"Why are you mad?" My question came out in parts, heavy almost, as I worked on slowing my heart rate, which seem to have sky rocketed after whatever that was that we just did.
With heated eyes his hands pressed me closer to him "Mad about how I sho...
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THE BELL RANG with its usual chirp. Lunchtime!
I packed up my work and headed for the door so fast that when I got to the hallway my heart felt a little weaker than usual. I stood to the side and out of the way of rushing students so I could catch my breath.
With slow and deep breaths I realised it's going to take a couple more hours before the new dose of heart medication kicks in.
"Hey, River, are you okay?"
Turning around I saw Derek with a questioning look behind me.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just got a little too excited it was lunchtime." I didn't want to tell him about my condition, about the fact I'm actually dying. He might just be the only normal thing in my life right now.
"Lunch is pretty exciting." The worried glint behind his eye disappeared as he fell into my lie.
I moved to head out toward the field where the soccer team would be but turned back. "You have somewhere to sit at lunch right?" Part of me hoping he'd sit with us.
He adjusted the straps on his backpack. "I'm actually headed to the library. Gotta catch up on all the work somehow."
Being the new kid, and behind the other students, he must be swamped with work. "Good idea."
"I doubt we have any other classes together. So I'll see you on the roof tonight for our rooftop chat?" He raised an eyebrow, grinning with hope.
"Our rooftop chat?" I repeat. I shake my head. "I-"
"Don't even know you," he finishes my sentence with that handsome smile still on his face.
His eyes sweep over my face for a couple of seconds. Then he backs away to leave for the library. "Bye River," he said.
While I walked through the doors and made my way to the field I found myself wishing that our conversation hadn't ended.
On the field, the boys' soccer team was huddled up in an incorrectly shaped circle. Boys, I sighed. When will they learn what a circle looks like.
Some of them threw me a nod as I passed to sit on the bleachers. I held in the need to tell them to round up a little on the right.
Toby glances over and waves. I wave back then pull out my chicken and cranberry sandwich.
God knows how long this team meeting will take.
"Everyone here?" Coach jogs up.
The team nods.
"Good. This'll only take a minute." He places his clipboard under his armpit. "We're holding try outs for two new players this weekend, everyone's got to be there."
Jacob Sullen - the goalie- groans. "This weekend? I've got a date this weekend."
I stuff the rest of my sandwich into my mouth. Imagine actually having a date on any weekend.
"Hard luck Sullen," Coach said.
"Miller," he turned to Toby. "You and Pierce are coming up with some drills, I haven't got time to plan any."
Tiana shows up and sits down next to me. A bright smile on her face, as usual.
"Sure thing Coach." Toby smiles, giving Rex a punch in the arm.
"That's it. You can go," Coach dismisses and jogs away to tell off a couple making out in the soccer goal.
"Thanks for waiting," Toby climbs up the bleachers, his strong quads on show with his black shorts.
"So you think you'll fill the team?" Tiana asks, fixing her hair into a high ponytail.
Toby nods. "We only need two players, we'll find some."
"Well, now that's settled." I turned to Toby with a grin on my face. "You got any food I can eat?"
He rolls his eyes and ruffles through his sports duffle for a piece of mint slice.
I completely light up when I see it. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" I grab it from him and break it in half. I give one side to Tiana.
"Girls," he muttered.
Tiana licks the chocolate off her lips. "Lets go to Coleman's after school."
Coleman's is our favourite place to hang out. It's a youth diner in the corner of town, with pool tables and amazing wifi so everyone's able to study while they eat.
Tiana, Toby and I came across it when we were thirteen and biking through town. But back then it was barely anything. Just a rented building with a dire need of a paint job and extension.
Toby slides onto the seat next to me. "I'm in."
Tiana looks at me. Those hopeful eyes wide and pleading.
"Yeah, I'll come."
"Great!" She smiled. "I've got gossip to share."
Toby raised his eyebrows at her. "When do you not?"
"Shut up." She pokes her tongue out at him. An action he reciprocated.
Toby then ignores her and looks to me. "So how was the first couple periods?"
I shrugged. "Physics actually wasn't interesting today."
"See!" He exclaims. "We could've been late to class!"
A laugh escapes my lips. "Yeah Toby, I guess we could've."
"Anyways the subjects wasn't what I was meaning," Toby added. His head titled slightly so his blonde hair fell to one side.
My heart beat it's usual rhythm against my chest. "Oh," I realised. He was asking about my CHD.
Even though I had a minor incident at the start of lunch, I couldn't bring myself to say it. No matter the minority. I can't have them worry. My last month is going to go as normal as possible.
"Guys, I really appreciate you caring and checking up on me. But I just want to make what I've got left, worthwhile."
Toby wraps his arm around me and pulls me in for a side hug. "Sorry River. I won't bring it up again."
His body warmth travels to mine and I feel at home. A small lump rises in my throat. I swallow it back down.
Tiana blinks away unshed tears. "Ok. Worthwhile. We'll give you worthwhile."
She gets up and gestures for us to follow her down the bleachers.
"Where are we going?" I ask. Tobys' stumbling steps echoing down behind me.
