I Am Yours

Choir Concert

My heart pounded when I woke. It was like I had gone through a horror movie. And I still couldn't figure it out.

Who was that person?

Why did the car accident bother me so much? It wasn't real, anyways.

I let my thoughts slide away and focused on the day.

It was Saturday.

Apparently my nightmare lasted a while, because it was already ten in the morning. I usually woke up at eight.

I slipped out of bed, staring at my haggard reflection in the mirror, when I remembered something.

Tomorrow was the orchestra group class. Or whatever it's called.

And Bri couldn't come, which would add to my social awkwardness.

After I ate, I went upstairs and put on a flare skirt and tucked in a tight blouse. Even though I didn't have much interest in fashion, I got this outfit for Christmas that was totally flashy- not my thing. Oh well. Why not make my mom happy once in a while?

We were going to my little brother's choir concert. I knew it would be boring. I tried inviting Bri, but she couldn't make it.

After dabbing some foundation on and spreading some lip gloss on my lips because I had some extra time, we got in the car.

We were pulling into the parking lot when my dad, unfortunately fond of the kid, reminded me. And I totally forgot.

"The Jacobson's are gonna be here for Kassie. When I talked to Frank, he said the whole gang's coming."

The whole gang. I knew what that meant.

That meant Clyde.

And I certainly was not up for his teasing. Especially since I actually look good. I usually never put time into my looks.

"Good! They can sit next to us," my mom perched.

Then my dad went off.

"And Tay, Clyde will be there. You said that you would be bored, but with Clyde there, he'll definitely entertain you. It's good Bri couldn't come. You can talk to someone else for a change. Clyde's a nice guy, you know."

I moaned.

"He's cute, too," my mom offered.

I rolled my eyes and opened the door.

And of course, right when we walked down the rows to find a seat, the moms greeted each other, and then the dads.

They talked.

That left the two of us.

Clyde bounced over to find me.

"Tay! Wassup these days?"

He patted me on the back.

"I just saw you yesterday," I reminded him while mumbling. Stupid carpooling.

He ignored the comment.

As we went in the row to sit, I tried to stay away from him. It didn't work.

I was at the end, like usual, except Clyde found his way right next to me.

We sat for a while in silence until he wrapped his hand around my bare knee.

I glared at him, but he didn't see me. He kept looking straight.

Then he loosened his grip and slid his hand up.

"WHAT are you doing?" I jumped out of my seat.

He snorted.

I gave him the most disgusted face I could manage, but it didn't help.

If only he wasn't cute, I would totally hate him.

"Taylor, you have to be just a little less sensitive to some things," he said in a robotic voice.

"Some things? What the hell are you talking about?"

"If you jump like that when your future spouse does that to you, he'd take away your ring."

I scowled. This is why I didn't like Clyde.

"You look pretty fine tonight, Taylor."

"Stop calling me that," I stammered.

"Why not?"

I didn't answer. I wished I hadn't put on makeup or wore the outfit.

"I think Jason likes Kassie," he said with a smirk.

I almost laughed.

"My little brother? Likes your sister? No way," I tried to make myself look like I would never believe it.

"Yes. Of course he does. He acts the same way around Kassie as you do around me. It's just our looks."

He raised his chin.

I blushed. I hoped he couldn't see.

"No," I started, not sure what to say.

"I don't act any way around you. You do, though. You like to see me mad," I made a pouty face.

He opened his mouth in objection, then closed it.

"I do. It's funny."

I stared away. I've never talked about this with him. It was weird.

Then the lights dimmed and we watched our little second graders sing.

After, I pretended I had to go to the bathroom. I took extra long so that by the time I came out, he was gone.

That night I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.

I dreaded tomorrow. And there were three reasons why:

1) I didn't know how to play the flute anymore.

2) Bri wasn't coming, so I would be by myself.

3) I would have to make friends.