CrossRoads (The Life of Coy Book 1) Read online

  CROSSROADS

  Chapter 1

  "Don't drool, it's not healthy," said Tia.

  I snapped out of my daze and came back into the real world.

  "Sorry," I said.

  I was doing it again. Damn... Nicholas Reed, hottest senior, kindest boy, best athlete. I couldn't help but stare. Middle school crushes don't seem to ever go away, do they?

  "You know you have no chance right?" Tia said randomly.

  I sucked my teeth in annoyance.

  "What do you mean?"

  "Well, he's you know..."

  "Yeah okay Tia, I got it, Nic Reed, #1 popularity rank. Then there is me, Coy Clent probably last in the rank, and not to nice on the eyes."

  "Ding Ding Ding," Tia said and chuckled.

  I looked at her for a little unable to decide whether to laugh or to shoot her a dead look. But sure enough five seconds later, I burst into laughter as well. (Getting a few odd stares."

  We were eating at our regular table in Light View High School. Nothing was really special about where we sat. No populars, no high class "rich girls", just a bunch of low profile losers. This including myself obviously. We only sat here for the view. Front row tickets to the "Popular table," as Tia called it. We sit and watch them every day. The kids who always had new things, the best cars, and prettiest faces. Including Nic, and his terrible girlfriend Harper Faharo.

  It was time, they came inside the lunchroom. The best part about sitting here was the view. And the worst part was the view.

  Nic and Harper approached the table, Jonas at their back, along with Kingsley, my best friend.

  "Hey Coin," Harper said with a smirk on her face.

  "Oh, hey Herpes! How's your rash treating you? My mom (her pharmacist) told me you had to increase your dose, cause it got gasp shockingly worse."

  Everyone burst into laughter. I hung my head proud, turned to Nic and winked.

  Wait... What did I just do?

  Nic gave me an odd look and walked away, which by that time Harper had sat down at their table and began throwing her daily fit.

  Tia and I sat and ate for a little while more, watching the "Popular kids" till the bell rang.

  Tia and I began walking to our last classes. Mine, chemistry, her's art. She was always so damn lucky.

  "Hey girl!" I heard from behind me. Kingsley.

  I rolled my eyes and turned around, "What do you want Kingsley?"

  "Why so rude this morning? Did Harper get your panties in a twist or are you just angry that your hubby still hasn't noticed you?"

  I sighed and looked at the floor.

  "You know I could just tell him for you Coy. It's not that hard." He let out a chuckle.

  Kingsley doesn't understand, and he never will. He likes boys and he's a boy. So nothing really phases him because to him, there are many fish in the sea.

  "No," I said heated.

  "Okay pepper, well you better get on your way to chem, Mrs. Bristol will write you up if you're late."

  "Jeez, It's true! Thanks, Kingsley," I said as I ran down the hall books in han-

  thud

  My books fell and I was on the floor. I looked in front of me and saw... Oh no. Nicholas Reed. I. My. Front. On the floor. Because. Of me.

  "I'm so sorry," I said hesitantly.

  "It's okay," he laughed.

  I loved his laugh, it was like music to my ears.

  "You're Coi-"

  "Coy," I said.

  "Oh, sorry, Harper always says Coin," he said as he laughed.

  "Yeah, she kinda has it out for me."

  We both laughed. I stood there for a while, staring, admiring, drooling (not really), till the sound of the bell shattered my thoughts.

  "Oh lord," I said as I picked up my books.

  He helped too.

  "Thanks!," I shouted and dashed down the hall searching for room 202 for Chemistry.

  "Nice to meet you Coi-, I mean Coy," He laughed again and cruised down the hall.

  A huge smile spread across my face. I ran up the stairs, down next hall and finally into class 202.

  Chapter 2

  Surprise, surprise. I walk into my class just in time. But, I am greeted with an unpleasant sight. A blonde-haired, blue-eyed, tan-skinned, 5'4 girl. Harper. A devious smile creeps across her face.

  "Hey Coin," she says as I see myself fall to the floor.

  She tripped me, on the first day of my senior year. I am literally shamed.

  A boy points directly at me and yells "Dumbass". The whole class burst into laughter and my face burned red. I stand up and dust off my clothes. When I get my balance I turn and look Harper right in the eyes. As I open my mouth Mrs. Bristol walks into the room.

  "Settle down students, we don't need a brawl on the first day of school," she stated as she gave me the stink eye.

  Harper twirled her long, curly, blonde hair in her fingers and proceeded to her seat near the open window. She sat next to the window every year because it was so-called "good for the pores."

  I was walking around the class looking for a seat (but as it happens I have really bad luck) the only place I saw to sit was next to Harper.

