The Invisible Boy

Chapter 5: Feelings Deepen

Love has an interesting way of playing with our minds. Its almost as though it´s a virus, harmless at first, but slowly grows over time.

My love for Nick, flourished tremendously throughout the first week of our friendship and to be honest, there are times when I wish it is more. I think it was last Friday after school, when I was sure of my romantic feelings towards him. My parents had actually forgotten to pick me up from school that day and with Nick right beside me, I felt rather embarrassed.

"Come, I'll drive you home." He had offered as he sat on his motorcycle, getting out two helmets. I had looked at him so stupidly, I had no idea that he owned a motorcycle.

"I painted it myself, you know?" It made sense, who else could have done this lovely piece of art. Bright blue neon flames. were painted all over the black clean motorcycle and his initials “N.F” were seen right beside them.

"You coming or no?" he asked, laughing at my surprised expression. I yelled happily as I ran to him and popped up on it. He held out a red helmet and I put it on smiling, realising that it was my favourite colour.

"Hold on tight, I like to go fast." At first, I hesitated to wrap my arms around his waist, I wasn't sure if that would be awkward. He realised instantly and he gently took my hands and put them around him. I had smiled and closed my eyes, as I clenched to him tight. I can still remember the fuzzy warm feeling I had all the way to my house. That was my first time travelling on a motor cycle and I’m sure it will a memory to always remember.

I felt as though I could fly.

Nick's actually one year older than me. I hadn’t realised before, but after seeing him drive, I put two and two together and asked. He’s repeating this scholastic year, as he didn’t make it through last year’s exams. Apparently being on the baseball team takes up a lot of your time.

***

The sun began to set and six o’clock was soon near. Staring in the mirror, with a rather idiotic face, I applied liquid eyeliner to my round hazel eyes.

I rushed to my bedroom and threw together an outfit I saved for days like this. Today I’m going to Nick´s baseball game and I can’t stop jumping with excitement. Yesterday, he had actually asked me himself to go and cheer him along. I blushed slightly, remebering it so clearly. He asked me, out of all his other friends. That surely means something.

Sitting down, I reached out for my special turquoise converse and put them on, admiring how well I took care of them over these two years. I ran down the stairs with joy and skipped through the kitchen towards the main door. I looked back smirking, before leaving. If the whole family is out to dinner, then I guess it wouldn’t hurt if I slipped out for a while.

***

There’s barely any place for me to sit! I nervously pushed myself through the crowd, praying that there was still a place left for me. My eyes scattered all over the area, searching for a seat. Travelling through the levels of benches, I notice a familiar face and stare at it, realising it was Jeremy.

I contemplated, should I go say hi? Maybe ask if he could scoot over a little for me? Would I be making a fool of myself? God! Why is this so hard?

“Jeremy...Hi.” I spoke up, my nerves tingling. Am I doing this whole friendly thing right? He turned, looking back at me. I waved slightly, my hand shaking as I walked down towards his bench. He smiled and scooted over for me to sit. I slightly gasped realising it wasn’t so hard after all.

“Emily, right? The game is about to start, want popcorn?” He asked, as the salty cheesy smell of popcorn filled my senses. I declined politely, taking a sip from my water bottle.
Cheerleaders then began to jump and cheer as the players ran onto the pitch. I cleaned my red coloured glasses, with my black wool jumper and after putting them on, I saw Nick sprint across the field waving to everyone. I cheered, calling out his name as plenty of other girls did.

“I see you’ve met Nick.” Jeremy stated as he threw popcorn in the air attempting to catch it with his mouth. He failed miserably.

“Yeah we´re good friends.” I replied smiling, my cheeks burning up a little. He stared closely at me and then gave out a load chuckle.

“You like him, don’t you? I bet you don’t even like baseball!” He teasingly said, throwing popcorn at me in a joking manner.

“Keep it down would you!” I ordered embarrassed, as I looked back at Nick. A part of me hoping he’d look back at me.

When the game was coming to an end, it was clear to see that our school were going to win. When they did, I cheered so loudly, that Nick turned back to see. Our eyes locked for a split minute, but then his team mates picked him up from the ground and carried him towards the lockers room. I smiled, while Jeremy chuckled as he noticed what had just happened.

“You better go get your lover boy.” He teased, as he got up to leave.

“You won’t tell, will you?” I asked, worried that everyone will find out.

“Nah, would be a waste of time really.” He joked as he turned away and left.

***

“I’m so glad you came!” Nick thankfully said as he went in for a tight hug. I blushed, my hands around his neck and my head laying on his chest.

“You were amazing Nick!” I replied, after we separated. My heart began to race, there it was again. That attentive look he always has when he looks at me.

“Yeah...thanks for coming. Really, I-” Nick was then cut off by his team mates. They slapped his back laughing and started to cheer out Nicks name in a funny way. I laughed and snickered when I realised that Nick was turning into a bright pink.

“Come on guys!” Nick yelled flustered, as he swatted them away, as though they were a bunch of flies.

“No, you come on! We’ve got to go man! Burger place, now!” A tall red-headed boy replied, as he slapped Nick’s back again. Nick glanced towards me; an unsure smile placed on his face. I looked back confused, why did he look so worried?

“I don’t know man, I kind of have someth-”

“There’s going to be Audrey! Come on dude, don’t you want to see her?!” He insisted.

My mind stopped for a second. I take a good look at Nick´s surprised and guilty face, with the mention of her name. Audrey? My heart sunk slightly. Does he have a girlfriend? Nick looks back at me, a small fake smile on his face.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” I stated, my ears still trying to process what I had just heard. I turn, my back facing those bluebell eyes I loved so dearly and slowly left, feeling rather uneasy.