Barely Breathing (Just Breathe) (12 page)

She told me that she was sorry for taking off so quickly earlier. I didn't really get a reason why she took off, but she felt bad, thinking I would never want to see her again. That is the exact opposite way I feel and I let her know with many kisses that rivaled that first one in my bedroom.

I feel a punch in my shoulder, "Dude your eyes are about to pop out of your head, reel it in."

I glare over at Garrett and rub my shoulder, "When are you gonna grow up?"

He chides me, "How bout when you make deals and stick with them, the pact bro, what's with this chick?"

I shrug my shoulders. What do I say to that? I've not held up my end of any deal lately. I didn't make practice and they obviously know Sara isn't just another Jessica.

I push my tray away, suddenly not hungry anymore and glance toward the door where I last saw Sara. My eyes roam over to Ever's table. She looks up after a minute and gives me a reassuring smile. I look back at the door and notice a dude I've never seen before, heading straight for Ever's table. He actually looks to me like he might be too old for this place, maybe he failed a couple of times. He sits down across from Ever and stares intensely at her. She glances up uneasily and back down at her hands on the table. Obviously there's more to this guy than I know. I wonder if he's from the sea. I feel a hand on my arm and glance to the source. Sara, she's smiling that beautiful smile and any other thoughts leave me.

"You ready to go to class?" I nod completely entranced. Oh man, I've got it bad.

***

School ends and I meet Sara in the parking lot. She agreed to give me a ride home today. We climb in. The car is silent for five minutes. We both obviously have things on our mind. The foremost for me being how I'm going to handle this thing with her now that Ever's around. Ever and I have to avoid each other. The problem, I never know when she's going to be home. I decide not to even chance it.

I break the silence, "Hey are we still on for training? I was thinking if you wanted to, we could go to the park down the road from my house." I add for good measure, "There's probably more room there for you to beat my ass."

She smiles, "Umm, yes, that sounds good. Are you ready to get beat up by a girl?"

I grin. There's my Sara, she seemed lost to me for a minute. I grab her hand. She looks up at me shyly. My heart takes off, how can she do that with just a look?

She drives straight to the park which is good because Ever's jeep is in the drive when we pass my house. She might be out with Gabbi, usually she is. I've argued most of the year now, in favor of my using the jeep. She usually rides with Gabbi to school. But my pleas have fallen on deaf ears. My parents have the tendency to take her side much of the time.

We pull up to the park. I walk around the car and grab her by her waist lowering my mouth to hers. She eagerly meets me and we kiss leaving both of us breathless. The things she does to me with just a kiss. I grab her hand pulling her toward the field past the playground. Once we're out there I turn around to find a sweet smile on my girl. She moves so fast, her foot knocks mine out from under me and I find myself on my back, looking up at her. She stifles a giggle as I hop back up.

I smile and circle her, "You play dirty."

Her eyebrows go up surprised, "Really, well you should be prepared for anything."

She sends out a punch and kick as she finishes her last word. I block both and grab her arm swiping her feet out from under her. She lands on her back. I wince, forgetting how uncomfortable this made me the last time. She pops up and comes after me punching and kicking, winding herself. Exactly like the last time.

Finally she stops, frustrated with me, "James, how are you going to get any practice in if you won't fight?"

"I am, I'm practicing my blocking skills."

She shakes her head approaching me slowly. She reaches her arms out and clasps them behind my neck. I lower my face, but an inch from her face, I find myself flying back over onto my back.

I look up at her, "See, you do play dirty."

She smiles and starts walking toward her car. What? That's it? I really wanted to spend time with her today.

I rush to catch up, "That's it, no new moves to teach me?"

She stops, looking exasperated, "You won't fight me so I'm going to find someone you will."

Shocked I tell her,"Really, this should be interesting."

She looks back, "Oh it will be, I promise, make sure you get enough sleep tonight."

I almost burst out laughing but think better of it. Sara has proven to be very resourceful.

I saunter up to her as she reaches her car. She turns to meet me, standing on her tip toes, barely brushing her lips against mine. She opens the door and climbs in, starting the engine. She rolls down the window smiling, "Consider this part of your training, run home, you may need the exercise."

And she drives off.

Really, what the hell was that?

***

Later that night as I'm working on homework, I hear a knock on my door. "Come in."

My mom walks in and sits on the edge of my bed. Great, not another heart felt mother son talk, don't know if I can handle it.

"I'm checking on you. It seems you've made up all of your assignments."

I stop writing mid-sentence already knowing what her nonchalance means.

"Mom, you didn't call about the detention, did you?"

Silence, not good. I swivel my chair around looking at the guilt on her face. I should have known, she's always been a meddler.

"Honey, I wanted to make sure you didn't get an undeserved detention again. Mr. Hallbrook, the Assistant Principal I spoke to, hinted around that I wasn't the only parent to complain about your teacher. And I wanted to make sure you are all caught up."

I can get angry but it's already done. Man, why does she always do this crap?

"Okay mom, just, can you just not call the school again."

She stands up rubbing her palms on her pant legs, obviously ,relieved to get this off her chest. She starts for the door but turns before leaving, "Your father and I have decided that you are no longer grounded. Be careful with your new freedom." She closes the door behind her.

I smile as I continue my homework.
Free at last.