  I hung up my bag and took my seat, as I sat down something flew into my hair. Gum. I yanked it out and threw it back to the sender, trying to listen to what we'd be learning about, safety drills, and all that other jazz they teach on the first day of school.

  After a head-bobbing, boring, 40 minutes class was finally over.

  I grabbed my galaxy patterned cheeseburger Jansport backpack and headed to my locker. I opened it up with my simple code 30-0-30, grabbed my books, filled my bag, and left the front door of the school.

  "Nicholas!" I heard two people shout. I turned around to get my last glimpse of him for the day, but was saddened when it was just Tia and Kingsley.

  "Why'd you guys do me like that?" I said pouting.

  They began laughing hysterically.

  "Sorry we had to," Tia said, still continuing to laugh.

  "I talked to Nicholas after this period and he said he finally talked to you, he sounded really happy and said you were beautiful," said Kingsley.

  "Oh my god, really?" I blurted out.

  "No, but he said you bumped into him today and it was a pleasure meeting you." Kingsley smiled largely, holding in a laugh, but no need, because Tia let out her own.

  "Well that's a start," Tia said.

  We all began laughing.

  "All we need to do now is help out your dull appearance, get Harper out of the way, and Nic will be all your!" Tia said sarcastically.

  Our laughter loudened, my stomach ached, and my head lightened.

  I inhaled deeply and let it out.

  "Thanks for the laugh," I said.

  "Today has been horrible," Tia said.

  "As if you know girl," Kingsley shouted.

  We all giggled for a few more seconds. We kept chatting for a few more minutes until I saw my mothers car pull up.

  "Bye Ti, Bye K!" I shouted as I ran towards my mom’s black 2017 jeep.

  "Bye!" They both shouted back. I hopped into the car and we drove off.

  A few minutes of silence went by, 1, 2, 3, 4, and then my mom finally said something.

  "So how was your first day? Any crushes besides that Mick, me, Micleass?"

  "Mom, it was okay, but it's Nicholas and no. And plus, who said I even liked him anyway, because I don't."

  "Well, your browser history says otherwise."

  I gasp.

  "Mom! Why are you reading my browser history?" I shout.

  "It's a family computer, not private property Coy," she laughs.

  Ugh.

  We pull into the garage. I open
the car door and jump out, open the house door, and drop my bag on the table. I take off my white converse, place them in my hand and walk to the fridge. I open it up and look around.

  Salad? No. Mashed potatoes? No. Chicken nuggets? No. Cheeseburgers and fries? Yes!

  I place it out on the place nearby and warm it up for the 30 seconds.

  Beep beep beep.

  I remove my food from the microwave, the smell filling the air. I walk into my room, place my page on the table, and lick the door. I walk over to the mirror and take a long hard look at myself.

  Brown hair, green eyes, light tan color, 5'4. So what's so bad about me? What's so different between Harper and me? Then there is Nic. Dirty blonde hair, amber eyes, 6'0, beautiful complexion, mesmerizing face.

  If it were my decision, I'd choose me. After all, amber and green would make beautiful eye colors for our future children.

  I let out a long, deep sigh and move away from the mirror. I grab my food and open my computer, going to YouTube.

  "How to get your crush to notice you," I type into the search bar. I click on the first video. It's a blonde-haired Hawaiian looking girl. I think she said her name is Eva?

  I start listening, at the same time I'm taking notes.

  I finish the video and then my phone goes off.

  Ding ding ding.

  I pick it up.

  "Tia! I've figured it out. I've got it!"

  Chapter 3

  Kinda left you hanging there, sorry.

  Today is the 2nd week of school, so Tia and I are going to put my plan to action today. We call it "Almanglo." I really don't know how we came up with such an odd name. Anyways this is what we have planned:

  Get Nic "Almanglo"

  1. Go to Clever Mall and buy a new wardrobe.

  2. Go to Sephora and Ulta and buy makeup.

  3. Go to the hair salon and get hair done (obviously.)

  4. Get nails done at that dumb nail place

  5. Go grocery shopping

  Ignore that last one..... Hahaha

  I throw on my backpack and walk to school. When I got there I saw Tia waiting at the front door.

  "Finally," she said.

  We hid our backpacks behind a big bush and ran to distance ourselves from the school. About a mile and a half later (We used to do track) we finished running, as we figured we were far enough from the school.

  "Let's walk now," I said taking a breath in between each word.

  "Walk? Haha! I only stopped here because I called an Uber. Did you really think we were going to walk for 30 some minutes to the mall? And on top of that, shop while we're sweaty?"

  "Uh, no." I stuttered.

  "Yeah, right..." Tia said rolling her eyes.

  5 minutes later, our driver, "Craig" (fishy name, I know) pulled up in his black 2016 Audi.

