Significance

by Shelly Crane

  I liked him right off and he liked me. He let me follow him around and pester him. He played games with me and took me shopping. I helped introduce him into youth group at church because he’d never been to church before. But he left to go to art school on a scholarship and moved to New York to be an intern for some jerk at a law firm. I rarely see him anymore. We text but he’s so busy and I can’t seem to find anything to talk about but how much life sucks here without him.

  I made my way to the stop light and waited for it to turn red so I can cross. There was only one other person there, a guy with his back to me. He’s wearing his earbuds and bobbing his head a little to whatever beat he’s listening to with his hands in his pockets. He looks back. Smiles slightly and nods before facing forward again. I check my phone again and see that I still have no text. I wonder why I’m so worried about it. I wasn’t even thrilled about going with Kyle in the first place but now I can’t seem to stop thinking about it.

  I think maybe I’ll get a coffee while I wait. If Kyle doesn’t text me, at least I can sit there. Maybe read a little from the kindle app on my phone before heading home. I put my phone back in my pocket and looked up just in time. The light turned red, the guy was already walking without looking to the side first and was crossing. I see the red truck turning, the driver’s head turned left but he’s turning right.

  It all happened so fast I didn’t even get a chance to think. I just reacted. I ran forward, grabbed the back of the guy’s jacket and pulled him backwards with all my strength just as the truck sped by in front of us. We tumbled back and he landed pretty hard on top of me, his backpack banging against my face. My breath slammed into my chest painfully.

  I heard a screech and looked to see the truck slam to a stop just a ways ahead of us. He yelled some obscenities out his window, something about stupid kids but more colorful and then sped away.

  The guy immediately rolled off me, yanking the buds from his ears and looking at me with awe.

  “Are you ok?”

  “Uh...yeah, I think so,” I groaned.

  “I can’t believe I just did that. You- you saved my life.”

  “It’s fine. It’s good I was here.”

  He scooted a little closer and winced as he brushed my hair back from my face.

  “You cut your head,” he said breathlessly and looked a little dazed.

  “I did?” I felt it with my fingers and squinted as it stung. My fingers had a little blood on them but nothing alarming. “I guess I did. It’s ok, really, just a bump.”

  I tried to stand but he held me down with a hand on my shoulder.

  “Whoa. Wait, ok? Let me call an ambulance. If something happened to you after you saved me...”

  “Really, that’s no necessary. I’m fine.”

  He frowned and paused, screwing up his lips like he was debating it. I looked at him in the soft glow of the streetlights. He was tall, that I’d seen from before, and broad but his hair was brown and shaggy, curling around his ears and forehead, and his eyes were light, blue maybe or hazel. His lips were fascinating as he sucked them in and out of his mouth in contemplation. He was wearing a gray hoodie that said ‘VOLS’ in big orange letters on the front. Great.

  That was one of my biggest problems with Chad. He’d been so set to go to Florida to be a Gator when the University of Tennessee was right here. Right down the road. His dad went to UF, I get it, he wanted to follow his dad’s footsteps but it just felt like he wouldn’t compromise. I don’t know.

  The guy’s eyes drifted to mine and we just sat there, eyes locked on one another’s. Then the corner of his mouth rose slightly. And it was unnerving.

  “Please, let me take you to the hospital at least.” He brushed my hair back again and leaned closer to inspect. I heard my swift intake of breath at his closeness and he did too. He looked down into my eyes again and watched me closely. “It doesn’t look too bad but...let me call someone for you. I’d feel better,” he said softly.

  “There’s no one to call,” I muttered but wished I could take it back when I saw his face. “Really, I’m fine.”

  “I’m so glad you were here. I can’t believe I did that. And I’m sorry you got hurt. I must have hit you with my book bag when we went down. That’s a pretty good grip you got there,” he said and smiled and I had one of those moments where you stare and can’t look away.

  He smiled wider when I didn’t say anything and chuckled right as I came back to myself.

  “Uh, thanks. Are you alright?” I asked and he nodded.

  “So. There’s no one to call? Your parents? A boyfriend?”

