“Yeah. You’re going to dad’s, right?” I ask with the same amount of concern.
I wish I was going to dads too but I hadn’t been asked and I was too afraid to ask him to go myself. I couldn’t help but feel like it might have been my only chance to run into Bobbie and his family over the winter break but I just couldn’t put myself out there. I was afraid my dad wouldn’t want me there, so instead of getting my feelings hurt I made other plans with Octavia.
“Yeah…I just wanted to make sure you were doing something…” He looks away. “I didn’t want you to be left here all alone with them.” Rays says looking over his shoulder.
“I’m fine and I’ll see you on Christmas Eve I promise.” I smile.
It was kind of cute that my younger brother was looking out for me. He was the only one who took the time to get to know me since I moved home with them. Ray and I had become inseparable back then.
“Okay.” Ray starts to walk back towards the house.
“Hey Ray.” I call out.
“Yeah?” He turns back.
“Tell Dad I said hi, would you?” I say shyly.
“I will.” He gives me a pained smile then runs back inside.
It’s nice they get to spend time with Dad but it hurt he never asked about me anymore. At least I don’t think he’s asked about me anymore. Mom’s said no so many times now maybe he’s just stopped asking. I can only hope that Ray tells him I’m thinking about him.
I walk the rest of the way to my bus stop almost in a daze. There’s a sudden gust of wind that blows snow all up in my face which causes me to lose my footing and bump into someone.
The figure is tall, literally towering over me. His big hands grab hold, of me…My heart begins to panic. Max! My panic kicks in and I manage to break free of him.
I almost hear him laugh. “Where you going so fast?” He asks in that annoying hungover voice I know too well.
“It’s called school” I return annoyed trying to hide my fear.
He winks and the cold air takes my breath away in the worst way. “See ya after.” He returns all smug.
Not likely I grip my extra bag tightly. I won’t be home for days…I smile to myself. My bus driver honks snapping me out of my thoughts and Max slips away leaving me shaking…but not from the cold but from the feel of Max’s presence.
Gloria calls from inside the bus, “Hey Lucy.”
“Sorry.” I barely respond.
“Are you alright?” She asks as I climb the stairs.
“Just really cold.” I lie still shivering.
“What’s with the extra bag?” She questions.
“I’m staying at Octavia’s for a couple of days which means you won’t need to pick me up after school okay?” I say over my shoulder as I make my way to my seat.
She says eyeing me, “Okay?”
Gloria’s got this weird tone to her voice. “I promise I’m going to Octavia’s. It’s not like I’m running away.” I laugh shrugging the thought off.
It’s not like I haven’t thought about it multiple times. I’ve thought of a lot of different ways to escape my currently home situation but thankfully I don’t have the nerve to go through with them. Could Gloria sense my feelings?
“Okay dear. I’m just checking.” She explains closing the door.
“I appreciate you looking out for me Gloria.” I say smiling at her. She only smiles back at me from the mirror above her driver’s seat.
We ride the rest of the way in silence. Seeing Max this morning kind of through me for a loop and a for some reason I can’t seem to stop shaking. Max has never said things like that to me outside of the house before. Thankfully I won’t have to see him over the Christmas Break.
Getting to school I wish Gloria a Merry Christmas and hand over a gift I’ve made her in my sewing class. She smiles and hugs me wishing me a Merry Christmas in return.
I’m walking towards the school when I spot Bobbie getting off his bus. Walking towards me he’s smiling. I can’t help but stare. I love the way his face looks when he’s happy. His dark brown eyes almost take on a chestnut color when he’s happy. “What?” I ask still smiling at him.
“Was your driver just hugging you?” He asks looking back at her.
“Yeah, so?”
“Why?” He laughs.
“I made her a gift in sewing class.” I shrug.
“Seriously?” He’s teasing me.
“Yeah, seriously. I happen to like my driver.” I smile and shove him playfully. It’s the first time I’ve touched him.
