Farmboy

Chapter 8

I couldn’t help it, I leaned in, then jerked back. Andrew looked at me, confused. I was dazed. I slipped back a couple steps, then turned and ran home, while the words I don’t like him, I don’t like him, I don’t like him, ran through my head. I burst inside and saw my mom.

“I’m real tired. Can I go to bed now?” I asked, with a convincing yawn.

“Don’t you want to stay and watch some Christmas movies first? Like every year?” She asked.

“Oh, okay! Just - um, let me go upstairs and get into pajamas first!” I said. She nodded and I dashed upstairs. I ran into my room, closed the door behind me, stuffed my face in my pillow, and began crying. I was sure I'd ruined my friendship with Andrew. If maybe I hadn't run off, and told him I just wanted to be friends, it might all be better. But instead I leaned in, giving him hope, but then jerked back, destroying our relationship. And then suddenly I got mad at Andrew for kissing me.  He should've known I only wanted to be friends!  He shouldn’t have kissed me!  I don’t know what was up with him. And then I realized I might have to go back there, later. I dropped my mittens when I ran. And I bet Andrew would have picked them up, being the gentlemen he is. I groaned inwardly, put on my pajamas, and headed downstairs, ready to watch some Christmas movies, in hopes they’d help me forget for a little while.

⚘⚘⚘

I trudged upstairs, after the Christmas movie marathon had finished. The cheesy tunes echoed around my head, and thoughts of Andrew drifted back in. I didn’t know when I should go back to find my gloves. I mean, I had other pairs, but that was the pair my dad had given me, so they were special. I sat on my bed and picked up my phone. I decided to text Saige. She would be bouncing off the walls about the kiss. So I texted her, explaining what had happened. Like normal, rather than texting back, she called me.

“OMIGOSH HE KISSED YOU!” She squealed when I picked up.

“I know.”

“He must like you!”

“I know.”

“You guys are perfect together!”

“No, we’re not. I don’t want a boyfriend, Saige, and you know why! What happened to her…I don’t want it to happen to me.”  

“Gail, I know that, but you can’t shut him out! If he likes you, then you should accept that! I mean, unless you hate him, which you obviously don’t because you’ve been spending more time with him than me in the past few months-”

“Saige-”

“So you probably like him-”

“Saige, I-”

“And don’t you deny nothing, girl. I know you like him. I’ve seen how you talk about him. You are head over heels but you just block it out, because you don’t want to admit it! Gail, you know I’m right. So stop denying your emotions.” Saige ranted. I fell silent.

“Saige, you know my reasons.”

“Gail, shut up about your ‘reasons’.”

“Okay, Saige.”

“So?”

“I like him.” I admitted.

“I KNEW IT!” Saige yelled, so loud I pulled the phone away from my ear.

“Owww.” I complained.

“YOU LIKE HIM YOU LIKE HIM YOU LIKE HIM!” She chanted.

“Only a little bit.” I muttered.

“The kiss. Did you lean in before you jerked back rudely?”

“Well….”

“Proof. You. Like. Him.”