Just Keep Driving - Jeremiah Fisher

015

After last night I woke up feeling light and happy. Everything that's been happening with Jeremiah these past couple days are things that I only ever dreamed about. Now that they were a reality I couldn't help but pinch myself to make sure I was awake.

I skimmed my lips with my fingers, touching the spot where Jeremiah kissed me. The memories made me feel giddy, and excited. I couldn't wait to feel his lips on mine again.

I felt like a stupid school girl coming undone after a series of stolen kisses, but I couldn't help it. I've said it once and I'll say it again, anything he does makes me fold now more than ever.

I shook my head to rid my thoughts, and got ready for the day. Today was the play it forward volleyball tournament. It's something I looked forward to every year because all the kids were somewhat good at volleyball. I mean Belly was the captain of her volleyball team back at home. So the competition was great as we played for our own cause. For the past few years I played to try and win the fundraiser money for the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

This year I would be paired up with Jeremiah, but that was per usual. We played together well, and have almost come close to winning some years. Though this year Belly was bringing in the big guns and brought Taylor in to come play with her. She really wanted to prove something this year, and honestly I wasn't trying to stand in her way. She was the offspring of Laurel so when she put her mind to something you sure as hell shouldn't stand in her way.

I finished getting ready and made my way over to the courts. There was a lot more teams this year which was nice because that meant our little fundraiser was growing.

"You ready" Jeremiah said, coming up behind me and putting his hands on my shoulders. Having him so close made my stomach jump.

"For sure" I said, checking out the bracket for the tournament. First up was Belly and Taylor and they were playing against a pair of older men. I couldn't help but think they had it in the bag. "Want to go watch, maybe scope out some future competition"

"Yeah, yeah good idea" He said taking my hand which made me blush. We walked over to where Belly and Taylor were playing, and they were doing really well. They pretty much had the game in the bag until Taylor went to dive for the ball. Her ankle got caught underneath her body and it looked like she rolled it. As she tried to stand up the pressure of her body weight was too much for her hurt ankle.

Belly looked super defeated once Taylor was taken care of. She really wanted to prove something this year, and without a partner she wasn't going to be able to do that. She started searching for a new one determined to fill Taylor's spot, and her eyes landed on me and Jeremiah.

"Guys I know this is super messed up because you guys are partners every year, but I really really reallllyyyyyyy want to win this" She said in a begging tone. "Jeremiah can you please fill in for Taylor"

I looked over at Jeremiah and my stomach dropped. He looked like he was actually debating this motion. I looked down and let out a little breathless laugh to myself.

"Go ahead" I said in a low tone "I'm playing for fun, but Belly really wants to win this. Go ahead and help her"

"Ray" Jeremiah said in a torn tone, and I knew he wanted me to look at him so he could get the confirmation he needed whether he should stay or go. I wasn't going to give him that satisfaction because he would have stayed if he saw the look in my eye. I could never hide anything from him, and he knew that.

"Go Jeremiah, help Belly win this" I said finally looking up with the happiest expression I could muster. Before there could be any other discussion the whistle blew signaling the pair needed to get back out on the court.

Once they left I felt a lump in my throat start to form. My emotions were getting the best of me and I needed to get out of here before anyone saw. I started my track towards the bathroom in a speedy manor, not watching where I was going. So before I could make it to the bathroom of course I bumped into someone.

"Hey excuse yo- Rachel? Woah hey are you okay?" I looked up to see Tyler.

"Uh - yeah just trying to get to the ladies room. Sorry" I said, trying to get past him, but he wrapped his arm around my shoulders and ushered me away from the cheering crowd.

"Rachel what's wrong?" He said once we got away from the crowd.

"I'm okay, its stupid"

"No your upset. You can tell me what's bothering you" He said sincerely

"It's just ... Jeremiah has been my partner for this tournament for years. This year Belly is super determined to win, but her partner rolled her ankle during the middle of their match. So she asked if she could borrow Jeremiah, and I don't really care because I want my friend to win. It just sucks because Jeremiah looked like he was going to pair with her without a second thought. Without thinking of me"

Tyler shook his head listening to my rambling

"I know it sounds stupid, but Jeremiah and I just took this leap into uncharted waters. It was going so smoothly for the past couple of days, but then this happened. I wouldn't be so upset with it but before we told each other how we felt he would always flirt with Belly. He told me he did it because he was too scared to admit his feelings for me, but after he just hung me out to dry without a second thought it just makes me wonder. We aren't anything so if he wanted something with Belly by all means, but I wish he would be honest with me."

"Wow that's a lot to process" Tyler said with a huff

"I'm sorry, that was a lot I should of kept my mouth shut"

"What. No! I'm just sorry you're going through all this. You don't deserve this" He said sadly "Would you want me to be your partner? I think you should still compete for your charity"

"Yeah, yeah sure I'd like that"

***

Of course with my luck Tyler and I ended up being paired against Belly and Jeremiah. Tyler was actually a really good partner and we were making our way through bracket play smoothly. Until now.

"If stares could kill, I'd be dead right now" Tyler said in our little two person huddle

"I know I have two holes burned into my back as we speak" I said nervously. "We got this though, let's make Belly earn that win"

The whistle signaled that the game was about to begin. Tyler and I had the first serve, but I allowed him to take it because I was too nervous I would mess up. He threw the ball up and served it over the net, and to my surprise Jeremiah botched the pass to Belly. Tyler served a few more times and Jeremiah looked like he was struggling to get himself in the game. Belly was becoming frustrated with this, so she did the most unlikeliest of things ... she called Conrad out onto the court.

The game became intense then. It was a one point game, and it was nerve wracking. It was even more nerve wracking when I felt Jeremiah's annoyed stare the whole time.

It came down to the last play and Conrad was serving. He put it just left of me where I had to dive for it. I guess I timed the dive wrong because the ball was touching the ground before I got a chance to touch it. This declared Belly and Conrad winners which didn't bother me one bit. What did bother me was the boy who was waiting by my water bottle with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Hey Jere" I said awkwardly taking my water bottle from the bench

"Why were you partners with that failed surfing instructor?" Jeremiah said through his teeth.

"I mean my other partner bailed on me" I said not standing for his shit

"Rach that's not fair" He said reaching out to me

"I know right so not fair," I said, flinching away from his touch. "We can talk later but for now let's watch our friends compete in the championship"