The following Monday he would always meet me by my locker and I’d bring the muffins and coffee. Then we would go to the library first period for study hall.
I talked to Noah when he came in. “Hey.”
“Oh hey Jules, whatcha doooooin?”
“Science review, Vocabulary homework, and sipping a good cup of Joe.”
“Got one for me there?”
“Of course!” I said before taking a sip of coffee, handing him his cup and blueberry muffin.
When we were both done with homework and studying, we would just talk about anything that can to mind.
“So, who are you going to Homecoming with Noah? I mean you are a senior now! And you can basically go with whoever you want! So who’s it gonna be?”
“Well actually I’ve been meaning to…”
The bell rang before he could finish his sentence. He just said that he was going to tell me later. Before I could think of anything further, the second bell rang and I scurried on to Calulus.
After school, I waited for him outside where we would meet to walk home together. We lived across the street from each other so it only made sense. Noah said that he had a pocket knife his backpack secretly just in case. I remember when he first showed me it. He said if any “bad guys” were to sneak up on us, he could protect me. That sure made me feel a lot better, when I was ten. I walked up behind him as he was putting books away.
“So, what were you gonna tell me?”
“Oh-uh, I forgot.”
“No you didn’t, what is it? I can take it. I’m tough.” I said as I showed him my best tough face. He laughed shallowly.
“Well, it’s not important now.” He said as he went back to his more slightly serious expression.
That’s when I gave him “the look”. Patrick taught it to me. You simply have one eyebrow lifted to make you look intimidating. Only my step-dad and I can do it in my family.
Without even having to look he said, “Jules, I know that look, it’s not gonna work so you can just go.”
“What about you?”
“I… have to finish a test.”
“Well, I’ll wait.”
“Can you just go? I’m trying not to be rude, but I need you to go home. Your parents will be worried.”
“Since when do you know my parents better than I do?” I said, hugging him from behind then slightly laughing, “Look I’ll just wait for you outside the room and then maybe when you’re done, we can go get some…”
“NO! Just go home Julie!! Your parents will be worried about you! I’ve gotta go! Ok??"
“Well I just thought,”
“No Jules, you thought wrong…What is this? What are we doing? I mean look at us, is this okay for some people? Look at me Jules, what am I to you? Huh? Can you answer me that? Look, I just can’t deal with this, with you right now.”
“…Are you sure you don’t wanna just get outta here? I know you’ve been really pushing your limits this week. And honestly you don’t even need to worry about college. You’re going to get into a great school! And I can help you!”
“It’s not just about college! And like that’s gonna happen. I can’t get help from you; you’re in regular’s math!”
“I’m in the top 5%!”
“Whatever it’s a stupid idea.”
“Why is it that my ideas always the stupid ones Noah??”
“I don’t know Jules, you tell me.”
He had realized just how he was coming off. Mean and spiteful. But oh no, I didn’t let him apologize.
“If you want me to go, then I’ll go. I’m sorry if I did something to piss you off. But you don't have the right to treat me like shit. And as your bestfriend I'm telling you that your acting like a dick. So stop pushing me away when I'm trying to care about you.” With that I walked away, he called after me, but I didn’t look back.
This was so weird, he had never yelled at me like that before.
YOU ARE READING
What We Were
Teen FictionA young Julie Sheridan, living In a small town In Illinois, Is just about to start off her senior year with her life long friend Noah. As she discovers the courage to accept the things that change her, she realizes that she will have graduated with...
