Spring

Chapter Twenty-Three

Sage Gibson

Coach doesn't take it easy on us the week after we get back from practice. We run so hard that I end up laying on the floor multiple times and am almost late to class twice because of not wanting to get up. Then I had work all weekend.

So, basically, by the time Monday rolls around, I feel drained. I don't even have the energy to get dressed. I go to school in gray sweatpants and a faded T-shirt.

"Alright," Marc speaks when he sits at the desk in front of mine during first period. "You've been dragging your feet all morning. You barely joked with Jamie during practice. What's wrong?"

"I'm so tired," I grumble. "I worked my ass off over the weekend. And after last week's practice? I've been sore since Tuesday."

He lets out a laugh under his breath. "Really?"

I huff and lay my head down on my arms, but keep my face up to look at him. He pokes my face with a small smile. I smile a little too, then frown when the bell rings.

"Really."

"Well, that must be awful."

He's teasing me. That is blatant sarcasm I am hearing. How rude of him.

"It is." I pout a little because he doesn't seem to be taking me seriously. "It's the worst."

"I bet."

"You're not taking me seriously."

He smiles a little more. "I'm taking you very seriously."

I sigh. "Then why are you looking at me like that?"

"Because you're cute."

My mouth drops and I try to think of a reply. It's too early and I'm too tired, my brain isn't working. He spins around before I get the chance to, a smirk on his face, and starts talking to Ethan.

I open up my notebook and doodle for a while. My fingers spin the pencil around when I can't think of anything to draw. Marc turns around a couple more times throughout the hour and makes comments about my drawings, but there's no more flirting. Which is good considering I'm still thrown off guard by that.

"Are we just not doing anything today?" I ask, looking around the room, when Marc turns to look at me again.

"No, since there's only three days until break we shouldn't do much in any class."

"There's only three days until break?" My eyes widen. Why didn't I know that?

"Yeah." Marc nods. "They talked about it some last week."

"I don't remember that."

He smiles softly. "You should really pay more attention."

I definitely should. I crinkle my nose at him. "Sounds boring."

He rolls his eyes and I smile. Then I go back to doodling and wishing I could just die. I'm so exhausted. 

When it's time to go to second hour, I let my feet drag a little bit. I'm later than usual and more people are in there by the time I get there. It's weird to see so many people and where they sit. I don't normally pay attention.