  “My dad won’t come and my boyfriend and I- Well, we aren’t together anymore. I wouldn’t feel right about calling him now.”

  “You don’t think he’d come?”

  “Oh, he would. That’s why I don’t want to.”

  He seemed confused and amused at the same time.

  “Ok. I’m gonna assume there’s a story there and you’re not just suffering from a head injury.”

  I realized then that we were still sitting on the sidewalk next to each other, in the middle of town.

  “No, I’m fine. Look, I’m sorry. I’m fine, I promise. I didn’t mean to hold you up,” I stammered and stuck my hair behind my ear.

  “Are you kidding? You saved my life. The least I can do is make sure you get where you’re going. Here.” He grabbed my arm gently and helped me stand, keeping it there to make sure I was steady. “You good? No stars, no spots, no blurs?”

  “I’m good.”

  “Where you headed?”

  “I have no idea. Nowhere. I’m just waiting for someone to call and needed to get out of the house.”

  “Did you go to graduation?”

  “Yeah, I graduated.”

  “Really? You look too young to be graduating.”

  “Seventeen. My birthday’s in a few weeks. I, uh, skipped a grade so I graduated early.”

  “Aha. So, I was saved by a genius. This just keeps getting better,” he said grinning.

  “I’m not a genius,” I laughed. “I just used to like school. I loved tests.” I saw his expression. “I know, I know. I’m a freak. But I liked it, for whatever reason.”

  “Not anymore?”

  “Long story. Bad year.”

  He nodded and seemed to know to leave that one alone.

  “You’re not a freak, by the way.” He leaned close and stage whispered to me. “I love to do geometry speed drills. Love it.”

  I raised my eyebrows and dropped my jaw in mock shock.

  “No way. That’s crazy.”

  “I know.”

  “Maybe you’re the freak.”

  “Hey!” We both laughed and then smiled at each other. “So, where can I take you?”

  “Really, I’m fine. Where were you headed?”

  “Oh, my uncle’s house a couple streets over. My cousin graduated too. My mom and dad are here with me, partying it up with the family. You know.”

  “Yeah,” I said bleakly as I most certainly did not know. “Who’s your cousin?”

  “Kyle Jacobson.”

  My jaw dropped for real this time.

  “Kyle is your cousin?”

  “Yeah, you know him? Oh, of course you do.”

  “Yeah, I’ve been friends with Kyle since...forever. He’s actually the one I’m waiting on. I thought his party was from five to seven?”

  “It is. I snuck out for a walk. I can’t handle so many Jacobson’s in one room.” He put his hands back in his pockets and rolled his shoulders looking a little uncomfortable. “So, You’re Kyle’s big date, huh? He kept talking about you earlier.”

  “It’s not a date. Well...I guess it is. We’re just friends. He’s sweet.”

  “Well, I’ll tell you, he definitely thinks this is a date and wants to be way more than friends, trust me.”

  I bit my lip and he smiled sadly at me.

  “Really? I wasn’t trying to get his hopes up, I just wanted to do some
thing and he’s asked me out a few times already. I just didn’t want to say no again. You know?”

  He nodded and rubbed the back of his neck. His hair fell across his forehead and I wanted to fix it for him. In fact, my fingers twitched with wanting to but I clenched my fist and mentally shook myself. I was not one of those girls who gets all swoony over a cute guy. I wasn’t about to start being one.

  “Well. I can walk you there since that’s where I’m headed anyway. Kyle will be happy to see you.”

  He looked as disappointed as I felt at that prospect. I’d never been attracted to anyone but Chad before. And I was definitely attracted to mister blue eyes.

  “Ok. But we’re just friends. I’ve never even been to his house before. You don’t think he’ll mind my just showing up when he said he’d text me, do you?”

  “Positive he won’t.”

  “Ok.”

  We started walking in that direction. I knew where Kyle lived but it was nice to have someone to walk with in the dark.

  “So, what year are you?” I asked to fill the silence.

  “Heading into Sophomore. I’m studying to be a architect.”

