The Songs in Our Hearts: A Young Adult Romance(24)

“Yeah…” Micah cleared his throat and shifted his bag onto his other shoulder. “All right. What time should we be there?”

Samantha lifted her arm to glance at her watch. If she could see past her nose, she’d see the clock on the wall. “We’re all meeting around seven. Charlie, you know where I live.”

She brushed her hand against Micah’s shoulder as she started to walk toward her desk.

“See you there, Micah.”

Ugh! I didn’t bother to respond to her, and I certainly didn’t wait to see Micah’s reaction. I pushed past the both of them to get to my desk.

Was Micah into girls like that? What sort of girls did he like in Georgia? Was he attracted to Samantha? As I cast a sidelong glance at Micah, I knew no matter how much I didn’t want to like him...it was becoming more obvious that I did. Didn’t I? I felt uneasy about going over to her house. What if they hooked up in front of me?

“You okay?” Micah asked, jolting me from my thoughts as he touched my elbow briefly. I sat down.

“I’m fine.” LIE. I really didn’t want to get into how much I hated Samantha and how I really just wanted to avoid anything to do with her. But, I knew in order to explain myself, I’d have to go into the whole story of Dane Wesley and relive that horribly embarrassing moment over again. I didn’t want to face his reaction—whether or not it was filled with amusement or compassion. It didn’t matter anyway, as soon as the English project was over, I was sure our interactions would be minimal, if at all.

“I know you’re not really friends with Samantha,” he murmured, scratching his head. “So, the whole study session is whatever for me. We don’t have to go to her house.”

“It’s fine, really,” I replied softly, managing the best smile I could muster. Micah seemed content with my answer, but I wasn’t sure if he entirely believed me.

Micah turned to take his seat at a nearby desk. I couldn’t concentrate as Mrs. Tenner droned on and on about the importance of classic literature and how it has shaped the world, and all the influences the written word has had on our culture. My mind was fixated on the night before, and the time spent with Micah in his car. I couldn’t stop thinking about the way he looked at me with those dreamy eyes of his. And then the pang of Samantha’s invitation hit me. Was she hoping to get with him? Was she planning to humiliate me again?

I glanced at Micah, who was doodling on a page in his notebook. Was he thinking about last night, too? Or was he just thinking about the project? Probably neither. He was probably thinking about lunch and wondering if pizza was on today’s menu. (You know, priorities.) The period bell startled me. Almost robotically, I started to pack up my things.

“Can I walk you to your next class?” he offered. “I just have history next, and Mr. Hunt doesn’t really care if we’re late.”

My eyes shifted up. There was Samantha, watching us, hanging on our every word.

“It’s okay,” I replied, zipping up my backpack. “I can find my own way to class.”





MICAH: So…ur avoiding me again and I don’t get why.



MICAH: R we going to ur friend’s house? Yes or no?





I had avoided Micah. Because he would be able to see through any front I put up and would call me out, just like he had at the library.





MICAH: What did I do?





I stared at my phone. I felt so bad. He didn’t do anything. My insecurities and Samantha Walters were the ones at fault.





CHARLIE: Yes, we can go. We could use the help.



CHARLIE: I’d like to see what the others are doing. Can you pick me up?



MICAH: R u actually going 2 b home if I show up?



CHARLIE: I’m not avoiding you, Micah. I’m sorry.



MICAH: If u say so.



CHARLIE: Be here by 6:45?



MICAH: Fine.



MICAH: U sure ur not mad?



CHARLIE: I’m not mad, Micah. I’m promise. I’m sorry!



MICAH: Fine.



CHARLIE: Fine.



MICAH: fiiiiinnneeeeee.



CHARLIE: FFFFIIINNNEEE.



MICAH: Feisty.



CHARLIE: Forgiven?



MICAH: ;)



CHARLIE: Be on time.



MICAH: Demanding 2 huh? ;)



CHARLIE: Be sure to bring your R-rated screenplay with you.



MICAH: O snap. I was gonna bring the safe version.



MICAH: But if u insist.



CHARLIE: LOL!



MICAH: C u soon ;)





“Rules”

Jayme Dee





I SAT ON THE FRONT porch steps, waiting for Micah. My stomach felt as though someone were squeezing it tightly. I was nervous, but I didn’t know what about, exactly. Keeping the imagined visions of Samantha and Micah making out from my mind, I tried to focus on something simple—like my phone. Micah wasn’t really her type, was he? Daan Scott was the kind of boyfriend she’d wanted since the first grade.