Waiting on You

Chapter 7

One year ago

A couple weeks had passed since Jacob and my "date", and I had been avoiding him since then.

I didn't know what I was supposed to say. Were we a couple? Did he still like me?

It's not that I was unpopular at my school, and I just wasn't good enough for him. I just blended in.

School days seemed way too long, especially in between classes, when I had to use most of my energy to avoid him. Luckily, the school was pretty big, especially in my freshmen eyes, and he was just a small piece in the puzzle.

Just the thought of him made my stomach flutter, he made my palms sweat.

I would have said that I didn't want to fall in love because my mom ran away with another man and my dad cheated on her, but I couldn't- because it wasn't true. I didn't want to fall in love because I had trust issues. I didn't trust boys. I didn't trust myself.

"You can't hide from that guy forever," Juliette's words broke me out of my thoughts.

"What?" I flinch, looking around quickly as if I had just woken up. "Where?"

She sighs.

At the time, it was just Juliette and I, Bel hadn't come to the school yet. As a result, she was extra observant of my life. This was a good and a bad thing at the same time.

"Seriously, Ror," Juliette clucks her tongue. "Why would you be avoiding him. He's totally perfect."

I shrug.

Suddenly, I hear her hold her breath. "Rory..."

Instinctually, I drop my chin to my chest. "Do you see him?"

When I look back up, there he is, walking down the hall towards us. For a moment I think that I see sadness on his face, but I quickly look away.

We were walking through the crowded halls, when I spotted the janitors closet. "Look," I hiss at Jules, pointing at the door.

I head towards the closet, pulling her behind me. Opening the door, I stepped inside.

"I'll follow you in a sec," she said, resisting my pull.

"What?!" I practically shriek. "This is serious."

She closed the door and I sighed, turning away from the door. I try and study the wall for a light switch, but it is too dark.

Then, the door opens again, a gold strip of light falling onto the wall. "Jules?" I whisper.

When I turned around, the door is closed again, so I can't see her. "Please tell me that's you."

"Actually," the voice definitely didn't belong to Juliette. Instantly, I stiffen up. "It's not Juliette. Sorry to disappoint you."

I felt the heat radiating off of the persons body, and it sends shivers down my spine. Their breath brushed my face.

My mind burns with recognition. I was so stupid.

"Jacob," I sigh, my stomach flutters. I hope that he does not think I am crazy.

He chuckles. "Aurora."

My name on his lips sounded like a song, a song I could listen to forever.

"Why are you avoiding me?" He asks.

I felt my cheeks start to turn red, and I am grateful for the darkness. "What?"

"I have been looking for you all week. Are you mad?" There is a hint of disappointment and concern in his voice that makes my heart ache.

"No," I breath. Suddenly, the walls seem as if they are going to crush me.

"Then what is it?" He asks, and I felt him roll his weight back onto his heels.

I sigh. And then decide on a lie. "Your just so popular, I thought that you wouldn't want to be seen with me." It was the truth, but still not what I was afraid of.

He chuckled and takes a step closer to me. "I don't care if you are seen with me, or if you aren't. I couldn't care less what people thought about me or you. You are the only girl that I care about their opinion."

I am left speechless, but I realize that it doesn't matter. Jacob runs his fingers down my palm and heat radiates throughout my body. He laced his fingers through mine, opening the door.

Together we walk out of the closet, and walk together, as one, until we reach my next class.

Jacob gave me a small playful wink and then started to his class. Reluctantly, I leave him, and for the rest of the day, only have my daydreams to wonder what happens next.

••••••••••••••••

"Is he taking you to the dance?" Tucker asks me.

We are sitting on my deck, a blanket wrapped around us, gazing up at the stars.

"Jacob?" I ask him, even though I know that is who he is talking about. Who else? I just wanted the excuse to say his name.

Tucker nods.

I shrug, then rest my head on his shoulder. "Maybe."

He clears his throat. "Well, then. I was, um, wondering-"

Just then the phone rings from inside.

"Oh," I hop up. "One sec."

I hear him sigh and look down at his toes. "Sure."

I run inside the house, groping along my desk for the landline. "Hello?"

"Hey, sweetie." It was my mom. "I just wanted to let you know that your father and I are going to the bar with Judy and Mark, so we're gonna be gone a little while longer."

"Okay," I sigh. I usually got bored when I was home alone, but at least now I had Tucker.

"Okay?"

"Yup."

There is laughter in the background and I hear my moms voice tight with impatience. "Okay, sweetie. I'll see you soon. There's some leftover pizza in the fridge if you get hungry."

When we are finished saying our goodbyes and I walk back out onto the deck, Tucker is still looking at the sky.

I sit down next to him, snuggling closer into his side for warmth. "Who was it?" He asks quietly.

"Just my mom."

He wraps his arm around me.

"So, what were you asking me earlier?"

The arm that he has around me tenses up. "I'll tell you later."

Something about the situation felt weird to me, but I ignored that knot in my stomach, letting my thoughts melt into the deep sky.

The bitter air swarms around us, but I don't mind. We stay out there for hours.

And he never tells me.