Falling Read online

  “One second, I’ve got to grab my jacket and keys. Go ahead and start walking to the car, I will catch up. I want to say bye to everyone right quickly,” I say as I run off. I explain to Leah that I can’t go to Charlie’s with her and Miles because of my parents. I wave to all the Mathletes as I leave the library. I begin to jog to catch up with my parents when I hear someone call my name. I turn back towards the library and notice Connor following me.

  “Didn’t we already have this discussion, Connor? I really have to go, my parents are waiting.”

  “I came to watch you tonight. You did great,” he states nervously.

  “We lost." I notice his eyes look tired and there are black smudges underneath them, like he hasn’t been getting enough sleep. I shouldn’t feel worried about him but I do. He looks so sad.

  “You look tired,” I say before I can stop myself.

  “I haven’t been sleeping very well this week. Abby, I . . .”

  “Look,” I interrupt, “I have to get going. My parents are waiting in the parking lot, “I say as I jog towards the outside door.

  “Abby, you okay?” Mom asks as I get in the car. She must have seen me talking to Connor. I nod then turn to stare out the window.

  For the rest of the evening, my mom and dad spend time just getting to know me and finding out about the parts of my life they have missed out on. I don’t know if I can forget their lack of interest, but their efforts this week are helping me to forgive them and hopefully move on to a better place.

  After dinner, my parents take me back to school to get my car. As I unlock the door, I see a piece of paper folded under my windshield wiper. As soon as I grab it, I know it is from Connor.

  Abby-

  I’m sorry and I know I screwed up. Please give me a chance to explain. I miss you.

  Connor

  I fold the note and stick it in my pocket. On the drive home, I thought about Connor and the whole situation. At some point, I would be ready to listen but not now. It still hurt too much to be near him. Once the pain subsides a little, I will be able to deal with him in a logical manner. Until then, I will continue to avoid him and his excuses.

  ***********

  The rest of the week I continued to suffer every time I glimpsed Connor. I found strength in the small ways I found to avoid him. I would sit facing away from him at lunch. I walked different routes to class to ensure we didn’t pass in the hallway. I went to my locker only before and after school. However, I couldn’t avoid him in pre-calculus, I mean he was in the same room. He knew what I was doing so he had decided to try a new tactic. He moved into the seat next to mine so it was impossible to ignore him. I could tell by the looks he directed my way during math class that my evasiveness was getting to him.

  By Friday, he looked exhausted and ragged. My heart wept at the sight of him looking so disheveled and unhappy. Yet every time I started to feel sorry for him, I would remember his harsh words at the fall festival and renew my resolve to avoid him.

  The situation was taken out of my hands when my parents made an announcement that weekend.

  “So, your mom and I have something to tell you both,” Dad says. “As you know, your mom and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary a couple of weeks ago. We both decided that since it was the big 20 we needed to do something big. So we are taking a trip, just your mom and me. We are going to Hawaii. We will be gone all next week. I just wanted to give you a heads up that you will be staying with the Sparks.”

  I can’t believe we are staying with the Sparks. That means Connor for a week. I have been avoiding him at school, but that will be impossible if I am living in the same house. My parents knew that a boy hurt me, but I never told them who. If I told them it was Connor, they would change their plans. I look up at my mom and dad, but they look so happy and excited about taking this trip together. I can survive a week with Connor for them. They have been trying harder for our family and I will do the same for them.

  “Honey, aren’t you excited? A whole week with Leah,” my dad asks puzzled by my reaction to the announcement.

  “Of course, I am excited." I lie.

  **********

  “I can’t believe you are staying with us for a whole week. I am so excited,.” Leah says as she jumps on her bed. This is the first time I have been to the Spark’s house since the fall festival.

  “I know, me too. I can’t believe my parents are leaving for Hawaii in a couple of days. Allie is so excited about staying with you. She thinks it is going to be one big slumber party.”

  “I love your little sister. Mom said you both were going to sleep in the spare bedroom down the hall. She explained that if you were allowed to sleep in here, we would talk all night. I had to agree."

  “So how are things with Miles going?”

  “Wonderful,” she sighs, “he is so sweet. So, when are you going to tell me the whole story about you and Connor? I asked him for details but he just growled at me. I mean he actually growled at me. He has been so moody this past week, I have just kept my distance.” She shrugs her shoulders and rolls her eyes.

  “There is nothing really to tell. We got in an argument, that’s all.”

  “What was the argument about? You are always so vague,” she complains.

  “He hurt my feelings.” I say sadly. It still makes me want to cry when I think about it. We both turn towards the door when we hear a knock.