“Alright then.” He laughs.
That’s when I catch my sister watching us. Shit. “Awh you guys make such a cute couple.” She mocks us.
“Whatever.” I try to play it off but Bobbie’s face is turning redder than I’ve ever seen it.
“I’m going to go this way.” He says breaking away from me.
Thanks, a lot Britney. We we’re finally breaking down some walls. For a split second there it felt like we were getting somewhere. He seemed so happy. “Yeah okay.” I barely whisper watching him practically run off.
“Was it something I said.” She teases coming up beside me.
“Why are you so mean?” I question her.
“I’m not mean.” She returns. “I thought maybe I’d give him a push in the right direction. Like doesn’t he know your like in love with him?” She teases me.
“I’m not in love with him.” I return rolling my eyes.
“Are you sure about that Lucy?” She eyeing me. “Have you seen the way you act around him?” She still eyeing me.
“It’s just a crush is all.” I desperately try to lie.
But it’s no use. I know I’m totally in love with him. I think about him all the time…He’s the only thing that makes me happy right now. He’s what’s keeping me going…If I didn’t have him around I might not have thought twice about recreating Stan’s scene from IT or stepping in front of the two a.m. train.
“So why don’t you ask him out already?” Britney says interrupting my thoughts.
“Because I can’t…Look why do you care so much anyway?” I almost snap annoyed that she’s ruined what I thought was going to be a good day.
“I don’t.” She shrugs. “It’s just fun seeing the way he scurry’s off like that.” She laughs.
“Ugh.” I stomp off in the opposite direction.
I manage to get inside the main doors before I crash into someone else. What’s with me today?
“Whoa there.” He grabs hold of me before my extra bag pulls me over. “Lucy?” He says steadying me.
“Cliff, why do we keep bumping into each other like this? Like literally bumping into each other.” I say righting myself.
An on looker would probably say it’s fate’s way of throwing us together but I’m consumed with my thoughts for Bobbie.
“Maybe it’s fate’s way of throwing us together.” He teases raising his eyebrows.
Was he just reading my thoughts? “I think it’s just because you’re a clumsy.” I return. “Or I am.” I laugh to cover the awkwardness.
“Awh, your killin me.” He teases.
“Your too much Cliff.” We both laugh.
“What’s with the extra bags? You running away or something?” He smirks.
“You’re the second person this morning to accuse me of that. Do I look like I’m planning on running away?” I look up at him. “Never mind don’t answer that.” I laugh.
“I’m only teasing.” He reassures me helping me gather my thing’s.
“So you seeing Tonya over the Christmas break?” I ask him righting myself. I know it’s been hard for him since she was kicked out.
“That’s the plan.” He offers handing me back my second backpack.
“We’ll let’s hope. Make sure you tell her I said hi okay?” I smile.
“Hey you could always ditch your plans and come with me? That way you could say hi in person.” He offers.
But I study his face for a mome
nt and for a split second I can see he’s serious. “Your funny.” I joke.
“Hey I had to try.” He teases back covering his disappointment.
“I guess you did didn’t you.” I don’t know what else to say. How was I supposed to comfort someone when I didn’t even know how to handle my own problems? “Anyways I’ve got to get going. See ya in class later?” I question.
“Of course.” He says moving aside so I may pass.
It’s lunch and on cue I see Bobbie come into the AR room. He walks across the room then pulls out the chair in front of me. I look over at him kind of surprised.
I thought after this morning he would be avoiding me. I pass him a sandwich. “So are you okay?” I ask barely looking across at him.
“What do you mean?” He questions.
He’s acting like nothing’s happened. “My sister this morning?” I say taking a bite of my sandwich looking for a distraction.
“Oh that was nothing.” He shrugs but his face is turning color.
“Alright.” I smile. “You know she only does it because she’s bugging me. It really has nothing to do with you.” I offer looking across at him.