  “Really? That’s neat. I guess that’s why you like geometry.”

  He smiled and nodded.

  “What about you? You headed to school anywhere?”

  “Uh.” I sighed. “To be honest, as lame as it sounds, I haven’t even thought about it. I kinda blew it this year with my grades and haven’t even applied to any colleges yet. I have no idea what I’m gonna do. My dad, he- he kinda needs me right now. I work at the diner in town. I guess I’ll work there until I figure it all out.”

  “Hey. Taking care of family is just as important if not more than taking care of yourself. You’re doing a good thing, staying with your dad while he needs you.”

  It was the first positive thing I’d heard someone say about anything I was doing all year.

  “Thanks. Wow. I can’t believe how much I needed to hear someone say that,” I admitted and smiled bashfully.

  He smiled back. Then he pulled me to a stop by a hand on my arm and pushed my hair back once more to inspect my head. I looked up to his face, refusing to look away no matter how much my cheeks wanted to flush. I refused to be swoony. He looked back down at me, his hand still in my hair and I felt butterflies attack in my gut. He cocked his head to the side a little and seemed to inspect my reaction. I licked my lips nervously. His eyes flashed and he immediately looked away and dropped his hand.

  “It looks better. I think you’ll be fine. Hey, Kyle. Look who I found.”

  I turned to see Kyle standing behind us. An irritated gaze latched onto his cousin.

  “I can see that. You two know each other?”

  “Nope, but your friend here saved my life.” He looked back down at me and smiled. He looked back up to Kyle’s incredulous look. “Seriously, I almost got hit by a truck. She pulled me out of the way. I would be standing here dead, if not for her.”

  Kyle looked at me with a new admiration.

  “Really? You did that?”

  “Uh, yeah, it was nothing.” I waved off their flattery.

  “Mags. I can’t believe you.” He came and grabbed me in a hug that lifted my feet from the ground and I could tell he was just doing it because of what he saw between his cousin and me. His cousin could too from the way he rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest. “Come inside. Wait until I tell Aunt Rachel what you did.”

  “No, please don’t take me in there. I’m not really in the mood for a crowd.”

  “Ok,” he said reluctantly. “I was just about to text you anyway. Sorry, the party ran a little late. We were waiting on a certain someone,” he looked pointedly over his shoulder, “to come back so we could eat but now I see he was preoccupied.”

  “Well, late’s better than dead, right?” I spouted and then winced.

  Kyle raised an eyebrow at me but his cousin burst out laughing from behind him.

  “She’s got you there, cuz.” He slapped him on the back. “And I’m glad to see you’re so worried about me.”

  “Whatever. You ready?” Kyle asked me and I wasn’t.

  I so wasn’t ready to leave the stranger I’d saved but saw no way to invite him to go with us when I could see there was clearly tension between them. I looked at him and he was looking at me. I could tell he clearly didn’t want me to go either and it made the butterflies worse.

  “Uh, yeah, sure,” I muttered.

  “Ok. I’ve already got the keys. Let’s get going.”

  “Hold on.” I walked up to his cousin a few feet away. I looked up into his face, at least half a foot higher than mine, probably more. “I’m really glad I was there.”

  “Me too. Thank you. You ever need anything- a new pair of rollerblades, a popsicle, a kidney- it’s yours.”

  I laughed and tucked my hair behind me ear as he chuckled too and shuffled his feet.

  “Ok. I’m Maggie by the way.”

  I stuck my hand out towards him and smiled.

  “Maggie,” he repeated and I bit my lip at the sound of my name on his lips. “Caleb.” He took my hand and I felt an instant jolt go through my body; that made me gasp.

  Not like a girly wow-he’s-touching-me jolt. I mean an actual jolt. Like it felt as if fire was racing through my veins and I was standing in water with a blow dryer. My breaths ceased to exist and my blood felt cold in my hot skin. My eyes fluttered automatically at the pleasure pain of it. I saw images, flashes of things. Me on a porch with tan arms going around me from behind and a brown haired head sitting atop mine then leaning down, kissing my neck. Then that image vanished and a new one appeared.

