Matter Point

by GG Shalton

  “I told her not to speak to them,” Trace said as he looked at me. “One guy put air in her tire, pretending to be a hero.”

  My mouth fell slightly open as I kicked him under the table. How dare he tell my father that.

  My father straightened his shoulders. “What? You let him in your car?”

  “He was only trying to help,” I said defensively.

  “Enough!” Pointing his fork at me, my father’s said, “That better never happen again. I mean it, Ariel. Stay away from them.”

  I glared at Trace as a smirk of satisfaction spread across his face.

  The next morning, I was still fuming about Trace selling me out to my parents. I didn’t want to see him at all, so I walked around the back of the school, trying to avoid Trace in the parking lot. I didn’t appreciate him trying to convince everyone that the Northside kids were worse than they were. I’d had to hear another lecture before bed about not letting strangers into my car. It was ridiculous.

  My morning went by pretty fast, and I was looking forward to history class. Jaxon and Bryce had a way of keeping me entertained. I arrived right on time and I noticed Jaxon already in his chair. He had saved me a seat by putting his backpack in the chair beside him. “You can sit here.”

  I eyed him as he removed his backpack, and I sat down. “Thanks.”

  He nodded and winked as Bryce ran into the classroom a few seconds after the bell rang. He was late and the teacher said his name, marking him tardy. Bryce sat behind me and took out his notebook.

  After a few minutes, the teacher cleared his throat. “It’s project time, students. Please listen carefully. We’ll break out into small groups of three or four and work on a team project that will be due by next Friday.” The teacher slid his glasses up his nose as he walked around the room. “You will pick a famous president and divide up the presentation to speak of not only their political views, but their personal lives as well. This will include a paper, speech, and a PowerPoint presentation of their life. Be as creative as possible and make sure everyone on the team equally contributes. Part of your grade will come from your team members’ evaluations.”

  He passed out the instructions as he continued speaking. “In the past, I would pick your groups for you, but I thought this year, I would let you pick your own. Anyone without a group, let me know.”

  Everyone in the room looked around as I bit my bottom lip. Great! I hated finding a partner, especially when I didn’t know anyone.

  Jaxon turned around. “Do you want to form a group?”

  I smiled and shrugged. “I was going to ask that guy at the front of the class.”

  Jaxon scowl. “I don’t think so.”

  “I’m in your group.” Bryce laughed out loud.

  Jaxon shook his head. “Says who?”

  “Says me,” Bryce said as he looked at me. “Besides, Ariel looks smart, so I want to be in her group.” He winked at me and smiled as I laughed at Jaxon’s expression.

  Jaxon said to Bryce, “You can be in our group, but you better help.”

  “Our group?” I asked playfully.

  Jaxon raised his brows. “Of course. I’ve already written down our names. Give me your phone. I’ll give you my number so we can talk about the project.”

  I reached into my purse and took out my phone. I hurriedly unlocked it and handed it to him, then I watched him put in his number. He handed the phone back to me as I heard the teacher ask for the names of our groups. Jaxon spoke for ours, and I noticed a few surprised looks from the kids in class.

  The class ended and I walked out with Jaxon. I laughed at the bickering between him and Bryce.

  “Hey, do you guys want to get together this weekend to work on the project?” Jaxon asked.

  I stopped dead in my tracks. It was an innocent enough question, but I wasn’t sure how to answer. Do I want to see him over the weekend? I mean, I thought about him a lot, but meeting him outside of school could complicate my interest in him.

  My voice cracked as I said, “Um, sure. What did you have in mind?”

  A slow smile crept across Jaxon’s face as Bryce nudged him. “We can meet at Marion’s coffee shop. Off highway 81, it’s about halfway between Creston and Matter Point. Let’s say around eleven o’clock on Saturday.”

  “Marion’s coffee shop?”

  “Yes, you can’t miss it. It has a big coffee cup on the sign.” Bryce laughed and stepped away. “See you tomorrow.”

