Falling Read online

  “English, with Mrs. Cloudy. I hope she doesn’t give me a hard time about being tardy.”

  “I can’t believe anyone would say something to you. You are like the perfect student. You never get in trouble and you make straight A’s. Everyone loves you,” Connor grins at me. “You worry too much.”

  “Aren’t you going to be late?” I ask.

  “I have weight training this period. Coach Miller will understand, he trusts me." When we get to Mrs. Cloudy’s room, Connor opens the door and continues into my classroom.

  “What are you doing?” I whisper.

  “Getting you out of trouble.” Connor murmurs. He then walks straight up to Mrs. Cloudy and explains that it was entirely his fault that I was tardy. He told her how he knocked me down in the hall, but in his version he left out that I was already running late. Mrs. Cloudy looks completely charmed by Connor, and by the end of the story she is laughing.

  “Okay, Ms. Lowe, we will let this tardy slide since there seems to be a reasonable excuse." I peek at Connor who is grinning at me. He walks over to my desk and puts my books down.

  Then he leans down next to my ear and whispers, “See Klutzy? I told you I would take care of you." When I look up into his face, his smile disappears and he seems very serious. “See you later, Abby.” he says as he heads toward the door. I stare after him wondering what that look was all about.

  **********

  Lunchtime is always an adventure. I rarely pack my lunch, so that means I brave the lunch line and the mysterious food served there. I glance down at my chicken nuggets that seem a little too circular and at my limp French fries. I really need to start packing my lunch. As I head towards Leah and our normal lunch table, I stumble and barely keep my tray from flipping over. A ketchup packet skitters across the floor and comes to rest under a table full of jocks. I consider leaving it there, but I really like ketchup, and since our cafeteria ladies only allow one packet per student, I refuse to lose mine. I march over to the table hoping I can get the packet without embarrassing myself too badly. I quickly set my tray down next to Leah and then march over to the jocks’ table. I explain what I am doing as I bend down to extract the packet from under a chair. A hand beats me to the packet. My eyes flick up to the owner of the hand, and my eyes collide with Connor’s. He winks and dangles the packet towards me. As I start to grab it, he quickly pulls it out of my reach laughing.

  "Klutzy, how did your ketchup get under my table? I mean, I really shouldn’t be surprised. You can barely walk, much less carry something and walk at the same time,” he laughs. I glance around the table and notice some of Connor’s friends are watching us with puzzling looks. One of them asks who I am, and Connor quickly explains that I am just a friend of his kid sister. While his attention is focused elsewhere, I grab the packet and head back to Leah. His definition of me shouldn’t hurt, but it does. I want him to look at me and see someone special. I want him to see Abby, a girl he has fun with, but instead all he sees is a friend of his little sister. Once seated next to Leah, I see Connor giving me a questioning look. I guess he is wondering why I walked away so hastily without a word to him. I focus my attention on Leah, who has been talking since I sat down. I need to forget Connor.

  “Don’t forget we have Mathletes practice Wednesday.” Mathletes is the name of our high school’s math quiz-bowl team, in which Leah and I are both members. I am the leader of this select set of nerds, which probably means that I am the biggest nerd of all.

  “I’m glad you reminded me. I need to talk to Mrs. McKinney about some of the practice problems. I bet you are excited about practice. Miles will be there,” I hoot. Leah has a crush on another member of Mathletes, Miles. He is super smart, cute, and sweet. Everything a girl could possibly want in a guy.

  “So, have you talked to him today?”

  “He walked me to chemistry this morning. He even carried my books, like the perfect gentleman. It was so romantic." Her story made me think of Connor and what a great guy he had been earlier today.

  “So, are you guys ever going out on a date? You have been flirting for months. “

  “Be quiet Abby. Someone might hear you,” Leah whispers. I glance around the cafeteria to see if anyone is paying any attention to us. As if our conversation about her interest in Miles is a big secret. It is obvious to anyone who watches them that they like each other.

