Beyond my Beating Heart

Chapter Six: Keeping the underdog in line

Play Didn't Know You by Karmin for this chapter

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After what felt like forever, the rain comes to a standstill, and so do we. I do not know how long we danced crazily like little kids, but the rain (or more like the lack of it) puts my reality back in check. By the looks of things, it is probably well past midnight, but who cares, I am here with my best friend and even though I am soaking wet.

A bittersweet feeling sits in the pit of my stomach. Good times like this never seem to last in my world, but I keep my head held up high. I cannot let my pessimism ruin this moment between Jett and me.

"Hey, you okay?" I hear a voice say behind me and feel a warm hand on my shoulder.

I spin around to see Jett looking at me with a worried facial expression.

"Yeah, sorry!" I say back to him.

"Well," he replies, "I should probably get going, we have school tomorrow and you and I need sleep."

"Sure, well, I will see you tomorrow then..." I say awkwardly.

The air is thick with silence. There is a feeling surrounding us that I have not felt with him before, almost like we now know each other in a different way, but I cannot pinpoint what it is. The smell of the rain still lingers in the air and it glistens on the pavement under the starlight.

For a moment, we just stand there, frozen in time. The faint brightness of the sky illuminates Jett's face, making all of his features noticeable. My heart is jumping in my rib cage, begging to be ransomed before it beats too hard.

I am all of a sudden aware of everything again, like reality has slapped me on the side of my head, and I guess it hit Jett as well. He looks me up and down before he speaks.

"Oh, uh, I guess I'll go now. See you later!" He says before running to his car.

I walk back to the house wondering what had just happened. He has never been so... distant. But it felt so close at the same time, I do not get it at all.

At the front porch, I sigh and walk in to see the cat waddling over to me. I pick her up and head upstairs to get ready for some sleep, or at least try and sleep. After what happened, I'm not sure I can even close my eyes. Overthinking will be the death of me, I swear!

As soon as my head hits the pillow, I know that it is going to be a long night. Rosie jumps on my bed and after walking across my whole body snuggles into my side. I stroke her head where the fur is softest. Somehow this puts me to sleep.

I wake up the next morning feeling tired. I rub my eyes. I remember last night with Jett and lay on my bed staring at the ceiling almost feeling the cold rain again. My alarm clock buzzes. I jump and almost scream.

I smack my alarm clock and throw the covers off. I pull on a pair of jeans and t-shirt. Rosie was yowling at the door so I opened it and follow her downstairs. I pull out the cereal and a bowl. The milk was in the fridge next to the spoons. I grab both. I ate my food and grab my backpack.    

I throw my pack in my car and get in. Halfway to school I remember I forgot my lunch so I almost speed home to pack it. I arrive at school two minutes before the bell. I see Jett in his class room and give him a quick wave before I run to English class.