  I waved goodbye as I looked at Jaxon. “I’ll be there.”

  “Sounds good. Come hungry, they have great food.”

  My stomach flipped as I watched him walk away. I have to stop thinking about him. Jaxon seemed out of my league. Kind of mature and brooding. I bet he had a lot of experience with girls. The guy had such a swag walk, I had to make myself pull my eyes away.

  Looking at my phone, I swiped it and covered my mouth, nearly laughing out loud. Instead of his name, he’d put “Man Candy.” Putting my phone away, I walked through the halls to my next class.

  Paisley was speaking to Dillon by her locker as I walked up. “What up, Ary?”

  I groaned. “Oh no. Not you too.”

  She laughed. “Trace was talking about your dinner last night at your parents’ house.”

  Dillon grinned. “Sounds serious to have dinner with the folks.”

  “Stop. You know our parents are friends.”

  “Hey, guys.” Gretchen walked up behind me. “I’m having a pool party Saturday. My parents are out of town. Get there early as Travis will be there and using my dad’s boat.”

  “Travis is in town?” Paisley raised her brow.

  “Yeah, only for the weekend. My brother broke up with his girlfriend at college, so he’s coming home more.”

  Dillon put his arm around Gretchen’s shoulders. “I’ll be there, and I’ll tell the guys. Make sure you wear the yellow bikini.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek and walked away.

  Gretchen bit her bottom lip as Dillon left. Paisley waited until he was out of earshot. “What was that about?”

  Gretchen shrugged. “Nothing.”

  Paisley tried to hide her grin. “Oh, come on. Spill it.”

  Gretchen huffed. “Fine.” She smiled coyly. “He asked me about hanging out exclusively.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, not sure if I want a boyfriend.”

  “Dillon is cool. You should go for it,” Paisley said encouragingly.

  “I might.” Gretchen gave Paisley a knowing look before turning toward me. “You in for Saturday?”

  “What time?”

  “Let’s get an early start. You can both spend the night on Friday. We should get out on the lake around noon to get the good sun.”

  I shook my head. “Sounds fun, but I have plans on Saturday for a few hours.”

  “What plans?” They both gave me blank stares.

  “Actually, it’s a history assignment. The teacher gave us as a group project, and I’m meeting them on Saturday morning. It should only take a few hours.”

  “Who’s in your group? Just invite them.”

  I hesitated. “Not sure if you know them? They’re from Northside.”

  Paisley looked at Gretchen for a second before speaking. “The guy who fixed your tire?”

  I shrugged. “He is nice. Didn’t have much choice in the group.” I lied, but the way they were looking at me forced my hand.

  “Don’t tell Trace.” Paisley lowered her voice. “He’s still bent out of shape about him putting air in your tire.”

  My stomach turned. “He shouldn’t be concerned with who I hang out with.”

  “He can’t help himself,” Paisley said as she checked her lipstick in the locker mirror.

  “I wish he would,” I said looking around to make sure no one was listening to us.


  Gretchen wrinkled her nose. “You’re the only girl I know who isn’t into him.”

  I smirked. “He has issues.”

  Paisley smiled as she closed her locker. “Girl, I have never seen him so hung up on one girl. He isn’t used to the rejection. I think it’s a turn-on for him.”

  The object of our discussion came walking down the hall.

  Gretchen shook her head as she whispered, “Check out that shirt he has on. His muscles are even bigger than last year. You’re crazy, girl! I can’t wait to see him in his football pants.”

  I snorted as they walked away. He walked up to me with a cocky grin. “Sup.”

  “Nothing much. Getting ready to go to class.”

  His eyes floated over me as they landed on my mouth. “You want to ditch the lunch period and go out to eat?” He leaned against the locker, closing me in.

