He came up and said "Hey, are you ready to roll? I am starving!"
"I was born ready," I said laughing nervously as I looked around to make Charlie didn’t see what was going on.
Unfortunately, it was too late. Charlie came over to see what was going on.
"Hey guys, what’s going on?" He asked in his oh so lovely concerned voice.
"Nothing," I blurted out faster than I meant to.
"We are just going to go grab a bite to eat," Mike answered.
"Oh, so this was your lunch plan?" Charlie asked curiously.
"Well actually..." Mike started.
"Yes, this was the plan; we got to go, talk to you later." I interrupted.
"What was all that about?" Mike asked.
"Nothing," I said in an exhausted voice.
"Ya and I am Santa Clause. Good try, but you my friend, have a lot of explaining to do." He exclaimed.
"Yes, I do. And you have a lot of advice to give!" I replied."Shoot- I would say I have all day, but lunch is only 45 minutes long and I have a huge math test next period I can’t be late for."
So, I proceeded to tell him the whole story. Him being friends with Charlie would make this weird in most cases. Thankfully, in our case, this wasn't the case.
"So, what are you going to do?" He asked when I had finished the entire story making sure to leave no details out.
"That’s what I was hoping you could help me with," I answered.
"What do you mean help you with?"
"Well I mean like, well, actually, um, well ya know, um." I staggered.
"Um, no I really don’t. Would you care to fill me in?" He replied.
"Well, I have been thinking," I said slowly.
"Oh boy, that’s never good," he sarcastically replied.
"WHY is that EVERYONE's reply to me?" I said in a joking voice.
"HAHAH well, Ror, you think all the time, that’s all. Sometimes we think you should just do something without over thinking it," he said.
"Without thinking huh... Hmm... Maybe I will," I said with dignity and power in my voice.
"Oh boy, what are you thinking?" He asked.
"I'm not; I am just going to jump. Ready one, two three, I am a jumpin'" I answered.
"Well, can you tell me where you plan on landing so we can be there to catch you," he said.
"How clever of answers you have! today You’re a nerd," I said.
"Your right I am, but that’s why we are friends, great minds think alike!" He replied cleverly.
"Oh, you’re good," I said with laughter in my voice.
"There is the normal smile you have been missing today," He said.
"Ya, you have a way of making me laugh," I replied.
RING!
"Well, good luck on your math test," I said in a hurried voice."Just because that bell rang, and I have to go take that math test, does not mean you are off the hook little missy," He lectured.
"Well, thanks Dad, I will be sure to get back to you," I smirked.
"Talk to you after school," He said.
"I think I have plans," I replied as I was walking away.
"Um, ya right, good try, just like you "had plans for lunch" this morning before school started. I know how well you make unexpected planned plans! We are so talking after school." He laughed.
"Fine, you got me. Sometimes I wish you didn’t pay such close attention!" I exclaimed.
"You like and you know it!" He said.
"You’re a nerd," I chuckled.
"Right back at ya kid!" He said jokingly as he walked away.
"Well that went well," I thought to myself.
I reached down into my locker to grab a pencil. Charlie came up behind me and blew in my ear. Ok, let’s get a few things straight shall we. First and for most if you are EVER trying to win over a girls affection, don’t blow on her. That’s gross. Second of all, well, there really is not second of all, but that first of all was pretty important.
"Hey Rorey, are you busy after school? I was hoping we could maybe go for a walk or something and talk for a bit," He asked.
"Um, actually I have plans after school," I said.
"Oh, ok, well, what are you doing? If you don’t mind me asking. Maybe when can hang out when you’re finished. I can wait for as long as you want me to," He said in sad, but sweet voice.
Guilt trickled over me. I knew I couldn’t lie to him again. I mean I really did have plans to hang out with Mike. I also knew Mike would not only understand, but would probably push me to talk to Charlie. He had told me at lunch that talking is the best policy. It gets all those stupid things called feelings out there in the open. But, I just wasn’t ready to talk to him. I didn’t know what I wanted to say. I didn’t know what my next move was going to be. Looking back I should have talked to him first. But, I decided I was going to figure things out with my plan first before consulting him about ours.
