Spring Meadow

And now she knows

Okay, I managed to find enough time this week to write a new chapter. I'll try to finish up the next one ASAP! Mind you I still owe you another chapter because of last week. Anyway, I hope you enjoy!!

I swear I packed up as fast as I was able. I'm pretty sure I set a personal best that day. I put my bag over my shoulder and was headed for the door when I felt a tug on my arm. I looked back to see a perky blond with an all too familiar devilish grin.

"Oh, sweetie, if I didn't know any better, I would have thought you were trying to escape from me!"

I sighed as she locked her arm with my own and bounded over to our old lockers, dragging me along. We used our old lockers until we were assigned new ones at the beginning of next month. She switched out her books, keeping a careful eye on me so she could be sure I wouldn't attempt to run away. I didn't dare, though I really did wish that she wasn't so persistent. I know what I had said to Ruby, and at the time, I had really meant it. As a matter of fact, I still do. However, that didn't mean I was not somewhat uncomfortable with the idea of Megan knowing what I had worked so hard to keep a secret.

She looked at me and sighed. "Hey, relax, okay? I just want to make sure he won't hurt you. It isn't like you to fall for someone. Forced marriage or not, I want him to at least respect you. I don't want him to take advantage of you just because you're vulnerable, having a crush on him and all." She stuffed her last book into her locker and grabbed the notebook we needed for our math homework. "I've been thinking about it and I think that you have to have some of this already figured out. I mean, it must have been someone you've known for a while. There is no way you would just fall for someone you barely met. It must be one of those people you admire. That is the closest you've ever come to liking someone. If that is all true, then I'm pretty sure I would know him when I see him." She closed her locker and looked back at me. "I can't think of anyone yet to be honest, but I bet that considering everything, I know him somewhat personally. I mean, I've been with you through everything. There is almost no way you know someone I don't."

I looked at the floor and shuffled my foot. Of course she read me like a book. I wouldn't have expected anything less. It's what we do.

Once, in seventh grade, I took one look at her one morning. I saw her fidgeting slightly and her eyes sort of dart to the ground for a split second. Right away my mind started calculating. When she saw me, she acted calm and composed, nothing unlike her usual self, but it was just a bit too late. I glanced around the room, finally stopping on the only one I knew she would become attracted to. I looked back at her and said, "So do you want help or..."

Situations like that happened over the years. However, this was the first time I ever had a crush. At least, a crush that she's known about.

"I said relax, remember? Now, do you have to go to your locker ?"

I shook my head.

"Okay, then, I follow your lead."

I thought about roaming around, going anywhere but the outdoor basketball court, where the team practices in the off-season, and leaving her at the last minute, but I thought better of it when I remembered that I promised Jordan I would go. I sighed.

"Come on, we have to go to the outdoor basketball courts," I told her as I started walking in that direction.

"So, he's on the team?"

I nodded my head.

She looked up thoughtfully and then her eyes got wide. "I know who he is!"

I didn't even give her a reaction. "Megan, your ex from last year was on the team and I can still say with absolute certainty that you can't name a single person on it."