SIX RIDES

/8\

Feel free toooooo
" V O T E" and " C O M M E N T "

I stared at two tables in the cafeteria deciding which one would be better to confront first.
The table with Mason? Or the table with Adrian?

I walked over to the table with god knows how much chewing gum it actually under it and patted him of the shoulder. Adrians head whipped around. He didn't smile.

"Hey. Can I talk to you for a sec?" I asked trying to not let my voice waver.

He got up and stopped around a corner, "I thought you didn't want a bar of me?" he accused.

"What?" I knew what he meant, I just needed more time to think.

He sighed and rolled his shoulders. "You call up the school and canceled being my partner. Or do you not remember that?" he was hurt.

I got defensive, "I didn't do it! My brothers did without telling me anything. They told me just before I got out of the car this morning and - and I came to talk to you." I said twirling my hair around my finger nervously.

"Right... What did you want to say to me then?" he asked dropping his tense shoulders and folding his arms.

"I just wanted to let you know I wasn't the one to do that. And I also wanted to know if you were - uhm, upset, at me?" I willed my hands and arms not to shake.

"Well I was angry when I thought you were the one to do that. But now -" he stopped.

I stoped twirling my hair. "And now?"

"Do you want to hang out after school?" he asked scratching his head, giving me finally, a small smile.

"Oh uh. I can't today." he frowned, "I have cheerleading practise and - wait, don't you have footy now? Did you make the team?" I asked intrigued.

He looked down at his hands, I followed his vision. His hands were clenched in fists, a shade of red. He hid them behind his back.

I met his eyes, my mouth parted. "I uh.. didn't make the team. coach said I was real good but he doesn't think having me on the team will work out." he said his jaw set.

I was confused, "Why?"

He scoffed in response. "Because he thinks it will impact the team negatively because I don't get along with your brothers. Your brothers are known well for their football careers. Coach doesn't want to loose four of his best players in exchange for me."

I think I got electrocuted. I was shocked.

"Yeah. Sucks huh?" He looked at me. Guilt washed over me and hit me in the face like waves. "I'm so sorry. We will fix this."

"Nah. Coach will do anything to keep his four best players. Doesn't matter." he said like it did matter.

I don't know how I looked but he shook his head at me, his face softening. "I don't blame you."

I hugged him tightly. I think I shocked him as well, as his hands hesitated to embrace me. Or maybe he just didn't want to hug me. I pulled back.