29 April 2012
Chapter 3: Full of Surprises (Part 3)
Lily
There was no need for a ready, steady, go. Everything felt familiar and comforting. With just a grin at Jace, he got up and we both started racing down the stairs.
Careful! I heard my mum yell. She had told us not to race on the stairs loads of times but we never listened. It was too much fun. We headed out the front door and I found myself skipping next to him down the road.
Are you alright? He asked.
I am just so happy to see you. I answered.
I am happy to see you too. He laughed and started skipping next to me in mockery but it was him who looked stupid with his long legs it was more like a gallop. Realising he was making me laugh, he carried on until I punched him in the arm Cut it out! He then started running and we were racing again, bounding carelessly down the street, dodging into the road to avoid pedestrians, acting like a pair of goons. By the time we reached the park we were both out of breath.
Who would have thought that could be so exhausting? He gasped, bent over and leaned on his knees; his eyes still twinkling from merriment.
I followed suit, hunching over trying to get my breath back, Perhaps were really unfit.
You maybe but not me! he teased, jabbing me in the waist. He began heading towards the tree we usually hung out by. He walked towards it and then sat down. Whats new with you? he asked sitting down and looking up at me with inquisitive blue eyes.
I shrugged my shoulders and slumped down beside him. I really didn't have anything to tell, so I didn't answer his question. You seem to be making lots of friends.
Yeah, he grinned. I joined the footie team and most the lads are in my form so we practice most breaks.
That's cool... I concentrated on how happy I was for him but deep down I was just a bit jealous. Jealous of his new friends, who now got to spend so much more time with him than me and jealous that he found making friends so damn easy.
*Why was it so difficult for me? Why was I so useless at everything?*
* *
How about you?
What about me?
Are you making friends?
I felt my cheeks turning red. I was annoyed at my inability to speak to anyone. It's different for girls! I snapped. We don't have a football team!
Jace ignored my outburst and traced patterns in the soil with a twig. Sorry to hear that. he said quietly. I am sure you will make friends soon.
He sounded sincere but we both knew it was too late for me. I was doomed to be a friendless loner. Even the outcasts and weirdoes were in groups. I glanced down at the pattern he was drawing and saw the outline of a love heart. He was drawing something in the middle. I glared at it. He had definitely drawn a *K.* Then, he drew another line. He dragged the stick through the dirt, cutting a rough *O* shape. Finally, he stabbed a dot between the two letters. His actions had a physical effect on me, piercing a hole in my heart.
Who is K O? I demanded, reading his doodle.
He quickly scratched out his sketch with his stick. K O? he asked innocently. Knock Out like when you lose on Combat?
Jace, I just saw you draw a love heart and her initials in the soil. Assuming it's a *her*? I spat out nastily to force a confession.
Of course its a girl!
I knew he wouldn't be able to resist confirming that. Now there was no denying there was *a girl*. Who is she then?
Kiara OMalley? Just some girl in my form...
Does she like you too?
Everyone else seems to think so. She always watches me play but she could be watching anybody. His smug smile told me his coy attitude was just for show.
I wondered if Jace would have noticed me, if I had watched him play. Maybe, he would be carving my name in the soil. I shook the stupid thought out of my head. Jace and I were just friends.
*How come it felt so hard to hear him talk about another girl?* It had never bothered me before. The difference was that usually I was the one pointing it out to him, encouraging him. This felt like an unknown threat and I didnt like not knowing *who* Kiara was or *how* much influence she had on him.
Are you going to ask her out?
Jace met my eyes. His eyes sparkled and he nodded. I smiled back and I knew my eyes glistened too but mine were pricked with tears. I was surprised at how much it hurt to see him do that. I laughed to throw him off the strange sensation I was feeling. Inside I was slowly dying. I had never felt like this before. I didn't want him to be with anyone else. It was supposed to be us forever. I felt my mouth fall open at the revelation of my own feelings for Jace.
Are you alright? he asked.
I felt a chill of a tear slowly trickling down my cheek. Think fast, I told myself. I am just so happy to spend time with you again. Ive missed you so much.
Come here you silly girl. He grabbed me and pulled me into his arms and I didn't want to ever let him go again. Suddenly, the afternoon felt too short.
In that moment our relationship changed forever. He was not yet aware of what had happened but the gentlest touch from him felt like electric. Even his voice could cause my body to tingle with excitement as he spoke. I found myself gigglier than usual and just wanted to touch him all the time. I didnt recognize the person I was turning into and if I could just get a grip of myself for five seconds, Id slap myself real hard.
Drift 3.3: Full of Surprises • Opuss № I