Hidden Truths

Chapter 14: The Pregnancy Test

I raise up the volume on my headphones as I walk towards the parking lot. Dance practice just finished a few minutes ago and all I wanted to do was get home and take a long shower. I spot my car and head for it, keeping my eyes low. My heart nearly jumps out of my chest when I feel somebody lightly bump into me. I jerk my head in their direction and I'm not surprised by who I see.

"Hey, Alex." Jackson's smooth voice greets. He has a slight grin on his face and I have a feeling it has to do with him scaring me. It's crazy how he somehow always seems to show up at the oddest times.

"Oh, uh hey," I avoided his eyes and let my hair fall in front my face. I'm sure I look like a complete mess right now, My hair was in a jumble of curls that the wind had no problem whirling around making it worse. I washed my face earlier but I'm sure it was still red, especially now. I always feel pretty good after a workout but I know I don't look it. I don't know exactly why, but I didn't want him to see me like this. He really needs to catch me on a better day.

"You ok?" Jackson asks. I look up and finally face him. I analyze his body slowly. I've seen him in his uniform before, but now he looks really good in it. Something's changed. His tall and lean figure show's off his muscles and the little bit of sweat makes it look like he's glistening in the sun. He's holding onto his helmet at the tips of his fingers. His shirt is plastered to his body in a way that makes it hard for me to stop staring. I hear him laugh and quickly look away, feeling my face and body heat up as the seconds go by.

"Yeah, I'm fine. What's up?" I fumble with my keys and bag as I continue walking to my car, avoiding looking at him.

"Uh, we haven't spoken since, you know," I take a peek at him to see him rubbing the back of his neck self consciously.

"I know. What's there to talk about? It happened and it's over," I rush out and start to unlock my car when he grabs my wrist and I freeze.

"You're telling me that you didn't feel anything?" He whispers out from behind me and I sigh closing my eyes. He's close enough now that I can feel his body heat and it makes me want to move closer to him. Despite the sweat, I can still smell what's come to be one of my favorite scents, that dang cologne. Opening my eyes, I take a deep breath and turn around.

His brown eyes watch me intensely as my eyes move down from his eyes to his lips. Moving slowly, I tentatively place my hand on the back of his head and slowly pull him in. Surprise fills his eyes and he glances down at my mouth. Right when our lips are about to meet, I quickly twist my head and hold my mouth by his ear, having to tiptoe a bit. "That's exactly what you should be asking yourself," I whisper before pulling away from him, leaving him standing there stunned and take a seat in my car.

After I start the engine, I turn to look out my window and see him run his hand down his face while looking up at the sky. He physically blew out a breathe and headed back towards the field, shaking his head as he went. I exhale and quickly drive off. Jackson really makes me extremely confused. I know I told him that the moment meant nothing to me despite the obvious tension, but in all honesty, I think it made me realize I may like him. You know, as a friend. I'm surprised that he said it meant something. Sometimes he can be completely unaware of what he says and other times he can be super sweet and charming.

...............................

I'm stretching with the rest of the dancers and the cheer team on the side of the field by the bleachers. The crowd buzzes in anticipation behind us. The team hasn't come out yet and I am extremely nervous. This is my first performance with the Royal Ravens, and if I'm nervous now, imagine how it's gonna be at my first competition. Mom and Michael had a meeting so they couldn't make it, but they said they'd rather be here anyway. As I'm stretching, I'm going over the choreography in my head, asking Carmen about the routine for reassurance. The cheerleaders come out first and do their usual routine, hyping up the crowd even more. Eventually, Coach Tyson grabs the bullhorn.