Heart in Training

Chapter 17

It's been three days.

Three whole days since the kiss. Since Jeremiah cupped my face and did something that completely turned my brain to mashed potatoes. And since then?

Nothing.

No texts. No calls. And then I think to myself did I just get ghosted..

I'm standing at my locker, spinning the dial absentmindedly, when I feel a sudden slap to my butt.

"Damn! Okay, recoil" Amber says dramatically, grinning as she gives it a playful slap. "Is it the workouts? I need in."

I laugh, shoving her shoulder. "Amber!"

She shrugs, totally unbothered. "I'm just saying. It looks so round and juicy."

I glance around and lean into her a little. "I think I'm still sore. But I'm also kind of freaking out. I haven't seen Jeremiah all day, like I think he lowkey ghosted me."

"Ghosted," Amber says, raising an eyebrow. "Yall haven't texted since?"

I roll my eyes. "Nope. It was probably a mistake anyway. So... yeah. He's probably hiding, and honestly, I'm cool with that."

Amber cocks her head. "That's cute theory, but I could've sworn I saw him walking across the football field during my free period. Black hoodie, backpack slung over one shoulder, looking like a moody Soundcloud rapper."

I blink. "Wait. Forreal?"

She nods. "Deadass. What I got to lie for Er."

Great. So he's here. Just avoiding me.

Before I can spiral, Amber nudges me again. "Also... can I come over later? My mom's being weird again, and I need a change of scenery. We can binge that show you never finish."

"You mean Insecure?"

"Yes. Don't judge. I'm emotionally invested now."

"Fine," I smile, "but only if you bring snacks."

"Sounds like a plan."

We split off, and I head toward my next class, my mind still racing. What if Jeremiah is here? What if I run into him in the hallway? What if he acts like it never happened? Or worse, what if I act like it never happened?

I slide into my seat before the second bell rings, feeling thankful that the desk next to mine, the one he always takes, is still empty. Maybe he is skipping. Maybe Amber mistook someone else. Maybe it was somebody else.

The door opens.

And there he is.

Jeremiah walks in casually, like he didn't just rewrite the script of my life three days ago. His black hoodie is pulled halfway over his head, a bit of his hair peeking out. He doesn't look at me as he walks by to take his seat. I feel a deep drop in my stomach.

I stare hard at my notebook, trying to look busy. Like I'm thinking about anything other than the fact that his scent, something like cedarwood and musk, just walked right past me.

Class drags on. I can't focus. Every time the teacher speaks, it's like their voice is underwater. I don't take notes. I don't look at Jeremiah. I don't even blink in his direction, and neither does he in my direction.

When the bell rings, I make sure to get out before he does.

Why is he being like this. Did I do something wrong, like he kissed me and then just says nothing.

I make it halfway down the hall before I hear footsteps behind me. Then—

"Erica."

I stop.

Turn.

It's him.

Jeremiah jogs a few steps to catch up, slowing once he's beside me. For a second, we just stand there in the middle of the hallway, the noise of students passing fading around us like background fuzz.

"Hey," he says quietly.

"Hi." My voice is small. Nervous.

He shifts, glancing down at his shoes before looking up again. "Can we talk for a second?"

I nod, and he gently grabs my wrist, pulling me toward a quiet corner by the stairwell.

He leans against the wall, arms folded, like he's trying to keep it casual but the tension in his shoulders gives him away.

"About the other day..." he starts, eyes not quite meeting mine. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry. For kissing you."

I look down at my sneakers.

"I shouldn't have done that," he continues. "I don't know what I was thinking. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable or like I crossed a line."

I bite the inside of my cheek, unsure of what to say.

He runs a hand over the waves on his head. "And I'm sorry for coming off as pushy. That wasn't my intention at all. I respect you, Erica. A lot. And if you'll still let me train you, I promise that won't happen again."

I finally look up. His eyes are sincere—soft, not guarded like usual. There's no smugness, no playfulness. Just... him.

"I understand," I say quietly. "It was a lot going on that day."

"Yeah," he agrees.

A tiny smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. "And I accept your apology, but-."

"Yo, Jere!" one of his teammates calls out from the other end of the hall. "You headed to Coach's office?"

"Yeah," he yells back.

The bell rings again.

Jeremiah looks back at me. "We good?"

I nod slowly. "We're good."

He opens his arms slightly. I step into them without thinking, giving him a quick hug. It's brief but warm.

"I'll hit you up about training," he says as he pulls away and jogs off with his teammate.

And just like that, he's gone.

I stand there for a moment, still catching my breath, before glancing at the clock.

"Shit," I mutter under my breath, realizing my last class is across campus. I take off down the stairs.

Amber is sprawled on my bed, a blanket wrapped around her legs like a burrito, crunching loudly on Hot Cheetos. Insecure plays on the TV while I sit at the foot of the bed, half-watching, half-daydreaming.

"So... what did Jeremiah say?" Amber asks, licking the Cheeto dust off her fingers.

I glance at her, trying to play it cool. "He apologized. Said the kiss was a mistake. Said it won't happen again."

Amber raises an eyebrow. "That's it?"

I nod. "Pretty much. Oh and he still wants to train me."

She narrows her eyes. "Mmm. Okay. But how did you feel about it?"

"I don't know," I mumble, reaching for the Cheetos. "It was... fine."

"Girl, please. You've been zoning out since we started the episode. Did your stomach flip when you saw him? Did your heart race? Did your knees get all weak?"

I don't answer.

"Uh-huh." She smirks. "You like him."

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to." She pokes my arm. "You didn't ask him why he kissed you? If he likes you?"

I shake my head. "No, he ran off before I could, and I don't want to make it awkward."

Amber tosses a pillow at me. "Sis, it was already awkward the moment he kissed you."

I sigh and fall back on the bed, covering my face with my arm.

The room goes quiet except for the sound of Issa and Molly arguing on the screen.

Maybe Amber's right.

Maybe I am catching feelings.

And maybe, just maybe... I'm not ready to admit it yet.