For a split second I catch him looking at my eyes. What can he see when he looks at me?
“Yeah it’s nothing.” He shrugs looking down.
I take that as a sign I should just drop it. “It’s hard to believe we have only one more class left before we’re on Christmas holidays.” I say changing the subject.
“Yeah it’s crazy. Are you seeing your Dad after all?” He asks.
“Nope. Britney and Ray are though.” I offer. “I’m headed to Octavia’s until Christmas Eve instead.”
“Oh yeah…You guys hang out a lot eh?” He asks looking across the table at me.
“Yeah. She’s like a sister to me now.” I smile. “She treats me better than my sister anyway.”
“Huh.” He mumbles.
“What?” I question taking another bite of my sandwich.
“You guys just seem so different.” He offers.
“I think that’s why we get along so well.” I smile.
“I suppose.” He returns.
“Hey are we walking to family studies together or should I try and catch up with Octavia in a bit?” I ask.
He smiles looking over at me. “I’ll go with you.”
“Cool.” I say looking up at him.
It’s rare that Bobbie lets me look at him but he’s not looking away. I’m desperately trying to take in all his features before he looks away. His brown eyes are so intense. I can almost see the walls he’s built up behind his stare. What is he afraid of?
We finish our sandwiches and pack up. “Bet your happy to have that cast gone eh?” Bobbie asks watching me walk.
“Um yeah. It was getting annoying.” I say smiling at him. “Do you want to stop for a quick smoke you’ve got plenty of time?” I reassure him.
He looks over at me. “You wouldn’t mind?”
“Nah it’s okay. I’ll just wait inside the stairwell.” I say smile.
“Too cold for ya?” He teases.
“Actually yes.” I smile.
“You’re such a girl.” He teases.
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” I laugh as he’s walking away from me backwards, he shakes his head as he pushes the door open with his back. “I’ll be quick.” He says turning away from me.
“Yep.” I call out.
I make it to the door just in time to see him turn around the corner. Suddenly the door practically flies open and someone runs in almost knocking me over in the process.
“Sorry my bad.” He calls as he rushes past me. He’s covered in so much snow I couldn’t make out who he was...Making my way over to the stairs I sit and wait for Bobbie to return. I’m practically day dreaming as the door flies opens again and in walks Bobbie. “That was fast.” I chuckle standing up.
“Yeah it’s cold out there.” He says rubbing his hands together.
His checks are red from the cold but I think it brings out his softer side and lightens his eyes. “Don’t be such a girl.” I tease shoving him.
“Funny.” He laughs. And we’re back to that comfortable banter.
Stopping at his locker along the way Bobbie stores his coat and grabs his books for family studies. “Do we even need our books today, aren’t we just making Christmas something or others?” Bobbie questions holding out his book.
“I don’t know.” I shrug.
But I do know, we’re making Christmas cookies. My plan is to save a cookie from the batch that I make and give it to Bobbie during our spare. Maybe that’s when I’ll ask him out? “That’s a first.” He says looking over at me.
“Are you saying I’m teacher’s pet?” I chuckle.
“Is that what I’m saying?” He pretends to mock me.
“Whatever.” I smile. I look over to see Megan and Audrey staring at us and pointing. Great.
“We should probably get going.” He says turning shy all of a sudden.
“Yeah.”
Why are people forever ruining things for us? It would be so much better if no one was around. I smile as Bobbie holds open the door but not before I catch another glance at Megan and Audrey. Megan’s pretending to be me by the looks of it and Audrey must be playing Bobbie only she doesn’t look to be playing along like Megan has hoped. I’m so sick of high school.
We get into the elevator and immediately I can tell things have turned weird. I feel heartbroken but I don’t know why?
“I hate high school.” I barely whisper walking past him.
“I hear ya.” He returns.