  “No one is listening or even looking at us,” I say as I spot some of the Mathletes heading towards us, Miles among them. As I wave at them, I see Connor and his best friend Blake heading in our direction. Then again, we sit near the door so they are most likely just on their way out of the lunchroom. As they walk past our table, Blake waves at me, he’s a member of Mathletes. Connor stops and looks in my direction, then back at Blake. He whispers something to Blake before they head out of the cafeteria. Another look from Connor. I look down at my shirt to make sure I didn’t spill something on it. No spills and my clothes are fine. What is up with these looks? Leah taps my arm to get my attention.

  “Abby, can you give me a ride home today? Connor has practice like normal,“ Leah complains. She is always whining about her lack of transportation. I would gladly exchange my Jeep for her parents any day of the week.

  “Of course. We will have to hurry because I have to be at home when the beast gets off the bus. You can come to my house after school if you want.”

  “I can’t. My mom and dad have planned a family night out. Don’t they understand that I have other things to do besides hang out with them? “I hate it when she gripes about her parents. She just doesn’t understand how lucky she is. I love hearing about her family’s adventures. Maybe I should ask Mom and Dad if we could do something. Maybe I just need to try harder.

  “We are going out to eat and then bowling. They said family only, or you would be coming with me. Connor would probably bring a different girl to every excursion if they would let him. Speak of the devil, I heard he about knocked you unconscious today. Someone from your English class told me. What the heck happened? Did he really mow you down, or did you just fall?" she asks with a chuckle.

  “We were both running late and ran into each other in the hall. I have a bruise on my knee and one on my shoulder. I am just one lucky girl." The bell rings dismissing us from lunch and back to our last two classes. Leah starts heading in the wrong direction.

  “Where are you going? We have pre-calculus next.”

  “I gotta run by my locker and grab something before class. See you there!” she says as she dashes off down the hall. As I walk into pre-calculus, I notice Connor is already in his seat in the back of the room. Leah and I sit in the front. Just another difference between us. Connor is a good student but doesn’t focus on academics like I do. He has a lot of other things going on, like sports and being a womanizer. I just can’t figure him out. Leah interrupts my thoughts as she rushes in the classroom with a big grin on her face.

  “So Miles just walked me to class again. That is twice in one day. He even squeezed my arm when he said bye. He is so dreamy,” Leah sighs.

  “So that was the important something you had to do at your locker?” I start to giggle and soon we are both laughing.

  Mrs. McKinney silences our laughter with a look as she starts class. We take notes the whole class period, and by the end my brain feels utterly exhausted. Yet, I still have chemistry to survive through. As we leave the room, I notice Connor standing by the door. I wave to Leah as she heads off to English. As I turn to head to Chemistry, Connor steps in front of me before falling into step with me.

  “Hey. I just wanted to check on you and make sure you were okay after this morning? I have been thinking about you all day." Those words make my heart flutter, even if they don’t mean exactly what I want them to.

  “I told you I was fine.” I laugh and roll my eyes at him.

  He laughs, “You wouldn’t tell me if your leg was about to fall off, Abby. You are so independent, never needing anyone. You can handle anything on you
r own, except maybe a scary movie, right?" I notice as we walk, all the girls tracking Connor’s every move. I guess I am just one of the many.

  “How can you stand it?” I ask before I can stop myself. I hate it when people watch me, especially when I walk because it makes me feel more clumsy than usual.

  “Stand what?” he says with a glance at my face.

  “Them all watching you? Doesn’t it get on your nerves or make you feel uncomfortable?”

  “Usually I just ignore it, but sometimes it gets to be too much. Like Saturday when I came to your house. I just needed to get away from everyone. You and Leah don’t stare or try to get my attention by flirting. I can relax around you two. I love the guys I hang out with, but there are always so many girls around, sometimes it makes me crazy, and I just need to escape." He continues to look at the floor as we walk, like he is embarrassed by his response.

  “You’re lying. You love all the attention. You go out with a different girl every weekend,” I smirk.

