How To Find Your Future

8 - Blast From The Past

Charlie

She's taking my offer up!

I can't believe that she's actually going to take me up on my offer. I would have thought for sure after the last time I was there that she would have decided to never even look at me again, let alone take me up on the offer.

"That's great!" I exclaim. I move the ball from in front of me and hold it on the side of my body using my arm.

"Yeah." She nods. "I thought I would seek you out now and um, tell you that. So, now that I have... I'm going to go."

I laugh. She's adorable when she's nervous.

My eyes widen. Shit. What?

I nod aggressively. "Yeah. Um, I'll see you later then."

She nods. "Yeah. See you."

"See you in math." Naomi says, a smirk on her face.

"See you in math." I tilt my head, confused by the smirk and the tone in her voice.

They turn around and make their way out of the gym. Naomi laughs and Olivia's face turns red.

I take a few deep breaths to steady myself before I turn back around and focus on my shots.

Now that Olivia is wanting my help I have to first figure out how to start. I have those sheets and quizzes from dad, so that's probably the best place to start. Will Olivia be okay with me coming to the bakery after school? I hope so. It might be the only place where we can meet up and know we'll be there since we don't have each other's numbers. That's probably a good idea too. To exchange numbers.

A flutter goes through my stomach.

I try to shake it off. What is with me?

"Charlie! Pass here!"

I turn around and find Jake. I roll my eyes. Biggest douchebag ever. But I pass him the ball, which he then shots into the hop.

"What's up?" I ask.

"Just saw you talking with Olivia."

Oh. That's what this is.

"She was just asking for my help with something," I tell him.

He raises a blond eyebrow. "Help from you?"

I nod. Jeez. He's so full of himself he can't believe that others can genuinely help other people.

He snorts. "What could she possibly get from you?"

I roll my eyes. "Lay off, Jake."

He shakes his head. "Whatever." Then he jogs back over to his side of the court and joins his douchebag friends.

After that, I've lost my desire to practice and leave the gym.

***

I leave the school with the biggest grin on my face.

I can't help it. After a crappy last week with... everything, this week is finally going to be my good one.

I make my way down to the bakery where, in theory, Olivia should be. When I get there there's only about three people in line. The guy is back and helping them. I join the line and glance toward the employee door every few seconds.

"It's you again," the guy says when I get to the front of the line.

I nod. "I'm back."

"What fudge will it be for you today?"

"Surprise me." I glance towards the door.

His gaze follows mine. "She's not in today."

My eyes snap back to him. "She's not?" Why didn't she tell me that?