The Moment Everything Changed (Lucy's Life #1)

by Michelle Heron

  “You’ll be home tonight?” Mom asks.

  “Yeah I’ll be home by ten like usual.” I say peeking into the living room to make sure Max hadn’t shown up while I was in the shower.

  “Fine.” Mom continues but I’m not interested in finding out why she wants to know when I’ll be home.

  I just can’t worry about that right now. I make it out the front door just in time to see Octavia walking up our walkway.

  “There you are.” She says. “What’s going on?” She questions looking past me.

  “It’s nothing like that.” I reassure her knowing where her thoughts have probably gone. “Something happened with Bobbie and I want your advice.” I say.

  “What happened now?” She asks.

  “Let’s just get to your place and I’ll tell you all about it.” I say making it to her side.

  We get to Octavia’s and immediately go to her bedroom. Once I’m inside she closes her door and joins me on the end of the bed where I’m perched.

  “Okay spill it already.” Octavia says.

  “I think I might be wrong about him.” I say looking down at my hands.

  “Wrong how?” She questions.

  “I think maybe he and Tori might be a thing still.”

  “No way…What happened?” Octavia isn’t following.

  “We got talking about Valentine’s and Bobbie said he thought Cliff and I were going to be Valentines or something. I said we weren’t and then I might have asked if he was worried Cliff and I were a thing and he said “it doesn’t really matter to him,” what does that even mean Octavia?” I plea.

  Looking back on the situation with Cliff I guess I can kind of see where Bobbie’s coming from on the Cliff front. We are close but if it didn’t matter to Bobbie then why did he ask in the first place?

  “It might not mean anything…I can’t see anything happening with Tori and Bobbie.” Octavia reassures me.

  “I wouldn’t have a problem if there was but… I just want to know. I can’t keep wondering if he likes me or not Octavia.” I hear the disappointment in my voice. “It’s really messing me up.”

  “It seems like he likes you though.”

  “You think so?” I question looking over at her.

  “I’ve seen you two together, you know when you both don’t think anyone is watching you, you guys are so cute together.” She returns.

  “We are?” I ask nervously.

  “You are and you know your friends so it might take some time for him to come around.”

  “Yeah but what if that’s all he sees… Us as friends?”

  “I don’t know Lucy. Maybe give it a little more time.” She offers.

  “Yeah I guess.”

  “You said yourself you can’t date, so there’s really no hurry, right?”

  “Yeah…I guess your right.” I sigh.

  “Okay so just be friends for now. Just be yourself but keep letting him know you’re interested in little ways for now. It’ll all work out in the end.”

  “I hope your right.”

  I decide to take Octavia’s advice to heart. I wasn’t about to ruin my entire year and friendship with Bobbie over one cryptic comment. Instead I decide to put my walls back up. It hurts less this way.

  For the next couple of weeks, I play things cool. If Bobbie’s interested in me then he’d just have to come to me. I couldn’t risk everything for him.

  ****

  Somewhere along the way March crept up. The snow’s finally starting to melt away and I’m able to bundle up less.

  I’m standing outside the school waiting for my bus to arrive when I see Bobbie walking my way. We haven’t spent any one on one time together since the comment around Valentine’s day.

  I see him slowly approach. “Hey.” Bobbie says sitting down on the planter beside me.

  “What’s up?” I question looking over my shoulder at him.

  “What are your plans for the weekend?” He asks casually not looking at me.

  I glance towards the smoking section to see Octavia and Kira smiling at me which makes me nervous. “I don’t know, nothing really…How about you?”

  “Nothin.” He says following my gaze.

  The girls stop smiling and act like they haven’t noticed us. “Oh yeah.” We’re both sitting there awkwardly and the silence is just too much. I feel too much for him to just let our friendship slip away. “Did I do something wrong?” I ask looking over my shoulder at him.

  “What?” He turns to me.

  “Something seems off.” I say still looking at him. I’m desperately searching his eyes for something…Anything.