  “Yeah?" Leah yells.

  “Leah, have you seen my black football shirt. I know you like to wear it,” Connor says as he opens the door. His eyes widen when he sees me sitting on Leah’s bed. “Abby, I didn’t know you were here. How have you been?” he asks me nervously.

  “Good. Well, Leah, I have to run.”

  “Why?” she questions, “You haven’t been here long.”

  “My family is going out to eat. We are trying to spend some time together before my parents leave on their trip. I will talk to you later. Bye Connor,” I say as I push past him at the door.

  “Abby, wait a second please.” Connor whispers as I go by. When I ignore him, I hear him following me down the steps. As I leave the Sparks’ house, I know he is right behind me.

  When I reach my car, I finally turn around and say, “What do you want?”

  “I miss you. We used to hang out, and now it is like you have cut me out of your life. I miss you more than I ever thought I could.”

  “Why do you miss me? I mean, let me see if I can remember your wording. 'I have to be nice to her, she’s my little sister’s best friend.' Then you made a point of making fun of how I looked. Why would you say that unless you meant it?" I say as my eyes start to water.

  “Please, just listen,” Connor says franticly, “Samantha was asking all these questions about you and me. I didn’t know how to answer them. I panicked and just said that. I didn’t mean it. I love how you look. I love hanging out with you. Please forgive me, I can’t stand you being mad at me.”

  “I don’t know. I just don’t know if I can believe you anymore. I gotta go.” As I pull out of the driveway, I look in my rearview mirror at Connor. He is still standing in the exact same place with a look on his face as if I destroyed him.

  Chapter 11

  My parents left this morning for Hawaii and my week with the Sparks begins. Connor has not approached me since the altercation in the driveway. I have been thinking a lot about him, though. He seemed genuinely upset about the situation, maybe I should give him another chance. I am scared of being his friend and concerned that my feelings for him will resurface. I will just take this week one day at a time and see what happens.

  Allie and I are staying in the guest room down the hall from Leah’s bedroom. My clothes are hung in the closet, along with Allie’s. It feels so weird to be away from home, even knowing it is just around the corner. Mrs. Spark calls us down to dinner. I guess there is no putting off the inevitable, seeing Connor.

  As we enter the dining room, I laugh when I see Leah sitting in her normal chair
grinning at me.

  “So how does it feel to be a Spark for the week, guys?” she chuckles. I roll my eyes, sometimes she is so corny.

  “Thanks again for letting Allie and I stay here. We really appreciate it,” I say as Connor comes in and sits down in front of me. He looks at me for a second and then glances away. Well, no time like the present to mend fences.

  “So Connor, how is football going?" I ask with a small smile. He looks momentarily stunned and then grins at me.

  “Good, but I missed you at the last two ballgames." Leah and his parents look up puzzled by this statement.

  “Son, how would you know Abby wasn’t there, you were playing?” Mr. Spark asks.

  “I always notice when you guys arrive at the field and so I always see Abby with you. She wasn’t there the last two weeks. I missed her being there." Leah and her parents continue to stare at Connor with bewildered looks. Time for a change of subject.

  “So the Mathletes last competition is this week. I am glad to be done with the season. I can only take so much math. “ Leah says with a snort. I nod my head in total agreement.

  “So, Allie, you are being quiet. Tell us about your day at school,” Mrs. Sparks requests. I laugh and shake my head, because once Allie starts talking there is no stopping her. She is so energetic and easy to love that by the end of her story, everyone at the table is trembling with laughter.

  After supper, I excuse myself to my temporary bedroom to finish up some homework. I am working on my math, when there is a knock at the door.

  Leah sticks her head in the door, “Hey, since there is a teacher workday on Wednesday, Miles and I are going to go to the movies tomorrow night. We thought you might want to tag along. Would you like to go?”

  “I hate to be a third wheel, but I haven’t been to the movies in a while. Is it okay if I come along?”

  “Of course it is. I wouldn’t have asked you otherwise, silly.” Leah laughs and leaves the room.

  **********

  I am just changing clothes when I hear the doorbell ring. Miles must be here to pick us up to go to the movies. I grab my wallet and head downstairs just in time to see Connor come in from football practice. I know he hurt me, but he has really been sweet to me lately. My heart still flutters at the sight of him. He is all sweaty and dirty, but somehow it is still attractive. I try to glance away before he catches me checking him out.

  He spots me coming down the steps then looks over at Miles and Leah. “So where are you guys going?”

  “Movies,” Leah responds without taking her eyes off of Miles. I grin as I continue to watch them together.

