Just Breathe (6 page)
Authors: Heather Allen
On our way to the game Gabbi won’t shut up about Jack and he’s the last person I want to talk about. I don’t tell her about the lake incident today because I’ve already decided, I’m not even going to talk to him anymore. I change the subject to another dreaded subject, Michael.
She stops talking mid -sentence and says with a gaping mouth, “This guy must have really gotten to you if you would rather talk about Michael.”
I keep my eyes focused on the car ahead and tell her, “Well, I really don’t want to talk about any guys, truthfully. I am giving them up this year, nothing but bad news.”
Gabbi glances at me and asks, ”Are you feeling alright, Ever?”
I look at her and say, “Just let it be, I want to go to the game and forget about Michael and Jack and anyone else in that category.”
She nods reluctantly and agrees, “Okey dokey girlfriend. Hey, what do you think about Rachel and Craig…they are finally hooking up.”
I shrug and smile. Leave it to Gabbi to turn anything negative into positive vibes. She is truly a ray of sunshine, when there are clouds, in other words, when I’m around.
When we pull into the dirt lot around the football field, I spot my parents at the concession stand getting their usual popcorn and soda. They can’t come to a game without the full experience. Gabbi and I walk up and give them hugs. We tell them we are going to go and sit with friends and they nod telling us they will see us later.
Gabbi turns to me, “Ever, you have the coolest parents, they always treat you like an adult.”
I shake my head, “No Gabbi, definitely parental figures, I think they are just trying to give me more space this year, especially after the breakup, they probably feel sorry for me.”
Then I admit, “James, on the other hand, seems to be getting the same distance and it doesn’t seem to be working out for him.”
She agrees, “Yeah, I saw him walk out the door before you came out today. He looked all dark and miserable with his head down. Is he coming to the game tonight?”
I shake my head, “Ah no, we conversed, barely before you came to pick me up, and he made it sound like he wouldn’t be caught dead here.”
I shrug, “Whatever, let my parents deal with him.”
Gabbi looks over toward the bleachers and points laughing, “Yeah, you have bigger fish to fry, so to speak.”
I glance up and straight ahead is Michael’s new flame with all of our friends. Oh great, guess she’s making herself right at home in my old spot. Then I scan the bleachers and spot Jack leaning on the far end staring at me. We make eye contact and I feel warm all over again.
I grab Gabbi’s arm and pull her up into the bleachers before she can see him. We climb up to the far left end of the area where my ex’s friend sits. Why does there have to be so much drama this year? Last year was so nice and drama free. I sigh.
Gabbi looks over and asks, “What’s wrong? We can go and sit somewhere else if you want.” I look down the bleachers to where Jack was standing and he’s gone.
I shake my head and tell her, “No, I’m fine.”
I have to at least try to have fun. I glance to my right and I’m sitting next to a girl named Melody. She is holding hands with Mitch her boyfriend on the other side, great, more couples.
The announcer starts introducing our players. We all clap and I start talking to Gabbi and Reggie about the team we are playing. Apparently, they only lost two games the whole season last year. I cross my fingers, our team deserves a break. Then I hear Michael’s name announced and I look up as he runs out. Someone steps in front of my line of sight and I focus to see who it is… of course, Jack. He walks in the direction of the parking lot. I look at Gabbi to see if she noticed but she’s too engrossed in flirting with Reggie.
I tap her and tell her, "Hey, I’ll be right back."
She nods not even glancing my way.
Oh Ever, what are you doing, you swore this guy off
….
When I reach the bottom of the bleachers I look around but he’s gone. I start walking in the direction of the lot thinking about what I will say to him… I’m just stalking you, don’t be alarmed. I spot him across the lot leaning on his car, hard to miss that bright yellow car among other things. I decide to just tell him now that we shouldn’t be partners in class. Now is as good a time as any.
I approach him with an apprehensive look because I really don’t know what to say. His amazing eyes meet mine and I want to melt.
“Hi” he says cheerily.
“Hi” I say back.
“I was just checking to…um see if you were finding your way around.” I tell him lamely.
He grins, “Yes, actually I just came to get my bearings on the Friday night highlights of the town.”
I chuckle and spread my hands, “This is it for the next three months, eat, sleep, and talk, football.”
I ask, “Do you play?”
He shakes his head in the direction of the field with that half smile. I’m melting.
”Na I’ll leave that to them.”
I ask, “Do you play any sports?”
He laughs at that and doesn’t respond right away.
I’m confused so I ask, “Did I say something funny?”
“No, I’m laughing because I actually swim.”
Oh, the jokes on me. The lake incident pops into my head.
“So, you would have jumped in at the lake if you needed to?” I ask questioningly.
