I don’t want anyone knowing that. It’s only for me.
“Here you are!”
I spin around at the sound, not even realizing that I’m not alone anymore. I’m met with a concerned pair of green eyes, ones that considering what time it is, I didn’t expect to see again until tomorrow. He’s supposed to be on the field for practice soon, so what’s he doing standing in the hallway with me?
“What are you doing here?”
I pull my phone from my pocket and hold it up to him in explanation. Now it’s his turn to share, because not only do I need to be outside in five minutes to catch my bus, but he has to be on the field.
This is something I do a lot. I’m good with details. No one can beat my ability to memorize and remember.
“I gotta get to practice, but I wanted to make sure you got to the bus.”
My phone still in my hand, I unlock the screen and start typing. A nod or a shake of my head won’t do.
You don’t have to do that.
“I know I don’t, but I wanted to. I also have something I want to ask you.”
Okay.
“Can you meet me after practice? I usually get done here around six or so.”
I don’t know to answer this. In the last two weeks, the only time we’ve actually hung out together has been at school. Well, other than the one time we went to his house, but I don’t count that. We didn’t spend any time alone. It’s always just been texting back and forth at night.
I’m not sure I want that to change, especially since I haven’t even told my mom about any of it.
I don’t know if that’s a good idea.
“Please? It doesn’t have to be for long, but I really want to see you after practice.”
Why did he have to go and say it like that? The way he says please softens me and I know I’m going to say yes, even though I don’t know how I’m going to make it all work yet. I want to see him too. At least if the way my stomach is reacting is any indication.
Okay. Not for long though.
“I swear it won’t be long.”
Before I can think of a response he’s closed the gap of space between us and his lips are pressed to my forehead. Anything I might have come up with to say goes out the window. All I can feel is the warmth of his lips on my skin. Why is it that every time he gets close to me I can’t seem to think straight?
It’s like there are a bunch of mice running around inside of my tummy and no matter what I do, I can’t seem to get them to stop.
“See ya in a few hours, princess.” He says as he backs away. It’s only when he turns away from me and makes his way back down the hall that the scurrying feeling in my stomach stops and I feel okay again.
Now I just need to figure out how I’m gonna make all this work. After what just happened, there’s no way I’m missing out on seeing him tonight. In fact it’s pretty much all I want to do now that he’s brought it up. There’s one way I can do it, but it means doing something I’m not exactly looking forward to.
Telling my mom everything.
Kayden
As I make my way into the locker room to suit up for practice, I feel like I’m on cloud nine. There isn’t anything that can get to me now, not even the eyes I’m getting from Dillon the minute I open the locker door. I’m so damn happy that I’m pretty sure I’m wearing the world’s goofiest damn smile, but I honestly couldn’t care less.
She said yes.
With everything I learned today and what I already knew, but wasn’t ready to admit to, I knew what I had to do next. I care about her and now I know she feels the same way. Sure, Ms. T warned me that she might not understand what she’s feeling because it’s another one of her weaknesses, but she still felt it and that’s all I need to know.
I can get there with everything else. I’ve got all the time in the world, especially with her.
It’s kind of crazy because with anyone else I would have never acted like this. Understanding is just not something I do. Of course with everyone else, they lay their shit out easily so there’s no confusion about how they feel about me. With Isabelle though, I want to take everything slow and do it right because she deserves that.
“Someone’s happy.”
“Yeah, I am.” I shoot back. As much as I can’t stand the sound of his voice, I’m not going to sit here and pretend I don’t hear him. “What’s it to you?”
“Chill man, I didn’t mean it in a bad way. It’s nice.”
Is he serious? Since when is me being happy nice for him?
“Yeah, it’s pretty damn nice.”
“Is it ‘cause of Belle?”
He has no right to ask me that, or even say her name, especially the way he is. I’m trying to stay chill about everything, but the way he says it gets under my skin. It took me weeks to say her name that way and for her to be okay with it, there is no way he should get to so easily.