Leap Before You Think

Chapter 14

"Okay, so how did you start again?" Jason asks for what must be the fifth time.

I laugh, "Like this." I make myself go at least five feet in the air on the swing and as it's pulling down I leap off of it landing on the small platform. "Agility is a key lesson that you learn here when you're younger. It's one of the great skills."

"Right," He nods his head and gives me a look. "I didn't know that I signed up for a lesson."

I look down, other people I know would appreciate it. "Sorry."

"No, it's not a problem." He steps toward me and takes my hand. My heart leaps the second his skin touches mine. "I like a good lesson."

"So do you want me to tell you more?"

He laughs, "Not right now. I've got a course to learn."

As I make my way to the playground, I can't help but wonder what he wants to talk about. How does he intend to get to know me better? How can I possibly teach him to navigate the course with his eyes closed, a skill I inadvertently acquired? It all started when I was bored after a class one afternoon, and I discovered that I can somewhat perceive things even with my eyes shut. It's like having visions or I guess more likely x-ray vision. The one downside is I struggle to find the right words to describe it to everyone I try to explain it to. It's as if I possess a unique superpower. While some people have super speed, mind-reading abilities, or inhuman strength, I can see things with my eyes closed, provided nothing obstructs my vision.

I once tried to explain this to Judah, but he looked at me as if I had three heads. It stung when he didn't believe me, but I eventually moved past it. After all, there are plenty of things he tells me that I find hard to believe as well.

"How was that?"

"Almost perfect." I cross my arms, "So what do you want to talk about?"

"I didn't think we would have any reason to talk. I just thought you would show me the track and that we'd, I don't know, catch up another time."

"Oh," I look at my feet as my arms drop to my side. I thought we would talk.

"Yeah. I've got loads of work to catch up on." He takes hold of both my hands and stares me in the eyes. "How about we talk tomorrow?"

"Sure. Yeah, whatever."

He smiles and picks up his bag. "Great. See you later."

He saunters away, leaving me stranded in disbelief. How could I have been so naive? I genuinely believed he wanted to spend time with me. Ugh! Uncontainable hot tears start to sting my eyes. I can't afford to cry, not here, not now, not with the way things have been lately. With a heavy heart, I retrieve my bag from where I left it near the swing set and trudge back to the school.

>>>----<>----<<<

An hour later, I find myself perched on the edge of my bed, absorbing a stern lecture from Jackson. The weight of a secret I couldn't bear to keep any longer had led me to confide in someone, anyone, but it couldn't be Judah. I feared that if I were to confide in Judah, it would irreparably damage my relationship with Jason in a way that involves Jason being sent to the hospital section of the school.

"What do you mean he just left you?!" Jackson paces in front of me.

"He just did, Jack."

"No boy in their right mind should ever walk away from a girl."

"Agreed," Piper says in a singing sort of way, kicking her legs on the edge of her bed as she turns a page in her magazine.

"Look, I told him it was fine." I try again to deflect his insults against Jason.

"Then why is Judah not here?"

Crap! I knew he would get to that question at some point. I was just hoping I would have more of a story and less truth by the time he asked.

"Because if Judah knew he would march out of the room, track down Jason, and punch in the face." I cover my face with both my hands.

"Exactly." Jackson grabs my shoulders. "Lorie, look at me." I remove my hands, "I advise you to stay away from that boy."

"Alright. Can I go?"

"You called me here."

"Then can you go?"

"Sure, Lo."

He walks over to my door and opens it.

"Don't tell Judah," I say before he shuts the door.

I turn to face Piper, and as she lifts her gaze from the magazine, our eyes lock. The unspoken words reflected in her eyes reveal her true feelings about Jason, mirroring Jackson's disdain for him. She then averts her eyes and casually flips another page. I wonder if she can sense my longing to engage in a conversation with her. Harper always knew when I wanted to talk and when I wanted to be left alone.

"Piper?"

"Lorie?" She looks up again.

"Are you gonna make me ask?" I walk over to her bed and sit next to her.

"No. But I do have something to say." She closes her magazine and places it on her nightstand.

"What is it?"

"Judah." She says his name in a way that I've never heard before, a way that suggests she knows something about him that I don't, "He'll find out eventually."

"I know. I just hope I have time to come up with a story."

"I'd bet five bucks that he finds out by tonight."

"You wouldn't dare tell him."

"No, of course not but if I've learned anything since I got here it's that news travels fast."

She has a valid point, and I realize that I need to delay the news from reaching him. With determination, I rise off her bed and make my way to the door. Her laughter echoes behind me as I exit the room. I sprint down the corridors, my heart racing, until I finally reach the art room. I'll search this room first, I hope to find him here. If he's not in the art room, I'll head to his room next. If that fails and he's not in his room, I'll just catch him during lunchtime. I desperately hope to deliver the news to him in my own words before anyone else gets to him.

"Judah!" I shout as I throw open the doors. My eyes land on him as he waves his gloved hand at me.

"Shh." The entire room tells me all at once.

My face becomes covered in blush, "Sorry." I close the doors and walk over to him. "Hi." I smile at him.

"Hey." He places his hands in a bowl of liquid and pulls out a statue of a tree. "What's up?"

"Nothing much. I just wanted to see you." I sound too bubbly and too much like I'm trying to hide something.

"Okay." He laughs, "So how did you meeting with what's his face go?"

"Jason. And it went well. We had fun, talked forever."

"Oh really? That's not what I heard."

Has news already gotten to him? Am I too late? I should've just ran straight to him and told him that I misunderstood Jason's message.

"What did you hear?" I ask softly. I watch his hand carve the statue, adding more detail to it.

"I heard something but I'm not sure you want me to know it." He looks at me, "I heard that he left you. Is that true?" His tone has changed.

"Yes, but I can explain."

"You can explain his actions?"

"Well, no. But I'm sure it is my fault. I must've read his message wrong."

"I'm gonna hurt him if he even looks at you the rest of the month." He sets down the statue and removes his gloves. "Follow me."

"What are we doing?"

"I've arranged something for you to make up for that boy's actions."