Page 21 of From Me to You

A whiny noise came in just as he started the engine. “Sorry, it’s a pretty old truck.” He admitted sheepishly.

We sat in complete silence the whole ride. I did not know what to say. I did not know how to react. This was the first time I was being driven home by a boy who just kissed me like he had waited his whole life for the kiss. How do you react then?

Soon we reached my driveway, and he asked me to wait while he opened my door. He pulled me out and immediately dropped my hand. I stood there awkwardly as I returned his jacket. He ran a thumb over my cheek, his touch quickly gone as he mumbled good night and drove away without looking back.

I stood there waving at the back of his truck like an idiotic fool.

CHAPTER 6

Jay crooned in my ears on the way to school on Monday. I hadn’t heard from him since he dropped me off that night. That night when he kissed me. I smiled as I touched my lips. The most gorgeous boy in town kissed me.

Also, the night when I realized that it wasn’t just me who felt it, it wasn’t just me who felt that burn, that deep desire to want him in every possible way. He wanted me to. He felt that electricity too, that unexplainable pull that we had toward each other. I knew it, but I tried not to think about his weird goodbye that night.

Like he couldn’t wait to get rid of me. Or the fact that I haven’t heard from him after that. I was nervous to see him in school today.

Lunch came in, and I still hadn’t seen him or any of the guys.

“Hey,” I said, taking a seat opposite Katy at our usual table. Lily wasn’t here yet.

“Hey, Evy! How was your day today? Mine was the worst! God, I hate math, calculus, or whatever other names they have for the same f-ing thing.” She complained in typical Katy fashion.

I laughed. “They are all math but different.”

“Yeah, exactly my problem. Who creates different forms of the same thing?” Katy dramatically plopped her chin on her palms.

I shook my head as we dug into our food. Lily joined us a while later. I kept looking at the door waiting for Jay to walk in but none of the guys were nowhere to be found.

“Em won’t be here this week,” Katy said, catching me glancing toward the door. “None of the guys will be here. They have gone to Oakland to perform on a small gig. The school doesn’t really care much about their attendance as long as they keep their grades up.”

“Oh,” I said, disappointed.

“So, what happened between you and Em on Saturday? And don’t even think about denying anything. We all saw you walking away together.” Katy grinned, leaning closer.

“Yeah, we did.” Lily nodded.

“Nothing happened. He just took me home,” I mumbled.

“Well, Em made it back and got drunk out of his mind. So, I am sure something did happen.”

“Nothing happened.” I lied. “It isn’t like that between us.” I didn’t want to say anything. Not after that weird goodbye. I knew he wanted me, but I was confused about it.

“Yeah right.” Katy rolled her eyes and started talking about how excited she was for the summer. Saying that she was so done with this awful weather. I sighed. At least she was done grilling me.

I was in the middle of English later that day when a ping alerted me that I had received a text.

Jay- I am sorry I kissed you.

My hands shook as I read his message. My eyes instantly blurred as tears welled up. I couldn’t believe him. Why? That kiss—I thought he wanted it.

My heart shattered as I reread that text again and again. A single tear fell on my cheek, and I quickly swiped it. I never cried. Hardly anything made me cry. But this hurt. The rejectionstung. Why did he kiss me then? He asked me first. If it was that bad, then why did he act all nice and drop me off?

My heart dropped as I realized he hated that kiss so much that he got rid of me so fast. It explained his weird goodbye. I knew I was inexperienced, but I didn’t realize I was so bad that he was sorry. I should have known better than to have my head in the clouds when it came to a boy like him. I should have never entangled myself with him. I should have focused on what was important—to keep my head down and get that scholarship to Yale. Anger coursed through me, and I refused to think about him anymore.

I exhaled as I walked up the stairs to Olive’s after school. When I was with Aunty M the other day, I saw that they had a sign that said they were hiring. And I needed a part-time job so it would be perfect.

“Hello.” I smiled at the guy working on the little bakery counter that they had. “I saw the sign outside for a job opening. I am Evy, by the way.”

“Hi, Evy. I am Lucas, you have to talk to Martha about that. She’s around the back. You can go that way.” Lucas smiled as he pointed toward a small corridor around the back.