Some Things You Can't Control

12: It's An Aeroplane

Chapter 12

It's An Aeroplane

- EDEN GARCIA -

A group of my friends are standing outside the school when I arrive the next morning. Abandoning the usual walk to my locker, I detour and head over to them.

"Its an aeroplane, isn't it?" Jake says triumphantly as I approach them. "I was thinking about the riddle last night. The 'cabin' was a nice touch."

"Well done- I was beginning to think you'd never guess it," I grin in confirmation.

"You underestimate my skill, Edes."

"Apparently so."

A few conversations are carried around about the riddle- and how it was so obvious and they all could have guessed it if they'd really tried- before the topic at hand drifts to tonight.

"I'm so pumped for the game," Drew declares, "finally it'll be an actual challenge." I refrain from commenting on how arrogant that had sounded.

"Will it?" Brody smirks. "We're still undefeated- and they've lost one of their key players. They can't possibly win."

"I've heard their QB has stepped up," Lewis inputs, catching me off-guard. I hadn't consciously registered his presence until just then. This comes as a shock. Why didn't I? What is wrong with me today? Am I really that out of it?

"Do you even remember who our QB is?" Aiden smirks.

Jake agrees, "Exactly. Boyd is unstoppable on the field."

"Why thank you. I'm always open to positive feedback." Brandon punches his best friend in the arm, exchanging a few quiet words which make them both laugh.

"Seriously, though," Brody says, "we've got this."

Josh joins us, Emerson in tow. "Hey, there's a party on at Smith's Friday night after the game. I say we hit it up."

There's a general chorus of agreement from the group, but not from me.

Smith. Dylan Smith. My dickhead ex. Well I know where I definitely won't be on Friday night.

Aiden shoots me a purposeful look, but I pretend not to notice.

"Palmer, try not to get so drunk this time," Jake claps Drew on the shoulder, "you're fucking heavy and I do not want to have to help haul your ass out of another party."

Drew just grins.

"I'll catch you guys up later," I interject, beginning to step away from the group, "I'm gonna head to my locker before class."

"Bye lil' sis," Brody mocks teasingly.

For that, he earns a view of my prized middle finger, which initiates a chorus of chuckles from our friends.

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The next few days are average- so average that one could be tricked into believing there was never any form of advancement in Lewis and I's relationship in the first place.

We've been getting along great still, as friends, the way we always have. However when the time comes for the more intimate side of things to play out, its as though neither of us can fully step up to the role. Its not as though we're officially together, but I think we're both under the impression that we're at least more than friends.

The butterflies have disappeared from my stomach every time I look at him. My heart doesn't start beating a million times a second every time he smiles or laughs. Initially, I'd been under the impression this was happening because I'd grown even closer to him and was completely comfortable around him.