“Yes, but I wouldn’t need to because you can hold your own in the water.” He answers.
I admit, “Okay, so maybe I did over react just a little.” I hold my thumb and forefinger up for effect.
He laughs and I can see it in his whole face.
I start looking around and meet his eyes again, “Would you be opposed to a race in the future?” I ask with a grin.
He raises his eyebrows, “You think you can beat the infamous Jack Tanner?”
I hold my breath for a second, “Should I have heard of you, are you famous for swimming?”
He laughs again, “So naïve Ever, no I am not famous, but I will give you a good race.”
I grin and tell him, “You’re on.”
I can’t explain how I feel around Jack but it’s like no feeling I’ve ever felt. I feel so comfortable and charged with energy. I glance at my watch.
“Well” I say reluctantly.
“I told Gabbi I would be right back, she might be worried.”
He nods and turns to get into his car. I start to walk back to the bleachers. Then I hear my name and turn.
He calls out, “I’ll see you on Monday.”
I nod and give a little wave. Maybe Jack isn’t so bad after all. I am actually feeling a little giddy. I guess I’m changing the plan again.
Oh Ever!
Monday morning comes quick and I am finally looking forward to school for the first time since the break up. Maybe things are finally turning around. I drive up and there is Gabbi waiting by her bug, this can’t be good. She always has some sort of gossip to share but by the look on her face, it doesn’t seem like it could be good news today.
As I get out of the jeep she rushes to my door and whispers, “I heard more…”
I turn to look at her, “About what, Gabbi?”
As I grab my bag she rushes on, “About Jack, not only did he get kicked out of his last school but he also has a police record.”
I look at her and shrug, “Well, maybe a bad boy will be good for me, for a while.”
Her mouth falls open, “You can’t be seriously thinking about still talking to him, can you?”
I take a deep breath and grab her by the shoulders, “Gabbi, I have been depressed and miserable for the better part of two months now. I am finally feeling better and if Jack has anything to do with it, then so be it. I’m not going to ignore him because of something that happened somewhere else and has nothing to do with me.”
Gabbi closes her mouth quickly and says, “Okay.”
I tell her I’ll see her later and head to class. She nods and walks the other way toward her first class. I know she means well but I am feeling much better these days. I don’t need anything to bring me down. Maybe in third period, I will let her know I didn’t mean to snap. The last thing I need is Gabbi mad at me.
I walk into World History and Jack has be.at me to class. He looks up as I sit down. He takes his ear buds out and I ask, “What are you listening to?” He smiles and gives me an ear bud to listen.
“Eric Satie, classical.” He tells me
I listen to the clear and perfect melodies. “It’s beautiful” I tell him and grin.
Mr. Griggs walks in and I hand the ear bud back. As he takes it from me his finger grazes mine and I feel that tingly shock again. I pull my hand back reflexively and look at him. He turns his eyes the other way almost as if to avoid me. I turn my attention to Sasha to see if she noticed and she is talking to someone in another row. I look back at Jack and he looks sad again with green eyes. I am about to ask about his eyes when Mr. Griggs asks for everyone’s attention.
As class is ending I gather my bag and look up when the bell rings. I want to ask Jack about the tingly thing, but he is gone. How does he do that? I guess I’ll have to wait until biology to ask my questions. I am so confused about this guy. All these odd things and so mysterious…
I get the cold shoulder from Gabbi in English Lit, until I apologize for this morning. She is so predictable. During the eight years that we have known each other she has never been able to hold a grudge. I, on the other hand, grudges are my specialty…but I guess that’s why we get along so well.
I labor through the rest of the day eager to see Jack in biology. As I walk in, I notice he isn’t here yet. I sit at my “new” lab table and wait.
Julia walks in and takes a detour past my table, “Well it looks like you’re the one without a partner today. Too bad because I already found a new one, way better than you.”
I roll my eyes, can she be any more childish? I wait and Jack never shows. My heart sinks once again. As I replay the events from this morning, I think maybe he is the one avoiding me now.
Oh great.
Gabbi can read my face when I get to the jeep after school.
“What happened?” She asks.
“Nothing”
“Come on Ever, I know it’s not nothing, did you find out more about Jack?”
I shake my head distracted, “No, he didn’t come to biology today. I think I’m gonna go and swim some stress off, I’ll see you later.”
“Okay. Oh look there’s Reggie, call me later.” She glides off to join him without a backward glance.
I call out to her, “Hey Gabbs!”
She turns.
“Thanks for letting me know about, you know the Jack stuff. I’ll be careful.”
She shrugs and smiles, “That’s what friends are for. I’m really glad you’re feeling better.” Then she turns and meets Reggie.