Four Doors Down(39)

“Will you come to the game Becca?” he asks quietly. “Please?”

I open my mouth to immediately say no, annoyed at him for calling me out about Charlie and getting involved in my business, but something stops me. I think it’s the way he’s looking at me, ignoring everyone else like it’s just the two of us.

I nod slightly and catch him flash a small smile before I quickly look away.




I genuinely did have every intention of going to his game. Even my parents were going to sit with Mr. and Mrs. Jackson. Turns out it was a pretty big night for Ryan after all, and I figured it wouldn’t kill me to attend at least one football game while in high school. Then Charlie’s plans with his family changed at the last minute and he managed to score tickets to a gig of one of his favorite bands and we were out long after the game finished.

I did, of course, hear all about it from Erica the next week at school. Apparently Ryan had been amazing (her words), throwing a bunch of touchdowns and impressing everyone that was there. The highlight though was that at the party afterward. He introduced her to a guy named Matthew Smithy, who according to Erica is definitely in the top twenty-five percent of popular kids at our school (albeit the lower end), and she promptly made out with him all night, completely forgetting how heartbroken she’s been.

The night, it would seem, was a success for all concerned. Ryan got his record, Erica mixed with the social elite and I got to spend an entire evening with Charlie, just the two of us.





Damn it!

I’m in the girls locker rooms and I’m pissed off. Miss Greene, the girls gym teacher, won’t accept the note from my mom, dismissing me from gym class this morning—and it’s a double period. Okay, so I wrote the note (I’ve had my mom’s signature down since I was thirteen), but apparently only a doctor’s note will suffice now.

I look around grumpily, wishing I’d ditched. And to make matters worse, Miss Greene has just announced that since it’s crappy weather outside, we’re joining the boys in the gym. Fantastic. Apparently I’m one of the few that feel this way, as Jessica and a couple of the other cheerleaders squeal in excitement, tying knots in their t-shirts so that they can flash even more skin and rolling up their already tiny shorts. Pathetic.

I lag behind the rest of the class as we enter the large gym, hoping Greene won’t notice. That doesn’t work when she turns around and shouts for me to get a move on. I sigh heavily, hoping she’s aware of the torture she’s about to put me through. I mean, seriously, it’s freezing and I have way better things I could be doing. I swear we’re only joining the boys because she’s banging Mr. White, the boy’s gym coach.

Mr. White stands at the front of the gym and blows his whistle. “Since there’s so many of us today and we have a bit of time, we’re going to have,” he actually pauses for dramatic effect, “a dodgeball tournament.”

I hear a few excited yes’s from around the hall. Are you kidding me? Dodgeball? Like I want to end up covered in tons of bruises.

“We’re gonna do mixed teams to make it fair; teams of two, boy, girl. Find your partners.”

I’m just contemplating how I can get away with pretending I’ve sprained my ankle when an arm drapes loosely around my shoulder. I look up and see Jake grinning down at me. I didn’t realize he was in here.

He smiles. “How ‘bout it? Partners?”

I sigh. I suppose if I have to pair up with someone, Jake is the best choice. “Okay, fine.”

He steers me toward the back of the gym where he’s been standing and I realize Ryan’s in this class too. Seriously? I barely speak to him in five years and now he’s everywhere.

Jessica Murphy is next to him looking very pleased with herself. Now I realize why she was so happy about joining the boys in gym class. I’d heard around school that she’d finally hooked up with Ryan at the party after the game on Friday and she was very happy about it. Then when I was in Spanish yesterday morning she’d been telling her friends (loudly enough for the whole class to hear) that Ryan was just the best kisser ever and she was pretty sure they’d be an official item by Christmas. Luckily I’d skipped breakfast that morning or I might have vomited all over my desk. She’s now practically attached to him and grinning like she should get a medal or something.

The whistle blows again and I turn to listen to Mr. White.

“So we’re gonna play this like a proper tournament. We’ll have a group stage and then the winners from there will play each other until we get to the final. Whichever team hits an opposing player three times wins that match. You’ll have to work together, okay?”

People around me nod in agreement and I’m barely able to stifle a yawn. I fully intend to get myself out right away, and then I can sit and watch/daydream about Charlie until the end of class.

I turn to Jake to tell him my plan, but he’s already watching me with a small smile playing on his mouth. I narrow my eyes, but before I can say anything, he turns to Ryan.

“Hey, Jackson, I’ll never win with McKenzie, she’s too short. Swap with me?”

Wait a second, what? Since when is five foot six that short? AND YOU ASKED ME!

“Hey! Wait!”

Jake doesn’t even acknowledge me but saunters over to stand next to Jessica, who’s facial expression I’m pretty certain reflects my own. Ryan scowls in my direction but swaps places anyway since he doesn’t have much of a choice.