We emerge from the elevator moments later and I’m mentally preparing myself for him to bolt. Bobbie holds the door leading into the hallway but instead of taking off he continues to walk quietly beside me. It’s progress…I’ll take it. Maybe there’s hope for us after all. I smile to myself.
We walk the hall and I can see the girls up ahead waiting outside the class for me. I can’t help but smile because Bobbie’s still walking beside me. The girls will finally see us together. Knowingly Bobbie looks over at me like he’s waiting for me to ditch him to catch up with them but I’m in no rush to leave his side just yet.
We’re just a couple of steps from the class before he says. “I’ll catch up with yeah during our spare?”
“Of course.” I smile.
“Cool.” He replies and ducks past the girls who are smiling way too obviously.
“What was that?” Octavia asks smiling as I catch up with them.
“I told you he was different around me.” I practically beam at them. “I was honestly expecting him to bolt the moment we got out of the elevator.” I offer.
“What did he say before he broke away?” Kira asks almost circling me.
I suddenly felt like I’m the popular girl who just got asked out by the cutest guy in school. “He just said he’d see me during our spare.” I can’t help but smile. It’s hard to hide my excitement.
“Is that code for something?” Octavia teases.
“I don’t think so but he is acting a little different today.” I admit still smiling,
“Maybe he’s finally going to ask you out?” Octavia says.
“Maybe he’s planning something special because it Christmas?” Kira adds winking at me.
“I don’t think so.” I return watching him take his seat.
But a girl can dream right. “You guys are making such a big deal over nothing I assure you.” I’m trying not to get too excited just in case. I didn’t want to be totally crushed.
“Yeah but by the look on your face I can tell your imagining something bigger.” Octavia nudges me.
“You can see all that?” I ask touching my cheeks.
“Girl everyone can see how totally crazy you are over him.” Kira explains.
“No you can’t.” I return.
“We so can.” She returns.
“Whatever, I’m going in.” I leave them standi
ng in the door. Tori follows closely behind. “Your quiet what’s wrong?” I ask Tori.
“Nothing.” She simply says.
“Do you still have a thing for him?” I ask. But Tori stay’s quiet. What if she still likes him? I’ve never felt like this around anyone before. “If you do I’ll totally back off.” I swear I’m holding my breath in hopes that she won’t answer the way I’m fearing.
“No it’s fine.” She returns sharply.
Why do I feel like there’s something she’s not telling me? “Did something happen between you too?” I pause to observe her. “Is there something I should know about him?” I stop her so she’ll look at me.
I’m a little concerned. Bobbie doesn’t look like the type to hurt someone but I don’t know him outside of school. I can’t help but look over at him. He’s sitting with Sunny D and Cliff but he never seems to communicate with them.
“There’s nothing you need to worry about.” Tori explains.
“And you’re sure your over him?” I ask again. “I’ll totally be okay if you want me to walk away.” I’m searching her eyes.
“I’m fine with it really.” She moves away.
“If you’re sure?”
“I’m sure. Can we just drop it now?”
I’m not sure what’s going on with her but I can see she doesn’t want to talk about it anymore. “I’m sorry.” I add.
“It’s okay.” She saunters away.
Class starts, like I assumed we were making homemade Christmas cookies. Mixing the ingredients was easy enough. After all I had only been making Christmas cookies my entire life. Christmas was a major holiday for The Bernstein’s, we were Catholic’s after all.
Our group was the first to get our batter mixed properly on the very first batch. Within minutes we could smell them cooking. The entire classroom was filled with the smell of fresh baked cookies.
I couldn’t help but feel a little nostalgic. I missed Christmas’s with The Bernstein’s, we even went as far as cutting down our own tree. We’d bring it home and decorate it that night while we sang Christmas carols. Back then I loved to sing…That night us kids would sleep underneath it. I loved looking up into the branches as the colorful lights blinked on and off all night.
“They’re looking good Lucy.” Octavia bumps me following my eye sight.
The Moment Everything Changed (Lucy's Life #1) Page 9
