Gentry's Chance

Chapter 8. Stubborn

Taytum's POV

The alarm blares and pulls me from my vivid nightmare. My hair is sticking to my damp sweaty forehead. My hands are cold and clammy. It takes me a long moment to catch my breath. As the horror of the dream fades I climb out of bed and head for the shower. 

Once I'm out of the shower I do my hair and makeup. I get dressed in my pink crop top and black short shorts. I slip my black flip flops on and grab my bag. The school is already packed with students. The bell is going to ring in fifteen minutes. 

Chapin sees me and comes sprinting toward me. Her expression catches me off guard. I know my best friend; she has gossip of some sort. "What?" I asked as she loops her arm through mine. She leans closer to me to whisper in my ear as we walk past others.

"Chance is getting an awful lot of attention," She murmured.

"Are you serious? Why?" I arch a brow.

"Maybe that fight," She said as she looks around. "There have been girls hanging on him all morning. If you like him you better fess up."

"I'm pretty sure he knows he just shrugs it off," I muttered. "I don't think he likes me. Maybe I'm not pretty enough."

Chapin snorts. "If that idiot really thinks that then he's not worth your time, Tay." We walk into the school. As we're coming down the hallway I can see Chapin wasn't exaggerating. There are girls all over Chance. Jealousy boils inside of me threatening to burst but I don't let it. "Tay?" Chapin squeaked.

"No. Ya know what? It's fine, I don't even care," I muttered, as I storm off toward class. The rest of I try to avoid Chance. When he tries to speak to me in English I shrug it off. When we get into the gym I also manage to avoid him. The entire day has been a plan of 'how can I avoid Chance?'

Dance practice isn't until tomorrow so I rush out of the gym wanting to still avoid Chance. The last thing I want is for this boy to know the effect he has on me. When my car comes into view I stop. It has a flat tire in the front on the driver's side. "Fuck!" I growl. My car is still locked up. I look around for a moment most kids are pulling away already. Chapin had left in the third period from not feeling well. 

I don't want to bother Chapin so I try calling Laura. Laura doesn't answer and to my knowledge, she won't be home for a few days. Alyssa is gone for a few days on vacation with her friends. Sydney doesn't answer her phone either. After attempting a couple more phone calls I give up and start walking. 

After getting a couple of blocks away from the high school I see a car pull up from the corner of my eye. I turn and realize it's Chance. What are the odds? The one person I'm trying to avoid is the one who shows up. 

He rolls the passenger window down and turns his music down. "Taytum? Do you need a ride?" His voice is full of confusion. 

"No, I'm good," I muttered. I turn and keep walking, his car slowly creeps after me. 

"Where is your car?" He asked.

"The school," I huffed not looking at him.

"Why?" 

"It has a flat, okay?!" I growled as I turn to face him my bag and sleeve falling off my shoulder.

He arches a brow looking at me as if I'm crazy. I have to admit he's probably not wrong. "Get in the car, Taytum," He demanded. I cross my arms over my chest pushing my boobs up slightly.

"No," I said simply and turn to begin walking away. 

"God, why the fuck are you such a stubborn ass?!" Chance boomed.

My blood boils in irritation I turn to face him again. Staring down Chance isn't easy, it's so hard to stay mad at him and I don't understand why. "Why do you care if I walk?" I sneered. The anger I feel is beginning to fade the longer I stare into his eyes.

His lips part in surprise at my question. "I don't understand why giving you a ride home is such a big deal, Taytum. Just get in the fucking car."

After debating it for a long moment I give up and get in the car. "Hi, Taytum," I hear from the backseat. I look back to see Chance's little sister Emma waving at me.

"Hey, Emma," I smile. I quickly look back out the window but I can feel Chance's gaze on me. I feel heavy under his gaze. I want to burst and confront him. I want to know what those other girls have that I don't. Every cell in my body is screaming at me to tell him I'm jealous, but I won't. I'm too tough for that.

"Why are you suddenly so mad at me?" Chance asked. 

"I'm not," I muttered.

"Really? You've been avoiding me all day," He chuckled. My lips part in surprise and my gaze finds his. How could he know that? Does he read minds? What the hell am I supposed to say to that? Was it just obvious?

"I didn't-" I start but he cuts me off.

"Don't bother denying it Taytum," He muttered.

It's a long time before I respond. "How'd you know?" I murmured not looking at him. When he doesn't answer curiosity gets the best of me so I glance up at him.

His gaze meets mine, he's staring intently at me. The look sends my heart thudding into my ribs. My blood heats hotter than the sun. "It wasn't rocket science," He muttered. The only thing I can make sense of from that is he is good at reading people. "I just don't understand why. And I'm guessing from your stubborn expression you aren't going to tell me." He pulls into my driveway and looks down at me. 

"It doesn't matter," I muttered. 

"Do you have plans this weekend?" He asked.

I'm caught off guard by the question. The truth is I don't, but I don't want him knowing that. "Actually yeah I do," I shrug. 

"See ya," He turns to look back out the windshield with an emotionless expression. It makes me wonder why he'd ask me that. Instead of asking I get out of the car.

"Thanks for the ride," I said before shutting the car door. He backs out of my driveway and peels away. Once upstairs I text Taytum giving her a brief summary of what happened. Then I text Laura to let her know I have a flat tire. I'm going to have to have it towed. Laura says she'll call a tow truck and pay for it for me.

Since I lied about having plans this weekend maybe I should make plans. There will be a party this weekend most likely because of the football game. I couldn't really go wrong if I asked someone out, right?