  “I promised Paisley I would eat with her.” I said quickly trying to think of an excuse. Well, maybe I didn’t technically say I would eat with her today, but I did say I would eat lunch with her yesterday. Trace didn’t need to know all the details.

  “She’ll understand,” he said confidently.

  “Maybe some other time. I have to hurry.” Turning around, I walked off as I heard him heave a frustrated sigh. Trace was persistent, I’d give him that.

  The rest of the day flew by, and cheerleading practice wasn’t too long. I stayed behind and went back to my math class to get my jacket that I’d left, but the classroom was locked. I would have to get it tomorrow. I tried going out the front of the school, but the doors were locked, and I noticed the janitors cleaning the hallways. I had to go back to the gym and take the back entrance.

  Walking out to my car, I realized that everyone had already left. As I got closer, I noticed that my car tire was almost flat again. Crap! I’d forgotten to have my dad check it. I stood staring at my tire for a few minutes, hoping it would magically fill with air. Taking out my phone, I contemplated texting Amanda, but I thought better of it. She was over at her girlfriend’s house and the boys were at their uncle’s. My father was probably working, and I certainly didn’t want to disturb him. Calling Trace was out of the question, so my only other choice was Paisley. But she wouldn’t know how to put air in a tire. She would only pick me up and make me hang out with her all night until she took me home. I had a ton of homework to do and just wanted to go home.

  Checking my contacts, I felt I had no choice but to push it. I closed my eyes as my fingers hovered over his number. Finally, I pushed it. I decided I would only let it ring a few times, then hang up and take a cab.

  “Hello?” Wow, his voice is even deeper over the phone. I couldn’t speak, I was so embarrassed. I was about to hang up when I heard him speak again. “Ariel?”

  “Um. Yes.” I feel like an idiot.

  “Are you okay?” He sounded concerned.

  “Yes, why?” I said quickly, realizing that I was the one who called him.

  “Well, you sound weird and this is the first time you’ve called me.” I could hear the amusement in his voice.

  “Actually, I may have… I mean, never mind, I didn’t mean to call you. Sorry.”

  “Wait,” he said quickly. “You sound like you’re outside. What’s going on?”

  “It’s my tire,” I blurted as I put my hand on my forehead, trying to sooth my embarrassment.

  “Ahh.” Understanding registered in his voice. ”Where are you?”

  “School.”

  “You’re still at school?”

  “I had cheerleading practice. I forgot my jacket and went back inside the school. But when I came out to the parking lot, everyone was gone, and my tire is flat.”

  “I’m on my way. I should be there in twenty-five minutes.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry, I forgot you lived that far.” This was definitely an inconvenience for him. “You know, I’ll be fine. I can take a cab.”

  “Too late, I’m already walking to my car. Hold tight and I’ll be there soon.”

  Chapter 14

  Ariel

  I hung up as my breath caught in my throat. I can’t believe I called him! I put my backpack in the backseat and sat in the driver’s seat as I waited. I contemplated calling him again and telling him not to bother, but I didn’t. I took out my phone and played around until I saw a black car pull into the lot and park beside me.

  He smiled as he got out and checked out my tire. “Wow, there must be a hole.”

  His shirt sleeves had been cut off of his flannel shirt and he thumped the tire a few times, his muscles flexing. I tried not to stare, but his messed-up hair and dark eyes did something to me. What is wrong me? I barely said two words as I watched him take my keys from my hand.

  “I’ll put the spare on until we can get to my brother’s shop.”

  “Your brother’s shop?”

  “Yeah, I can use his tools to fix it for you. You need a new tire, and we have some.”

  “Should I call my dad?”

  “If you want to.” He shrugged as though it wasn’t really necessary.

  “Not really.” He would kill me for calling Jaxon in the first place.

  “Then give me a minute and we can go.” He jacked up the car and changed the tire so quickly, I barely had a minute to think about what he was doing. He wiped his hands on his jeans and got into the passenger side. “Let me drive. The spare was not great, and I want to make sure you’re safe. You can bring me back afterwards.”