  “I’ve just got some shit going on.” He looks away. “It has nothing to do with you okay?” He says softly.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” What am I doing? I thought I was distancing myself from him? I barely whisper.

  “Not really no…Have a nice weekend.” Bobbie says slinging his bag over his shoulder.

  “You too.” I smile as he walks away.

  When he’s far enough away I turn back to Octavia and Kira who look confused. I bet they’re wondering what happened. I motion for Octavia to call me when my bus pulls up.

  “Someone looks happy.” Gloria says opening the bus.

  “There’s still hope Gloria.” I offer walking past her.

  “I take it things are back on with this boy?” Gloria questions.

  “Seems like he’s coming around.” I explain making my way back to my seat.

  That night I’m on the phone with Octavia for a few hours. We’re talking about everything from what happened today with Bobbie to her and Sunny D. I still can’t believe one of them haven’t asked each other out yet.

  What were they waiting for anyway, it was clear they were both into each other?

  ****

  It’s the week before March break. Bobbie and I have taken it upon ourselves to eat lunch outside at the planter this afternoon. The suns shining and Bobbie’s smiling. This day can’t get any better.

  I look towards the smoking section to see Octavia and Kira hanging out with Cliff and a group of people I don’t know.

  “Thinking of taking up smoking?” Bobbie asks.

  “I quit last summer.” I offer.

  Bobbie turns to me in shock. “Wait you use to be a smoker?” Bobbie asks.

  I can only see half his face because the other half is blocked by the sunlight. “Why do you sound so surprised?” I question putting my hand over my eyes to shield them from the sun.

  “I just figured you’d mention something all those times I headed out to the smoking section…Wait is that why you came to the smoking section that one time?” Bobbie questions.

  “I don’t know…maybe.” I smile. “I quit a while ago but since I’ve been hanging around Octavia I’ve sort of picked it up again.”

  “Why’d you quit in the first place?” He asks.

  “Surgery remember.” I offer.

  “Right.” He returns.

  “Speaking of smoke do you mind if I…” He gestures to his smokes.

  “Nah I’ll walk with ya.” I collect my things and start towards Octavia and the group she’s with.

  “Where are you going?” He asks.

  “I thought you were headed to the smoking section?” I asked turning back to him.

  “Not there.” He says shyly.

  “Oh…Um we’ll they’ve kind of spotted me.” I point back at my friends.

  “How about I just meet up with you in a bit?” He says.

  Suddenly I feel like I’ve ruined things all over again. All that progress for nothing. “Sure.” I return disappointed.

  “He’s not going to join us?” Octavia asks looking confused.

  “I guess not.” I offer looking back to see Bobbie has almost disappeared from my sight.

  “Why do you like him so much?” Kira asks looking at me.

  “I don’t know.” I say defensively. “There’s just something about him.” I return bringing my at
tention back to the group. “Can we not talk about him right now.” I fake a smile.

  “Fine.” Kira says.

  “So Octavia when are you going to finally ask Sunny D out?” I say trying to get the subject off me.

  “I’m working on it.” She blushes playfully.

  “Yeah okay.” I play along hoping to distract myself from my feelings.

  ****

  Later that afternoon I’m waiting for the bus once again. “What ya doing?” Bobbie asks sneaking up behind me.

  “Nothing just waiting for my bus.” I offer softly looking away.

  “Did your friends question why I didn’t join you earlier?” He asks slowly.

  “Yeah but it’s fine.” I look over at him. “You know you don’t have to hide from them. They know were friends.” I offer.

  “I’ll think about it next time.” He simply says.

  “Okay.” I smile.

  We somehow move past the awkward silence part and we’re talking like we use to. He’s making a joke about one of our classes when Britney approaches us.

  “Is that my sweater?” Britney accuses me.

  What is she doing? “What no?” I answer caught off guard.

  “I think it is Lucy take it off.” Britney walks towards us.

