Unexpected

[26] Cracking Foundations

Hey everyone! I  know I haven't updated in a while, but I'll be pretty free for the next two months, so I should be able to finish this soon! :) Thank you for sticking with this and all the reads, votes, and comments! I really appreciate it. :)

Clara.

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Several weeks passed without much happening. After all the craziness with Aunt Emily and our cousins, I was perfectly okay with this. I went to school every day, hung out with Katie, and met Ryan twice a week for our Chemistry tutoring sessions. I was starting to enjoy the boring routine, but, of course, all good things must come to an end.

    "Are you coming to the game tonight?" Katie leaned against the locker beside mine, staring at me expectantly.

    Nodding, I shut my locker and slipped my backpack over my shoulders. "Yeah, I promised Ryan I'd be there. It'll be weird seeing him play basketball. Is he any good?"

    "Soccer is definitely his sport," Katie laughed. "But he's not half bad. Speaking of weird—" She paused, smacking my arm with her hand. "I just can't wrap my head around this whole 'couple' thing. I mean, RyanHolloway in a real relationship? Next thing we know zombies will be shuffling around hunting for brains."

    I laughed, shrugging uncomfortably. After returning from the holidays Ryan and I had walked into school holding hands. It hadn't taken long for word to spread. Of course, there had been rumors whispered before, but now there was no denying it.

    "How's it going? Everyone's curious to know if he's boyfriend material."

    "It's good," I smiled, remembering our last studying session. We hadn't actually gotten much homework done after we started talking about potential colleges and the dreams we'd always had as children, but I'd enjoyed the time together.

    Every once in a while I got the feeling that Ryan's mind wasn't all there when we were together. It still dredged up some worry, but I just kept telling myself if it was serious he would tell me. Each time I asked if he was okay, he'd just gave me a smile that was a little too cheery and said everything was fine. Thinking about Ryan's odd bouts of distance made the smile slip from my face. Should I push him for an answer? I couldn't deny that it bothered me a little. Why wouldn't he trust me with whatever it was that was bothering him? What was he hiding?

    "What do you say to a study session at my house? We can come to the game together."

    "Sure! Is Kellan coming?"

    Katie shook her head, linking our arms together. "Nope. He has plans with his brother. It's just us girls tonight. We should get Hue to come too!"

    I nodded in agreement, smiling. It was long past due for an impromptu girls' night. Katie texted Hue as we walked, inviting her over and explaining our plans.

    "She'll meet us there. Come on, this is gonna be so fun!" Katie dragged me towards the parking lot as I laughed and tried not to trip.

The first basketball game of the season was well-attended. All I knew about the game was that it was varsity and against one of Ocean View's biggest rivals. Katie, Hue, and I settled into our seats after buying some snacks at the concession stand.

    "So," Hue said through a bite of nachos. "You and Ryan, huh?"

    Is that all anyone cared about? It was old news—shouldn't they be over it by now? Stifling a sigh, I just nodded and gave her a smile.