  He chuckles, “Okay, I don’t hate it all the time. I love it that girls like me, what guy wouldn’t? I just wish . . .”

  “What do you wish?" I ask when he hesitates. He eyes drift over my face until he looks me in the eye.

  I don’t know anymore,” he says with a frown. “I gotta go, Klutzy. See you later, try not to fall,” he calls with a wave as he walks away.

  After school, I pace in front of my car until finally I see Leah running across the parking lot. “Where have you been? You know I am supposed to be at home when Allie gets off the bus."

  “Sorry, sorry, Mrs. Cloudy kept me after class for a second. She wanted to discuss my paper on Moby Dick. Why anyone wants to read a class full of essays on that book beats me. “

  “It’s a classic,” I say in my best Mrs. Cloudy voice which makes Leah laugh.

  As we are going downtown, Leah asks, “So, after Mathletes on Wednesday, I was thinking maybe a big group of us could go to Charlie’s and hang out.”

  “Is this an excuse to hang out with Miles? My goodness, why don’t you just ask him out? He must be too shy to do it himself." I say with a shake of my head.

  “I want him to ask me, Abby. Please, could we go to Charlie’s on Wednesday? If you mention it at practice, I bet almost everyone will go. Please, please, please.” Leah begs.

  “Fine,” I give in as we reach the Sparks' house. “I will call you later tonight. I have to rush home to the beast." I laugh as she waves goodbye to me. I live about ten minutes away from Leah, so I make it home right in time to watch the beast itself get off the bus.

  “Hey small fry. So who did you get for a partner?”

  Allie glares in my direction and I know that she did not get with someone she wanted. “So, who did you get?” I ask again.

  “Toby Martin. Only the most annoying boy in the class. He never shuts up, and he is such a smart aleck. I can’t believe I have to work on a project with him for the next month." Allie spits out.

  “Well, you just described most boys so get used to it,” I mumble. “Mom won’t be home until around 7 or 7:30, so it is just you and me. Let’s get a snack, then start on homework. Do you have much?" I ask as we go inside the house. It really stinks to feel like a parent at 17.

  Chapter 3

  I have been part of Mathletes since freshman year, but I took over as the leader because I am organized and love math. It is usually a senior who leads the group, but we only have two seniors on the team and neither wanted it so it kind of fell into my lap. Plus, I have no social life, so I can focus on it more than some of the other members. There are ten members total, six boys and four girls. Mrs. McKinney is our sponsor and math teacher. She is tough during class but at Mathlete practice she pretty much lets us do whatever. We usually just review possible problems and end up arguing over the answers a lot.

  Tonight’s practice is almost over and I have yet to say anything about Charlie’s. I can feel Leah glaring at me, but I really just want to go home and hang out with my family. My dad is off tonight and my mom made a point of cooking supper tonight for us. I glance at Leah and by the look she is giving me, I think she is trying to send telepathic messages to me about Charlie’s. She has looked forward to this all week and I won’t disappoint her.

  “Okay, it’s 5:30. Anyone want to go grab some dinner at Charlie’s? I thought it might be fun if we all got to know each other outside of practice. What do you guys think?”

  Erin, a girl with less of a social life than me, looks up excited. “Sounds like fun, I’m in.”

  “Me too, I’m hungry anyway,” says Miles with a look in Leah’s direction.

  “What about you guys?" I look around the classroom at Troy, Chris, Gracie, Corey, and Jonathon. A couple nod and start to gather their stuff. Well, I have done as promised. Leah should be thrilled.

  I look up as someone burst into the room, “Did I miss the whole practice, guys?”

  “Sorry Blake, we were just finishing up. Some of us are going to Charlie’s if you want to come along," I say with a smile. Blake is really cute and smart, but he misses most of our practices because of football practice. I don’t know him very well, but I have seen him at Leah’s house with Connor several times. He and Connor are best friends.

  “Yeah, that sounds like fun. Anyone need a ride over to the diner?" He asks and seems to look at me a moment longer than necessary. A couple of people nod at Blake and start to gather their books and papers.

