Knowing 12 - Boys of Tommen

4.

patrick

"Hugh, we're going to be late! Let's go!" I urgently ushered him out of the field house.

"So, what?" He laughed and then stopped halfway as he was buttoning his jeans. He looks up at me, not saying anything. Then he busts out into a string of laughter, shaking his head.

"What?" I say, throwing my hands up in the air. "What is so funny?"

"You." He lifts his shirt over his head.

"Okay, you're going to have to tell it to me straight because I don't know what you're getting at."

"You want to see Sara." He points at me.

Sara.

My pulse jumps at the name. I don't know why I'm so nervous, it's not like I haven't seen her. I have, many times.

The last time I saw her was over the summer, before the start of school. She was at Claire's house for one of their sleepovers. Lizzie, Claire, and Sara were standing round the kitchen in their pajamas eating cereal. We had just come back from the gym, I hate going to the gym with Cap.

It was like always, a wave, a hello. I gave up on trying to get back to where we used to be as kids. We would never be that close and comfortable again. But that didn't stop me from wanting it every time that I saw her.

Especially after that one night at a party Hugh threw.

That was the last time we really talked. She was a little drunk though, or maybe a lot.

Hugh was still grinning as he grabbed his bag and followed me out of the door.

"Wipe that shit-eating grin off your face, Hugh."

I was walking pretty fast but it was half past 9 and classes started thirty minutes ago.

Hugh caught up to me and clapped his hand around my shoulder.

"Slow down, lad. She isn't going anywhere."

"I'm just trying to get to class on time."

"Alright, if you say so. But, just to let you know, she's riding with us today. Claire doesn't want her to have to take the bus."

I keep walking. Just knowing that i'll get to see her at some point makes my heart beat out of my chest. But I convince myself it's because of the stairs.

"So, you're taking her home?" I scratch my jaw.

"That's what I just said."

"Okay."

Once we make it to the hallways where we go our separate ways, he stops and so do I.

He gets an oddly serious look on his face and I brace myself for his words.

"Lad, I've got to tell you something. You know, Joey, Shannon's brother? The hurler?"

I nod, unsure of where this is going.

"He said he's worried about her."