A Girl and a Whiteboard

Chapter Twenty-two

He saw me enter the room and quickly hid the jersey behind his back. I sat down next to him and waited.

"I know you're not with Jace."

'Good because I'm not.'

"You're going to the game on Wednesday right?

'I'll be there.'

Now he looked nervous and started rambling incoherent things I didn't quiet catch. I leaned over and titled his chin up so I could hear him clearly.

Instead of repeating himself he stood up and started pacing. I let him pace for five minutes and he looked like he was practicing what he was trying to say to me. I got up and grabbed his hand and pulled him with me to the bed. I heard once that if you kiss someone, that it could possibly calm them down. Let's try out that theory.

I grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer and kissed him. I felt him relax under my touch, they were just sweet gentle kisses. After I knew he was a lot more relaxed, he rested his forehead against mine.

"My dad's coming to watch me play on Wednesday."

I let him keep going, "It's just a soccer game, but isn't that how it starts, he just moves closer and closer in. What if I mess up and do something wrong and then he would have a reason for why he left."

I really needed to start talking soon. 'Hey, you won't mess up and if you do, it doesn't matter. You're amazing Andy and he's just going to be another person in the stands. You have all of us cheering you on.'

"He's just watching to see me fail."

'You don't know that, and just focus on the game and if you want to look into the stands just look at me.' I didn't realize what I wrote until I reread it and then I quickly erased it with my hand and tried to make my checks not go red. Maybe if I think hard enough, they won't turn red.

"Well I could spot you better in the stands if you were wearing my jersey."

I probably looked like a fish out of water. It used to be one of my cliche wishes of wearing a guys' jersey.

'I thought you would never ask.'

He handed me it and I turned it around and he's number 5.

'My favorite number is 5.'

"It was meant to be then."

Then Alec opened the door and came in and saw Andy, "I'm sorry, I didn't know people were still over."

Damn. 'Can you please leave? I need to talk to him.'

Andy left, and then I went to find Alec in his room.

"Does he make you happy Em?"

'Yes.'

"Then you have my approval to date him."

He was taking over the role of my dad. He deserved more than this. He needed someone to be strong for him and support him. He's only a kid, he doesn't deserve all this responsibility. He didn't need to worry about me or anything.

'I'm sorry Alec.'

"For what?"

'For not being there for you. I'm so sorry.' My eyes were clouding with unshed tears. I've never wanted Alec to see me cry.

"You always took care of me and acted more like my mom then mom did. It's my turn now."

'I love you Alec.'

"I love you too Emory."

'How about we go hangout with Mary Ann and Al?'

"Okay!" I knew he loved them, you could easily tell how wide his smile was whenever he was around them or how his laugh sounded so genuine. He was so happy here.