In the parking lot

Lost in the pages of a book about a society of superheroes, I was jolted back to reality by the buzz of my phone. It was a text from Veronica: “We are waiting at the car. Where are you?” I quickly typed back, “On my way,” and closed the book, my brief escape into fiction over.

Quickly, I packed my things and rushed out of the library. As I rounded the corner to the nearly empty parking lot, the sight that greeted me made me stop in my tracks. There, near my newly-acquired hot pink car, were two cheerleaders – Veronica and Elizabeth – still in their cheer uniforms, chatting casually. The sun was low in the sky, casting a warm glow that made the scene before me feel almost surreal.

Veronica was sitting on the hood of the car, her cheer skirt hiked up just enough to reveal a glimpse of her panties. I wonder if she did that on purpose. The fabric of her skirt clung to her, highlighting her bubble butt and toned legs. Her school sweater was half unzipped, revealing a sports bra underneath that was doing a commendable job of containing her boobs. They were nothing when compared to the massive mammaries on Elizabeth, but respectable in their own right.

Elizabeth, leaning against the car beside her, was in a similar state of undress. Her uniform top was tied up, exposing her midriff and the lower curve of her breasts, while her skirt sat high on her thighs, showcasing her long, athletic legs. Her hair was pulled up into a messy bun, stray strands framing her face in a way that added to her carefree, yet undeniably sexy, appearance.

They were laughing about something, their voices carrying across the empty lot. Every now and then, Elizabeth would throw her head back in laughter, her body moving in a way that made her assets jiggle enticingly.

I approached the car, my heart racing not just from the rush to get there but also from the sight before me. This was no ordinary after-school pickup; it was like walking into a scene straight out of a fantasy. As I got closer, their conversation paused, and they both looked at me, their expressions shifting from amusement to a more guarded curiosity.

I hesitated for a moment, not wanting to interrupt the captivating scene in front of me. But then something took ahold of me. I unslouched my back slightly and took a deep and steady breath. Was this what confidence was supposed to feel like? Whatever it was, I felt in control.

I stepped forward. "Hey ladies!" I greeted them with a bit more cheer than usual.

Veronica's reaction was almost immediate. Her face twisted into an expression of displeasure, which, to my surprise, actually made me laugh. "Is it that bad to see me, V?" I teased, using the nickname Elizabeth called her back at the lockers.

She scowled at me, her annoyance palpable. "Don't call me that, loser. You don't know me," she snapped, her tone sharp.

Yesterday, a comment like that would have shut me down, but today was different. I felt bolder now. And better yet, I had an ally in Elizabeth, who was warm, friendly, and a bit oblivious to the social dynamics at play.

"Oh hey Marcus, don’t mind her," Elizabeth chimed in with her usual bubbly tone. "She just messed up a flip today, so she’s in a bad mood." She was blissfully unaware of Veronica's irritation and the underlying tension.

It was an interesting shift in dynamics. Veronica, usually so composed and in control, was now visibly frustrated, while Elizabeth's carefree nature provided a stark contrast. The suprising part was that Veronica didn't lash out at all. If anyone else had dismissed her, I know Veronica would have given them an earful. But not with Elizabeth. Also, did Elizabeth not realize the Veronica was genuinely upset? I was realizing that I really didn't understand how their friendship worked at all.

Shaking my head at the thought, I followed their lead as we entered the car. I asked them to give me the passenger seat, making up a flimsy excuse about how I was being dropped off first. I really wanted to sit there so I could eavesdrop on any conversation they had, instead of being stuck in the back seat. Thankfully, they didn't think much of my request and let me take it without any protest.

As we left the parking lot, I noticed that a few of the guys still at school were openly gawking at me. They were probably scratching their heads wondering what I was doing in this car at all. To be fair, I wasn't certain yet either. But I felt some sort of certainty course through me that I could make something happened if I wanted to.

I smiled. This felt good.