Chapter Three
I've been outside stretching for the last half hour. Ear buds in, music blaring, I don't see Brian as he sneaks up my driveway. He pulls the ear buds from my ears startling me to the point where I jump an inch back.
"Jesus!" I yelp, my heart pounding a mile a minute. "You scared me!" My hand finds my chest and rubs over my heart.
Brian's eyes follow, a smirk lifting on his face. Instantly I become aware that I'm rubbing my boob and my hand drops quickly to my side. Heat moves up my neck to my face. I can feel my cheeks burning.
"Sorry," Brian says with a soft laugh. "I thought you heard me call your name."
Sure he did. I squint at him. "Ready?" I ask turning off my iPod and tucking it into my pocket.
"Waiting on you."
Shaking my head at him, I push past and begin a light jog down the drive way and out on to our street. Brian easily catches up with me and keeps pace. "You really going out for track this spring?" he asks.
I glance over at him. "Yup."
"Why now?"
I'm taken back by his question. "Why now what?"
"Why start running track. You're a junior, one more year and you're out, why take up a sport now?"
My real reason, because Brian runs track. He has all fours years. I took interest just last summer when I would watch him jog pass the house. It became one of the early morning routines I looked forward to. I could always count on him running by, rain or shine, never knowing that from my second floor bedroom window, I was up there holding my breath, peeking through my sheer curtains as he ran by.
"I just thought it might be fun to get involved."
"Involved?" Brian laughs next to me. "Sam, you're president of your class, you run all the after school "save the" whatever causes you've chosen, and you're on honors society. I would say you're already involved."
My cheeks warm again, but I keep my focus on the road in front of me. "I need another activity for my college applications." I fib. I don't need anything else. I'm pretty sure I'm all set for state when I apply.
We are nearing the Cunningham's, Olivia sits outside on the front steps. She waves at us as we run past. I shake my head at her, ignoring the snarky smile she sends me. I know my promise. I should probably take action soon.
I clear my throat just as we round the corner. "What about you?"
Brian looks over at me. He's hardly breaking a sweat or panting. I'm doing both. He's in such good shape. His short light blonde hair stays in place as picks up the speed, and his dark green eyes sparkle when he looks over to makes sure I'm able to keep up. I breathe through my nose and pick up the pace.
Once our run begins to winds down, we stay side by side and continue forward in a brisk walk.
"So, what's going on with you? Any new interests?" I ask, wondering if this will lead onto a topic where I can casually bring up the dance.
"Nope, nothing."
I nod and stay silent for a good long minute. Finally he breaks our silence. "Olivia told me that you and that Max guy didn't work out."
That Max guy. Brian knew exactly who he was. After my horrible date with Max I'd spent the following week rehashing the details to Olivia in front of him. It was a weak attempt to try and make him feel better about what happened between him and Shannon. It was also my subtle way of letting him know I was available.
I shrug over at him. "It happens."
"Still that sucks, so close to Valentine's day."
Oh, Brian, you just made this so easy. "Yeah, especially since the dance is next Saturday and I already have the tickets." I watch him from the corner of my eye. We are rounding the corner, almost back to our starting point. I need to suck this up and ask him quick. "Would you... I don't know, maybe want to go together? Ya know, being I have the tickets already and everything." I glance over at him. His face scrunches up before he looks over at me. "As friends of course," I say quickly.
Brian doesn't give me an answer right away. I'm taking this as his rejection. This was a stupid plan. I shouldn't have asked him. I don't even like Valentine's day and this is the reason. Now instead of just being regular old miserable on Valentine's day, I get to be super rejected and humiliated miserable.
"I'll pick you up around seven. The dance is at eight right? We can grab something to eat first," Brian says. I look up completely stunned.
"That sounds great." I fight hard to keep a poised face and not grin like an idiot.
"Okay, um, friend," he says and begins walking backwards givingme a little wave.
"Bye, uh, buddy," I say and then want to punch myself in the face for saying something so stupid.
He turns around jogging out of site towards his house. A smile slowly moves across my face. I'm going to the dance with Brian Cunningham. Now, I just need to secure those tickets I claimed I already had.