  I turn to pack my bag and feel a tap on my shoulder.

  “What about you, Abby? Do you want to ride with me?" Blake asks then blushes.

  “No, I actually don’t get to stay long. My mom is cooking supper, and I have to be home by 6:30 to eat. Thanks, though, Blake, maybe another time." I wonder what made him ask me in particular. He smiles and heads out the door towards the parking lot.

  By the time I arrive at Charlie’s, most of the Mathletes are settled into a big booth in the back. I notice that Leah and Miles are sitting close together whispering. I smile at her when she looks up and give her a thumbs up. I flop down into the booth at the end so I can get out easy. Blake slides over beside me and grins.

  “So, sorry I missed practice, Abby. You guys should just kick me off the team,” he laughs nervously. This is not his usual crowd. He normally hangs out with Connor and the popular group. This is definitely a change of scenery for him. I notice Erin and Gracie are trying to get his attention. Erin is smiling really big, but I see that a piece of food is stuck in her braces. It is just so sad. Gracie is staring at Blake so adoringly, it is a little scary. I hope Blake doesn’t notice them and run away from Mathletes. He is one of our best competitors. I snicker before I can stop myself. Blake looks in my direction questioningly.

  “What are you laughing at?” he mumbles.

  “Nothing I want you to know about,” I shrug as I snicker again. I can’t imagine acting like that. I wonder if that is how I look at Connor. If so, surely he wouldn’t talk to me. I must hide it a little better than Erin and Gracie.

  “Come on Abby, what is it?” He leans toward me and nudges me with his shoulder. What is happening here? Is Blake actually flirting with me?

  “Well, you seem to have the same effect on girls as Connor does," I whisper to him. I look pointedly around the table so he will notice what I am talking about. I see him tense up when he sees Erin and Gracie smiling dotingly in his direction. Most guys would run away from these particular girls, but Blake smiles back and starts telling a funny story about something that happened at school today. He seems so relaxed and easy-going. Based on school gossip, Blake and his girlfriend broke up last month. Rumor has it that he broke up with her because she was making fun of someone. All I can say is if that is true, he is quite a catch.

  Blake leans back towards me and whispers, “Hey, you going to join in the conversation, or just sit there like a bump on a log?”

  “What, did you want me to stare tenderly at you too? Well, okay here goes." I stop talking and stare
up at Blake as if I had stars in my eyes. I can’t keep from laughing when he sticks his tongue out at me.

  “You are a little brat. Did you know that?” he jokes.

  “If you talk to all the ladies this way, no wonder they are all after you,” I reply with a grin. I glance at my watch and decide I better scoot if I am going to make it home for dinner. “Sorry to bail on everyone, but I gotta get home. Leah, can you get a ride with someone?"

  “I’ll take her home, if that is okay with you, Leah?" Miles asks sweetly.

  “That would be great Miles. Ab, I will call you later. Be careful going home,” she says.

  As I am unlocking my Jeep, I feel a tap on the shoulder. I look over my shoulder and notice Blake has followed me outside. “You leaving too?” I ask.

  “Yeah, I’m tired. Football wears out a body. I just wanted to tell you bye and thanks for inviting me along. “

  “You’re part of the team. Well, I hate to run, but my mom won’t keep my supper warm for me. I will see you at school. Bye Blake.”

  “Bye Abby." As he walks away, I can’t help but notice what a looker he is. It seems unlikely, but could Blake actually be interested in me. That’s definitely something to think about.

  **********

  Family dinners in my house are rare. My mom made spaghetti and meatballs, which are even more unheard of. She never cooks. We usually eat frozen dinners, box meals, or fast food.

  As we sit down to dinner, I notice my dad has his pager out looking at it.

  “Dad, were you beeped? Do you have to leave?" I ask with a frown on my face.

  “No way Abby, I am eating with you guys tonight. I hardly ever get to see my girls, I am not going to lose this chance." He walks around the table and gives me a hug. “I love you,” he whispers in my ear.