I Was Right

Chapter 3 - Just A Normal Day

*RING* The bell rang, signalling the end of classes. At least until it rings again, signalling the restarting of classes after lunch.

'Finally.', I thought. I awoke late this morning and didn't have time for breakfast and I'm hungry. I stood and packed my stuff, Ella meeting me as I finished, and went to the canteen. We sat down opening our lunchboxes; we learned that you should always pack your own lunch, the food was either overpriced or gross. A while passed with idle talk,"Can I copy your assignment on Social Studies?" "Eh, fine. But if Mr. Goldsteen finds out I had nothing to do with it.",before Tom and Jerry sat down across us.

"Hey slowpokes! You were even longger than usual!" Ella said boisterously.

To which Tom defensively replied "Hey! It's not our fault the guys wanted to talk a-"

"Yeah, yeah. Not interested." Ella cut him off. Tom was usually with the other swimmers, but he always found time for us.

"Hey speaking of the swim team, you guys gonna stick 'round for practice?" Jerry said.

Ella rolled her eyes, it was an old argument between them, before replying,"Fine."

"Sure, whatever." I murmured.

"I've got Meatloaf. What does everyone else have?" Tom said. We shared our food.

"Fried Pork" That was Ella, pushing her food towards the center of the table.

"Mine's. . .2 Eggsalad Samiches! Woop!" Jerry, following the same procedure.

"Mashed Potatoes and 4 apples." I said, pushing it all to where we gathered our food.

"Itadakimasu!" It  was a tradition of ours after Ella made us watch her animes, I think it loosely translates to 'Thank you for the food!' in Japanese.

We talked while we ate, simple things to pass the time: interesting things that happened,"Yesterday I ate a whole Samich!" "Your big appetite's not exactly a surprise to us.", people that pissed us off,"You know that girl, Maria? Yesterday she told me if I got my shoes at the 'flea bargain' can you believe her?" "Ugh. I hate her. Thinks she's better than everyone.", certain events we were following,"So, when's your swimming championship?" "Soon." "What kinda answer is that?" and we finished with 15 minutes left.

We walked back to class together laughing, talking, joking.

*RING* Ah, and it continues.

Hours of boredom passed before finally we were dismissed with a,"Don't forget to pass your papers tomorrow!"

As a group we walked to the pools. A promise was a promise.

Ella and I took our seats as the boys changed in the lockers. When Tom stepped out, he was wearing full swimming gear, which meant he was wearing trunks showing of his chest and wow was it getting hot in here?

"Go Tom!" I shouted.

"Hey! What about me?" pouted Jerry.

"Nobody cares about you!" Ella shouted back.

"You guys are mean!" Jerry replied as Tom laughed. They stood on their diving boards, then they jumped and were off. And the way the water moved around Tom contorting, twisting around his body had me speechless.

'Wow.' I thought. I was nudged in the shoulder and I turned to look at Ella's grinning face. "What?"

"You've got that look on your face." She teased.

"What face?" I asked consciously.

"The face that says 'You're giving me more reasons to love you' " She replied.

I pushed her playfully,"Shut up."

"Seriously though, when are you gonna tell him?" She said.

"Hmm. How about . . .never."

"Oh come on!"

"You're right Ella, I do love him. But, I don't want to endanger our friendship over these feelings. I'd rather have him as a friend than not have him at all." We were quiet again and my attention was again captured by Tom now on his 3rd lap as he resurfaced I stood and cheered walking over to him and Jerry.

Then Ella whispered as she passed,"Or you could have him as more than a friend."

I faultered in my step,'Maybe. . .But, unlikely." I looked up and saw my friends laughing with each other and smiled. Then Tom looked towards me and smiled that smile of his, the one that made me think he stole part of the sun and put it in that smile, it was so bright.

'Why is it that the mere sight of you, the mere thought of you makes me happier?"

----------

"Buh-bye!"

"See ya!"

"Bye!"

We went seperate ways going home, except me and Tom. He was 3 blocks away from mine.

"How was my swimming earlier?" Tom asked.

"You were good."

"Good? Good? You're kidding me, right? Not great or awesomeo-"

"Alright, alright! You're. . .better." I teased.

"Wha-Y'know Jerry's right, you are mean."

I stuck my tongue out in reply.

"Psh, child."

"Look who's talking."

He raised a finger as if to deny what I said, then dropped it. "Yeah, you're right."

I couldn't help it, I laughed.

"Well, here's mine."

"Yeah, bye."

"See you tomorrow!"

As I walked into my home, still smiling, I couldn't help but think,'I can't wait for tomorrow.'. I opened the front door and called out,"I'm home!"