Flightless Bird

Chapter 16

By the time the bell rang, I had mostly forgotten about Jacob and Anna. Adam and I were still sitting with Lexi and Jayson, who were talking about thier parents' relationships. Adam and I had gone into full role-play mode, and were having row after joke row about everything from shopping lists, to date night, to who would drop off the kids everyday. As the metal chimed once again, Adam stood up and helped me pack my things before walking me to the door.

"See you later Kerri," he said, smiling as he walked off.

"Just don't forget to pay the electric bill again!" I cried after him. I saw his shoulders shake with laughter before he turned the corner.

"You guys are gonna do well on this project," said a voice from behind me. Turning, I sighed,

"You didn't look too unhappy yourself Jacob. Maybe you can take Anna to see June and July too." He frowned, his jet black hair falling further over his forehead as he did so.

"What? Kerri, what did I do?"

"I don't know what you mean."

"Well, I obiviously did something or you wouldn't be acting this way," Jacob said. I narrowed my eyes.

"Really? Because by the way you've been acting it seems like it's me who did something!"

"What?" Jacob asked.

"You came to my room, and apparently you looked pretty pissed," I told him. He looked away, raking the black hair away from his strained face.

"I'm sorry Kerri. I just...I heard you were hanging around with Charlie Marsh and..."

"And what?" I asked, "am I not allowed to choose my own friends anymore, is that it?"

"No, not at all! It's just, I've heard bad things about him. I was worried," he said. I softened my voice,

"Look, you've got nothing to worry about. And I swear it won't happen again. Please, trust me?"

"I do. Honestly, I do," he said, taking my hands. I smiled.

"Good, because otherwise I might just have to make you."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah, really. But I guess now I can focus my attention on...other things," I said, looking up at him from under my lashes. He grinned, and pulled me closer.

"What kinds of things?" he asked, his voice low.

"I don't really think you wanna know..." I teased, placing a hand on his chest. His heart was beating fast under his jacket and t-shirt.

"Trust me. I do," he told me, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I could feel my heart beating too as Jacob moved his face closer. I moved my hand from his chest to his neck, dragging his head down to me. I couldn't wait any longer.