The Guy Who Gave Up His Jersey (New Version)

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He listened to me. Alejandro did me the favor and walked out of my life. No one noticed what had happened between us since we got busy all of a sudden. He had to go to rehearsal for the play after school, baseball practice for the spring season, and senior project had him slowly drifting out of my life. The week went by fast and I wasn't missing his presence at all. Matter of fact, I was breathing easier now.

Friday had rolled around and Lucas hadn't texted me at all. I told Maria what happened on our date and she wasn't happy about what he did either. She agreed he was out of line, but it was typical of him to have no boundaries with someone. By now I wasn't as mad about the whole situation like last week. I wanted to hear from him. I might have overreacted with Lucas about the subject, but I wasn't lying to him when I asked him to text me a few days later. I blew off the steam and it didn't bother me anymore what he thought about Alejandro and I.

I slammed my locker shut and began to make my way to the front of the school. I had to work tonight at the cafe until closing, I would be the only one in today, since my mom was helping Mindy with the last details for her wedding. The countdown had started, we were now eight days away. Sixteen days away from my seventeen birthday.

As I got closer to my car I noticed someone standing beside it. He had his back turn on me but when he turned around I realize it was Lucas. A small smile formed on his lips when he saw me.

"Hey." He said as I reached to him.

"Hey, what are you doing here" I asked.

"You told me to call you in a few days but I rather show up. I'm really sorry about last week. I don't know why I even said that stupid remark."

"Do you really like me? I don't want to waste my time on you and i hope you don't plan on doing the same thing either." I confessed.

If this was all a game for him, then he needed to pick a different girl to play with. I deal with guys like Lucas and having one in my love life is something i refuse to let happen. If i was a passing time for lucas, he needed to find a girl in college and not a high schooler. I wasn't stupid and I didn't plan to continue letting him believe I was. I can put aside my feelings and snap back at him. I'm not scared.

"I do like you." He took hold of my hands. "I have never been such an asshole to a girl until the other night. i don't know what got over me. Every time I am with you, my heart starts beating and I get nervous. My thoughts get all jumble up and all i want is think clearly so I can tell you what I am feeling. I like you Juliana, a lot more than I am confessing too."

"If you do, don't ask stupid questions like that." I responded.

He nodded. "I can't stay long, love. I have to get back into town to finish a project. I wanted to apologize in person, babe."

"I forgive you." I rolled my eyes, smiling at him.  He cupped my face and pressed his forehead on top of mine.

"I'll come back next weekend and we can go out." He smiled.

"Okay." I smiled, he pressed his lips on my forehead and gave me a tight hug.

"I'll text you once I get back in town." He whispered in my ear.

"Alright, be safe."

He nodded. I watched hm get in his car before I got in mine. I threw my bag over the passengers sit, smiling to myself.

Arriving at the cafe I was surprised to see Alejandro working the cash register. I narrowed my eyes at him, wondering what the hell was he doing. It was obvious he was working but this violates our agreement of staying away from each other. I jumped when I felt Xavier whispered in my ear.

"What's up with you?" I looked down at him, noticing the apron he had on.

"What are you doing?"

"Was does it look like I'm doing? Working, duh." He chirped.

Here's something you should know, Xavier doesn't help out in the cafe, nor work.

"Why?"

"Mom mentioned you'd be alone working today and she said we could stay open until six and close. We have to go to Uncles Simons remember?" He pressed down in the middle of my forehead with his finger.

I slapped his hand away. "I'm not going this weekend. I have things to finish for school." I lied. I didn't want to be sound Alejandro, so if it meant missing training then be it.

There isn't anything new uncle Simon teaching us, I don't know how to do. Training so many months in advance felt stupid now. I used to enjoy it because I got to spend time with Xavier and Alejandro. That's all changed now, I have a different planned out for me. I didn't want to spend anymore of my time on Ale or Xavier.

"Oh. Are you sure you can't finish it Sunday when we come in?"

I shook my head. "I have to get it done and coming in Sunday night I know I won't finish it. Uncle Simon will understand." I assured him.

"Okay, well, Ale and I can stay until six. The cafe gets pack on Friday and you can't handle a massive crowd on your own."

"Alright, I'll be in the back, unpacking merchandise if you need me."

I dropped my bag underneath the counter and went to the back. Alejandro was in the big fridge pulling out a gallon of soy milk. He turned around bumping right into me. He moved aside and continued to walk towards the front again. I watched him stop dead in his tracks.

"I know you don't want me speaking to you, but don't stop going to training because you don't want to see me. I've watched you improve each year in competition." With that he stepped out.

There was more than not wanting to bump into Alejandro anymore at practice. The sudden urge to horseback ride wasn't burning deep within me anymore. I felt like I would be forcing myself to go train than doing it as a favorite sport. I think I'm done competing for good now. I want to focus a bit more on myself and if the opportunity comes up to date Lucas, then I want to focus on my relationship too. I'm tired of following Xavier's footsteps.

I want to follow my own shadow now.

We did close the cafe at six and I was anxious to get home. I wanted to take a warm bath and relax in a quiet home. My mom was going to still be with Mindy and dad was out of town like always. Having the house all to myself was good for me. I'd have Juliana time. Something I needed badly.

My dreams were crushed when I got home, though.

My parents were home and they were stirring up a storm. My mom was yelling from the top of her lungs calling dad names I've never heard her say. I wasn't sure what dad did this time to upset her, but it was really bad. I dropped my bag on the floor and rushed to the kitchen to get a bottle of water. Their yelling makes me anxious. I want to yell back at them to shut up.

I gulped the bottle down and the anxiousness within me grew. Their yelling seemed to grow louder and louder. I bawled up my hands into a fist. Why couldn't they get along? Why can't dad see what's my mom is doing? She sees it, their marriage falling apart. She's going to end up getting hurt like with my own biological father. Her screams were the same as the ones she used to give my own father. I threw the bottle across the kitchen and stormed into the pantry.

Food is never the answer, but when you have no one to console you, food is always there. I stared at the bags of chips, the cookies, the soda. I don't binge eat, but sometimes old habits creep on you. Sometimes you have to hide in your pantry and eat the entire stash of junk food.

Everyone has secrets, binge eating when I get anxious is mine.