Crush

Crush Day 6 (White Lie)

When the bell rang, signaling the end of the day, Jace met up with Emma at her locker. She was talking to Amanda Rolen, the junior class's most popular cheerleader.

Amanda smiled at Jace. "Hey there, is there something you need?"

Jace wanted to smack the grin off her face, but Emma spoke up. "He's waiting for me. Ready?" Emma looked at Jace and put her arm in his. Amanda's eyes widened.

"Well that didn't take long," Amanda mumbled.

"What's that?" Emma asked as she and Jace walked toward the exit. Amanda shook her head and acted as if she didn't say anything. Emma laughed at her expression.

"That girl needs an enema."

Jace chuckled. Loud.

"What?"

"You...you just, yes...yes she does. So, where's this bike of yours?"

Emma bit her bottom lip again. She sighed. "It's just...I lied."

"You lied?"

"Yeah, sorry, a little white one, no biggie. My bike is okay, no flat. I was just hoping that you'd come to my rescue."

Jace's ears turned red.

"You didn't have to lie about it."

"That's good," Emma said softly, bumping his shoulder with her own. "I like you, Jace. You're easy to talk to."

"You, too."

"You like me?" Emma grinned.

"Yeah, I do. No more lies, white or otherwise?"

"You got it. So, where's your car?"

Jace smiled and walked toward his Trailblazer. "It's over there." If there was one thing that Jace was proud of, it was his Trailblazer.

"Wow, that's really nice."

"Yeah. I worked all summer for that, it should be."

"It shows."

Jace unlocked Emma's door and helped her in before getting in himself. He started it up, and the familiar sound of Sam Smith filled the air. Emma smiled.

"Nice."

Jace was a bit embarrassed. "If you want me to turn it, I..."

"No, I love this album. My favorite is Stay."

"Yeah, I like that one, too.

"So," Jace said as he started up his car. "Straight home?"

Emma smiled. "Yep."

"Okay," Jace said, nodding. "So, were you in any sports or anything wherever you were before?"

Emma laughed. "Yeah, right. I am not much of a joiner. I like art though. And, I love music. Dancing is more my thing, but I would never join a school sport."

"Not your thing, huh?"

"No, not at all, what about you?"

"I'm into baseball."

"Baseball, huh?" Emma looked at Jace's arms and the way they bulged as he gripped the steering wheel. "Nervous?"

"Huh?" Jace looked at Emma and swallowed. "No."

"Yeah, uh huh."

"What?" Jace laughed softly.

"You're nervous."

"No..."

"Yes, you are. That's me, right there, number 6."

Jace looked to where she pointed and pulled in to the driveway. "Okay."

"You coming in?" Emma asked, with a grin. "Mom's not home."

"What about..."

"Nobody is home, come on in."

Emma moved toward his hand and his eyes widened. "Bring your bag."

Jace looked at Emma nervously. "Our project."

Jace sighed. "Yeah, no, yeah, that's....okay." He nodded and then opened his door, and Emma followed. Jace came around to Emma's door and she grabbed his arm.

"Don't be nervous, Jace. I don't bite."

Jace didn't care if she did.

"I know."

Emma laughed again. She pulled a key from her pocket and opened the door. When she walked in, she immediately discarded her shoes and Jace did the same.