What Happened Freshman Year

Chapter 28; Two Almost Kisses

Chapter Twenty Eight; Two Almost Kisses

Ginnie Matthews

This was ridiculous. Absolute nonsense. How dare they accuse me of anything? All I ever am is a good friend! And they spied on me? Does NOBODY trust me anymore?!? I made it to Oliver's cabin and stood on front of the porch, not going up the steps. "Oliver," I shouted "Oliver!"

"He's in the shower."

Oh boy. I didn't turn around so he continued. "You know Ginnie, Jessica really likes Oliver."

I turned around and glared at him.... Hard. "Tyler, shut. Up," I warned.

"No, why should I?" He drawled.

"Ass."

He clutched his heart in mock-hurt. Honestly? Why is he acting like he's mad at me? "That hurts, Ginnie."

"Oh, cut the crap! Where's Oliver?"

"Jeez, somebody's moody...."

"You should have thought of that before you followed me up there and spied on me!"

His face fell. I laughed, not out of humor, it was more of a cruel, mocking laugh. "Yah, thought I wouldn't find out, didnt you?" I scoffed.

"Tough luck," I continued.

"Oliver told you, didn't he? Oh, I swear to God-"

"Tyler, Oliver didnt tell me! Jessica did!"

"Wait.... She was up there, too?!"

"And Olivia, and Denise, and Paige," I narrowed my eyes "and you."

"Why were they all up there?" He asked.

I sent him a look that could make even the bravest of warriors cry. "Why were YOU up there, Tyler?"

"That's not what matters, Gin. What matters is that-"

"Why were you up there, Tyler?" I repeated.

"Because..."

"Because you don't trust me," I finished for him.

"No, Ginnie! That's not true. I trust you, I just don't trust Oliver."

"Oliver... You mean your best friend?"

He sighed. "Look, Gin, can we just talk about this?" He pleaded.

"We are talking."

"No, not like this. I don't want to talk when you're mad at me."

"Then make it up to me!"

"What's going on?" Oliver emerged from behind us , wearing nothing but a towel.

"Oliver, I'm just talking to Ginnie. Can we have some privacy?" Tyler asked... Well, more like growled.

Oliver looked back and forth between us, clearly fighting an internal battle. Poor Oliver, he was only trying to comfort me and now he's dragged into this. Tyler shot me a pleading glance and I sighed. "It's alright Oliver, go inside," I instructed.

"Okay, just know that you can come to me if you need me."

"Aw, how sweet, now can we finish up here?" Tyler tapped his foot impatiently.

"Not if you're gonna talk to me like that," I countered.

Oliver disappeared into the cabin and Tyler grabbed me wrist. "What are you doing?" I quickly snapped.

"The douche is listening to us. Come on."

"It's not like you've never spied on us," I remarked, but still let him lead me away.

He looked at me, surprised but thankful. Finally we got past the brush and into a clearing. The trees let open a circle where there were no branches, and I could see the stars winking at me. This was probably the only place I liked in this good-for-nothing Happy Camp. Tyler smirked when he saw my gobsmacked expression. "How'd you find this place?" I was the first one to speak.

"I got in a fight with Oliver and needed a place to go."

He got in a fight with Oliver? Why? And then it dawned on me.... They were fighting over me. Oh, the guilt. I still had to ask. "You got in a fight with Oliver? Why?" I gently interrogated.

"Isn't it obvious?"

I stared at him.

"Ginnie?"

"No..."

"Ginnie I like you!"

"As in a friend?" I pried.

"Are you seriously asking me this? No, not as a friend! As a crush! As a soul mate! As the object of my affection! And I know you like me too!"

I don't know why, but this made my blood boil. He spied on me. He was rude to me. And now what, I'm supposed to accept his confession of love and run eagerly into his awaiting arms? Not gonna happen. Somewhere in my hurt, tired mind I figured out how to get the message across. "LIKED, Tyler. As in past tense. I liked you a little, but then you spied on me and now I can't trust you."

He tugged at his hair. "C'mon, Gin! You still like me, you can't change your mind that fast!"

But I did. "You blew it Tyler. I gave you your chance, but now I'm over you."

"When Ginnie?!? When was my chance?! When did you EVER, give me my chance?"

I paused to think about this. "You could have asked me to the dance."

"Oh, so you could reject me like all the other times I asked you out?"

"You were joking then."

"Well, yah, but no. I would ask you to see if you would say yes, but if you said no I would play it off like a joke."

"Well, that still isn't cool. You shouldn't have done that and it was embarrassing for me."

"Look, I know I was wrong and if I could do it over again, I would but you should at least give me another chance," he stared at me "actually, I wouldn't do it again because then I wouldn't be here with you alone on this beautiful night and we wouldn't be here together, and I wouldn't be able to do this."

In to long strides, he was in front of me, his minty breath fanning my face and his scent washing over my body. "Tyler..."

"Shhh," he used his thumb to caress my cheek.

He leaned forwards... We're gonna kiss. I was about to inch my mouth forward, to take the final step when I heard the footsteps. So did he. "Aww, man, c'mon!" Tyler whisper-exclaimed.

We started running through the trees, him taking the lead to make sure no stray branches smacked my face. When we finally escaped the brush and found ourselves behind my cabin, we were both laughing and panting. "That was awesome!" He exclaimed.

"Goodnight, Tyler," I smiled.

"Wait, so does this mean you're not mad at me anymore?" He grinned.

"Ya know, I'm a bit frustrated that you didn't trust me, but yes I forgive you."

He pumped his fist in the air and I laughed. Then, before I could think it through, I padded over to him as he widened his eyes. "I never got my goodnight kiss," I playfully pouted.

I leaned forward- "Ginnie? Is that you?!? Get in here!" I heard Jessica demand.

I pulled away from Tyler, my cheeks no doubt heating to a bright shade of red. "That's my queue. Gotta run, goodnight."

And with that, I dashed into the cabin.