Curveball

Chapter 8

Walking in the door at home I was immediately slammed into my a heavy weight clinging to my legs and giggling excitedly.

Leaning down I picked Hadley up and walked into the kitchen where my mom was sitting at the table typing away on her laptop. She looked up from what she was doing and smiled.

"Hey honey how was your day?" She asked genuinely curious. I hadn't really talked to her much since I told her about Gavin, so she was probably ready to hear all the latest gossip. Go figure.

"It was great, long, but great." The eagerness in my voice was evident and I was hoping she didn't pick up on that and hurl a hoard of questions at me.

Her eyebrow raises at me waiting to hear the rest but without pestering me.

Taking a deep breath I begin, "The other night when Gavin and I got started on research I got upset with him for flirting with me. I was under the impression he had a girlfriend, and I didn't feel good about that so I confronted him. Well, it turns out the girl I thought was his girlfriend is actually his best friends and he is very single. This in turn brought up a whole bunch of feelings he's been holding in for me over the last few years. Now, you know me, I don't get excited over attention from guys, heck I really could care less about them but there's just something about Gavin and the idea that he could be interested in a loner, boring girl like me that makes me happy. Over the past few days we've been exchanging text messages and getting to know each other. I can't deny that I'm excited to see where this goes, however I also can't deny that I am terrified to get hurt and have this come back to bite me in the butt." Letting all that out felt great and once I was finished with my speech I slumped into the chair across from my mother.

"Sweetheart, breathe. I know all this is new to you and I for one am super excited that you've reached the point in your life that having a boy take interest in you makes you feel new and exciting feelings. I would never want you to shy away from that. Honestly, and don't tell you father I said this, I think you should embrace it full force." Looking at her skeptically I debating her words in my head.

"Sarah, stop over thinking everything. Quit psyching yourself out before you've even gotten anything started. Take it day by day and just enjoy being a teenager." Turning my attention down to my hands I took in her words and for once what she said didn't sound so crazy. 

"Just promise me one thing." My eye flitted back up to her gaze.

"Promise me that you'll be safe and that you'll come to me if you have questions or god forbid want to go on the pill." 

"Mom no, what, stop!" I couldn't get the words out right and having her say that caused a blush to form on my cheeks. 

"I'm serious Sarah, I just want you to know that I'm here and you are 17 years old soon to be an adult, your safety and happiness is my biggest concern." 

"Thank you mom, I appreciate it, I do and if I have questions don't worry you'll be my first stop." Her face flooded with relief and I smiled and leaned over to squeeze her tight with a hug. 

Releasing her I walked upstairs to my room and plopped myself down on the bed. Throwing myself back on the comforter I stared at the ceiling and smiled to myself. I never would've thought a week ago that not only would I have feelings for a guy but that same guy feel the same way and be putting a smile on myself without even trying.

I laid like that for a while just staring into space when my phone vibrated in my pocket. Taking a look at it I notice a missed call from Chelsea and a message from Gavin.

Gavin: Just got out of practice, coach ran us hard today but I wanted to text you and tell you to come to my first practice game this weekend would love to see you there.