The Secrets We Carry

Chapter Two | Gut Feelings

Adam

Our school is up ahead and as the large grey building comes into view, I can see all the cars that have already filled the lot.

Students are loitering around the side walk and front of the building to get the final conversations in before the first bell goes off.

I pull into the parking lot and find a spot by the portables.

Shutting off the car I look over to see Liv facing me.

"You ok?" Her eyes search my face for a response.

"Ya, I'm good. Why?"

"You were just quite the whole ride. Didn't even start singing with me when I was belching out the songs."

I can see the concern etched in her face. Her brows are drawn in and her lips turned downwards.

I let out a small laugh trying to ease the tension she's feeling. "Sorry, just lost in my own mind I suppose. Today seems to be one of those days. I Promise I'll sing like a goof with you on the way home."

Giving her my best smile I can literally see the worry leave her eyes. The corners crinkle as she gives me a smile of her own.

"You'd better! Do you have soccer after school today?"

"Sure do. It's almost over though till spring, just another two weeks."

"Ok."

She narrows her eyes at me and I begin to feel my heart quicken as she's staring at me.

The feeling that my thoughts on the way here were playing out for her to see.

"What are you staring at me for?" I finally ask as the knot in my stomach begins to turn.

"Well for one you're just so gosh darn handsome," Her words send instant relief to coarse through me. "Two, I love you and three you have yolk on your cheek." She gets out quickly with a laugh.

I turn to look in my rearview mirror as she leans over and kisses my cheek before getting out of the car.

Yup, Definitely yolk.

"See you later." She says before closing the door and quickly jogging to the front steps.

I rub off the yolk, checking the mirror that it's gone, before getting out of the car.

The cold fall wind sends a shiver down my back.
Why did I not wear I jacket?
Must have thought I was invincible to the cold.

Drawing my arms around me I start on a light jog towards the side door.

I open the side door, the wind whistles through the vestibule, as I open the second set of doors.

Welcoming the warmth, I give a little shake before I head towards my locker.

I give a few nods and 'heys' as I'm greeted by the familiar faces of my team members.

The whole soccer team has their lockers in this hallway and classes start in 5 minutes, everyone was getting their stuff and making small talk.

I feel an arm go around my shoulder and I don't even need to look to know its Josh.

"What up my good man?" He says loudly, to be heard over the crowd, probably not realizing he's two inches from my ear.

"Trying to get to my locker and start my day without getting my ear drum blown in by you." I laugh.

"So did you finish the bio-chem project and which assignment did you pick again?" He asks as he leans next to my locker, ignoring my comment as he continues to speak at an elevated tone.