“You heard me. If she can’t do it, then call me. I’ll be here. Now, I gotta go. I’ll talk to you shortly. Later, Shine Baby,” He leaned down and kissed my cheek as he left. It was totally normal for him to kiss me goodbye. He has been doing it since the first time he learned how to kiss. I think nothing of it usually, but today it felt different. It seemed like his lips lingered on my cheek for longer than normal and he was super close to the corner of my mouth. I held my breath the entire time.
“Bye,” I said, or at least I think I said. The words sounded a little jumbled up when they finally came out, and I would swear that he was halfway to work before they left my lips.
I shook my head back and forth trying to forget what just happened. It didn’t happen. I’m certain. I am such a girl. I read way too much into things. I grabbed my gym bag from my locker and jogged towards practice.
3
AND A HALF
Moon
I was so close to her lips that I could smell her cherry Chap Stick or lip stick or whatever it was she had smoothed over her lips. I wanted to lick each one of those lips so bad, just to feel how they felt against mine. Would she have freaked out? I thought about kissing her anyway, and then apologizing my ass off and pretending that I did it on accident. Just one taste was all I needed. Yeah right… One kiss would have sent me over the edge and I would have made love to that girl right there in the school hallway.
I am just glad that I got out of there when I could. I couldn’t even look at her face to see her reaction. I slammed my fists onto my steering wheel and jerked my head back against the seat. I am not going to wait any longer. I will tell her tonight that I love her. She’ll either love me back or she won’t, no time to dwell. As soon as the year is over she plans on leaving for college, and I can’t let her leave without telling her how I feel. I’ll regret it forever. My chest was aching all the way down to my stomach with every thought of losing her. I won’t let it happen. I won’t lose her.
4
Shine
When I made it to the field everyone was already there waiting for me.
“Sorry I’m late.” I said. Melody rolled her eyes.
“It’s all right we were just stretching,” Katie said. She was one of the sweeter girls on the squad. I really love all the girls on the team; I just have the most problems with Melody. Don’t get me wrong. She could be a real snotty bitch, but she was a part of the team. I have been cheering with this squad of girls since middle school. We are a dysfunctional family. You always have your favorites though, and Katie has always been the nicest to me. Plus, she is the only one who doesn’t go on and on about how hot Moon is.
“You know how I feel about people being late,” Melody glared at me. “You can stay late and make it up with five laps around the track.”
“Okay,” I sighed. I hate that she’s captain. I swear the girl loves making me miserable. I know it’s because she is in love with Moon, but dang. It’s not my fault that he doesn’t love her back.
Practice was grueling. Our stunts have gotten so difficult. Last year our squad placed runner up at state, and this year we were expected to go to Nationals. We have a real shot this year, and I plan on working my butt off to make it happen.
After my five laps I was exhausted, and alone. All of the girls had left to go home already and I was hoping that I had some kind of a ride waiting for me out front. When I walked off the field to the parking lot, there were only two cars. I didn’t recognize either of them. I walked into the locker room to get my cell. Maybe someone had called. I grabbed my phone out of my bag and checked it for missed calls. I had a text from Moon and from his mom. I opened the one from Moon first.
Moon- I talked 2 mom 2 make sure you had a ride and she said she would b there to pick u up as soon as she left work. Ok?
I quickly texted him back.
Shine- Ok! Thanks! Quit worrying about me. I will see you later tonight. XO
I opened the text from Moon’s mom Lisa.
Lisa- I am running late Shine honey. I will be about another twenty minutes. See you soon!
Shine- That’s fine. I will hit the showers while I wait. Thanks again!
Judging by the text message, I would say that I have at least fifteen minutes before she arrives. I grabbed my plastic toiletries bag and my flip flops, and I went to the shower room to grab a quick shower. I stayed under the hot steamy water as long as I could. My muscles ached from today’s grueling practice. I gathered my things and wrapped myself up tightly in my towel. I was dripping water with every step I took towards the locker room. As I was putting away my things I heard a noise. It must be Lisa.