The Shattered Ride

Chapter 8

     I'm running. Past the people, through the cars, through the trees in the woods. Again. I just wanted to stop, not moving. Just stopping. I suddenly came to a stop. All my friends are standing in front of me. No one giving me a smile. I heard a laugh behind me. I turned to see Amy chuckle and laugh. I was in a dark room. Standing on only a platform and the spot light on her. She continues to laugh and says, "You don't deserve him!" And she disappears. Jordan is standing next to me. In fact, he's hugging me like he did the other day. I hug him tight. This feels good. The platform falls out under me and Jordan struggles for my hand. I slip, and I never stop falling. Again.

    I sit up immediately. Not again. I haven't had this dream in a very long time, but this time it was different. Why was Amy laughing? Why did Jordan hug me? Why did everyone look so serious? Why didn't I stop falling? All these questions came hurdling at me. I struggled to breath. I was sweating, and I felt my cheeks become red. I climbed out of bed and went to wash my face. The water felt cold against my hot face and I stared at the mirror. I've been going to school for almost two months now. And so far, I've seemed to be okay. I'm still fragile and won't easily fall in love again. My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.

    "Good morning, honey. Hurry, someone is waiting for you downstairs!" My mom said and before I could ask who it was, I heard the door close behind her. I took me a good twenty minutes before I actually went down. I wasn't sure who it was, so I took my time. If it was Caleb, I was going to literally curl up and die. If it were Jay, I would probably tell my mom to tell him I didn't feel well. And if it were Penny, well, I'll have to face her some or other time.

    I made my way down the stairs. My parents were at the dining room table with breakfast. They were laughing, but I wasn't quite sure at what. When I came around the corner, scared of who it could be, I was surprised and very glad to see Jordan laughing with them. My hero in a red checker, button-up shirt and black sneakers. He was wearing normal black jeans. He didn't look too bad. Actually quite attractive. I took a seat between him and Alex. Oh man, did he smell great! Was it a new aftershave or something, because it was even better than Erik's! I couldn't help but secretly blush. This morning, I have fallen heel-over-toe for this mysteries person next to me.

    I took a bite from my toast and took a sip of my coffee, and noticed white lilies on the kitchen table. They were beautiful! I continued to eat in silence, when he whispered to me, "Those are for you." And continued to talk to my mom about stuff that didn't matter. What did matter was the fact that those were for me! I must have looked like a tomato. I was so flattered! Why would he buy me a bunch of the most amazing lilies? What did I do to deserve this? After a while, he said, "We should probably get going if we wanna be on time." We stood up, greeted everyone, and made our way to the sidewalk of the street.

    We were quiet for a while and then I couldn't help but ask, "What did I do to deserve those amazing flowers?"

    He just smiled and looked at me as we walked to school. He gave a tiny giggle and said, "I'm glad you like them! And I thought I'd make up for last time. You know, when I forgot to walk with you."

    "Ah, the truth comes out." And we laughed. I wanted to so desperately tell him about my dream, but I just couldn't and stayed quiet. After a while of chatting none stop, he slipped his hand in mine. But I only realized what happened after the conversation ended. We entered the school ground, hand in hand. And I didn't mind. When we entered the hall, one of Jordan's friends-who I didn't know-whispered something to him. He let go of my hand and stopped. I turned around to see him stunned. Whatever was on, it couldn't be good.

    "You coming?" I smiled at him. He didn't reply. He just stared straight in front of him. "Jordan, if you come back to planet earth, can we please go to our lockers?" But still no reply. I decided to do this the hard way. So I started dragging him. He kept resisting and I started getting mad. I jerked his hand down, and stormed off. That must have woken him up, because he started running after me. He grabbed me hand, and pulled me into a hug. I struggled loose, and for some reason, he still seemed occupied. I turned around to see Sam at our lockers. I wiggled my hand free from his grip, and walked over to her. She looked like Sam always does. She has her black rags on and her hair stuffed into her lime green beanie. She didn't show any emotion and just leaned against my locker. What was going on?

    "Hi there. Could I please get to my locker?" Like always, she said nothing. It got noisy in the hall now, and class was going to start soon. Jordan came to stand next to me, opening his locker. I was about to ask Sam again, but then the weirdest thing happened. Penny and two other girls came out of the girls' bathroom soaking wet. And all she shouted over the big noisy hall was, "Erica!"

    I started making my way to her. Everyone just stared at us. I wasn't sure why she was wet and why she was mad at me. I opened my mouth to say something, but she protested, "I told you to drop it!"

    I looked at her in confusion. Then thought about Friday. "I did."

    "Oh, is that so? Well, why am I wet then?" But again she didn't give me a chance to say something. "I'll tell you why. It's because I warned you against that very, jealous girlfriend, and now look what happened. She's not afraid to bite, but clearly you are. You have to fight your own fight now." And with that she stormed past me. The girls following close behind. I have never been more confused in my whole life. Erik's dead made more sense than this. What jealous girlfriend? Why was I supposed to bite or fight back? And how was I going to get all these answers if no one wants to answer me? The bell rang, and Sam was gone. Jordan slowly walked to me. He came in for a hug, and I pulled away and walked to class. I was too mad and confused to talk to him now. Why won't anyone tell me why this Amy is such a threat? I mean, it's really not that hard. The day went by and when lunch came, I went to sit in the library. I sank down in a chair, and then suddenly got a text from Jordan,

Amy is my x-gf

    I took a deep breath, and asked,

Y she sucha threat?

    He didn't reply. Instead, Sam came to find me on my arms. She took the seat next to me. And after a while, she asked, "If someone were to ever flirt with Erik, would you like it?"

    I shook my head. In fact, I was kind of over-protected when it came to Erik. He was something special. I really wish he was still here, and nothing changed. But it did and I have to face the fact that life goes on.

    Sam finally said, "See? She's jealous, and now she is trying to get you away from Jordie-boy in there so that he won't have anything prettier than her to think of." She sighed and I looked up. She smiled and said something that made my heart fly. "Erica, you've got something that she clearly didn't have. And it's obvious. He likes you." My heart skipped beats and my stomach twisted. Did he really like me? Is that why he's been giving me hugs and held my hand? I haven't been in love for a long while and couldn't remember how it was to feel this way. Whether it was normal or not. I was so confused, but knowing he liked me too, made me feel a lot better!

***

    When Sam came back without Erica, I started to worry. Penny was sitting with us too and was even going to apologize. That was something Penny did. She would be mad for a while, and then she would just say sorry and forget about it. Sam took a seat next to me. She was quiet and I gave her a look asking for answers.

    Then she said, "She's fine. You guys know Erica. She just needs a bit of space and then she's fine." Everyone agreed that they were satisfied and continued talking about other stuff. I couldn't help but think about her. She was really cute when she was angry.

    "Oh, and I also told her you like her." Sam whispered slowly, eating her chips.

    My mouth hung open. "What if I don't?"

    "Well, we'll just have to see who will be the one you'll fight for. Erica, which I recommend and think will definitely win your heart. Or Amy over there with all the cool people. The people we are not." She paused and looked at me. She whispered, "And you cn see you have a thing for the girl. You make it pretty obvious," and she continued in everyone else's conversation. I was lost in thought. What if I had to decide? Who would win? What if I've fallen for Erica Matthews? What was I going to do then?