  “What are you talking about Britney.” I stand up annoyed and embarrassed.

  “I want my sweater back.” Britney snaps at me, moving in my direction.

  “It’s not yours and even if it was I’m wearing it right now so clearly you can’t take it.” I’m beyond embarrassed now.

  “Get your boyfriend here to give you his sweater if you’re so cold.” Britney says with her hand on her hip. “I want my sweater back.” Britney presses looking between Bobbie and I.

  That’s when I see Bobbie get up and slowly start to walk off. “Britney.” I snap. Great you’ve gone and scared him off. “Thanks a lot Britney.” I can only watch as Bobbie walks away. He doesn’t even look back once. “What the hell was that even about?” I ask Britney.

  “Just thought I’d point out the obvious. Buddies got to step up sometime.” She simply says then walks away. Was she actually trying to help me out or just ruin a good thing?

  There’s still ten minutes before my bus is due to arrive. I’m all alone again and the silence is just too loud. Slipping my headphones on I begin to wander.

  I’m caught up in my thoughts when I discover I’ve wandered to the smoking section. Looking up I see Kira standing there. Slipping my headphones around my neck I approach her. “How’d you get out so early?” I question making it to her side.

  “My teacher really doesn’t care what we do.” She returns taking a drag of the cigarette between her lips.

  “Hey can I bum one from ya?” I ask gesturing to her smoke.

  “What little miss innocent?” She eyeing me. “It’s about time.” Kira smiles pulling out another cigarette. “Your becoming one of the cool kids now huh.” She laughs.

  “Hardly, it’s just one smoke.” I return.

  “One’s all it takes.” Kira says eyeing me over her shoulder.

  “I use to be a smoker Kira.”

  “Really?” She’s eyeing me as I take my first drag. “What are you doing?” I question Kira.

  “Just seeing if you choke.” She laughs.

  “I’m not going to choke Kira.”

  “Okay.” She says smiling.

  Chapter Eleven

  A couple of weeks have gone by since I joined Kira in the smoking section. Evidently Kira was right. I kept finding myself in the smoking section with the girls.

  Bobbie’s back to acting weird when people are around. All this back and forth is really, messing with my emotions and I don’t know how much more I can take. I need to know what’s going on but I don’t know where to begin.

  I’m standing at my locker waiting for Octavia. Ever since Bobbie’s comment around Valentine’s Day Octavia’s been walking me to class.

  I see Bobbie come in and he’s walking towards his locker which happens to be a row away from mine.

  I’m listening to my music so I can’t hear the chatter around me. As Spice Girls Viva Forever plays in my ears I can’t help but watch Bobbie.

  Was I just torching myself over him? Would this whole situation have a happy ending or am I just fooling myself? If Bobbie’s not the one for me then why do I feel like this?

  “What ya doing?” Octavia say’s taping me on the shoulder.

  I quickly wipe a tear away. “Nothing.” I try to cover. “I was just thinking.” I smile.

  “About Bobbie?” She leans closer. “Are you listening to love songs Lucy?” Octavia questions.

  “It’s Spice Girls, I hardly call it love songs.” I turn to slam my locker closed.

  “For your tastes in music, that’s as close to love songs as you can get Lucy.” Octavia teases me.

  “And like you’re an expert on all things guy’s.” I say as we start walking towards the elevator. “You haven’t even made a move with Sunny D yet.” I say looking back in Bobbie’s direction. He’s watching me. This is so confusing. I smile then turn my attention back to Octavia.

  “I actually have a plan for that.” Octavia continues.

  “Awh due tell.” I chuckle.

  “You’ll see soon enough.” She smiles.

  “Why don’t I like the sound of this?” I question narrowing my eyes at her.

  “I don’t know?” She smiles and then starts walking ahead of me.

  “Octavia what are you planning?” I try chasing after her but she’s too fast and there’s just too many people in these hallways.

