Accidentally In Love

Chapter 5: Friends

Continued...

   "So, Leigh, are you joining any clubs or sports?" Tripp asks, seeming genuinely interested. He's making small talk. Ok. But why?

   Leigh nods her head. "I'm in the band." So that's what the case is. She's a band kid. I smirk a little at that. For some reason it fits her.

   "What instrument do you play?"

   "Clarinet." That suits her, too, oddly enough. Why the hell am I even paying attention to this conversation?

   Tripp nods. "My mom played clarinet when she was in high school. She tried to get me in band in the 5th grade, but I decided I liked baseball better."

   Leigh nods with a smile. "My brother used to be on the baseball team. But he gave it up for Decathlon."

   "So he's a smart kid." Leigh nods, chuckling a little. Leigh then turns to me as if she's about to say soemthing, and for some reason I begin to freak out. Why did my heart rate go up? Calm the fuck down, Knox.

   "Are you in baseball too?" She wants to know if I was in baseball? She wants to know something about me? Psychologically speaking she wouldn't have asked if she wasn't curious about me.

   ...

   I'm letting it get to my head.

   I just shake my head no, deciding not to actually speak. If I did, I might accidentally say soemthing I don't need to. Or my voice will crack. And then I would have to walk out of the room.

   "He used to box." Tripp suddenly mentions. Jesus christ...

   "And wrestle. Played football for a month his freshman year. He was also in band 5th to the 8th grade. Oh, and-"

   "Tripp, stop talking." I say, giving him a look. Tripp seals his lips, nodding at me in apology before shutting up. He'd tell her my whole life story if no one stopped him.

   "Boxing. Me and my dad used to watch boxing every night up until I was about 15." So she's older than 15. Is it weird if I ask how old she is? Leigh speaks before I can ask. "What instrument did you play in band?"

   "I played saxophone." Leigh smiles, nodding. Pretty smile.

   ...

   What the hell am I saying?

   Just ask that question, Knox.

   "What grade are you in?" I ask. My question catches Leigh off guard and she furrows her eyebrows. Well, it's less creepy than 'how old are you?'

   "I'm a juinor." So she's probably 16.

   "What grade are you in?" She asks back. Are we seriously small talking? I hate small talk. Then why hell am I doing it with her? And why am I enjoying it?

   "I'm a senior. So is he." I point to Tripp. Leigh nods.

   Tripp suddenly perks up. "I'm also 17. And my sign is a Sagittarius. I also like long walks on the beach. Now why are y'all small talking?" I hum out a laugh. Leigh smiles, shaking her head.
 
   "Just wondering. Now how old are you and what's your sign?" He asks, leaning his elbow on the table, resting his head on his hand to look at her. What is he trying to do?

   Leigh chuckles, gives him a weird look, but speaks. "Uh...I'm 16. And I'm a Gemini." 16. I was right. Wait. That's what Tripp's doing. He's answering my questions without letting me embarrass myself. Turns out Tripp's a good wingman. Hold on, why am I wanting him to wingman? I shouldn't even want to know anything about this girl. God, what is wrong with me?