  I got out the car and walked to the passenger side as he took my keys. He smiled as he drove us to Creston. He played some music until he pulled off the highway and stopped beside an old concrete building in a rural area, surrounded by old cars. Next door was a bunch of tires in an open pit, a fence surrounding it.

  He pointed to the pit. “I have a tire that will fit. It’s a used one, but in good shape. You can come inside and keep me company as I fix it,” he said.

  “You work here?” I asked him as I looked closer at all the old cars sitting outside.

  “I help out my brother when I can.”

  “That’s cool.”

  “No, it’s not, but it pays my bills.”

  I walked inside and sat on a barrel while I watched him replace my tire. “Do you live close to here?” I wasn’t sure what to talk about and didn’t want to just stare at him.

  “Not far.” He shrugged as he took off my spare tire. “There is an apartment above the garage that I share with my brother.”

  I nodded not really understanding why he didn’t live with his parents. But I didn’t want to pry. “Do you like Matter Point High?” I knew this conversation was cliché, but I was trying to fill the silence.

  He looked at me. “I like some things about Matter Point.” Raising his brow, he went back to work on my tire. “Do you?”

  I looked at the floor, a little unsure about his insinuation. Is he flirting with me? “I’m trying, but I miss my old school.”

  “The boarding school?”

  “You make it sound bad. But it’s all I knew, and I guess I was used to the structure. I miss my friends and even the headmistress.”

  “I understand. You’re not used to being around your parents?”

  “Hardly. I barely know my father. My mother left when I was young, and I don’t remember her.” Great. When I’m nervous, I overshare.

  “That’s rough. I couldn’t imagine life without my mother.”

  “I used to dream about her coming back for me one day.” My thoughts took me to my childhood when I used to pretend I had a mother. I would even place a dinner setting for her sometimes and hope that she would show up. “I guess that’s kind of pathetic. What kind of a woman leaves her child?”

  “You’re not pathetic.” He stopped working for a minute and looked at me sympathetically. “It’s natural you would want a rela
tionship with her. What does your father say about her?”

  I had to turn away as I shifted on the barrel. “He refuses to talk about her.” I looked at my shoes. “I’m sorry, I don’t usually talk about this.”

  “I want to hear about it.” He met my eyes. “Tell me more.”

  I hesitated as I thought about her. “I really don’t miss her, just the idea of her. Growing up without a mother and a father who is barely around was the only life I knew. Being thrown into this family now that I’m in seventeen isn’t easy. I feel out of place.”

  He put down the tool and walked over to me. “I’m sorry.”

  I waved dismissively. “Can we talk about something else?”

  He touched my upper arm. “Any time you want to talk, I’m here. I’ve been told I’m a good listener.”

  “Thank you, Jaxon.”

  He smiled then walked over to the pit to get a tire. I thought about how easy it was to talk to him as I watched him. After a few minutes, he came back inside and finished replacing the tire. In the meantime, he talked about the shop and his brother, who managed the shop. Apparently, mechanics run in his family, and his mother worked in a factory. I felt a tug in my heart hearing how hard he worked, and I felt almost jealous of the closeness of his family. I wondered what it would have been like if my family was like that.

  “You want to get something to eat?” he asked.

  “Sure, but my treat.”

  “That’s not going to happen,” he said with finality.

  “Come on, I owe you.” I reached for my wallet in my purse. “How much was the tire?”

  He lifted his hand and shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. I got you.”

  “No, I can’t do that. Jaxon, please. I want to pay you.”

  “Seriously, I don’t want your money.”

  “But—”

  He placed his hand on mine. “Don’t insult me. Now, let’s get some food.”

  I shook my head hesitantly as I put my wallet back into my purse. “What kind of food do you like?”

  “Anything bad for you.”

  I giggled. “Me too. Do you want to get some pizza?”

  “Love it. Let’s go.”