Promises || Road To Nationals

|3| New Beginnings

Jordan's POV (Four Years Later):

   "All set?" my roommate Erin asks, leaning against the doorway that separates our two rooms. This is where I'll be spending my freshman year of college. When I first saw Erin, I was worried. She doesn't have the most welcoming aura, but she's actually really nice. She has short dyed red hair with tattoos all over her body. I honestly wish I could pull off a look like that. 

   I'm going to school at Humber College in Toronto, Canada. The income to cost of living here is more proportional than in Colorado. I wanted to move out of my parent's apartment as soon as I got out of high school, but I couldn't sustain myself if I continued to live in the U.S. So I got dual citizenship and moved up here. 

   "Yup," I yawn, laying down on my blue comforter, looking up at my cool tapestry. I'm surprised I made it through high school, and with scholarships at that. I never made any lifelong friends, just people to go through the motions with. And living in a 900 square foot apartment with paper-thin walls was utter hell. But hey, I finally made it. Now I can live my life the way I want (on a strict budget, of course). 

   Erin takes a seat at my desk chair, eyes lingering on something, "I never pegged you as the type to wear jewelry," she says, holding up a chain with a plain sliver painted ring on it. I don't even remember bringing that thing with me. I could've sworn I threw it out a while back. "Damn, costume jewelry at that? Guess you really are dirt poor." She puts the necklace back down on my wooden desk. 

   I chuckle, "It was something I got back in middle school. Me and my old friends all had one," I state with a small smile, recalling the memories. 

   "Don't tell me! You've got a thing for me and are taking me to a secluded spot in the wildness so you can confess," I gasp, placing a hand over my mouth as I walk along the dark sidewalk, lit up by flickering light posts with my skate bag over my shoulders. Talk about back pain. This thing is heavy. 

   The boy one year older than me sighs, walking slightly ahead of me, "In your dreams, Jordan. I got my eyes set on that hotty from math class," Warren smirks, hands outside his pockets. 

   I let out a frustrated breath. Sometimes I wonder if this boy is toying with my emotions. I wouldn't put it past him. "Then where are we going?" 

   A grin graces the boy's lips, "You'll see." 

   "Aww, come on. Just tell me." I complain for another three blocks until he pulls me into the entrance of a target. 

   I follow his lead through the store, trying to think of why on earth he'd bring me here a few minutes before closing. I could be at home watching the new episode of Haikyuu, but no. I'm stuck with this loser. 

   He stops in front of the jewelry area, picking up a set of two plain silver chains, walking to self-checkout without another word. I should stop trying to rationalize things when it comes to this guy. 

   He leads me out of the store, ripping the chains from the packaging. 

   "Was that seriously all we came here for? Couldn't you have done that on your own time?" I ask as he throws the cardboard and plastic into the trash. 

   He tosses one of the chains over my head, the cold metal hitting my chest, causing me to shiver. "We gonna go to the Olympics one day," he says, placing his around his neck, "And we gon' get gold in the two mix relay." He holds his fist out to me. 

   I look at him in awe as I feel my cheeks grow hot. This boy is too amazing. If I wasn't such a pussy, I would kiss him right here. Instead, I bump my fist against his. "Yeah, sure, now let's go home before it gets too late. I've got some ramen noodles calling my names," I exclaim, walking off in the direction of my apartment.