Falling In Love: Of All The Dumb Luck (On Hold)

Chapter 21

Jared:

At first, I didn't believe her when she said she wanted to tell our parents, when just earlier she didn't want to say anything to them. I mean, I've wanted to tell them since the day at the lake, but now that she wanted to tell them, I don't know. I kind of like the sneaking around. Holly didn't even know, and we tell each other everything.

I was at lunch, thinking about class this morning with Mr. Perry. I went and sat with my friends toward the back of the class. Dallas came into the room and sat next to Kelsea. She didn't seem to thrilled to see him, and she was slightly out of it before class started. I thought about going over there and interrupting their conversation, but I figured people might put two and two together. I asked her about it after and she didn't seem like she wanted me to intervene, anyway.

"Hey, Jared. What are you doing sitting over here all alone?"I look up from the table to see three girls in cheer leading uniforms. From the looks of it, it was the one in the middle who spoke.

She said it in a flirty tone, I tried really hard not to roll my eyes once I realized who it was. Destini was on the left, Courtney on the right, and Tiffani was in the middle. They were all blond-haired, blue-eyed, cheerleaders, typical, I know. "Nothing much." I said trying to sound cool but totally failing.

And, as if like clockwork, Courtney and Destini fell back like prey evading it's predator. "Sssoooo... I was wondering... if you wanted to hang out Friday?" Tiffani said drawing out her words, her hand sliding from my shoulder down to my hand. My hand retreated, like a knee-jerk reaction, instantly thinking of Kelsea. "Look...Tiffani...I'm not really looking for a... relationship." I said drawing out my words, spewing them out of my mouth as I came up with them.

Tiffani, looked at me like a hurt puppy. I didn't know what to say, and as luck would have it; I don't have a lick of luck. Checking the door every few seconds, looking for someone I knew, but no luck, I've never been good with luck. Within seconds, the bell rings and I slide into the crowd of students departing the cafeteria, trying to get lost in the crowd.

"Here." Holly said coming up next to me, handing me a folded up picture with a note folded up inside. I unfold the picture, It's a picture of me and Kelsea. It was the day at the lake, but later after we got back. Things weren't as awkward as they were before, but they were still a little awkward that day, stolen glances and secret kisses. My parents had invited Kelsea and her dad over for dinner. We were sitting in the back yard swinging on our old swing set. It was a picture of us kissing behind the big tree in my backyard. I stood up from my place at the swing set, carefully pulling her along behind me, until we were hidden from the house, but not as well as I thought, I guess. When I looked up from the picture, Holly was gone. I had made it about halfway to my next class, which was only down the long hall from the cafeteria. I decided to wait till I got to studyhall to read the letter. I wasn't worried about her telling mom and dad, I think she always new there was something between us.

I guess I must have forgot about the letter though, because I didn't pull it out of my pocket to read until later that night when Kelsea and I were driving around, with Asher in the back, trying to get him to fall asleep. Well, I didn't pull it out of my pocket, Kelsea did. "What's this?"

"Oh... Holly gave it to me." She looks at me with a questioning look, seeking approval to open it. I nod. "I always knew. Your secrets safe with me, but I think you should tell mom and dad, they'd be happy." She read out loud. I pulled the folded up picture out of my pocket, and handed it to her. She looked at the picture, then at me with a big smile on her face, I knew she remembered that day. We continued driving until Asher was completely asleep, and took him home.

I pulled his car seat out of the back seat, holding onto the car seat handle, and reached toward Kelsea, our hands slid together, and we walked inside. I wish, but not really. I was a little worried about what our parents would think.