Change My Mind

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

I froze. Were the walls closing in? I can’t breathe. I need air. I choked out a bunch of coughs. It took me awhile but I finally regained my breath. I was taking in short breaths while he patted my back. “Jen, are you okay? Do you need water? There’s some in the back seat.” I reached back and managed to snatch a water bottle. I chugged it down and attempted to steady my breathing. Once my breathing was normal, I closed my eyes and figured out what to say.

Should I say no and make him feel bad? Or say yes and let him laugh in my face or give him the wrong impression. I mean he’s a nice guy and all but I don’t think I like him in that way. He’s just my best friend. “No.” I say with a slight chuckle, looking out the window. I don’t want to look at his face because I don’t want to know if he’s disappointed or glad.

The rest of the car ride was completely silent. Only the sound of the tires on the gravel. Jeez. It’s too quiet, even for him. Without hesitation, I reached for the radio and turned it all the way up. It probably startled him because we really close to crashing. He stopped the car and turned off the radio while I was still jammin’ out to Black Eyed Peas.

“Are you out of your fucking mind?” He yelled. I beamed and nodded furiously. He was tried fighting a smile but couldn’t so just burst out laughing. It took us about 3 minutes to stop. My cheeks and stomach started to hurt. “You’re crazy, you know that?” I smiled in response.

After about 20 minutes of driving, we pulled up to a local diner. “Hungry?” He asked putting on his sunglasses and hat. We climbed out and headed inside.

We sat in a booth in the back by the windows. We were greeted by a nice woman in her late thirties. “Hey y’all,” Whoa, southern. Didn’t see that coming. You don’t see many southern people here in Florida. “I’m Jo, what’s it for you dear?” She asked me. I ordered a burger with the works and fries with a chocolate milkshake. She jotted down everything and turned to Niall.

“What about you handsome?” I can see his cheeks were slightly tinted pink. He ordered the same thing but instead of a milkshake he ordered an ice tea. I rolled my eyes at him. He was all about healthy unlike me. I love junk food but I workout once in a while so I’m not really fat. Right now, as we’re talking about Miley Cyrus at the VMA’s, I’m thinking if he really did like me. I need to shake these thoughts out of my head and enjoy best friend time. “I think she can do whatever she wants.” I said as he shook his head and argued back. “No she can’t because it’s gross and disgusting.” I laughed at the face he just made and nearly spit my milkshake onto the table.

After we finish our meals, we sit there for a little more talking about our plans. He’ll start his tour in a few weeks and I’ll start school in a year. It’s a big deal and it’s a bit scary. Being a freshman in college and being the newbie on campus. New teachers, standards, and places. How will I survive? Will I make any friends? What if my roommate is a total bitch? What if boys there think I’m a new species of monkey?

All this worrying is giving me a massive headache. I rub my temples with my fingers and close my eyes. “You alright?” Niall asks. I nod and ask if we can go to a pharmacy by my house. He agrees and we head outside. The cool air soothes my headache but it’s still there.

We pass a bunch of neon lights and signs on diners and restaurants which made my headache even worse. I try closing my eyes and picturing a happy place but I can’t think of one. Maybe I don’t have one. At least not yet, I guess. “Here, let me help you out.”

He jogs around the car to my side. He reaches for me but stops and pulls back. “Are you sure you’re alright? You look pale.” He feels my forehead and my cheeks.