  Me running, someone chasing me but I wasn’t scared. I was laughing. I looked back and a brown haired boy was hot on my tail, grabbing me and throwing me over his shoulder as I squealed in delight. Behind them was a house with a for-sale sign but ‘SOLD’ was stamped over it, a moving truck parked beside it.

  Then, a man and woman took a walk through a lot of white sand. The man pricked a finger on a cactus as he swung his arms. I kissed his finger and then pulled him back to the house, through big bay doors into a bedroom. He pushed me to the bed and followed me, kissing me senseless as we rolled around in the white sheets.

  Then I saw me, right now, holding the hand of a tan, dark haired boy. The look of pleasure and confused delight on my face was also on his. His eyes opened and he smiled at me like he understood everything, like I was everything.

  I was jolted back to the present when my eyes saw what was actually in front of me and not a strange vision of happy times. I was still looking at Caleb’s face. He was still looking at me but, just like in the vision, he was smiling, ecstatically.

  “It’s you,” he whispered in wonder. “You’re the one.”

  “What’s going on?” I heard Kyle behind me but I couldn’t look away from the blue eyes looking at me with such want.

  Caleb came closer to me, releasing my hand and framing my face with his hands and I felt a flood of calm and warmth.

  “Breath, Maggie.” I hadn’t realized I was holding my breath. I took a deep breath and felt the air rush in and out frantically as I blinked. My head cleared a little. He smiled. “Everything’s going to be ok. Alright? Just don’t be upset. You don’t have to be scared.”

  “What are you doing?” Kyle asked and pushed Caleb’s hands away. The second he did that, I felt cold and oddly desperate and heard myself gasp. “Dude, not cool. Look, I understand that she saved you and you feel- whatever- but I told you about this girl. You can’t just-”

  “She’s the one, Kyle,” Caleb interrupted, never taking his eyes from mine. It felt like an eternity had passed since he’d first taken my hand and I was still tingling in my veins from whatever had taken place. “It’s her.”

  “What?” Kyle said loudly, almost angrily. “She can’t be. I mean you just...met,” he sighed harshly and ran his hands through his hair. “You gotta be frigging kiddin
g me.”

  “What’s going on?” I asked softly and finally pulled my eyes from Caleb to look between then two. Kyle looked pissed and angry. Caleb looked in awe and blissed out. He stepped closer to me but didn’t touch me this time.

  “Maggie. We have a lot to talk about.”

  “Not tonight, Caleb,” Kyle said coming to stand between us. “She has no idea what you’re talking about. You’re going to scare her.”

  “I’m not going to scare her. She knows me, inside. She knows me, just like I do her, Kyle. It’s exactly like they always described it. I can feel her heart beating.”

  Kyle cursed and shook his head.

  “This is bull. I can’t believe you did this. You knew how I felt and you still did this.”

  “You know that’s not how it works. We don’t get to choose. I’m sorry, Kyle, I am.”

  “Well, fat lot of good that does me.”

  “Ok,” I stopped them both. “Please tell me what’s going on.” I felt a little light headed and blinked to clear my vision.

  Caleb came around Kyle to grab my upper arms gently.

  “Maggie, everything’s fine. Just wait. It’s new, it’ll calm down some. Just breathe.”

  I felt something strange. It felt like an invader, a welcomed invader. Like something was pushing its way into my thoughts or my body somehow. I felt him. I gasped and looked up at him. He smiled, realizing what I felt.

  “I can feel- your heart beating. I can feel your- happiness,” I admitted and had no idea how I knew these things, I just did.

  I brought one of my hands to my heart to feel it under my fingers. I could feel each beat of his heart as if it was my own. I felt his concern over me, he was worried that I was going to run when he told me everything, he felt an intense sense of longing and protection for me, but more than anything, I felt his utter joy at what was happening between us, whatever that was.

  “See,” he continued to explain to his cousin but his eyes stayed on me, as did his hands. “She can feel me already.” He laughed a breathy chuckle and his next words were barely whispered. “Wow. I can’t believe this.”