Fifteen Feet Ahead

Chapter XIV

Hey guys. The picture above is from when I saw Walk The Moon at a festival a couple months ago. (Yes, they are a real band for anyone who didn't know. Yes, Anna Sun is a real song that was popular a few years ago. And they sing that 'Shut up and Dance' song that's on the radio all the time now) If you haven't noticed, I'm a huge fan. They aren't my favorite band but I love them to death, and every should actually go check them out right now if you don't already know them. I suggest the songs 'anywayican' 'Next in Line' and 'Up 2 U' but honestly any of their stuff is perfect.

Anyways, I should probably shut up because I could talk about this forever. I hope you enjoy Chapter 14.

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Chapter XIV

Oh Annaaaa Suuuun

The sound of my favorite band blasted through my headphones, just like they had through the chest thumping speakers at homecoming, when Duncan and I danced.

He sulked onto the bus, and I didn't know what to do. Do I wave? Do I act like nothing happened? Or do I pretend like I've never had anything with Duncan Arnolds except a few conversations asking about the homework? He wore a grey t-shirt and a pair of jeans, his hair styled like it had been yesterday.

He didn't wave. He just stared with that same look of terror he had after he stumbled off my front porch. Eyes wider than the ocean, mouth dropped and frozen. I winced, the scene replaying in my mind. I'm so sorry, Duncan. Please, please, forgive me.

He didn't sit down across from me like he always did. Duncan walked all the way to the back of the bus, like it was his daily routine, like the seat back there had always been his.

What have I done? I gazed out the window, watching all the houses on the streets we used to race pass by in a blur. Streaks of beige and read flew by. There was not a single doubt in my mind that this bus was not going twenty or so miles over the speed limit. We passed the neighborhood pool, and my heart scattered in to small sharp pieces that cut like broken glass from the inside.

The bus pulled up the school. Just the thought of sitting in a desk for the next seven hours made me want to throw up.

Ohh Annaaaa Suuuuun

We came to a quick stop in front of the main doors. Everyone stood up, and stepped down to the sidewalk. Duncan was far behind me. Of course he didn't walk inside with me, and I feared that maybe he never would ever again.

In biology Janie asked me what was wrong, said I looked sick, said I looked like I didn't get much sleep, said I looked like something bad had just happened.

"Friday is Halloween, ya know," She began.

"Yeah? Wow, I totally forgot." I hadn't given a thought about Halloween. Usually, I'd count down the days because it was one of my favorite holidays. Duncan and I would go hardcore trick-or-treating. Literally, we ran from house to house, getting so much candy, to the point where our bags were overflowing. That's when we would eat as much of it as possible, just so we could keeping knocking on doors for more. Oh, how I loved Halloween.

"You going trick-or-treating?"

I used to say I'd dress up and get candy until I turned twenty, but now I wasn't so sure about this goal anymore. I guess this was simply because I had no one to go with anymore. At that thought, I swear a part of me died inside.

"I'm not going," she said. "Because we always have a big Halloween party at my house. You could come if you want."

I smiled,"Yes, I'd really like that."

"Don't worry, you'll eat just as much candy as you would trick-or-treating."

Not the way he and I do it. "I beg to differ. My bestfri--I mean Duncan Arnolds and I used to go every year. We would eat so much, I'd have a stomachache for an entire week afterward, but it was totally worth it."

Janie nodded," You and Duncan do so much together."

I winced, "Yeah-yeah we do."

"Anyway, you could sleepover afterward if Ya want."

I was flattered that someone actually wanted to be around me, that someone cared and sincerely wanted to get to know me. Because lately it suddenly felt like my presence only caused problems for everyone else.

"Yes, I'd love to!"

She smiled, "Great."

By that time, the bell rang, and the TV began to broadcast the morning announcements.

Ms. Chadwick cleared her throat, "Okay, everyone put your books under your desk, zip your phones in your book bag."

She began to handout the...the...test. God dammit, I completely forgot about the test! My heart began to race, and I could feel my entire face heating up. I was screwed. I literally knew nothing about the cell cycle.

I stared blankly down at the papers neatly laid out on my desk. Nearly laughing at my own misery and failure, I took a wild guess on almost every single question. Head aching, palms sweating, I even wrote 'I have no idea' as a few of the answers.

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"So wait, he just--just- kissed you?!"

"Yeah, that's about it." I sighed, taking another bite of my peanut butter & jelly sandwich.

"Well," Margret began. "Maybe Dani was right about one thing."

"Not really though. Duncan and I would never be a couple. Margret, you know that would ruin everything."

"Yeah," she nodded. "I understand."

Lucile laid her palm on my shoulder, "Duncan will be back. He's your best friend. You two are basically tied together, nothing can separate you for too long."

Glumly I stared down at my bland lunch, "I sure hope so. God, I sure hope so."

Looking me straight in the eye she assured me, "Trust me, I know."

It's been three days, and Dani wasn't back yet. What makes her think Duncan would be any different? How long are we talking about here? A few days? Weeks? Maybe even...months?

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