The Door, the Room, the Box and other short stories

Hide and Seek

The night air was warm. The grass tickled my bare feet. I could hear the crackle of the fire from where I was standing. I was leaning against a tree, with a red cup in my hand. I swirled its contents around and took a sip. I didn't remember where I left my flip flops. I drained my cup and walked over to my friends. Josie and Kara were dancing. I grinned and threw my arms around them. Josie cheered and Kara filled my cup with fizzy liquid.

I looked around me, swaying to the loud music. The heat from the bonfire radiated around us. A truck pulled up and a couple of boys hopped out and cheered. The crowd around us cheered back. Food was unloaded from the beaten up truck. The song changed into a more upbeat one. The three of us danced, sipping our drinks. Josie, nudged me, her curls bouncing on her shoulders, "Hey, where's Jace?"

My cheeks burned but it wasn't because of the bonfire. I shrugged and rolled my eyes. Kara raised her eyebrows at me, confused. I didn't want to think about Jace. It was too confusing. He was confusing. I didn't know what was going on between us. I knew what was going on with me. Josie looked at me, sternly. She could intimidate anyone with that look. She raised her cup to me and said, "Girl, if you don't do something you'll be stuck playing hide and seek until graduation. That's where your story ends."

Kara nods, "Indy, do you want that to happen?"

No. Of course not. But, playing hide and seek was so much better. No one gets hurt again. On the flip side, not doing anything and then regretting it later doesn't sound fun. I stopped dancing and stared at my cup. I looked up and glanced over my shoulder. I saw Jace leaning on the truck, talking to his friends. His dark hair was always mess, flopping over his forehead. He wasn't looking at his friends. He looked directly at me and spoke. I turned away immediately. This was the hide and seek Josie was referring to.

We played it in class. In the corridors. In the cafeteria. In parking lot before we left for home. He was there everywhere I went. I was there everywhere he went. Sure, we talked but, we preferred the silence between us. At least, I did. It wasn't awkward. I linked Josie's and Kara's arms with mine and said, with a grin, "Let's get some food. I'm starving."

Josie rolled her eyes, "You always say that." I steered her away from the sight of that horrible truck and she continued, "Besides, you should've seen his face. So sad."

I glared at her. Kara giggled. She was right. I wasn't hungry. Josie took one plate and pilled on some chips and pizza. I glance to my left. Our eyes met. My heart skipped a beat and I looked away. Sometimes, I wondered if I was imagining things. Kara pulled my hair gently, "You should go over there."

I frowned, "No."

The two of them sigh, exasperated. I looked in his direction again. He wasn't looking this way. He was talking to some red-head. He smiled down at her. A horrible feeling had begun flow through my veins. Josie pushed me forward, "Go, before you bite our heads off instead of that girl's."

I swallowed and tucked a loose strand behind my ear. My friends gave me an encouraging look. I weaved my way through the crowd. When I reached his side, the red-head looked at me venomously. I chose to ignore her, "Hey."

Jace looked at me, surprised. He raised his eyebrows. I smiled. The red-head mumbled something and left. Our hands grazed. He slipped his hand into mine and leaned down. Our lips met for a brief second. He rested his forehead on mine and whispered, "About time you forgave me. I won't lose you again."