The Songs in Our Hearts: A Young Adult Romance(40)

“Charlie,” I responded curtly.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you around,” Jadie commented as she moved closer beside me. I shifted a bit uncomfortably and shrugged.

“Yeah, I don’t think I’ve seen you either,” I said with a shrug. It was probably a good thing I hadn’t.

“I’m Kate,” the girl with pink highlights said, joining the conversation. She raised her brow curiously and leaned forward. “So, are you and Micah dating?”

I turned my gaze toward Kate. Suddenly, I had the strange desire to say yes. I actually wanted to say that I was his girlfriend. I had never felt that urge before.

“No, we’re not dating,” I mumbled.

“That’s too bad. Micah is kinda hot,” she mused and took another sip of her beer. “I’ve had my eye on him since he came back to school. I bet he’d be a lot of fun to hook up with.” My stomach clenched. Just before coming here, he had been holding me, dancing. He had made me feel like I was the only girl in the room; the only one that mattered to him.

“You’re probably not his type anyway,” she continued.

“I doubt you are,” I retorted, glaring at her. Just as Kate was about to say something, Jadie screamed.

I looked up to see Marshall jumping over the licking flames. Micah followed him and leaped over the fire pit, too. Kate and Jadie cheered from their seats, while the other guys got up to join in the stupidity. Even the hot and heavy couple, now on third base, stopped to watch. I was so beyond over this. I wanted to go home. End of story.

Micah headed in my direction with a smirk on his face as he wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead. “You look like you’re bored to death,” he commented loudly.

“I am bored,” I stated matter-of-factly.

“Why don’t you mingle a little?” Micah indicated the two raccoon girls sitting next to me.

“I was mingling. I just remembered, I have homework,” I lied automatically. “I’m gonna call my dad to come get me. I don’t want you to have to take me back when you’re having so much fun.” I knew I could walk down the road to one of the local Mini-Marts and have my dad or Josh meet me there, if need be.

“Why don’t you just stay a little bit longer?” Micah asked, a little surprised. “I mean, it just got started. You’re just sitting here….”

“I’m sorry, but it isn’t fun for me to watch you guys jump over fire and drink beer and smoke pot. I promised my dad we wouldn’t.”

Micah lifted his soda can. “I haven’t broken my promise.” He sounded irritated.

“It’s cool, Micah. I’ll just catch a ride home,” I tried to reason.

“No way. Come on. Live a little! Don’t you want to have a little bit of fun?” His voice was getting louder, drawing attention to us. Was he really going to do this now? Here? In front of them?

“Clearly not,” I replied tartly.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Micah asked, his eyes narrowing. I frowned and put my soda can down onto the ground by my feet.

“It means that I’m going to go home now.” I stood up. I wasn’t going to give him the chance to try to stop me. I pulled my phone out of my boot and started to walk back around the house. I heard Marshall ask if everything was all right, but I didn’t wait to hear Micah’s reply.

Great! Just…great. This was not the way I wanted the night to end. I pulled up Josh’s number and dialed it. I refused to call my dad—I didn’t want him to flip out or worry when he heard my voice. The phone just rang and rang until I got Josh’s stupid voicemail. Determined to get ahold of my brother, I resorted to texting.





CHARLIE: Josh??????



CHARLIE: JOSH!!! ANSWER YOUR PHONE!



CHARLIE: Hello??





After a few minutes of walking on the main road, trying to hold back my tears, I finally got a response.





JOSH: What’s up?



CHARLIE: Can you come get me?



CHARLIE: I left Marshall’s house



CHARLIE: and I’m walking to the nearby Mini Mart.



CHARLIE: I’m out on Route 15.



JOSH: Are you OK?



CHARLIE: I am, can you just come get me?



JOSH: Ya. I can. Is Micah with you?



CHARLIE: Not right now.



JOSH: He let you go alone?????



CHARLIE: I really didn’t give him the chance to follow me.



JOSH: I’m on my way.



JOSH: Stay close to the road. Don’t stop for anyone.



CHARLIE: Don’t say anything to Dad.



JOSH: I won’t. Hang tight!





Relief rushed through me as I read Josh’s last text message. He was coming to save me. I felt like crying, but I did everything I could to keep it inside. I wouldn’t cry over a stupid boy and his stupid friends. They didn’t deserve my tears.

I walked a bit faster in the brisk, cool air, feeling the chill of the night run down my spine. Josh would take at least ten or fifteen minutes to get to me. I was tempted to find a place to sit and wait, but I knew I’d only get colder, quicker, so I kept moving. Just as I was wishing for a warmer sweater, the sound of a car engine came up behind me. I turned to look over my shoulder, the oncoming headlights nearly blinding me.