"Actually, Mike and I are going to go for a run," I answered.
"OH, how long will that take?" He asked with disappointment practically dripping from his mouth.
"Um, I don’t know, probably and hour or so, but then I have to get home. I promised my Mom I would help her get stuff ready. My grandma is coming to visit in a few days." I responded quickly.
"Oh, ok, well maybe some other time," He said with his head down.
"I am sorry Charlie," I said. And by sorry, I wasn’t sure if I meant I was sorry for blowing him off, or if I was sorry for starting this in the first place.
"Oh, it is ok Rorey, it’s no big deal, really, just wanted to talk about stuff, but your busy and that’s fine," He said sadly.
"Well, thanks for understanding," I said apologetically.
He walked away with his head down. It is possible there were even a tear of two lingering in his eyes, I am not sure. I felt bad. What was wrong with me? How could I see him like that and still have the nerve to just walk away? I had to talk to him. But, first I had to get things straight in my head.
The rest of the day was somewhat of a blur. I was out of it. I was in English class and my teacher asked me when Shakespeare was born. I didn’t know. Who cares when Shakespeare was born? I was going through a midlife crisis at the age of 16. I had held hands with a guy I wasn’t sure I cared about, and now I can’t dig up the guts to deal with it.
Finally, the final bell of the day rang. Relief flooded over me. I couldnt get out of this place fast enough! I still hadn’t found time to tell Doddie about what was up. But I didn’t have time now; I had a running date with Mike. I went to the locker room, threw on some running clothes, tied my shoes, and put my hair in a ponytail. A good run would help calm my nerves.
“Ready?” Mike asked as we met outside the locker room.
“I was born ready, remember?” I laughed.
“Oh, yes I forgot,” he laughed sarcastically.
We ran for a long time. When we finally reached the park neither one of us could breathe. We found a shade tree and dropped tiredly to the ground.
“What do I do now?” I asked.
“I don’t know, that’s something you need to decide,” he replied wisely.
“How about you tell me, then I won’t have to decide,” I said hopefully.
“Rorey, you are a smart and amazing girl. You held hands with a guy you have liked all summer long. Now, you are asking me to tell you what your next move is. I can’t. That is something you yourself have to decide. I will tell you, like I said earlier, talking is the best policy. It’s the only way to get everything out in the open. ” he said in a smart and wise tone.
“So, basically, the longer I run away from talking, the more I am hurting him?” I asked.
“Yes, exactly,” He nodded.
“When did you become so wise?” I asked jokingly.
“Well, when I met you, I started reading advice giving books,” He laughed.
“You are so funny,” I said while punching him in the arm.
“I know, I learn from the best,” he joked.
“Gosh, you are just on a roll today brat!” we laughed.
“I suppose we better get back, we have been gone for like two hours,” he observed.
“Sounds like a good plan Sam.”
We ran back to the school. I said my farewells to Mike and ran into the locker room to change my shoes. I threw on my boots, grabbed my bag and proceeded to my car. I was just about to the door when I heard my name.
“Rorey, wait up,” Charlie called.
“Oh, darn it,” I thought to myself.
“I thought you were going home hours ago,” he said.
“Well, we ran for a little longer than I hoped, but I am on my way now,” I said as I kept walking.
“Oh, so you are going home now?” Charlie asked.
“Yes, talk to you tomorrow,” I responded more coldly then I meant to.
“Ya, I hope so,” Charlie said sadly.
I walked away quickly. Again I came to the same question. What was wrong with me? I am killing him, that much is obvious, and here I am running away, giving him no comfort at all. All he wanted was to talk, and I couldn’t even offer him that much.
When I got to my car I unlocked it, through my stuff in the back, and climbed in the front seat. Just as I was about to start the car I noticed there was a note in my windshield wiper. I got out to grab it. When I opened it, it said
“Dear Rorey,
We have been good friends for a long time now. We tell each other everything, but there is one thing I have never told you. I love you.
Love,
Anonymous
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