Hanging On

Jake

Heres the next chapter!! Hope you guys like it!!! Its a little longer.

I quietly stepped over Emily to get to my dresser for clothes. I had woken up a few minutes earlier when Tucker’s alarm clock went off, signaling that it was time for work. I was glad Emily hadn’t woken up in the night to find that I was no longer in my bed. That would have worried her.

I silently took my clothes and went into my bathroom so I wouldn’t wake her. I never woke her up when I did, partly because she wouldn’t get up even If I tried but also because I didn’t make her help me with chores. Of course, I didn’t get out of the room completely silent. I stubbed my toe on my best and bit my tongue to stop the string of curses from escaping my lips as I danced around on one foot, the other one clutched in my hand. I lost my balance and fell into my desk, knocking a picture over. Emily moaned and rolled over.

“Quiet down, bitch.” She grumbled, making me laugh softly as I carefully made my way out of the room, my toe still throbbing. She would get up in a couple hours and offer to help me with the chores, but end up just following me around, talking animatedly. Not that I minded.

 

Emily sneezed when Tucker dropped a bale of hay onto the cement floor of the barn from the top of the barn, making a cloud of dust go up. Emily waved her hand in front of her face.

“Thanks, Tucker.” She said sarcastically, and he gave her a thumbs up.

“Tucker, would you go get the new hose? This is the one with the holes in it.” I said, gesturing the green hose lying at my feet. My mother always mixed them up, and I had to fill the cows water tub. Tucker nodded and headed out.

“I cant believe you guys did it.” She murmured, making me gasp.

“What?” I asked, and she shrugged.

“I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, but still. I’m a little surprised.” She paused to waggle her eyebrows at me. “How was it?”

My facial expression was similar to that off a fish. I opened and closed my mouth, unsure of what to say.

“How did you- Who told you- What?” I stammered, and she shrugged again.

“I mean, you did do it, right?” she asked, looking at me with a slight smile. She rolled her eyes.

“Never mind, I know you did. I can tell.” She said, and I shook my head.

“What is the matter with you?” I hissed, and she looked at me with wide, innocent eyes. “What?”

“You know damn well what! You cant just ask someone if they…did it, or not.” I fumed, and she rolled her eyes. Again.

“It’s not my fault you two make it obvious. Look, you two are perfect for each other. He’s the perfect guy, you’re the perfect girl. I can tell just by the way you are about these things. Never underestimate the power of your best friend.” She said, tapping her forehead with a mischievous smile. I shook my head.

“Where’s Tucker with that stupid hose?” I asked, wanting out of the awkward situation my dear friend had created. “Hey Tucker, where that-”

I stopped short when I realized he wasn’t alone. Standing in my driveway, about two hundred yards away from me, I could see Tucker standing in front of someone else. Someone I didn’t recognize. My heart jumped into my throat as I walked over to them, scared at the way Tucker’s muscles were tensed. He was worried, nervous. As I got closer, I realized the person was a boy, right around our age. I had never seen him before in my life. He had curly, chocolate brown hair, and brown eyes. He was cute, but he had nothing on Tucker.