Borrowed Time

Chapter Two

Cheerleading practice never failed to leave Juliette in a horrible mood, which was unfortunate considering the fact that she couldn't quit even if she wanted to.  She wasn't doing cheerleading for her own benefit, she was doing it for her father... and to honor her mother.  They'd met in high school, he'd been the handsome quarterback and she'd been the head cheerleader... they fell in love and got married right after high school graduation.  Nine months later, she'd been born.  It'd never been on Juliette's radar when she was younger that this was something that she might do, but once her mom died, it became a clear way to continue her legacy... it was also a surefire way to make her father smile.  But it left her feeling dead and empty... and today, it left her with no ride because Micheal's practice went late.

Juliette fiddled with the buttons on the side of her phone and considered calling her father or Shelby, but she didn't want to bother either of them... Her father was probably still wrapping up his last preparations for tomorrow's sermon, and Shelby was probably busy making herself dinner... Neither one was viable, and there was no way in hell that she was calling Samantha.  She could probably walk, it wasn't that far away on foot.

"Smith... What're you still doing here?"  Julie glanced up and saw Esme standing in front of her, bringing her headphones down around her neck.  She should ask the same question, Esme wasn't in any after school activities to her knowledge, she should've gone home hours ago.

"What are you still doing here?"  She asked, and Esme sighed and shrugged, sitting down on the curb beside her, curling her knees to her chest as she spoke.  It made her look so small... which she was, but it just looked... out of character.

"Turns out Ms. O'Brian isn't as forgiving when I forget to do my part of the prelab as she is when you're 'helping me take notes'.  I just got out of detention."  She explained, and Juliette felt bad immediately.  The pre-lab hadn't been that difficult for her, she could've helped with it easily, if only she'd known.

"Why didn't you tell me you were struggling with the prelab?  I would've helped you."  Juliette said, and Esme gave her a half smile, nudging her foot with her boot as she leaned her chin on her hand.

"See, I would've asked but someone hasn't texted me yet, so I don't have your number." Esme reminded her, and Juliette's face fell.  She knew she'd been forgetting something when her father got her phone back from Samantha... Three days felt a bit steep for 'disobeying her', but it was what her father had been able to negotiate down to.

"Oh!  Shit, I meant to do that last night, hold on."  She pulled her phone out and typed a message, sending it off.  If only she'd not been so tired last night, she would've done it then.  Esme's phone dinged a moment later. "There."  Esme smiled, nodding at her.  Something about it made heat flush Juliette's face.  She didn't know why, or what it was for... it just had a different affect on her than she'd been expecting.

"Thanks. I'll use it next time." Esme said, and Juliette nodded. That was the entire point of them having each other's phone numbers... probably. Esme had been the one to push the envelope, so it would make more sense than not.

"Cool."  For a moment, neither of them spoke... Juliette just wasn't sure what to say, and Esme seemed to be waiting for her to speak first... But that didn't happen.  She let Esme break the silence.

"So... are you waiting on a ride?"  Esme asked, and Juliette shrugged.  She should just say yes, Esme really didn't need a real answer, but she figured... why not humor her?

"Considering walking home.  My normal ride isn't out of practice for another hour at least and everyone else I know is busy." Juliette explained, and Esme nodded, drumming her fingers on her legs as she spoke.