Out Of The Woods

chapter three

♪ live while we're young~one direction

"Are you ready to go?" I shouted to Grace across the field, where she is waiting for me.
I see her nod from afar and start walking toward me. "Do you still live on Milford Street?"
"Yep." she replied. "So, how did the photos turn out?"
"They could be better. Actually, could you ask your coach if Nicole and I can take pictures from the sidelines Saturday night at the game?"
"Yes, of course, I don't think it's a problem" I told her and she smiled a little. "How's your brother doing?"
"Not great in exams, but he became captain of the soccer team, so in that respect he is doing very well" she told me "Cool cool. Stanford, right?"
"Yep. What university are you going to next year?" she asked me, she seemed interested
"I don't know yet, I want to get a soccer scholarship, so I guess anywhere is fine as long as I play soccer," It was the truth. "I don't want to get my hopes up cause If you expect disappointment, then you can never really be disappointed."
"Are you quoting spider-man?" her lips twisted- not quite a smile, not quite a smirk.
"I might"
"Uhh, someone's a nerd!" she said rhetorically laughing. She's a contagious laugh.
"Hey, you knew where it was from so technically you're a nerd too" I started to laugh too.
"So, spider-girl where do you wanna go to college?"
"Somewhere they have a very good photography programme. I was thinking about NYU, but I still have a year to decide."
She told me absent-mindedly while absorbed in her thoughts.
When we were finally on her doorstep I murmured "So, I guess I'll see you tomorrow at school"
"Yeah, see you tomorrow" She told me while opening her door. While I was watching her getting in I said "Do you take the bus?"
"What?"
"The school bus, in the morning?"
"Yeah, why?" She looked confused.
"I can pick you up if you want to" I don't know why I said it. It was so stupid to ask her something like that. I was so embarrassed but then she murmured" "7:45 works for you?"
"Yeah totally, see you tomorrow."
I watch her get into her house and close the door, then I walk home with a smile on my face. What the fuck have I done?
≫ ── ≪•◦ ❈ ◦•≫ ── ≪
As it turned out, 7:45 didn't work out for me. It was 7:37 and I was still deciding what to wear. I grabbed a pair of jeans and a long T-shirt and ran down the stairs while I got dressed. This time my sister was still in bed, my mother was trying to wake her up and my dad was at work so I simply shouted "I'm off to school, see you later." I drove five minutes to get to Grace's house. As soon as I texted her to tell her I was waiting outside she immediately replied with coming. Two minutes later she was sitting next to me in my car.
"Over there," I said pointing to a drawer. "You can find some CDs. Today, and only for today, I'll let you choose the music."
"What an honor!" She told me sarcastically. "Today we'll listen to..." She started to dramatically drum on her thighs. "Take Me Home by One Direction!"
"Oh come on! I hate that CD."
"Then why do you own it?" She said teasingly.
"I don't. It's my sister's. She loves it so when I take her to dance class she listens to it. And I happen to have every damn word of every song on that CD memorized" I explained.
"I want to hear you sing, nerd" This time she was definitely smirking. Live while we're young started playing and she quietly sang every word of what happened to be my favorite song on this CD.
After three more songs, we finally arrived at school. I parked the car in my spot reserved for seniors, and Grace and I got out of the car.
"Nicole's waiting for me inside."
"Brian's there," I pointed to him. "See you at practice?"
"Yeah, see you later." I watched her as she went inside and in the meantime Brian came to me. "Was that Grace who got out of your car?"
"Yes, she needed a ride. Why?" I asked him, but I already knew what he was getting at.
"Man if you're fucked." he tapped me on my shoulder.
"What are you talking about?"
"Oh, come on. You like her." He said matter-of-factly.
"Stop it. I don't like her."
"Whatever bro." He said. I don't like her, I was just trying to be nice. Plus, I want to focus on soccer and school.
"We should go to class, I don't want to be late." I murmured.