Chapter 22

Ever

Whoever said being a high school senior is fun, was highly delusional. The year is speeding by as is the reality I am trying so hard not to acknowledge. These past few weeks back on land have proven to be very difficult. If I wasn't back under false pretenses, I might feel differently but things just suck in present day.

My swim coach ended up dropping me from the team because of my erratic attendance. Yes, understandable but so not the part of high school, I wanted to stay away from. I really do still love swimming and competing.

On top of that I am faced daily with avoiding James and Alex at all costs. James, no big deal, he's playing the game too. Well, I might add. Alex on the other hand shows up at the most inopportune times. I know his role here and boy is he taking it to the extreme. But I think I might have just congested the situation with the kiss. That kiss, ugh, it's going to haunt me to my death, I just know it. Don't get me wrong, it was really nice. I enjoyed it. And because of these feelings, I have decided not to get that close to him again, in case, I have the inclination to do it again.

Yet another high school thorn in my side, senior prom. Yes, that silly event where we all dress up and stalk around trying to act all grown up. My mother is in her truest form of late. I, being her only daughter, she won't let it go. Where's a rock I can crawl under?

"Ever, James, it's seven."

I push the covers back and lay there staring at the ceiling. Before I can wake up enough and gather enough energy, my cell rings. I glance over and check, who in their right mind is calling me at this hour? Gabbi. Of course.

I answer, "Do you have any idea what time it is?"

"Of course, aren't you up yet? We have school."

"Gabbs, I know we have school, I just woke up."

"Remind me never to talk to you again, before eight."

I take a deep breath, I always seem to do this to her, "Sorry, I'm just still..."

"Cranky," she giggles," It's okay, I forgive you. I'm just calling to tell you, I can't swing by this morning. Reggie's car broke so I have to get him for school. Will you be good driving yourself?"

I rub my eyes and run my hand through my hair. Ugh, James is going to be pissed.

"Yeah Gabbs, that'll work. See you at school."

We both hang up and I collapse back into my pillows. James has been using my jeep these past few weeks to get to and from school. He finally talked my parents into letting him drive. It is true, he had to catch a ride with Garrett, not really by choice and I chose to leave the jeep here to ride with Gabbi.

I just hope Sara doesn't see us ride to school together. Maybe he can catch Garrett. I scurry out of bed and race to his room.

I grasp the knob and knock as I push it open. He's still wrapped up, dead to the world. I cross the room and nudge his shoulder. "Hey James, wake up."

"OHHH, not ready yet."

"I know, hey I need to tell you something, get up."

He pushes the sheet back and looks over at me, "Thought you were supposed to be avoiding me."

"Well bad news in that department, Gabbi called, she can't pick me up today. Can you call Garrett?"

This seems to wake him up. He sits up and glances at the clock. "No, he's probably already left."

I grimace, "We will just have to ride together then." He nods probably knowing there is no other option.

I turn and head for the bathroom, "See you downstairs."

***

We pull up a little late. I look at my watch, "The bell is about to ring, probably good that we're late."

He shakes his head, "No not good, look, over by the doors."

I glance over and Sara is leaning against the wall as if she is waiting for something or someone. Of course, she's waiting for James.

"Sorry James, we'll just have to..." My door starts to open, I glance over and Alex is grasping the door handle pulling it open.

"Hello Beautiful."

I glance over at James and I know our thoughts mirror each other. Avoiding each other is out the window.

"Hey, Alex."

I smile and climb out of the jeep. He seems to be doing this compliment thing more and more
. It's starting to make me uneasy around him. I wish he would quit.

I start to walk to the building. James has made it to Sara's side. I can tell she is giving him a hard time. Whatever.

Alex grabs my elbow. The bell rings signaling, we are now late.

"I um...wanted to ask you something." I look back toward the building. I have been so good at avoiding this exact thing, alone with Alex. I step back and cross my arms over my chest.

"Sure, what's up?"

"Not sure if I'm doing this right. I ahhh wanted to ask...to ask if you will go to the prom with me."

His eyes are so sweet. I fall under their spell for a moment. Oh my god, did he just ask me to the prom? A mer-man who has no idea about prom, just asked me to the prom. I put my palm over my mouth trying to stifle the laughter that wants to come out so bad.

I take a deep breath and get serious, "Alex, that is so sweet, you know you don't have to feel obligated...I mean technically you aren't even a student and...I really wasn't planning..."

He places his finger over my lips and gazes into my eyes, "Ever, I want to take you to the prom. Please say you'll go with me." Oh god, he doesn't get it. This is that high school junk I was trying to avoid.

I nod as his finger falls from my lips. A smile spreads across his face.

"I will have the most beautiful creature at my side." Okay so now I'm no longer entranced, and yes, that was a mood destroyer because technically I am a creature now, right, not just a plain old teenage girl.

I hike my backpack higher on my shoulder and head for the door. He follows but doesn't say anything else.

***

We walk into class together, bad idea. As I give Mr. Griggs my tardy slip, I hear snickers from the back of the class. I immediately look to the floor and rush to my seat. It doesn't help that Alex is right behind, following. I'm starting to feel claustrophobic.

Sasha leans over as I slide into my seat, "I see you've moved on. Pretty ironic that he has taken Jack's exact spot."

My chest feels as if it's been hit with a brick. Of course she had to mention
his
name. The pain has been more like an ache this past week. Suddenly it feels as if it's all just newly hit me now. I look away and pull my hoodie up so no one can see the tears that have already filled my eyes.