another pic of Maddi up top ^
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I sit, extremely uncomfortably, in the front seat of my dad's truck. I could be sitting in my mustang, Sadie's, nice heated leather seats in a pair of basketball sweats and a t-shirt, going to the gym.
But no, instead, I'm sitting in this cold truck in a stupid suit going to a funeral for someone I don't even know.
"Why do I even have to go to this?" I ask my dad, sulking back in the non-heated seat.
"Because, Nolan, this family asked me to do their father's funeral today. I thought maybe afterwards we could go to the Nike outlet that's down the street," he answers. I perk up at the mention of Nike.
"Fine," I say, already thinking about the Kobe's I can get.
We get to the church relatively quickly considering it takes 45 minutes to get from Maryville to Charleston.
It's a small church, but from the looks of the parking lot it must be packed full.
Upon entering, I realize I was correct. The sanctuary is completely full, even the lobby is a bit crowded. My dad goes inside to speak to the family, leaving me to wait in the lobby.
**
An hour and a half later, and I'm still sitting in the now empty lobby. The funeral service started about an hour ago. So since then, I've been sitting out here alone playing mindless games on my phone.
"No, no, no, no!" I whisper yell at my phone as my screen suddenly goes black. I stupidly try to turn it back on but to no avail.
I'm 2.5 seconds from throwing my phone in frustration when the door to the sanctuary cracks open. My eyes watch as a girl exits. Her back is to me, but I swear I would know that curly hair anywhere.
Maddi slips through the slightly open doors, and grabs the handle, shutting it quietly. She leans her back against the doors, closing her eyes like she needs a second to gather herself.
I don't say anything as she stands there. Honestly, I don't know what I should say. I'm still trying to comprehend the fact that she's actually here.
She takes a deep breath in and lets out, her eyelids lifting slowly. Her eyes immediately lock with mine and she jumps, a small shriek coming out of her mouth, and her hands fly to cover her heart.
I can't help the small chuckle that escapes my mouth.
"I-I'm sorry," I say, the laughter dying out. "Are you okay?"
"I will be when I can breathe again," she jokes, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.
A small smile forms on my face at the sound of her laughter.
"I really didn't mean to scare you," I apologize again.
"It's really okay," she waves me off. "Hey, you play basketball at Maryville High, right?"
My ego is boosted by the fact that she remembered me, but I try not to show it. "Yeah, I do," I say, nodding, a happier tone evident in my voice.
She nods as well. "If you don't mind me asking, what are you doing here?"
"Oh, um, my dad, he was called in to do the funeral," I explain, somewhat stumbling through the words.
"Your dad's a pastor?" She asks, almost like it's shocking.
"Yeah," I laugh, "hate to admit that I am a PK."
"PK?"
"Preacher's kid," I explain.
She makes an 'o' with her mouth, slowly nodding.
We fall into a silence. My mind races to find something to talk about with her. So far, this is the longest conversation I've had with her, and I'm not ready to let it end.
"So if you don't mind me asking, what are you doing here?" I ask.
That was so lame.
She gives a small smile to the way I copied her and answers, "It's my grandpa's funeral."
You've got to be kidding me. I suck at this.
"Oh god, I'm so sorry," I say, mentally beating myself up for even asking.
She shrugs it off though, pushing herself off the wall, and slowly walking towards the chair next to me she answers, "No, you're fine. I just had to get out of there."
She brushed off my question, but I can tell she didn't like saying that. It's like when people say that sometimes saying something out loud makes it more real.
However, if she chooses to leave that subject alone, I'll respect that. So I give her a small smile while my brain struggles to find another conversation topic.
"So do you live around here?" she asks, and then her eyes get wide. "That sounds so bad."
I laugh. "I live in Maryville."
She nods. "What do y'all do there?" she says, and I hear a hint of a country accent when she says 'y'all'.
"Maryville is a town full of old people that hate fun," I tell her. She laughs slightly, and I use that as I sign that I should keep talking. "What is there to do here?" I ask.
"Charleston, Tennessee is like the vortex into another dimension," she says, leaning forward in her chair. "We have about 200 churches, 30 mexican restaurants, approximately 15 tire shops, and one roller skating rink."
"Woah, chill out with the roller skating," I say in a mocking tone.
"We're basically the coolest," she says with a sarcastic smirk.
The conversation dies down again, but I see my chance and begin to take it before I chicken out.
"So are you any good?"
"Huh?"
"Roller-skating," I clarify.
"I could probably go pro," she shrugs, a playful look on her face.
"Well you'd have to beat me," I say, the same playful tone in my voice. I see the competitive look in her eyes, and I know I'm on the right track.
She makes a face like she's considering it. "You act like that would be hard."
Her competitive nature and forwardness surprise me, but it only makes me like her more knowing she's not a pushover.
"I guess we'll have to race and see," I say, silently hoping she won't reject me.
She bites her lip, immediately drawing my eyes there.
"Sounds like a plan," she nods, causing me to look back up at her eyes.
I'm about to respond when the doors to the sanctuary open and a flood of people start walking out.
"Well," she says, standing. "I should probably go find my family."
"Yeah, and I should find my dad," I say, standing with her.
"Give me your phone," she says, holding her hand out. I'm stunned by her boldness, but I unlock it and do as she says and she takes it, typing something in and then handing it back.
"Text me about roller skating," she says with a smile and then walks away.
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so what do you guys think about Nolan and Maddi's first real conversation?
comment and let me know your thoughts!
-lauren<3
YOU ARE READING
It's About Heart
Teen Fiction"There is nothing more important than basketball to me. Nothing. Except her. She's more important than everything." ********** Nolan Carpenter has always been the subject of the spotlight. After gaining the position of co-captain of his varsity prev...
