Read Seasons for Free Online Page B

even though I’m certain you’ll ace them all!
    ~Charlie
     
    A slow smile spreads across my face. I put the pencils in my bag, grab my books, and head to the car.
    “Morning, sunshine. You’re awfully bright for so early on day one of finals. What was that on the porch?” Mel asks.
    Does she miss nothing? “Just some pencils.” I shrug.
    “Pencils?”
    “Charlie left them. With a good luck on finals note,” I say. I try but can’t help my huge smile. This is probably the single sweetest thing a guy has ever done for me.
    “That boy has it bad,” she teases.
    “He’s just a nice guy, Mel.”
    We drive to school, silent in our thoughts. I smile the whole way, pondering about his sweet gesture. I conclude he’s just a nice guy, who did something sweet because he knew how doing well on my exams is important to me. Denial? Maybe, but ignorance is bliss. I had two tests today with an hour and a half allotted for each one. I flew through both, leaving time to study for other upcoming tests when I had finished.
    I’m done for the day just before lunchtime and head to my locker. As I come down the hall, I see a familiar form standing arms crossed leaning up against the row of lockers. When he sees me coming, he smiles his dimpled, lady-killer smile. I falter in my step losing my balance and just barely regaining enough composure to stumble down the hall, rather than face planting. Well, that was graceful, Brynn. Damn those dimples! It’s entirely their fault. They are so big, I could probably do a shot out of them. I can see his smile turn into a muffled laugh as I almost trip. As I near him, I sigh. “Hey, you, what are you doing here?”
    “Had to pick up our cap and gown today for graduation.”
    “Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. I’m glad you stopped by to say hi. I wanted to thank you for the pencils. It was really thoughtful.”
    “How did your tests go?”
    “I think they went well.” I smile up at him. “Must have been the lucky pencils.”
    “Or it could have been that you’re a walking brain.”
    “Nah, it was definitely the pencils.” I nudge his arm gently, and my smile drops when I feel the warmth of him. We are both momentarily quiet until he breaks through.
    “If you’re done for the day now, do you want to go grab lunch?”
    “Sure. Let me just let Mel know she doesn’t have to drive me home. I’ll meet you at your truck in the lot?”
    “Sounds good. See you in five.” He smiles and brushes his hand down the back of my right arm before he walks away. I stand there dazed for a full minute before I can move. His touch throws me off every time. I feel this tingle like fire is running through my veins, but at the same time, it’s comforting. His touch feels…right. So, why do I feel so confused by it? We are friends, and yet there is more there. When I realize I’m standing stock still in the middle of an empty hallway, I snap out of it and grab my stuff. Then I take off in search of Mel.
    I let Melanie know I have a ride home, and I meet Charlie at his truck. We hit JoJo’s diner for burgers and fries. I’m about to take another bite of my burger when I peer over at dimples. “What?” I ask confused. “Something on my face?”
    “No, no, it’s just usually girls order a salad and pick at it. You eat like a normal human. It’s…refreshing,” he states.
    “Well, I’m not like most girls. I’m basically a dude in a pretty uniform.” I smirk. “Besides, I don’t care what people think.”
    “No, you’re not… like other girls that is.” He looks down almost shy. He’s such a puzzle. Charlie, this confident and outgoing jock, and yet there is a sweet, shy side that I don’t think many people get to see.
    “So, Charlie, what do you do for fun other than play soccer?” I inquire.
    “Fishing. I have a small rowboat I built that I like to take out on West Lake. It’s really a pond, but I like to go there on summer mornings to fish and watch the sun come