Irritable Love

Chapter 10

*photo pictures what Chad looks like*

After our community service hours had ended, I realized my massive mistake.

A ride home.

As wealthy as my parents are, they are very frugal with their money, at least, when it pertains to me. Of course, I could walk home like I usually do, but the sky has decided to unleash a torrential downpour.

I pace back and forth as I attempt to formulate a plan to get home dry. Chad notices my movements and looks at me quizzically.

"What's wrong," he questions.

"Nothing," I reply, "I just do not have a way to get home without being completely drenched."

He releases a hearty laugh that my stomach oddly clenches at the sound of. "It seems you're pretty stuck, huh," he teases.

As I open my mouth to reply he interjects. "I can take you home. I mean if you want to ride with me at all...uh, you'll only get a little wet on the way to my car."

I arch my eyebrow at his rambling. "Are you sure you aren't just looking to return to the sweets you bought me?"

He gives me a boyish grin and my heart jumps. What is wrong with me? "I may want to snack a bit but honestly, I want to help you get home," he answers, "Maybe you could tutor me then too?"

I study the look on his eyes for any malicious intent. His deep brown eyes shine with sincerity and hope. I eventually cave in to his offer. "Where is your car?"

His mouth spreads into a wide, infectious smile, and I can't help but grin back. Without another word, his hand wraps around my wrist and he drags me through the school until we reach a set of doors. He pants lightly and jokes, "That would have been easier if you ran too."

"It would have been more polite of you to not grab my wrist," I retort.

He holds his hands up in mock surrender. "Just trying to speed up the process."

I shake my head at his antics. "Why did we stop here anyway," I inquire.

"We're going out this door because it's closest to the student parking," he explains. "Here," he adds as he slips off his hoodie and hands it to me. "You can use the hood so you're not as wet."

"If you do that you'll be completely soaked," I state.

He grins, "Oh well." With this last comment he once again grasps my wrist and yanks me through the door. He lets out a loud holler as we sprint our way through the rain. I laugh as my footsteps splash behind his. When we reach his car, he yanks open my door and slams it as I enter. I quickly rip off his cold sweatshirt and throw it next to my feet as he enters through the driver's seat. His white shirt clings to his body and his toned stomach becomes much more visible. Blushing, I look down to find my shirt doing the same. I look up at Chad to catch his eyes wandering over my body. Uncomfortable, I shift in my seat and release an awkward laugh. "Ready to go?"

He clears his throat and replies. "Yeah...yeah let's go."

The car ride is filled with a tense silence, neither of us wanting to admit to our blatant eyeballing of one another. It must be my hormones. I have been having more frequent headaches and break outs, and we all know what that entails. I couldn't possibly be attracted to Jerk Jock. He's been nothing but despicable while I've known him, I can't like him. It's simply not possible. It couldn't be.

"Here we are," Jerk Jock says with a small smile as he pulls into my driveway. He shakes his head lightly before looking at me with a wide smile. "Ready to sprint again?"

I return the grin and nod as my response.

"On three," he instructs. "One...two...three!"

We fling our doors open and rapidly slam them shut as we career* towards my house. He stands in the rain behind me as I jam my key into the door. As soon as we hear the light click, Chad swings the door open and ushers me in.

We hunch over in the opening hallway and catch our breath. The only sound is our mixed breaths until Chad begins laughing. It starts as a low rumble before reaching a rather loud guffaw. Listening to his laughter prompts me to laugh as well, and soon we are both laughing with each other.

I may not know where Chad and I stand, but I have decided that laughing with him is one of my favorite experiences.

*career: move swiftly and in an uncontrolled way in a specified direction.