It All Started With A Ride

11. "I really, really care"

During lunch, I found myself sitting on the metal bleachers outside Summerville Academy's gym watching the football team's emergency practice.

Even if Layla said it was okay for me to hang out with Tabitha and that she didn't care, I still sensed that she was mad at me- and so, I stayed away from Layla.

I was scared that she was still mad at me- and that I truly did owe her an apology.

So I did the best thing I could do- follow Charles to the football practice (even if I wouldn't understand shit that was happening) it was better than sitting at a lunch table and munching on some gray-ish Mac and Cheese the school made.

It had been fifteen minutes into practice- and halfway through lunch, when the coach blew his whistle, "you" he pointed at me, causing my heart to race since everyone seemed to turn their attention to me.

"You and Charles go get some things for drills from the equipment room" I nodded- remembering what the man had said when I entered the field with Charles.

Coach told me that if I wanted to stay- at some point, I would have to help with something- whether it was getting water for the team, or bringing coolers over to them.

Charles, in his blue number 8 Jersey, ran over to me while I was still walking down the concrete stairs next to the bleachers.

"Having fun?" He asked teasingly.

"Hell no" I chuckled and hopped off the last step and onto the grass, "I have no idea what's going on".

Charles laughed, "if these were girls you would".

"Shut up!" I laughed. Charles- along with a handful of other people, are the only ones who know I'm a lesbian- Layla and Laney don't- obviously, but my family, along with Steven, Madison, and Charles, do.

I never really planned on telling anyone at Summerville- but Charles went to my old school- and so, he already knew.

As the two of us got in front of the equipment room, we both realized the door was cracked open- and coming from inside the room was a girl's cries.

I looked at Charles, he looked at me- and before I knew what was happening, Charles- who seemed pretty concerned, was opening the door to reveal a girl- whom the two of us couldn't see the face of, curled up with her knees to her chest and her long curls falling over her legs.

As soon as we entered- the sounds of crying- stopped.

There were a few sniffles here and there and Charles approached her while I stood in the doorway- not knowing what to do, "are you okay?" He asked.

The girl was silent before letting out a muffled "mhm".

My brows furrowed- why did that muffled mhm sound familiar?

Charles looked at me- probably for help- but I had no idea what to do.

"Are you hurt?" I asked- and slowly walked over to her- that was when she looked up- and my heart sank.

Tabitha.

Tabitha was crying.

"I'm fine- I just have a headache.." she said- and I could tell she was lying. I silently walked over to her- sending Charles glances that read "What do I do?" and, "Help!!"

"We-" I paused, not sure if I should say what I was about to say, so I tried to reword it, "It's okay to tell us-" I placed my hand on hers, feeling my heart begin to rapidly pound and feeling her shiver a little at the sudden touch, she didn't reject it, she just let my hand stay there, "we're here" I looked into her brown eyes, "I'm here".