Words Of My Song - Chapter Three

"Hey, what up, Will, ma dawg?! And who was that fi-iine girl you were talking to?" Will laughed and grabbed Shark's hand, leading him into a complicated half-hug, half-handshake. Shark's real name was Leon Peron, a fact he seemed more than happy to forget. Shark was Will's best friend. They had lived in the same hood and hanged out together for as long as they could both remember. Their moms' were friends so they bunked at each others houses regularly, too. This resulted in making them closer than close.

"Hey, Shark. That fine girl was the fresh meat that Parsons was talking about. She's cool. And seemed to think I was, too. Can't believe she picked me." Will smiled at Shark's reaction, which was over exaggerated as always.

"Get in there, boy! That's my man! She's hotter than hot and of course she picked you, you know they all drool over you, man! And she didn't mind throwing a glance my way, either. Those Californian girls are too much! Believe that. I should know!" Will laughed aloud and slapped Shark on the back, pretending to bend over with mirth. "What, man?! Shut up, boy, or I'll tell you where to stick your..."

"Hey guys! Hey Shark." There was a decidedly annoying feminine voice hovering next to Will's ear in the most angering way. It was Sandy, the school bitch, deciding to pick her next victim, namely, Shark. The worst thing? Shark was hot on her. Being the only white chicks in school, Shark was bound to be hot on her.

"Hey Sandy." A happily disgruntled Shark released his hackles and straightened up, looking Sandy right in her blue eyes, playing it cool.

"Oh, Shark, I was wondering if you'd help me with a little dilemma I've got." Simpered the blonde haired girl, flicking back her straight locks right at that moment. Will grimaced and backed off.

"Sure." Shrugged Shark, obviously jumping with excitement inside.

"Well, like, math is so hard and..." Will felt annoyance bubble inside him and rise like the lava of an erupting volcano.

"Yes, he'll meet you after school today, at 3 in Pizza Parlor, ok?" Will had heard this chat up line directed toward him so many times, he knew it off by heart. Sandy jumped back as if stunned and Shark looked seriously angry. But then this big, fake smile split Sandy's face as she looked at Will, acting puzzled.

"Well, yeah, but it's actually geometry I'm stuck on. I got through math. Got another tutor." Will smiled back, his grin also fake, and nodded.

"Must have. Nice, was he?" her smile faded a little.

"Very."

"Last long?"

"Only a few weeks."

"Must be a fast learner." Sandy smiled smugly for a second, and pushed her tongue on her top lip, remembering.

"Yeah, he was." Then she remembered who she was talking to and in the presence of whom.

"He?" Sandy went red - looked flustered.

"I mean me, I mean me!" Will smiled genuinely.

"Sure you do, Sandy, sure you do." Shark turned on Will. He looked slightly annoyed, but now he knew what she was like, he was wary.

"Actually, I've already got a date, Sandy." Sandy's face crumpled in disbelief that she was being turned down.

"With whom? Who are you blowing me off for?" Sandy looked angry and very flushed. Just at that moment, one of Shark's friends, Tina, a pretty, curly haired girl who had liked him forever, was walking by. She was very cool and witty to the point of sarcastic. But when it came to Shark, she was mush. Very casual, hidden mush of course. And she hated Sandy with all she had. Same was with Sandy, Will supposed. Shark quickly grabbed Latina's hand.

"With Tina, of course. Everyone knows we're going together." He slid his arm easily around her waist. Will watched the mix of emotions flitting across Tina's face with amused interest. She was blushing ever so slightly, and she looked somehow ruffled. But finally, her lips curled in a smug smile at getting one over Sandy. Typical Tina. She was so cool, she was almost cold. Almost, but never. Because she had a warm, kind heart.

Will himself had seen that side of her last year when they had a friendly, casual relationship that had broken off in a friendly, casual way resulting in mates for life. He was happy she liked Shark. He was slightly annoyed Shark was too dumb to see that. If his best friend didn't act soon, she would be snapped up. He knew lots of guys who would love to do just that. And lots of others that had their eye on her. Tina's smile widened to a grin.

"Yeah, what's the hype with stealin' my man, Sandy?" Sandy's face dropped considerably, but then she simpered evilly. She flicked back her hair and smirked.

"I don't want nothing that trash has touched anyway, so there!"
"Well I feel the same way so good thing he was my man before he was yours, ain't it?" Tina was playing it all she was worth, and Will was so amused he could have laughed out loud if it wasn't for a dangerously fuming Sandy next to him. Sandy just sort of hissed and turned on her heel, flicking her hair back one more time before flouncing off. Will winced as a few of her razor-sharp, straight strands whipped him across the face, stinging slightly. He turned to Shark.

Tina was pulling away from his friends grasp and he was trying to catch her back. They were both laughing and happy and Will understood Shark may have realized something at last. He turned to go, hearing a few last words and smiling at them.

"So what 'bout that study date, then, babe?"

"Don't call me babe, and I thought we were just messing 'bout for Miss High and Mighty, there." There was a trace of doubt in Tina's voice.

"Well, I may have just changed my mind." Shark was half laughing, half serious.

"In that case, sure." Tina shrugged casually. "See you at three, then."

"Sooner if I can help it!"

"Later if I can!" That was an age-old routine and Will was glad to have heard it. He walked off easily, making for his form. Involuntarily, his thoughts drifted back to the new girl. She was cool. Different. Will, out of simple nature, was a kind person and had a good heart, helping people out whenever he could. This earned him respect but sometimes jeers as well at being one of the good guys and not the thugs. When he had previously helped a few girls through the thong at the front, and even a few boys, they all started playing up to him. The girls flirted shamelessly and outrageously, and the guys really became chummy, as sort of a latch on, convinced being friends with him would mean instant popularity.

But she hadn't. In fact, when he had said 'I'll see you around' - the first time he had ever said that to someone he had helped that way - she hadn't seemed too sure that she was going to. Any other girl would have jumped at the chance to be seen with the star basketball forward, but she didn't. And Will was glad. It was about time someone he didn't know saw through the popularity and had tried to seek the real Will within. In fact, he thought uneasily, I wouldn't mind getting to know her better. But her aura had shown jagged purple lines and that meant unhappiness surrounded her. She obviously wasn't meant for a relationship yet. Not that he wanted a relationship with her. Or did he?