Head Above Water

7. Reluctant Model

I startled awake at the sound of my alarm the next morning and squinted at the clock in confusion. Had I seriously slept for 9 hours? Holy crap! I guess I needed the rest, ‘cause now I felt like the energizer bunny. I jumped out of bed and started my morning routine, feeding Sal before I left my room.

The rest of my morning passed in a blur as I flitted from class to class. Somehow by the time lunch came around I will still full of energy, when I’d normally be starting my first slump of the day. I skipped over to the gang on the grass and plopped down between Connor and Malcolm.

“Oh my gosh. Whatever did we do to earn the honor of your presence?” Connor joked in a haughty voice.

“Welcome back,” Lucia offered sweetly.

I smiled back at her. “Thanks. Sorry I ditched you guys for a while there.”

“No worries,” she offered.

Connor had missed Geology, so I nudged him in the shoulder. “Hey, where were you last period?”

“Had to get a physical to excuse me from PE next quarter. I am so done with that crap teacher.” I nodded knowingly, remembering Mrs. Beefy. “Why, did you miss me?” he joked.

“Of course,” I said cheerfully.

“Someone’s in a good mood,” Jennifer said scathingly.

I didn’t even bother to roll my eyes at her. “Yep! I slept for 9 freakin’ hours—that’s a ton compared to what I’ve been getting—and I feel fantastic!”

My eyes flickered unconsciously to Malcolm who was wearing a blank expression, but I was pretty sure he was amused.

Connor grinned at my giddiness while Jennifer copied my tone mockingly. “Well isn’t that just the best thing ever? Like we give a crap, little miss…”

“Jennifer!” Malcolm hissed at her and she stopped immediately, her sneer replaced with surprise. I was momentarily taken aback by his tone. I’d never heard him speak so harshly. Even when Rick snapped at me a couple weeks ago, he’d been forceful, but not so severe.

I flashed him a tiny small in thanks for standing up for me, but I was frankly a bit scared of him at the moment. Everyone was awkwardly silent for a while before Lucia chimed in hesitantly. “Gemma, did you find out when your first meet is?”

“Oh yeah, I totally forgot to tell you guys. Sorry, Luce,” I apologized. “You have good timing in reminding me. It’s next Thursday. Canyon Crest High at 3:30.”

“Great!” She cheered. “I’ll try to be there if I can.”

“Don’t worry if you can’t. Really.”

Connor joined in. “We wanna be there, Fish.”

I paused and then shrugged lightly. “Okie dokie,” I agreed happily. I noticed Rick had made an appearance and apparently the others did too, because the atmosphere dropped even further.

For once he wasn’t scowling and he didn’t look angry with me, which was new. He was regarding me thoughtfully and I looked away quickly, not wanting to be caught ‘analyzing’ him.

I was a little bummed that Rick was out and felt a bit ashamed because of it. They’re both parts of the same person, right, just different sides? If I was interested in one I shouldn’t be interested in the other too?

The bell rang and he unwound his long limbs to stand up, offering me his hand. After covering my surprise, I took it and he pulled me up. “Thanks,” I said quietly.

He simply nodded and we began walking toward the pool and his art class. We walked in silence and I couldn’t help but compare him to Malcolm. Somehow with Mal silences were comfortable and companionable, but with Rick it was awkward, so I scrambled to think of a topic to bring up. Thankfully he actually saved me by speaking first.