Evan was waiting for me at my locker with his backpack over his shoulder.
"Hi," he said with a smile that shook me from my funk.
"I'm so happy to see your face right now," I sighed, throwing my arms around his ribs and burying my head into his chest. I inhaled and let his clean scent release the tension in my shoulders.
"Uh, okay." He laughed and squeezed me back. "Bad day?"
"Something like that." My face was still pressed into him, muffling my words.
"What are you doing after my game?"
I looked up, my arms still wrapped around him. "I have practice."
"That's right," he remembered. "We're getting something to eat after, and I was hoping you would come."
"Sorry," I offered with a grimace, finally releasing him. "But I'll see you tomorrow night after my game, right?"
"Of course," he smiled. "It's our date. Are you going home first to change, or are you doing that here?"
"I was hoping to shower at home. Is that okay? Or will that make us late?"
"No, that's not a problem. I need to do the same thing anyway. That should give you enough time, don't you think?"
"Yes," I responded, finally finding a reason to smile for the first time all day. "That sounds perfect." It was still all about waiting for Friday―for my date with Evan, and for Jonathan to come home to... tell my mother he was moving to California. But I refused to think about that part. I would deal with the repercussions of his talk with her after my date with Evan.
I kept Jill and Sara in between Analise and me during Evan's game. But it was hard to ignore her gleeful yelps whenever he'd block a shot or rebound the ball. Sara cocked her head toward Analise after a particularly enthusiastic round of cheering. She looked to me, about to say something, but I shook my head with a roll of my eyes. Sara laughed, reading my thoughts without a word.
"Are you coming with us for pizza?" Analise asked me as we made our way down the bleachers.
"I have practice," I told her, not thrilled that she was a part of the "we" Evan mentioned.
"Don't worry, I'll be there," Sara gushed in return, her smile a little too forced.
"Oh," Analise replied, her joy faltering slightly, "great."
Sara turned to me behind Analise's back with a wide mimicking smile, "Great."
I laughed and swatted her arm, "Don't be mean."
"Yeah, you're right." She groaned like it was difficult. "I'll be nice, I promise."
Sara was the easiest person in the world to get along with, and most people loved her instantly. But if she didn't like you... she could be vicious. She and I both knew that there was nothing particularly unlikable about Analise, but for some reason, we both found ourselves not exactly fond of her. I was actually kind of relieved that I wasn't the only one to harbor these inexplicable feelings toward the spritely girl who was eternally smiling.
"Evan, you were amazing," Analise praised merrily.
"Thanks," he responded. Finding me behind her, his eyes locked with mine. I squeezed by her and kissed him on the lips, despite the sweat that pressed against my cheeks. He exhaled slowly when I pulled away, "Thanks," he grinned, squeezing my hand.
"I should get ready for practice," I told him. "See you tomorrow?"
"I'll wait for you in the lobby," Analise told him, interrupting us.
"Okay, sure," Evan responded, glancing at her quickly. "I'll be a few minutes, but I'll find you."
I looked from Analise's blonde curls to Evan.
"I drove her," Evan explained, noticing the confusion on my face. I could only nod, afraid of what might spew out of my mouth if I opened it. He leaned down and kissed me again, "I'll see you tomorrow."
When I walked toward the locker room, my phone beeped.
Pathetic me going out with the girls after work. So so sorry about last night. Jonathan's back tomorrow―Yay! Promise to be good tonight!
Yup. Friday couldn't come fast enough.
20. No Such Thing as "Normal"
Nothing was going to keep me from enjoying every second of our date―nothing. Not Analise and her adorableness, or the fact that she had to sit next to Evan throughout my entire game―yes, I'd noticed. Not the fact that I hadn't slept last night because I stayed up listening for my mother to come home. And when she finally did, she was staggering and giddy. And not even the fact that I was running late because I left my lights on in the parking lot and Jill had to jump start my car. I was determined to have an amazing night.