Ocean Eyes . Jonathan Brandis

Ten

Without a word, I continue with Connie to the nurse's office.

I was told to wait in the main office so I leave Connie with the nurse.

Jonathan was already looking in my direction when I walked out. The only seat available was beside him. I hesitate at first but gain the courage to sit by him. I could feel his stare but I ignored it.

"Is your friend okay?" He asks me.

"Connie? Yea, it's just a nose bleed," I reply still not looking at him.

"Are you okay," he says after pausing for a needed moment.

I take a deep breath instead of replying.

"Look Grace, I-" he was interrupted by the principal calling his name. We both look up at him.

Jonathan gets up and enters the principal's office.

"You too," the principal adds looking at the other two football players.

They follow directions and I'm left alone in the main office.

...

After Connie's nose stopped bleeding, we were sent back to gym class. Luckily, the block was almost over. Sam looked satisfied with performance today, but still asked Connie multiple questions about her nose.

We headed to lunch together. Sarah was in a better mood today, thankfully. "Oh my goodness, are you okay?" Sarah notices the ice pack against Connie's face. "Yea, funny story. Volleyball," Connie says forcing a laugh. "Ouch," Sarah says imagining it.

"Please tell me we can hang out after school today?" I ask once Sam sat down from buying her lunch. "I'm free," Sarah says surprising all of us. "What? It's the beginning of the year. I only have swim at the moment and coach isn't here today," she tells us. "I'm free too," Sam says. "Same," Connie adds. "Thank God," I sigh in relief. "Phillie's?" I question to them. "Heck yes. I think I'm having a milkshake withdraw," Sarah says excitedly.

The girls continue talking but I notice Jonathan walking into the cafeteria. His eyebrow was cleaned up but you could tell he was hurt. People probably figured it was because of football.

I notice Richie and his friend behind Jonathan. They were laughing about something. Of course, they're back to being besties again. Jonathan and I make short eye contact and his smile falls. Instead of him walking over like I expected, he goes to sit at his teams table. Richie looks at me also, with a grin. I glare at him, angry that Jon would go back to being friends with him.

"Grace, is everything okay," Connie notices my staring. "Hm? Oh. Yea," I say quickly turning my attention to them. "Well, would it be alright if my brother took us to Phillie's after school?" She questions to me. "Yea, that's fine," I brush it off and look back at Jonathan. He was staring at me also.

"Jared O'brian will probably be with him," Sam nudges me smirking. "Stop it, I do not have a crush on him," I laugh at them teasing me. "Oh really. So the fact that he hasn't taken his eyes off of you this whole time doesn't phase you," Sarah says. "What are you talking about," I say like she was crazy. "Don't look. But at the varsity table, he's looking right at you," Connie says and I look straight in his direction. I catch him staring and he looks away embarrassed. "I said don't look!" Connie laughs at me. "Oh my gosh, you're right," I almost squeal. "But doesn't he have a girlfriend?" I question remembering. "Sooo. His girlfriends don't usually last that long. You have a chance, Grace!" Sam says with excitement. "I doubt it. What does the most popular guy in school see in me," I shrug. "Grace, stop it. If you won't go for it, I'll make you," Same glares at me. "He has a girlfriend," I say slowly for emphasis. "Minor details, Grace," she shakes her head. "Whatever," I laugh at her persistency.

I've had enough of douchebag football players this week.

Last block could not have been any more tense. Jonathan knew that I was mad at him and the fact that he had to sit right beside me should've terrified him. I wanted more than anything to forgive him but how could I when he just keeps making bad decisions?

After school, I meet up with Connie. Sarah and Sam would meet us at the front of the school, shortly. "Hudson will probably take forever as usual," Connie says as we arrived to the gym and sat in the bleachers right outside of the guys locker room. "It's fine," I reply.

As we were talking about the upcoming football game, we hear the locker room doors open. We look in the direction. It was only Jonathan and one of his friends I had never met. He sees Connie and I.

"Hey Grace," he just had to acknowledge me. "Hey Jonathan," I reply copying his tone. "What're you doing here?" He questions confused. "Waiting for Connie's brother," I state. "Oh," he says looking from me to Connie. "Connie Rodgers, nice to meet you," Connie holds out her hand. "Jonathan," he shakes her hand.

Before the conversation could go any further, Hudson and Jared walk out, wet hair and in their letterman's. "Connie, y'all ready to go?" Hudson notices her. "Yea," Connie nods and we both stand up.

Jonathan was confused, I don't see why.

"I'll see you later," I say to Jon. He doesn't reply, instead he kept switching his eyes from the varsity players to me.

Jonathan's friend has to get his attention from staring.

Connie and I follow behind the two varsity players. They were talking quietly about something but I just couldn't make out what they were saying.

Sam and Sarah met us at the front as planned, and three of us sat in the back seat of Hudson's truck and Sam sat in the front seat beside Hudson. Jared volunteered to ride in the tail of the truck. He knew none of us would want to sit back there. He was actually nicer than I thought he'd be. Either that or he just loved sitting in the tail of the truck with the wind blowing.

On the way there, Jared cheered as his favorite song came on the radio. That made us laugh.

As I looked back and admired him, he caught me staring and flashed me a smile. I blush at his gesture.

We finally arrive at Phillie's. The guys weren't staying but Jared introduced himself before hopping out of the tail and into the front seat beside Hudson. "I'll be back in an hour Connie," Hudson says before driving off.

We order a few milkshakes and talked about how cute Hudson and Jared were. My mind couldn't help but wander to Jonathan. He seemed jealous earlier. Did he like me or something? I wondered what Jonathan was doing.

Sam catches me zoning out. "Grace," she snaps in front of my face. "Hm? What?" I questing quickly. "Are you Okay?" Connie asks. "Yea of course?" I answer. "You don't look okay," Sarah says eyeing me. "I'm fine, I swear. I'm just thinking about a project we have in art," I lie. "Well how cute was Jared?" Sam questions to me eagerly. "Pretty cute I guess," I shrug. "I can see it now," Sam exaggerates. "Suuure," I laugh at her. "No really," She looks at me determined.

Why did she always feel the need to play matchmaker?