He Depends on You || Porter Robinson

Part Nine

High School was full of simpler times.

The ball came hurdling in my direction. I panicked and did my best to brace myself for impact. The rubber ball made contact with my chest and was already on the ground before I had a chance to fling my arms around and catch it. I heard groans coming from around me and I quickly scrambled to pick up the ball and toss it back to the center of the field.

"Fucking kickball" I muttered under my breath and kicked at a dandelion with my sneaker. I watched as I sent the fluffy seeds into a flurry in the breeze. That's when I heard the final game whistle blow and we were able to head back inside.

"Well, you almost had it." I heard Porter say as he jogged up next to me with a smirk.

"Look, I do not understand why they have us outside playing kickball like a bunch of 12-year-olds. Some of us know we are just not athletically gifted by now. And this constant subjection to sports and the resulting embarrassment is simply unjust." I said in frustration. Gym class was never my strong suit.

"You'll get 'em next time Bug." Porter said with a laugh.

"Whatever." I couldn't help but jut my bottom lip out in a pout earning another laugh from Porter.

"Well that is quite the pout coming from someone who I apparently too mature to play kickball." He said and softly nudged me with his elbow. I just rolled my eyes and stifled a smile as I made my way into the girl's locker room to change for the next class.

I quickly freshened up and changed out of my gym uniform. I was shoving my hair into a messy pony tail as I saw someone approach me in the mirror.

"So I heard Porter is going on tour." A voice said from behind me.

I turned around to face Brittany. I hadn't spoken to her since she dumped Porter. After they won prom king and queen, they dated for a little bit. Porter was so into her. She was his first everything. But then she dumped him out of the blue and started dating an older college guy that I was pretty sure was a drug dealer. So needless to say, I wasn't her biggest fan.

"Oh...uh yeah, he is." I replied. Hoping that would be the end of the conversation. It wasn't.

"With Tiesto, right?" she asked. I just nodded.

"Wow, that's so cool." She said and lingered for a few seconds.

"I know. I'm really proud of him." I said sharply. And stared to walk away.

"You know the reason I dumped him?" she asked me suddenly. I noticed it was only her and I left in the locker room.

"I assume it was because you found a new boy." I said and couldn't help but feel my eyes narrow slightly.

"No," she rolled her eyes, "It was because of you."

"Me?" I asked in shock.

"Yeah he would never shut the fuck up about you. It was really annoying." She said. I tried my best not to smile.

"Oh..." I responded.

"Yeah. And everyone can tell you are absolutely in love with him. So some advice, woman to woman, tell him before he leaves and falls in love with a super model or something." She said. I was a little taken aback at her sudden piece of advice.

"Why are you telling me this?" I asked her.

"I don't know..." her expression softened. "Because Porter is a good guy. And despite being annoying to my entire relationship with him, I know you are a good friend to him. So don't fuck it up."