What We Were

Chapter 5: Part 3

We held hands in the empty hallway, until we turned the corner of the library and dropped our hands down and separated. We walked in during the pledge so no one saw we were late.

               At the end of the extraordinarily boring school day, and after a long lunch sitting with Jess and her popular friends, I just had enough. I don’t even know why I felt the need to give an effort to be social with Jess. We weren’t really buddy-buddy at school anyway. Ever since sophomore year when she and her loser boyfriend Jason broke up during the summer, she wasn’t really herself. She cut her hair, changed her clothes, and got new friends. But on the other hand, Jess was the only person I could go to, outside of my family, when I had girl problems.

As soon as the bell rang I bolted for the football field.

“Where are you going missy?” Jess asked wrapping an arm around my shoulder lightly.

“Oh I was just going to do some homework on the bleachers usually the fresh air helps me focus.”

“I know what I would be focusing out there with all the jocks practicing” she said slyly with a wink.

“Hahahaha, yeahhhh. So I’ll see you later?”

“Actually I think I’ll come with you, I could use a pick me up with my best girlfriend!”

“Hah Hah Hah suurre c’mon lets go.” I said nervously. Now I wasn’t going to be able to see Noah alone. Great.

               When we first got there, she was screaming and yelling and cheering for Noah. I tried to ignore it, but when she started talking about how his penis was at least a ‘9ner’, I had enough.

“Look, can we talk about something other than Noah’s genitals?”

“Geez what’s got your panties in a wad? Did you guys get into a big fight or something?” she asked bluntly.

“No, it’s just awkward to talk about.”

“Oh Jules…are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

“Am I?”

“Are you saying you’re a lesbian? Because if you are that’s ok, ya know? I will still be your friend and all.”

“God no Jess!”

“Ok! Just checking! It’s my job as your friend to know these things, even if it is a little awkward!”

“Look, I just would rather not talk about the penis of my lifelong friend nor my sexual preferences, at least not out in public…”

Interrupting me was Markus, a friend of Noah’s on the football team, and he yelled to us. “Hey Jess!?”

“Oh hi Markus…What ‘sup.” She said with a dash of disappointment. Markus was the kind of guy that didn’t give up and also didn’t understand that no meant no. This guy has had the hots for Jess since freshman year. He would always find it necessary to hit on her at least twice a day. And this particular day, she was due for another dose of Markus.

“You know, you haven’t complimented me on my swolles.” (In Markus language, that meant muscles.)

“So word on the street is you’re looking for a new guy to obsess over, well gurl look no farther. I will happily do you, and all yo juicy womanliness, a favor by asking you out for dinner tonight.”

“What?”

“Well I just find it upsetting to know that a fine ass female, such as yoself, is going solo for the time being. So what you say gurl? You pickin up what I’m putting down?”

 “Umm…If that’s your best pick up, then I honestly feel sorry for you. And what are you talking about…Where did you hear that?”

“Well you know that your home girl Julie…”

I quickly coughed and interrupted Markus’ explanation. I kicked him between the legs so hard that he fell at least three bleachers down. Groaning and mumbling, he limped away.

“YOU A CRAZY BITCH, YOU A CRAZY BITCH! And Jess, baby we can talk about our relationship later, don’t you worry gurl, I gotchu!”

 “Oh…I’ll be counting the minutes…”

Jess retorted as Markus was carried away by some other players running him down to the field. He was the shortest guy on the team, not to mention probably the only black guy as well.

“JESS I LOVE YOU BABY!” he desperately called back to her.

“Mhm, yep.”

“JESS! WAIT FOR ME GURL! I WILL NEVER LET GO! *ANNNNNDD EEEEEYYYYYEEEE WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOUUUU* I SEE THE LIGHT JESS BABY! *SWWWING LOOOW SWEET CHAARIEET COMING TO TAKE ME HOME!!! I’LL SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE JESS BABY!”

For a second I thought I saw Jess smile. When she saw me, she forced the smile off of her face and changed the subject quickly.

“Do you know what he was talking about Jules?” she asked innocently. Her eyes darted to mine and her lips parted slightly. I felt absolutely terrible about lying to her like that.

“Umm, no I have no idea.”

“Jules, I know you guys are hiding something from me and I wanna know what! Tell Me!”

“It’s really nothing Jess ok?”

“No! I know it!  Noah told you something didn’t he? Oh god Jules, did he talk about me? Did he tell you something about me??? Did he??”

“NO! Jess it’s nothing! Trust me. It Is Nothing, you have to believe me Jess…”

“Ohh…” she said softly “I believe you Jules….It’s something about you two then isn’t it?”

“What?” She didn’t answer me for a while. I saw a tear form in the corner of her eye and her breathing was shortened slightly. She knew didn’t she? But…

“Is something going on with you and him Jules?”

I paused. I didn’t know whether to confess or to hold my ground. I considered what was at stake. I couldn’t even think it was like I froze right then and there. “No Jess, I promise there is nothing going on between me…”

“Ok Good!” She interrupted as she wiped her face a little and smiled.

I could tell she was kind of hurt. By the tone in her voice, I knew she would believe anything opposed to Noah and I together.

“Well um I better go, I’ll see you later kay?” she got up and started walking down the bleachers.

“Okay, I-I’ll talk to you later ok?” I raised my voice for her to hear as she hurried away from me.

“Ok!”

Oh god, I didn’t know what I was doing! I can’t believe I promised! What had I done? What was I going to do now?