on. Watching the videos of him competing in skateboarding events blew me away. After all these years I had no idea he was so avid about it, let alone that good. No wonder he had such roughed up knees and elbows. He was sponsored by some pretty popular skate brands and had already won several contests. He proved his insane capabilities video after video he shared with us. I was impressed with how high he went in the air on ramps and half pipes and all the tricks he was capable of.
My phone kept making that pinging sound telling me I had new text messages. I’d ignored it long enough. I knew it was my mom since I was with everyone else who would be texting me. I grabbed my phone to see what she wanted. When I viewed the name on the screen it lit up ‘ JAKE ’. I almost passed out. My head immediately began to spin from the blood rushing to my brain. How could this be? I excused myself, trying not to run into the bathroom. Shutting the toilet lid, I sat there with a stupid grin on my face. I was worried it was someone playing a joke on me. I replied back:
- IF IT’S JAKE, TELL ME SOMETHING THAT NO ONE KNOWS, LIKE WHAT YOU DID LAST NIGHT?
I hit send and stood up pacing the tiny bathr oom. I waited what seemed like five minutes, then the ping:
- SLEPT NEXT TO U
My heart raced. Oh my God. I didn’t know how to reply. In those few seconds of thought, another text came:
- SMELLING UR STAWBERRY SCENTED HAIR
My hands trembled and my mouth went dry. I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face. Looking into the bathroom mirror the person looking back at me was flushed. I took a deep breath:
- HOW’D U GET MY #?
Jake replied:
- WHILE U WERE ASLEEP THIS MORN I PRGRMD UR PHN. U SHLD RLY HV A CODE.
The texting continued:
- WHERE R U?
- MATT’S
- IS MATT THE GUY W/THE SKATE?
- YES
- IS HE SITTING NXT 2U WHILE U TXT?
- NO
- MISSIN’ U. WHEN R U COMIN HOME?
I stood there with my heart in my throat and my blood pounding against the back of my eyeballs.
- SOON, BUT I’M SUPPOSED 2GO2 THE MOVIES W/HIM
- OH, OK
I sat on the bathroom counter waiting for a reply and I didn’t get one. My heart sank. I shouldn’t have admitted anything about Matt. I bet he thinks I’m a fake. I had to go. I had to go home. I opened the door and floated into the living roo m. I was numb, which added realism for my fake sickness I was going to continue to lie about.
“Guys, I’m still not feeling right, I’m gonna go home,” I said weakly, for better effect.
Matt immedi ately got up coming over to me. “Ok, do you want me to walk you home?” he offered, concerned.
“No, I’ll be ok, ” I assured him. “I’ve felt weird all day. Yesterday too. I’ll be ok.”
The next thing I knew I was knocking on Jake’s door like a maniac talking to myself. Jake finally opened the door, noshing on an apple. Astonishment sparked in his eyes. I guess he hadn’t been expecting me.
11
Aly ssa
Jake’s eyes danced and a smile peaked at the edges of his mouth as he stood holding the door open for me. I wondered what he was thinking. I was definitely, officially losing my mind. I should be admitted to a psych ward. Every inch of me wanted to hug him but I refrained. I moved to walk past him and he draped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. My reaction was instantaneous. I returned the gesture, wrapping my arms around his waist, not saying a word. Unexpectedly his mother came in the house through the garage door, catching us mid-hug. We awkwardly released each other, putting some room between us. Her expression was warm and her eyes crinkled at the sides when she smiled.
“Aly ssa, my goodness, it’s good to see you,” she said, throwing us a sly grin. “Come in here and talk to me. Tell me what you’ve been up
My phone kept making that pinging sound telling me I had new text messages. I’d ignored it long enough. I knew it was my mom since I was with everyone else who would be texting me. I grabbed my phone to see what she wanted. When I viewed the name on the screen it lit up ‘ JAKE ’. I almost passed out. My head immediately began to spin from the blood rushing to my brain. How could this be? I excused myself, trying not to run into the bathroom. Shutting the toilet lid, I sat there with a stupid grin on my face. I was worried it was someone playing a joke on me. I replied back:
- IF IT’S JAKE, TELL ME SOMETHING THAT NO ONE KNOWS, LIKE WHAT YOU DID LAST NIGHT?
I hit send and stood up pacing the tiny bathr oom. I waited what seemed like five minutes, then the ping:
- SLEPT NEXT TO U
My heart raced. Oh my God. I didn’t know how to reply. In those few seconds of thought, another text came:
- SMELLING UR STAWBERRY SCENTED HAIR
My hands trembled and my mouth went dry. I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face. Looking into the bathroom mirror the person looking back at me was flushed. I took a deep breath:
- HOW’D U GET MY #?
Jake replied:
- WHILE U WERE ASLEEP THIS MORN I PRGRMD UR PHN. U SHLD RLY HV A CODE.
The texting continued:
- WHERE R U?
- MATT’S
- IS MATT THE GUY W/THE SKATE?
- YES
- IS HE SITTING NXT 2U WHILE U TXT?
- NO
- MISSIN’ U. WHEN R U COMIN HOME?
I stood there with my heart in my throat and my blood pounding against the back of my eyeballs.
- SOON, BUT I’M SUPPOSED 2GO2 THE MOVIES W/HIM
- OH, OK
I sat on the bathroom counter waiting for a reply and I didn’t get one. My heart sank. I shouldn’t have admitted anything about Matt. I bet he thinks I’m a fake. I had to go. I had to go home. I opened the door and floated into the living roo m. I was numb, which added realism for my fake sickness I was going to continue to lie about.
“Guys, I’m still not feeling right, I’m gonna go home,” I said weakly, for better effect.
Matt immedi ately got up coming over to me. “Ok, do you want me to walk you home?” he offered, concerned.
“No, I’ll be ok, ” I assured him. “I’ve felt weird all day. Yesterday too. I’ll be ok.”
The next thing I knew I was knocking on Jake’s door like a maniac talking to myself. Jake finally opened the door, noshing on an apple. Astonishment sparked in his eyes. I guess he hadn’t been expecting me.
11
Aly ssa
Jake’s eyes danced and a smile peaked at the edges of his mouth as he stood holding the door open for me. I wondered what he was thinking. I was definitely, officially losing my mind. I should be admitted to a psych ward. Every inch of me wanted to hug him but I refrained. I moved to walk past him and he draped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. My reaction was instantaneous. I returned the gesture, wrapping my arms around his waist, not saying a word. Unexpectedly his mother came in the house through the garage door, catching us mid-hug. We awkwardly released each other, putting some room between us. Her expression was warm and her eyes crinkled at the sides when she smiled.
“Aly ssa, my goodness, it’s good to see you,” she said, throwing us a sly grin. “Come in here and talk to me. Tell me what you’ve been up
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