The mysterious new girl

Odd Feelings

Mark and I were helping  clean up the equipment from our game. I was also trying to pass some time while I waited for the other girls to finish changing as I usually did. 

"Nice game Ari, you never really played with us during games so I never knew you were so good!" Mark stated while nudging me with his elbow to get my attention. We were walking towards the storage room to put away the floor markers and pylons. 

"Oh um yeah you too" I gave a short reply, still not used to responding in full conversations with Mark. 

I made my way to the changing room after I finished cleaning with Mark and a few others. I opened the door only to freeze in place when my chest collided with an unknown object. I opened my eyes slowly and was met with the top of someone's head. An electrifying blue filled my vision as I realized what had happened. My face suddenly transformed from its regular pale state to a bright crimson red. My heart started beating incredibly fast as I desperately tried to move back but I just couldn't. I was confused and didn't understand what was happening to me. All I could think was that she was so warm. 

I then took notice of where my arms were. My arms were wrapped around the body that I had bumped into. My face then turned from a crimson shade to a dark wine hue across my cheeks, ears and chest as well. 

"I-I'm so s-sorry, I didn't expect anyone to come in" Jasper started, trying to untangle my frozen limbs from hers. When she took a step back, it had caused us both to fall. Thanks to my athletic abilities, I was able to hug her back into my chest and roll her over, preventing her from acquiring any injuries from the fall. I tucked my chin into the crown of Jaspers head before my head had the chance to smack onto the tiled floor of the change room. My spine had smashed into the ground causing me to wince and tighten my grip on a shocked Jasper.

I stayed still on the floor, quiet as I untucked my chin and relaxed my back in an attempt to sooth the throbbing pain. My eyes stayed tightly shut for a minute before I opened them to see a flustered girl on top of me. Jaspers cheeks were flushed as she unknowingly squeezed and bunched up my shirt in her hands and pushed into my body.

"You ok?" I asked in a soft voice "You're not hurt right?" She shook her head. I was too scared to move. Jasper was a little shaken up at the speed in which the previous events had occurred that she was paralyzed. I hugged her a little tighter, trying to comfort her. Once Jasper realized what position we were in, she shot up and broke away from me before running out the door. I sat up to watch her retreating back and lilac purple hoodie, slightly sad to see how eager she was to leave me.

I got up and changed back into my black jeans and hoodie, glad to be free of my sweat soaked uniform from the excessive running. I plugged in my dollar store earbuds as usual before walking out the exit towards the main doors of the school. I got to the big oak tree near the school gate before I felt a tug at the back of my hoodie. I turned  around only to see very same wide brown eyes from moments before. 

"I-I'm sorry for running off earlier, I just got flustered" Jasper began "I just wanted to say th-tank you for saving me from that fall and that I'm sorry again for walking in on you changing before gym." A light pink dusted across her cheeks as Jasper looked down at her feet.

"Hey" I started trying to get her to look back up at me "it's ok, really. I'm not hurt and as long as you are ok then I'm happy" I finished with a small smile. What in the world was happening to me? It was only a few days ago that I couldn't even manage a slight hello and now here I am, smiling at a girl I know next to nothing about?

"O-Oh yes I'm alright" Jasper said as her cheeks darkened a little. "Which way do you walk home?"

"Oh, um,  I go right, why?" I asked, taken aback by her question.

"D-Do you mind if I walk with you" she asked.

"No I don't mind" I replied even though I started feeling that weird feeling in my chest and stomach again. I still didn't have an explanation for this odd feeling yet but I didn't want her to leave either.

We started walking quietly side by side. I was still thinking about this odd feeling before Jasper decided to break the silence. 

"You played really well during the game in gym, I've never played against someone with such techniques and agility" Jasper complemented. " If I'm being honest, it looked like you were flying through the air and no one was able to catch you."

"I- uh- th-thank you" I stuttered out, not knowing what to say. "You were amazing too, You're the first person who's ever stolen one of my my flags in flag football. You were a great challenge." I didn't notice the dark red color that adorned Jasper's face at my compliment as we continued to walk along the side walks. 

Jasper had started to talk about random things and I just listened. I couldn't understand how she was so easy to talk to. Mark was the closest thing I had to a friend for the past three years and I still couldn't have a full conversation with him where I seem to have no trouble talking with her. I admired the way her face would brighten and the subtle twinkle in Jasper's eyes when she talked about something she was passionate about.

I continued to listen to her until we had to go our separate ways. We each said a short goodbye before turning away. I was exhausted after the odd day I had. I went straight to my room and fell asleep the second my head hit the pillow. I had no idea what was about to come.