Still Waters Run Deep

Chapter 3: Stormy Weather

Chapter 3:

Stormy Weather

When Lily finished her run she walked the block one final time to cool down. She had gotten about halfway home when she heard someone skating up behind her. She glanced back and tightened her grip on Jett's leash. She kept walking forward, hoping he'd just skate by her and keep going. No such luck. She heard him call her name. She kept walking, acting like her music was on full blast.

She thought he was out of town, but he apparently hadn't gone anywhere. It grated her nerves.

Zane Jacobs was a senior in high school, a good looking basketball star, and his family was loaded. On paper he was every girl's dream. But in real life girls didn't want anything to do with him because he was pushy, manipulative, and had a bad attitude. Guys didn't like him because he was a showboat who flaunted his money, and girls didn't like him because he acted like a greaser from the 1950s. He was a womanizing jerk, and for some reason he'd set his sights on Lily the last few weeks.

A few weeks back, Alison had caught him bothering Lily in the hallway at school and she'd nearly flipped out. She'd talked to Emily and they spoke to his parents about his chauvinistic behavior. Actually, Alison hadn't spoken so much as she swore, and she wasn't talking so much as she was yelling. Because no one made her kid feel uncomfortable. Emily basically had to haul her to the car and tell her to stay put while she defused the situation.

As nice as it had been that she'd stepped up for Lily, Lily wished she hadn't done it because it was flat out embarrassing that her mother felt like she couldn't fight her own battles. Emily had explained to Lily that Ali was acting in her best interest. She told her daughter that's just what parents did and that she'd understand when she was older.

Zane called out her name, but Lily pretended she couldn't hear him. She picked up her pace, but Zane caught up to her. In a matter of seconds he was in front of her, grinning like a tool. Lily moved so that Jett was in front of her. The dog looked from Lily to Zane, then his gaze fell back on the boy in front of them. He simply stared at him. No tail wag. No greeting. Nothing. Zane glanced at the dog and then looked at Lily. Lily sighed and pulled her earbuds out of her ears.

"You're in a rush this morning," he said.

"Track tryouts." She shrugged.

"Yeah, I heard you were going out for the team." He smiled. "You definitely got the bod for it."

Lily didn't respond.

"Oh, come on. That was a compliment." He laughed and rolled his eyes.

Lily glanced away uncomfortably.

"You really work that strong silent type, don't you?" he asked.

Lily shuffled her feet, trying to decide if she wanted to reply or just ignore him and hope he'd go away. Fortunately she didn't have to decide. Seconds later she heard a familiar voice.

"Lily!"

She turned around and saw Toby waving to her. Eli was with him. They were walking their two dogs, Rutger, a Lab, and Remy, a Golden Retriever. Jett's tail started wagging when he saw his buddies approaching. They played together all the time at the dog park.

"I've gotta run." She was silently thanking the fact that luck was on her side this morning.

"I'll see you around." Zane shrugged. He threw his board on the ground and started skating away.

Lily breathed a sigh of relief as she walked towards Toby and Eli. She saw Toby watching Zane. He had a very dad-like look on his face. He'd had problems with Zane, too, because Zane had been in trouble with the law a few times when he was younger. Toby didn't like the kid.