The first day is always interesting...

Over towards the middle of the cafeteria where the cheerleaders typically sit, Ashley Woodsen took a moment to observe her surroundings. As hectic as first days can be, she studies the different cliques, new kids, glow ups, etc. Sitting at the table with her is Heather Ravers, Victoria Walker, and Tanya Jones, as well as a few other cheerleaders. Many of the students intermingled but strangely enough, at lunch period they seemed to separate by cliques. Bored of the non-stop cheerleader talk, Ashley glances at the rest of the cafeteria. Seeing the dreaded football players being loud as hell, throwing food at each other, and rough housing. At least they weren’t disappointing their reputation. Across the cafeteria were the basketball players, minus a couple, who were joking and carrying on with one another. While still jocks, they carried some smugness but were far less barbaric. The next table she sees is the brainy types. Smiling when she sees her old friend Gavin actually engaging in conversation. He doesn’t come around the friend group as much as years past. It was good to see him finding people that he can connect better with. Zack also does his best to check in on the quiet introvert.

Speaking of Zack, she next notices his small table with her other close friends Chloe and Paris. Not able to make out what they were talking about, she still giggles as the girls seem to be laying into him about something. The thought hits her once again of how dumb it’s always been that she has to divide herself between her two groups. Half tempted to march over there right now and drag the three of them to her current table, she calms herself. Figuring ‘Alfred’s’ is the better environment, especially if things go south. She refocuses and catches eyes with Zack. Smiling at him momentarily before making a funny face. Zack responds with a grin and a nod before a dramatic fake hair flip looking back to his table. Ashley couldn’t hold back her smile. She too refocused herself on the people at her table. A short interaction that may not have been lost on a few observant students.

“Victoria, sweetie, a boy could try to be nice to you without full intention of fucking you under the bleachers.” Heather exaggerated. “Which would be fucking hot.”

Victoria rolled her eyes and took a deep breath before responding. “As I just told you it was more than being nice and I don’t think his eyes looked at my face the entire time. If you don’t mind, please tell me when you plan on living out your fantasy behind the bleachers. I may or may not have access to close them.”

“Yeah, you do seem talented at keeping things closed.” Heather said with a slight curl of her luscious lips.”

Ashley figured she needed to intervene before the mudslinging turned into cafeteria burger slinging.

“Okay Ms. Most likely to be a nun and Ms. Most likely to be a Centerfold, can we stop this before a cafeteria riot starts on the first day?”

Victoria glares at the interrupting blonde girl, while Heather contemplates Ashley’s comment with a smirk. Neither girl verbally agrees but seem to stop the argument, which is good enough.

Victoria isn’t one to let things go. Victoria or ‘Vicky’ as her close friends call her, is the chief editor of the school newspaper. She’s a great student who has probably already planned out the next 20 years of her life. Vicky is far from the cheerleader type. Growing up across the street from Ashley, she has known her since they were racing tricycles down the street. The two met Heather in elementary school. While at times they seemed like an odd trio, their differences are probably what made them such good friends. Heather being the brain, Ashley the heart, and Victoria the conscious. While not a cheerleader, Victoria was still in contest for the hottest girl in the school. She may have a sweet, girl next door demeanor but that doesn’t disguise how hot she really is. The budding reporter had flowing blonde hair that made its way to the middle of her back. Her build was amazing with an ass that stopped most men in their tracks and a good amount of women as well. If you somehow made it this far, she had the cutest face with mesmerizing Jade green eyes.

Victoria was surveying the cafeteria for any good stories. Interested by a few, while the conversation between Ashley and Heather caught her attention. ‘Alfred’s after school?’ … Not her typical spot but the chance of other students being there sounded intriguing. At the very least a story would certainly come from this. “Can I come?”

Ashley and Heather slightly caught off guard, looked at each other for a moment before deciding. “Yeah sure.”

Almost immediately after, the bell rang, and everyone made their goodbyes before heading to their next class.

Zack was at his locker grabbing his book for his advanced English class. Possibly trying to hide it from his friends, he was thrilled to finally be going to Ms. Moreau’s class. Clearly he’s aware of how attractive his teacher is but she’s also very kind and connected with her students. Mary doesn’t treat them like kids or one of many that she teaches in a day. She actually connects with them individually. This is a skill that’s not lost on Zack. He was a bit shyer when he first entered high school, especially around hot women. Ms. Moreau was the first one who seemed to get him past that, as he would get lost in thought talking about whatever books he was reading. Before long he felt as if he could talk to her on just about any subject as she sat and took in every word from the once quiet boy. This also wasn’t lost on Mary, quietly taking pride that the once meek boy trusted her enough to open up in the way that he has. While Mary has always appreciated Zack, it wasn’t lost on her that the ‘boy’ has now became a quite attractive young man. Zack was a bit of a late bloomer not fully maturing and hitting his growth spurt until the summer before sophomore and junior year. Mary always being the professional, did her best to shake those thoughts from her mind.

As Zack has everything he needs and is about to close his locker, he feels a small hand smack him on the ass. Turning with slightly pink cheeks, a grinning Ashley stands with folded arms. “Have you never heard of consent?” Zack says with a serious look that he isn’t able to maintain for more than a couple seconds.

“Shut it Zack. You liked it anyways. Sorry if you were expecting a different blonde-haired girl.” She teased.

Zack was a fairly private person, but he didn’t stand a chance keeping many secrets from Ashley, Chloe, or Paris. He once again blushed slightly before smiling and ruffling the cheerleader’s hair. Ashley elbowed him in the ribs as a response. Don’t let her size fool you, she doesn’t back down from anyone. She grew up with Hannah for heaven’s sake.

“You know I could easily get the two of you together...” She taunted to the young man looking away and doing her best innocent impression.

Zack gave her a blank side eyed look “Could you now? I’m pretty sure I let you talk me into that before. I don’t think I need to remind you how that turned out.”

The normally bold Ashley, winced. It was true that while she was dating Brandon Cole, she became friends with Madison Cole. In extension, she also became somewhat close to Lisa Riveria. At some point she had the genius idea that the forward and extraverted Lisa would be perfect for Zack. Quickly putting a scheme together for the matchmaking, she had the two together in no time. Ashley was happy that she was successful but wasn’t as happy as she thought she’d be. The relationship was great at first but didn’t last long. The breakup wasn’t dramatic or bitter but still put a divide between two friendships.

Ashley grabbed Zack’s elbow and spun him around with a serious expression, biting her lower lip. Seeing this catches Zack off guard. Looking up at him, her focused bright blues staring back into his, “Zack… you know I’m sorry that it didn’t last with Lisa. I just want you to be with someone who deserves you. More girls should know how great you are, other than just me, Chloe, and your cousin. I want you to be happy.” At these words Zack lowers his defenses and puts his arm around his friend as they turn and walk towards their next class.

The next couple minutes the two friends return to normal joking and teasing each other while catching up on their first day of school.

“You don’t mind if I bring a couple friends to Alfred’s, do you?” Ashley asked turning her head up to Zack.

“Why would I Care? The more the merrier.” Zack responds nonchalantly.

As they finally separate to go to their different classes, Zack gives her a gentle slap on her ass in ****. Ashley turns in slight shock with a bright red face staring at Zack’s smug face before quickly turning down his hall. She clinches her fists but can’t help but smile at the suddenly bold boy.