  "Are you, um, Tia," he said as he checked his phone.

  "Yes, Craig?" Tia said.

  "Yes ma'am, y'all can hop in the back seats," he said, me just hearing his southern accent.

  He unlocked the door and Tia and I went inside.

  30ish minutes went by without and utter from anyone. Tia and I sat in the back texting each other, rather than speaking.

  "Well, we have arrived," Craig said as he switched the car into park.

  "Thanks," I mummer and hopped out of the comfy car. 5 seconds later he drove off in a flash.

  I looked around to take in my surroundings, unable to figure out what to do first.

  "What do you want to do first?" Tia shouted in excitement.

  "Well, honestly I don't know, maybe we should just try and see-"

  "Okay, clothes it is!"

  I smiled as Tia grabbed my hand and dragged me into the mall, and to the nearest clothing shop. 'Forever 21' I read as I was being dragged into the store. If I must admit, I've actually never been to the mall. Only Walmart, Ross, and occasionally, that overrated red place you people call Target.

  I look around the store and see many things. Crop tops, jeans, leggings, graphic tees, shit I'd wear if I went to the gym, and more. I go over to the graphic tees first but am quickly dragged away by Tia.

  "No!" she quietly yelled.

  "You're no longer a child, you're 17. No more 'Ugh Monday' and 'Fries Before Guys' tees, leave it to the freshmen."

  I laughed louder than need to. I thought it was funny. The people around us, not so much. I straightened my face and proceeded to the crop tops. Tia began taking out many tops and after she had about 50, she gave them to me saying "Go try them."

  I went into the dressing room with 42 tops and came out with 20. It wasn't that bad. I liked my choices, I was confident. I showed them to Tia and after a few "Oohs" and "Ahhs," we headed to check out.

  When we got to the front of the line, I put the tops, jeans, and a few pairs of leggings Tia had chosen for me on the counter.

  "324.92," the cashier said after she rang everything up.

  "Whoa, Tia, I don't have that ty-" She cut me off like usual.

  "Here you go," Tia said to the cashier as she held out her credit card.

  Damn, I forgot Tia was rich. Billionaire father, gold-digging mama (no offense, she even says it).

  "Here you go," the cashier said as tore the printed receipt, put it in the bag, and handed it to Tia along with her credit card.

  I am honestly so lucky to have Tia. Beautiful, brown-haired, blue-eyed, rich best friend.

  After visiting 6 more shops for clothes, 2 for makeup, 3 for shoes, and the nail salon, we were finally at coming to our last stop... The hair salon.

  We entered the hair salon named 'Bad and Boujee Salon.' We were greeted by what seemed to be a french male.

  "Tiaa!' he shouted.

  "Armando!" They hugged like old-time friends in The Vampire Diaries.

  "Come, come, come! Let me fix your hair, even though it is already beautiful!" he said.

  "Great, but it's not for me, it's for my friend here, Coy."

  "Oh.," Armando said as he pulled closer and began touching my hair.

  "Just dreadful," he said loudly.

  Chapter 4

  I had done it; we had done it. Tia and I had made my dreams come to reality. The hairdresser did a terrific job, he was really rude, but did great.

  My hair now had volume. A shiny brown at the top which now faded into a warm golden tone. He had curled it to perfection and restored its life, plus added moisture.

  I got a beautiful coffin-shaped full set with those powdered acrylic things. It was painted a soft Bambi brown.

  Last of all, my makeup, 3 bags of concealers, foundation, eyeshadow, highlighter, lip gloss, and a bunch of other things that I really did not know the name of. Since I had bought so much, the sweet employees showed me how to do my makeup.

  Everything was ready, now all I had to do was put my plan into action.

  Now Nic would drool over me, rather than the opposite way around.

  I put my hair into a net provided by Armando and got ready to sleep. In only a few minutes, I was knocked out. No sign of life probably, I was physically, and mentally drained.

  In what seemed like 40 minutes, but in reality 7 hours and 24 minutes, my alarm clock was ringing, indicating it was time to get ready for school.

  I sat up and hit the snooze button forcefully. I picked up my phone and began scrolling through Instagram.

  What a delightful say for school, typed one perky cheerleader in her caption. Fuck it, I’m ditching, another typed as he showed himself at target.

  I let out a sigh.

  I hopped off my bed and hopped into the shower, making sure not a droplet of water touched my head. 12 minutes later I get out and began putting on my new clothes.

  “Graphic Tee?” I questioned myself.

  “Nah, Tia would be disappointed,” I said two seconds later.

  I picked up a maroon-colored lace-up crop top. I then grabbed a light-colored denim jean along with my Jordans.

  “Perfect,” I shouted with enthusiasm.

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