To say that the ride home with Matt was awkward would be a severe understatement. As cliché as the term is, you could literally cut the tension with a knife.
What could I possibly have said! ‘oh congrats on making the team Matt, too bad my boyfriend literally wants to decapitate you now more than ever!!!!!’ I don’t think so.
Well the awkward silence lasted about four minutes into the drive home when it was finally broken by Matt’s timid voice, “Um, Jen…are you…alright?” he asked curiously.
Alright? How could I be alright!!! I’m stuck in the middle of a potential World War III of high school hierarchies here and you have the audacity to ask me if I’m ALRIGHT! “Oh yeah sure, I’m just peachy.” I tried to say without sounding too harsh.
Unfortunately I did let a hint of sarcasm slip out there and Matt took note of it.
“Look,” he sighed running a hand through his hair, “I know you think Dylan is going to like kill me in my sleep or something but seriously Jen—”
“Kill you in your sleep! HA! I wish he were that nice,” I interrupted, “unfortunately for you Matt, Dylan’s pissed off past the point of wanting to kill you. He’s most likely going to make your life so much of a living hell that you’ll want to kill yourself.” I added harshly.
Matt let out an exasperated sigh. I probably shouldn’t have been so harsh to him, but he can’t go around thinking this is no big deal. “Tell me Matt, why exactly are you here? If it’s to get revenge for what happened in middle school just please spare me the anticipation and do it sooner than later because honestly, I—”
“I already told you, I don’t want revenge!” It was his turn to interrupt me now. “I don’t even know why you would think that, Jen. There’s nothing that I’m upset with you about.”
“Oh please Matt you can’t be serious right now. You’re telling me all those times with Dylan and his posse in middle school are ‘no big deal’ to you?”
“Well clearly, otherwise your boyfriend wouldn’t have it out for me. What I mean is, I don’t hold it against you in any way.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me. Do you even remember what happened? No one would just forgive and forget that easily, you’d have to either be crazy, or be like...GANDHI or something.” I said exasperated just as we were pulling into my driveway.
Now it might have been my imagination or some other noise but I could’ve sworn I heard Matt mumble something just above a whisper. It sounded like “…or in love” but who knows. It could’ve easily have been “there’s a dove” or “all of the above.”
I knew our conversation was over when Matt unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car without saying another word.
I did the same and once I’d locked my car I hear the shrill voice of Mrs. McClure call from across the yard, “Oh my goodness look at you two! You’re just so adorable in your little uniforms!”
Of course she was referring to my cheerleading outfit and Matt’s sweaty, dirty football jersey, which might I add were two of the most heinous items of clothing I’ve seen in my entire life.
I mean Burke High’s school colors were blue and orange. Now normally that would look okay, but this orange was a shade I can only describe as vomit-colored.
So there you have it, the Burke High Warriors sporting blue and vomit-orange on the football field. Charming.
I just politely smiled, waved and gave a simple “have a nice evening Mrs. McClure!” before she sauntered back into her house.
I turned around to face a very distraught looking Matt, “Sorry about all this Jen. I don’t want you to…you know, worry about me. Or any of this. It’ll be fine.”
I sighed and swung by bag over my shoulder as I made my way around the car to his side, “I just………….I just want you to know what you’re getting yourself into, that’s all.” I replied and placed my hand on his arm gently and looking into his clear blue eyes.
“Later Matt” I said, and with that I glided past him and into my house without another word or glance back.
When I got into my room I chucked my backpack on the floor next to my desk and flopped down on my bed. What. A. Day. Just then my phone buzzed, I picked it up and saw that Britt texted me:
Spa day on Saturday!
<3 B
Thank you! I need it! I texted back. Looks like we both need to de-stress quite a lot. I just wonder what’s been bugging Britt so much to pull the spa day card…
YOU ARE READING
Smokin' Hot
فكاهةJennifer Taylor has spent the last three years working her way up to the top of the high school food chain. But she couldn't get to where she is now without making a few sacrifices. What happens when one of those "sacrifices" comes back for Jennif...
