Swell (Complete)

Chapter Nine (Part One)

"She is still so unsure, she always leaves him wanting more
You let me down but I can't let this go now."

....

Adora had rehearsed her conversation with Tom so many times on Sunday after playing with Will and Brett, but as she peddled towards town on her bike Monday morning she still had no idea when or how she was going to tell Tom.
Her backpack was secured in the front basket and she stopped peddling to glide down a hill and felt her heart race as the Esplanade came into view.
She'd ridden too fast.
At least that was how she felt. She knew that her timing was fine, she was early for school, as normal but she felt afraid of seeing Tom.
Will had assured her several times the day before that Tom would be fine when she spoke to him, but she wasn't sure Will realised she had never actually turned anyone down before. It was like the Taylors thought she had dated a lot before they came.
Gus was the start and end of her relationship experience; a short, secret summer fling with her best friend's cousin. She didn't even consider that a relationship because they both knew it wasn't going to last. A stupid crush on a handsome visitor.
She slowed her riding, trying to delay her arrival at the bike rack.
The wind blew a chill from the ocean and the hair that hung out from under her helmet flew around her shoulders. She could smell the salt in the air; feel a storm in the atmosphere.
She closed her eyes for a few moments, one peddle, two, and when she opened them she was at the school.
She slowed enough to start getting off her bike and pushed the front wheel into the bike rack. A purple bike chain had a permanent spot around one of the wheel frames for her light blue bike. Adora unlocked the chain, wrapped it around the spokes of her bike and then relocked it.
Lifting her backpack from the basket she searched the car park for the Tom's car. She saw Dodge's car, and a few that belonged to other teachers, but no sign of the black Lancer yet.
She felt a wave of relief wash over her and she moved into the school and headed for Dodge's office, her older cousin was more likely to be able to help her figure out what to say to Tom.
Adora had practised way too many scenarios. None of them had made her feel confident.
"Adora, good morning." Dodge looked up from his office as she stuck her head in and gave him a small smile.
"Hey Dodge." She dragged her feet across the carpet and dropped her backpack on the floor before collapsing into the couch.
"Oh oh. Is something wrong?" Dodge put his pen down and got up from behind his desk. He sat down on the couch beside her and looked at her with concern in his blue eyes.
"Yes and no." Adora grimaced. "Tom and I went out on Saturday, and he is really great, but he reminds me so much of Iain that it's uncomfortable. And... He moves too fast." She leaned against Dodge and he put an arm around her shoulders.
"Ahhh. Well, that does sound awkward." He agreed. "You're trying to figure out how to tell him, right?"
"Yea. I had a jam sesh with Brett and Will yesterday, and Will said Tom would understand and he'd be fine, but I've never had to tell anyone that I can't date them, you know?"
She could feel her cousin nodding. "Yea." His voice was quiet and his head rested on hers.
She closed her eyes and allowed the security of Dodge's presence comfort her. "I'm meant to be going over to the Taylors' place after school to help him catch up on psych too. I still want to be able to help him if he needs it, but I don't know how he'll feel once I tell him."
"They all seem pretty grounded, I'm sure Will is right in knowing his brother, they are twins after all. All I can say is just be honest and get it out there."
Adora nodded under his head. "Yea, I guess the sooner the better." Her stomach was churning at the thought of seeing any of the Taylors, Tom was the only one who didn't know her worry.
"You'll be fine, he'll have plenty of girls ready to step up and distract him from his loss." Dodge lifted his head from hers and moved so that she could see his teasing smirk.
Adora scoffed and shook her head. "Yea, apparently Debbie is desperately bidding for his attention. So Marti told me anyway."
"See? You're already replaced cous!"
Adora punched his arm playfully and stood up off the couch. "Damn, I love you." She laughed in spite of herself.
"It's a family trait, we're lucky that way." Dodge winked at her and she picked her backpack up, the heaviness of her mission for the day weighing a little less in her stomach.
"We are." She nodded thoughtfully. "Thanks."
"You're welcome. Oh, your Mum mentioned she wants us to go driving again, so let me know which day you want to have another lesson, ok?" Dodge stood up and ruffled her head gently as he walked her to his office door.
"Yea, I'll check my calendar tonight and text you." She reached up and kissed her cousin's cheek before she left the office.