  Half hour or so later we’re in Geography class being split up into groups yet again. For some reason Mr. Davidson likes group work. Mr. Davidson has paired Bobbie and Sunny D with Octavia and I again.

  Maybe this will help get Bobbie and I back on track. “This is going to work out better then I originally planned.” Octavia says elbowing me in the arm.

  “What are you talking about?” I whisper leaning closer to her.

  “You’ll see.” She smiles.

  “Please don’t embarras me Octavia.” I plea.

  “I won’t.” She says looking towards Bobbie and Sunny D who are making their way over to our table.

  “Why do I suddenly have a bad feeling about this?” I question feeling nervous and excited at the same time.

  “I don’t know.” She says before the guys sit down.

  “What’s going on?” Sunny D asks.

  “Oh nothing Lucy and I just have a bet going on.” Octavia starts.

  “Oh yeah about what?” Sunny D continues.

  “She doesn’t believe I’ll ask you out.” She says throwing everyone off guard.

  “Oh really.” He smiles as he looks at her.

  “Yeah so you’ll help me when the bet if you’ll go out with me.” She says so easily.

  I swear my face is turning red just witnessing this. I sneak a look at Bobbie who’s clearly uncomfortable.

  “Is that all?” He questions eyeing her.

  “That’s all.” She smiles at him.

  It’s almost like Bobbie and I aren’t even in the same room as these two.

  “We’ll we can’t let you lose that bet, now can we?” He plays along.

  “No you can’t.” She smiles. “So…it’s a date then?” She practically bats her eyes at him. It’s so funny to watch I’ve got to look away.

  “How about this Friday night?” He asks never taking his eyes off her.

  “Friday works me.” She smiles. “How about you guys?” Octavia’s eyeing me. What is she doing? “Do you guys want to tag along?” Octavia nudges me.

  I’m at a loss for words. “Ahhh.” What do I do? I slowly look towards Bobbie.

  “I’ve got something Friday, sorry.” Bobbie says nervously. “I’ll be right back.” He says as he practically bolts from his chair and out of the class.

  I suddenly feel like the air’s been sucked from my lungs. �
�I honestly thought that would have worked.” Octavia says.

  “Yeah well…it didn’t.” I say bitterly.

  “Wait what just happened?” Sunny D asks.

  “I thought if I asked you out in front of Bobbie and Lucy that maybe he’d feel more comfortable and just agree to a date with Lucy…Guess it didn’t work.”

  “I already kind of thought you two were a thing or something.” Sunny D continues.

  What’s with all these assumptions? “Really?” I question.

  “I guess I just assumed.” Sunny D returns.

  “Oh well…Guess it’s not meant to happen.” I try distracting myself with the assignment in front of us.

  Bobbie’s gone for at least ten minutes before he slips back into his chair. The moment he sits down I can smell cigarette smoke.

  Did he just sneak off to have a smoke? I sneak a peek at him. He looks completely flustered but I think the worst of the tension has passed.

  After math, I head off to the AR room for lunch. I’m sitting at Bobbie and I’s usual table, desperately watching the door hoping he’ll appear. Every black jacket that walks by I’m thinking it’s him but twenty minutes into lunch with still no sign of him I give up hope.

  Packing my things, I make my way through the hallway full of people. I’m still desperately holding onto to hope that thing’s haven’t been totally, destroyed with Bobbie. Why can’t I get it through my head that this might not work out after all?

  Pushing the front doors open I head towards the smoking section. Got to do something to calm these nerves. As I make my way to the smoking section I can’t help but look towards the other smoking section where I can only assume Bobbie’s been hiding out. Sure, enough I see his black coat. Guess I’ve got my answer.

  March break is approaching. Which means we’ll be out of school for the next two weeks. I desperately needed the break but I fear what those two weeks will hold for me… “What are your plans for March break?” I ask Octavia as I take the smoke she’s offering me.

  “My family is going away for the first week and a bit.” She says as I take my first drag.