Just For Glory | COMPLETED

Embrace on a Rooftop

"Three months until we're no longer juniors."

I glanced over at Piper when she spoke for the first time in five minutes, but she didn't meet my gaze. She was on the grass in a park near her house, playing some sort of keep-away with Vix, who was still small and skinny. It was the end of February, and even though it was cold, Piper refused to stay inside while her beloved companion needed to be played with. Two months was more than enough time for her and the skinny Border collie to become inseparable. I went along sometimes; Piper said that the members of her household were touchy to say the least. It had something to do with Andrew.

When Vix finally caught the stick that had eluded her for so long, Piper laughed and let it go, scratching the top of her dog's head. She didn't follow up her statement, so I followed suit, slouching against the back of the bench.

"Isn't that weird?" She brought her knees up to her chest and laid her folded arms on top of them. Her chin rested on her forearms as she stared at the swing-set off to my right.

"Not really," I deadpanned, not having to think about replying. That had happened plenty in my acquaintance with Piper; I was used to it.

"Are you scared for college?"

"Are you?" I countered after a moment's hesitation.

Piper's clear eyes shifted immediately from the swings to my face without turning her head, a calculating look in her eyes that made me more than a little apprehensive. Sometimes, Piper still managed to unnerve me with her knowledge of my mind. "What a skillful circumvention," she remarked eventually, facing me fully.

"You studied those SAT words way too much, Pipe," I muttered, but she didn't ease up with her slightly narrowed gaze.

"Donovan." She wasn't asking me to pay attention—her tone was a mix of nervousness and disappointment, but I could hear the firmness. In retrospect, I really should have expected the topic eventually.

I sighed and replied in the same breath. "What?"

"Are you going to college?"

"What do you think, Piper?" I snapped, breathing through my nose.

Her eyes were the deep, but not dark, blue that I was seeing more and more often, and she bit her lower lip briefly. "You know what I think, Donovan," she almost whispered, not looking down as her fingers unconsciously made their way to Vix's ears.

"No, Piper, I don't. I know what you hope. I know the situation you've idealized. But come on, kid. What are the chances?" I said, looking away from her eyes. They distracted me, made me feel guilty and encouraged simultaneously. Confused me.

Piper stood up suddenly, facing me with her arms crossed over her chest. "You can't just...just give up on being something, Donovan! You can't." I was almost shocked by her tone of voice. If anything, I would have expected anger, frustration, et cetera. But this was different—this was too much. I couldn't take that pleading note of near-desperation.

Before I could reply, she stuffed her hands into her jacket pockets. "I'm sorry. It's not...this isn't my business. Whether or not you go—that's your choice," she said quietly, rocking back and forth on her heels.

I stood up slowly, and her eyes raised to meet mine almost tentatively. For some reason, I had a very strong desire to apologize to her. I wanted to say that I was sorry for disappointing her, but the mere thought was unfamiliar. Since when did I avoid that versus doing the total opposite? "Piper, what are the chances?" I repeated more softly. She lowered her eyebrows slightly and looked off to her left. "We both...you and I are both aware that I wasn't and am not the ideal student. Besides, money's not so good, and I can't get into college on pure charm."