168 Hours of Miles Fonte

Chapter 5: Monday

"Where is my schedule!?" I said ruffling through my bag.
"Ugh, you're such a freshman, chill out." Miles was lounging on the couch.
"It's my first day, give me a break."
"Is this what your looking for?" He asked as he held it up.
"Yes! Thank you." I reached out for it but he pulled away. "Okay just give me it." He shook his head.
"Look who's acting like a child now?" I pointed out. He just smiled, so I gave up and turned back to find a shirt that was less wrinkled.

"You need a ride?" He asked as he grabbed his keys and backpack, which was packed full.
"Sure. Hey what's in that backpack, bricks?"
"Pretty much." He said vaguely.
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When we got to school I stuck close to Miles, not sure where to go from here. I kept pulling at the sleeve of my shirt, I shouldn't have worn a long sleeved shirt I'm already sweating.
"April, you look fine stop fidgeting." Miles said. "Oh and before I forget," Miles pulls his backpack off his shoulders and started digging through. I caught a glimpse of sneakers and a change of clothes. "Here." He pulled out my schedule, gave off a boyish grin, and left. I looked down at it, he had marked what building each of my classes were in. I noticed one class he had circled and wrote "see ya there." Cute. I immediately shook that thought off. I had to focus. Focus on physics in Stratford Hall.

I paid attention in class, I did. Even though the teacher was only explaining the grading policy, I took notes. I laid my schedule on my desk. "See ya there." I read over. I wondered if Miles knew what he was doing? Like maybe this was one of his pick up lines or something...if it was, he should keep it, because it was working.

It was the last class of the day. "See ya there" I thought as I searched for him. I exhaled when I saw Miles sitting a few rows back from the professor; who looked a little over 40, and he was already writing something on the board. Miles waved.

"Actually, can you sit somewhere else? There's a cute girl who just walked in." He asked, right after I sat down. His hand was on the back of my chair.
I turned toward the door. There were a couple of sophomores who walked in.
"Are you serious?" I asked.
He smiled. "Ah, never mind, she's already sitting down somewhere else, too late."
I dropped my backpack on his foot 'by accident' and tried to think of a comeback. I couldn't. He grimaced, and then chuckled under his breath.
The last few students shuffled in as the lecture began. It was a lot different than my other classes. I was also surprised by how focused Miles was. He typed fast too, I couldn't keep up.

Eventually class ended, every student rose from their seat, the first day was over. Miles asked me if I was staying for practice.
"Practice?" I asked.
"For track, my friends will be there, if you don't have plans...you can come." He said.
"Track. Are you any good?" I asked.
He shrugged, "I'm okay with speed, working on endurance."
That sounded kind of modest? Now I was curious.
"Maybe I'll come." I said.
"I'll see you there." He said confidently.
As he left he smacked the top of the door frame, then he turned around towards me and shouted, "meet us near the far left blue bleachers by the track."
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I walked toward the bleachers like Miles had said.
There were a bunch of people gathered around, the ones I recognized were Kali, Brandon, Andre, Tyler and Miles. When I had gotten close, Tyler started clapping and cheering for me, then so did the rest of them. When I was in earshot I heard Tyler telling a large group about last night when we jumped off the bridge. He embellished everything. I came up and stood in between Miles and Andre as Tyler told everyone about how Miles screamed more like a girl than I did. My face turned red as I laughed.
"Hey." Kali acknowledged me.
Kali was lying against Brandon, and they were playing with each other's fingers. She looked different in the daytime; her black hair was shinier, pin straight with silver barrettes clipped on the sides. Her fashion was intriguing, she wore black and white checkered pants with a neon green crop top and socks that had some cartoons plastered all over them. Even her anklet, it was different, I had never seen one quite like it.

The girl next to Kali waved at me, drawing my attention toward her. She also had straight hair, but was way longer. She was blonde, and wore a little yellow sundress. She was gorgeous.
I wouldn't describe myself as an insecure person, but being near these two girls was nerve racking. They had such unique features, I couldn't help but wonder how plain I looked in comparison.

"I'm Heather." The blonde smiled. Pulling me back to the group.
"Nice to meet you, I'm April." I smiled back.
They started talking again about last night's bungee jumping. Heather chimed in "sorry I couldn't be there last night, loves. But I finally called it quits with David." She said this all while examining her nails.
Andre snorted, "Finally? You met him like a minute ago."
She swatted at him. "A week was all I could take, he was unbelievably dull. I'll join the fun next time, I swear."
"Yeah you better." Tyler warned, yet to me he was not threatening at all.
Apparently not to Heather either because she just stuck out her tongue.
"Missed you there, Heath." Miles added. "Just like Grand Canyon."
Brandon rolled his eyes, "don't get Kali started"
I must've looked lost because Tyler explained, "we drove to Grand Canyon over spring break, and we didn't even skydive like I thought we would." He said, sourly.
Andre shrugged, "Get over it Tyler, who cares."
"I cared!" Kali spoke up.
Brandon laughed behind her. "Told ya."
"Heather left me alone to break up with yet another ineligible man. Skip to the part with me and 4 guys in a car for more than 60 hours... and not even doing what we planned?!" She rolled her eyes.
I shot her a sympathetic look. She returned with a little smile, her dimples showing.
"We did get to see some amazing views though." Andre brought out.
"Only cause Kali was there" Brandon said softly then kissed her cheek. Kali kissed him back.
Cringe. I awkwardly looked away. I looked instead at the track where some runners were stretching. It wasn't entertaining, but it was better than staring at Kali and Brandon sucking face.

Miles nudged my arm. I turned to him, his eyes motioned toward Kali and Brandon. They had stopped.
"It was weird for me too, when they first started dating." Miles whispered. "You get used to it."
"When did they start dating?" I asked.
He let out a sigh. "Man, like 3 years ago."
"You knew them from high school?"
He nodded. "We wanted to stick together."
"Wow, that's impressive." I said. He nodded.
"Yeah, they're getting married right out of college, I'm convinced." He said. I smiled at that thought. "Which sucks." He continued.
My head spun to him, "Why does that suck?" I asked. He shrugged.
"He's losing his independence. He'll be giving up so much by committing to one person. I like to keep my options open." He winked.
I scoffed, "you sound like my dad."
I could feel his eyes on me after that but I was too embarrassed to return the stare, why did I say that out loud?

Instead I looked back at the group, giving up independence. I scoffed out loud again, I couldn't help it. I know I shouldn't be as irritated as I am, I have no right to judge this guy I met two days ago. But commitment is such an important step in growing up. Maybe I was so irritated because my father always took life as easy-breezy, no commitment needed. I wouldn't bother explaining this to Miles because he seems to view life and love as just another conquest; which can be adventurous and exciting, but it also leaves instability and broken families.

I sat with Heather and Kali when practice started. They talked back and forth. Heather was much more enthusiastic than Kali. Heather sort of strung words together at a fast pace and Kali mostly mumbled in agreement. They gossiped about some drama I couldn't follow and cheered on the team occasionally in between.
I tried to keep my eyes focused on anything but Miles; Andre was an easy target as he glided across the track, his dreads moved swiftly with each stride.
Heather shoved me.
"I think someone's got a crush." She said to Kali but clearly talking about me. Kali just nodded unimpressed.
My eyes widened.
"Andre?" I asked. She smiled. "Um, no." A laugh slipped out.
Heather gave me a quizzical look but then seemed to drop it when Andre finished the hurdles.
"Woohoo, go Andre!" Heather cheered.
Kali clapped alongside.
I cheered too, he did really well with the jumps. And Miles did well with the sprinting too, I guess.
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