you. Use your sources, ask him directly, do whatever. Just get me the story" Sally ordered as she shoved her out of the room.
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At lunch, Kat was still pondering on the assignment at hand thinking up ways to approach her target as she stood in line with a tray in hand. Too occupied to notice, she suddenly bumped into a boy who turned right around after paying for his lunch.
"Be careful" he called out as he held on to her tray with one hand while the other hand held his.
Kat looked up to a pair of brown eyes in a good looking face.
"Are you alright?" he asked .
"Yes, thanks for the safe" she smiled as her gaze landed on his hand on the tray.
"You're welcome" he replied. "Enjoy your lunch" He let go of his hand and walked away.
"Who was that?" Kat asked as she scooted beside Red and M. J.
"That was Mike and Red's long time crush" M. J. replied.
"M. J you promised not to tell" Red cried out.
"Relax, Kat is family and no secrets between sisters right?" M. J. stated.
"He's cute" Kat observed. "How come I'm the last always in meeting cute guys?" she wondered.
"That's because you're Jamie's Kat" Red replied.
"So?" Kat questioned.
"You have a sign pasted that says Jamie's Kat. Do not approach. Being a captain of the school's baseball team, all the boys are a little intimated by him and shudder to get in his wrong side." M. J. explained.
"But Jamie is just my best friend. Dating him would feel like dating my brother" Kat pointed out.
"We know that, you know that but in everyone's eyes you're Jamie's girl" Red offered.
"What about Jamie? I'm sure there are tons of girls willing to go out with him. Doesn't he mind?" M. J. asked.
"Jamie doesn't care. He uses me as an excuse everytime to keep off clingy girls" Kat said. "Besides I don't mind. It keeps me away from unwanted attention so I could focus more on being a good reporter."
"One of these days you are going to meet someone who would change your perspectives. Mark my words" Red predicted.
"Speaking of Jamie, have you seen him around?" Kat asked. "I need to ask a favour of him."
"He' ll be around here somewhere" Red offered.
"So what's up with you girls?" Kat asked.
"I'm failing Maths" M. J. sighed.
"I heard about the extra classes" Kat sympathized. "Hey Red, could tutor you in Maths " she suggested.
"Wish I could help but I am busy preparing for the upcoming Science Fair. I have to come up with a good project and get it approved. So I'll be busy as it is" Red replied.
"I have an assignment too so count me out" Kat said. "Hey M. J do you want me to ask Jamie? He is pretty good in Maths?"
"Would you Kat?"M. J. pleaded. "He'd never agree if I ask him but he'd definitely do it if you say so."
"Don't worry. I'll ask him when I see him after school" Kat promised.
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