Sleepless Dreams

Eight

I wait for Oaklee at her locker after gym. There was an interruption and scolding from the substitute to get out of the office just as I was about to move that final inch to kiss her. Moment ruined. There was only ten minutes left of class so I mumbled a sorry to her and stood up then helped her up. She wiped her eyes one last time before going back into the art room. I didn't want to be stared at as I walked through the room with all those people so I went through the clay room down to the locker room to check in with Mr. Davis.

Logan walks, more like stumbles, her way over to me and struggles to reach the lock on her locker. "Waiting for someone." She smirks, leaning against the lockers. I don't say anything and just turn away from her. "That's right, you're the silent, struggling guy who's hiding a secret." I keep my face neutral as she says that. "Well at least that's what everyone thinks." She steps closer. "Is it true?" I struggle not to breathe in her disgusting breath and keep a straight face at the same time.

"Hey Nathan." Oaklee says. Logan looks at Oaklee but puts her hand on my chest to which I step back away from her. Oaklee squeezes between Logan and I and opens her locker grabbing her things. Logan stands there watching us. I feel weird under her gaze and mentally tell Oaklee to hurry up but of course that only ever works in the movies.

When she finally shuts her locker I grab her hand, not the normal romantic way with fingers laced together, but the way you grab someone's hand when you want to leave in a hurry. It usually ends up with the other person's hand hurting. When we make it to the parking lot is when I let go and walk next to her.

"Sorry about grabbing your hand like that. I just wanted to get away from Logan." I say putting my hands in my pockets.

"It's fine, I understand completely." She says adjusting her bag on her shoulders. "My car is just over here." She points to the right of us and I look in the general direction to see if I can spot it.

I don't see it but I do spot something, or someone. I furrow my eyebrows in confusion and shake my head when Nick sees me and a smile spreads over his face. Oaklee looks from him then to me and then back to him. We get closer and he leans off the car.

"My main man Nathan." He walks over to me and gives me a hug.

"What are you doing here man? I haven't seen you in a while." I say pulling away from him.

"What, a guy can't come visit his best friend?" I raise an eyebrow. "Ok, ok. I have a date in the area and need a place to crash." He gives in.

"You are not bringing one of your dating app guys to my house!" I yell while trying not to attract too many people's attention.

"I wasn't planning on it. They wanted to meet in a coffee shop first to make sure I wasn't a serial killer. Where would they get that idea?" I know how he acts, I understand why people might think he's a serial killer. But on the outside with his colorful and patterned shirt and cuffed light tan colored pants and brown boat shoes he seems like a normal guy. "Besides I can't come up this weekend so I came today."

"What's this weekend?" I almost forgot Oaklee was here.

Nick throws his arm around my shoulders and leans forward towards Oaklee. "He didn't tell you?" She shakes her head. "Well this guy right here, this babyface hiding behind weird facial hair, is growing up to be a man." He grabs my cheek and pinches it. "On Saturday he will officially be able to vote, buy a lottery ticket, and finally show his dad the tattoo he got last year and have it be legal. This guy right here will be eighteen." I roll my eyes at his theatrical ways and shake my head.

"Why didn't you tell me!" She crosses her arms and glares at me.

"It's not a big deal." I shrug.