twisted with nervous flutters. I wanted him to touch me but the thought of letting him in, scared me.
He leaned down and lightly kissed my forehead. "I won't hurt you."
“Just...leave me...I...” My heart pounded hard against my chest at the softness in his voice. How could he be so sure that he wouldn’t hurt me?
A moment later, he leaned down, grabbing my notebook and pen out of my bag. Rave opened it to a blank page and I watched as he angrily scribbled something on the paper. He threw the book back in my bag and stomped off, leaving me alone to the loud beating of my heart.
Chapter 6
After my break down on Rave in the library, I grabbed my bag and checked my notebook. He had written his name and phone number down. I didn’t call him or text him. I was scared to.
My heart broke slightly at that thought. I was confused. I felt guilty for wanting happiness when my mom was going through her own issues. It was my fault. I was the reason she wasn’t up and walking around. Because of me and Allan. He blamed me for the accident. For her falling down the stairs. Was it really my fault?
A lump formed in my throat and I took a deep breath. I wouldn’t cry. I shed too many tears over what Allan had put us through.
A week later, I was putting my bag in my locker when a yellow tulip came up from beneath my nose. I gasped and grabbed the flower, looking up at Rave.
He smiled and shoved his hands in his pockets. “I know you like them.” His cheeks reddened.
I sniffed the flower, tears welling in my eyes. The sweet smell invaded my nostrils, reminding me of my mom. Her sitting on our apartment balcony. Planting the small bulbs with a big smile on her face. She was happy.
“You…you…” I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “Thank you.”
He shrugged. “It’s nothing.”
I opened my mouth to reply when I was shoved into him. He grabbed onto me, stopping my fall.
I turned to see who pushed me and saw the Triple M’s walking away, laughing.
I stepped out of Rave’s embrace and bit back a sob when I saw the crushed flower.
“Hey, I’ll get you another one.” Rave ran his thumbs under my eyes, brushing away my tears that I didn’t realize had fallen.
He leaned against the lockers.
I pulled my journal from the bag and touched his arm. “Rave, I’m sorry about the flower and—“
“Jesse, stop,” he bit out, folding his arms under his chest.
“But I would like to apologize for how I acted in the library last week. You probably think I'm a freak.”
His eyes snapped to mine and he grabbed the broken flower and my journal. The tulip flattened when he placed it in the middle and closed the book. Then he handed it back.
“Stop. You don’t need to apologize."
I swallowed past the hard lump in my throat. “Okay…I…”
“You don’t have to apologize,” he said, his voice softening and tucked a strand of hair behind my hair. Knowing it was his signature touch with me, I savored it. "You are not a freak, Jesse."
I looked up at him, searching his face. “Ok, well…”
“I was wondering if you would like to hang out after school,” he said quickly.
“Uh… it’s Wednesday.”
Rave frowned.
My stomach twisted with anxiety. He’ll be home early. “I’m sorry, I can’t.”
Rave’s back went stiff.
“Maybe tomorrow?” I added.
“No, it’s fine. I understand if you don’t want to,” Rave rose from the locker, his jaw tense.
“I never said I don’t want to. I just have to be home by a certain…”
“Jesse, you don’t need to make excuses. It’s fine.”
He moved to walk away and I grabbed his arm. “Rave, please…I can explain.” Hot tears filled my eyes and I started shaking. Sobs threatened to rack my shoulders. I wanted to tell him why and that my step father was an asshole but the words wouldn't leave my mouth.
He looked down at me, his eyes warming. He grabbed my stuff out of my hands and flung my bag over his shoulder. He slammed the locker door closed
Donald Luskin, Andrew Greta