Only you could steal my heart

Chapter 14

Sept 18th 2015

Rachel's POV

I stay after school to help set up the BBQ games and tables. There's even a teacher dunk tank. I finish setting up mini games with Rorey when John and the other boys show up. 

John looks around for a minute or two before spotting me. He smiles when he does and walks right up to me.

"Hey!" He exclaims. "You're early."

"So are you." 

"My mom dropped me and the guys off."

"She's dedicated, then."

"I'm glad." John laughs.

John's POV

"Oooo John, you like Rachel?" Logan walks up.

"Nooo...." I say longly and in a tone that questions why he had to say that and where he's going with it.

"You guys dating?"

Oh.

That's where.

"No.." I say in the same tone again.

By the time I say this, Rachel's already walked away.

Rachel's POV

I walked away because it wasn't my place to say anything or to contribute to John's answer.

Even though John and I are "just friends", it still kind of hurts. He could've said that he liked me as a friend. Instead he had answered in the most awkward way possible.

Whatever.

I'm not going to let this get in the way of my night. Besides, it's going to be cut short by an eight hour trip to New York.

"Rachel!" a voice calls. 

Tiffany appears from the crowd forming by the dunk tank. Mr. Casale is getting it. 

"Hey, Tiff."

"So food or games first?"

"Food. We'll only get the scraps if we go any later than now."

"True."

After we ate, Ariana invites us to go through the woods trail with her friends.

"Everybody have their phones?" Tiffany asks.

We turn on our flashlights.

"Hey, where you guys goin'?"John jogs up to us.

"To the woods. Come on." Logan walks beside him.

We're on the trail when we hear strange screams coming from the bridge we crossed a while back.

We thought it was Jenna, Danielle, and Reece. Known for their sounds. 

Us, scared out of our minds, start to run. I cling to Rorey's sweatshirt sleeve for dear life so I don't end up being in the back of our group. The first to end up as prey.

We stop. Our predator right behind us. We shine our flashlights toward...

Matthew.

"Hey, what's up?" He says casually.

"You scared the living shit out of us!" Rorey shouts.

Matthew laughs a deep and hearty laugh. His laughter comes from deep within. Something I like finding in people.

We continue to walk on the trail. John and Logan maneuver to the back of the group to whisper about only god knows what.

Suddenly, I feel the presence of hands hovering over my shoulders.

"Wuh!" Matthew jumps and squeezes my shoulders.

"Oh, Shit...." I linger on that word. I say it long and slowly. I don't usually like to curse out loud, but... I don't know! Something inside me made me.

"Woahhh.. Language, Rachel!" Matthew yells.

"Yeah!" John and Logan say in accord.

"It's english." I'm not entirely good at sarcasm, but I'm getting there.

We are now heading back to the school when my phone buzzes.

"Rach, we're on our way to pick you up." Mom texts.

"Ok." I text back and continue walking.

"Hey guys. I have to go. My parents are picking me up for our trip."

John's POV

Not yet! 

"Gee, how time really does fly when you're having fun."

"Yeah it does, John." Ariana says.

"Agreed." Rachel consents.

I guess I said that out loud.

"I gotta run. See you guys later." Rachel rushes.

"Wanna meet up this weekend? We all should." Matthew offers.

"Dude, she's going on a freakin' trip!" Rorey says.

"Weren't you listening?" Ariana presses.

"Freakin' idiot." I punch push him as Logan and I laugh.

"Later." And Rachel starts running. She's pretty fast.

"Wait! Rachel! I'll go with you!" I start running to catch up with her. She stops to wait for me.

"AWWWW!!!!" Our group behind us harmonizes.

I hear them call us "Goals" and "cute". Calling me a "Lover boy". 

"That sly dog." Matthew says.

We keep running.