The Story of Us

Chapter 9: Nothing But Silence

When I was done changing I went out to find Dylan sitting on the ground.

"Are we gonna walk or....?" I asked

"Yeah you just take forever to change" he said as he stood up. I hadn't realized how tall he actually was compared to me until I found myself looking up at him.

"Sorry I thought I left my sweats at home" I replied as we began walking towards the track. Barely anyone was out on the track and many people were just hanging out in their tents. We walked in silence for about five minutes until I finally started talking.

"So it was really warm today...." I said quietly. I don't know whats wrong with him. He just kept on walking. "Hey Dylan are you alright?"

"Oh yeah sorry....I was uh...I was just thinking"

"About what?"

"You....me....shit like that" he said so quietly I almost couldn't hear him.

"Uhm....what about you and me?"

"I....I can't say" he said with his head down.

"Tell me now I want to know"

Dylan stopped walking and just stood there looking at me.

"What.....you're sort of scaring me" I said looking up at him.

"I'm sorry...I just...I can't stop thinking about you. I might be in love with you...." he said quietly. I was taken back for a second. This couldn't be. We are just friends....I hadn't picked up on any signs that he was flirting with me or even liked me that way.

"Oh haha....you're funny" I said. I was starting to feel nervous because no one has ever straight up told me how they felt for me.

"I'm not kidding Bri....you have always been there for me. You are so friendly and out going. You have a way with people that you don't even notice. I don't know after all this time during track practice and math class.....I just love hanging out with you and being around you. There's something different about you....good different. You're not like the other girls I've met here."

I just stood there staring at him, I had no idea that he felt that way.

"haha.....I think you've had too much sun" I said jokingly "did you drink any water today?"

"Brianne no it's not the sun....tell me you don't feel it too"

"uhm..we should go back....get some sleep before tomorrow" I said as i began walking towards the tents. I didn't make it far because Dylan gently grabbed my arm and looked me in the eye. He looked desperate for an answer and kind of sad. I didn't want to hurt him...but I couldn't lie about how I felt.

"I'm sorry Dylan....I love hanging out with you and you're my best friend and..." He cut me off before I could finish.

"It's ok.....I get it....looks like you won the 'don't fall for me" game' hah..."
He let go of my hand as he made his way back to the tent. I stood there watching him walk away. Unable to say anything more that would take away his heartbreak.

******************

The next few weeks were a bit awkward. Dylan wouldn't talk to me and I could still see the hurt in his eyes, no matter how many times he said he was ok.

The next day in after track practice Dylan came up to me.

"Hi..."

"Hey...I haven't talked to you in a few weeks" I said

"Yeah sorry about that, I've been busy. How have you been?"

I was confused, is he still hurt since that night at Relay for Life? He was acting normal....well it's probably best not to mention anything to him. I thought to myself.

"Oh...I've been good. Getting ready for districts you know....I hope I make it to the state competition!"

"You will! And I'll be there cheering you on!" He said with a smile

"Haha no you're going to be on the field with me!"

"I uhm....actually won't be" he said with his head down.

"What do you mean?"

"My grades have dropped.....so I can't compete for the rest of the season." I just stared at him.

"There's only a few more weeks left until the season officially ends, you can't just drop out now...."

"Brianne do you think I want to? I'm sorry but can't compete. School rules"
I was disappointed but he was right. Our school has strict rules about grades and sports. Many students need to maintain a 3.5 GPA in order to be part of the team.

"It's ok....I understand, if you need help studying or anything let me know." I said trying to be supportive.

"Thanks" he said. Dylan looked down at his phone buzzing.

"oh my moms at the front of the school. Want a ride home?"

"Sure!" I said, as we walked to the front entrance.