  “Could I come along?” Connor asks with a look in my direction.

  “It’s up to Abby. She would be the one talking to you mostly,” Leah replies.

  “So Ab, can I come along and hang out with you?" Connor asks hesitantly. We stare at each other knowing if I say yes, I am forgiving him completely.

  “It is okay with me,” I say as I smile at him. He lets out a deep breath as he hears my answer, like he was expecting me to say no. He grins back at me then dashes upstairs to change clothes. As he passes by me, he squeezes my arm before continuing on to his room.

  Once in the theater, I sit down beside Leah and await the beginning of the movie. Before I can blink, I see Connor slump down in the seat next to mine. My heart flips from his nearness. He is so close I can smell his cologne. Goodness, he smells good. I glance toward him and he is watching me with a genuinely happy expression.

  “What are you thinking about right now?" I ask him because he looks so happy at that moment I can’t resist.

  “I am just thrilled to be sitting beside you and hear your voice,” he blushes and looks away from me.

  “I don’t think I have ever seen you blush before Connor,” I chuckle. It feels so good to be teasing him again.

  “So what have you been up to this past week?” I ask.

  “Besides missing you, you mean?” he winks. “Nothing much, just football and the normal stuff." I wonder if the normal stuff is Samantha, but I refuse to ask. We are just friends, and this time I will try to keep that in mind.

  “Abby, can I ask you something?” I nod at him and look at him, waiting for the question.

  “What happened with Blake?"

  “We were just friends, that’s all. Why do you ask?”

  “I don’t know, I was just surprised that he didn’t snatch you up when he had the chance. He started dating Sarah shortly after your date. Were you okay with that, or do I need to beat him up?" I laughed and shook my head.

  “No, Blake and I are just friends. It wouldn’t have worked out with us," I say. Connor looks more confused than ever. “What about you? Are you and Samantha still together?”

  “No, that ended right after the fall festival. She wasn’t a very nice person. I should have listened to you and Leah.”

  “I am always right Connor. You should always listen to me,” I laugh when I see him roll his eyes. We glance at each other as the lights dim and the movie starts. I shiver as I think about sitting next to Connor at the movies.

  “Are you cold?” he says as he puts his jacket over my legs. I cuddle down into his jacket knowing this is definitely not helping my crush. His jacket carries his scent, and I rest my nose against the collar so I can inhale it more fully. As I shift around to get the bag of candy I snuck in from my pocketbook, my wallet falls onto the floor and my change scatters under our chairs. Leah and Miles are laughing and shushing me at the same time. Connor and I kneel on the floor and grab all the coins we can find. We both lean forward to reach the same coin and end up bumping heads hard.

  “Ahhh, that did not feel good,” I say, rubbing the spot over my left eye where his head connected with mine. We move back into our seats and he looks at my forehead. He rubs his fingertips over the red spot then slowly lowers his hand so he is cupping my cheek. I lift my hand and run it lightly over the red spot on his cheek where I hit him.

  “Abby, I really want to . . . ” he starts, but is interrupted when Leah throws a quarter she found on the floor at me. We drop our hands and lean back in our chairs. Leah is eyeing me questioningly.

  “What is going on?” she mouths. I just shrug and turn back to the movie. Connor looks over at me and grins. What the heck is going on? Did Connor just make a move on me? I don’t understand him at all. Didn’t he insult me last week? And now this. What is going on in that head of his?

  After the movie, I check to make sure nothing else fell out of my wallet onto the floor. When I head toward the exit, I see Connor waiting for me. Miles and Leah are already walking toward Miles’s car. When I reach Connor, he smiles and we walk together towards the car. We are so focused on each other, we don’t see Samantha watching and walking toward us.

  “Connor! Hey, what are you doing?” she runs over and links her arm through his. She looks me up and down, then laughs. “Are you actually here on a date with her?” she asks with a sneer in my direction.

  Connor glances in my direction uneasily then clears his throat like he is having a hard time coming up with an answer. She is so insulting with her looks and words, yet he says nothing. That actually says a lot to me. I walk towards Leah shaking my head. What was I thinking, Connor interested in me, yeah right. I peek back towards Connor and he is still talking to Samantha. He is probably telling her another excuse about why he is walking with me. It wasn’t a date, I shouldn’t even be upset. He didn’t do anything wrong, but he is still talking to her. I get in the backseat and listen to Miles and Leah make plans for tomorrow, since we don’t have school. Before long, Connor slides into the seat next to mine and looks at me. I keep my eyes focused out the window, even though I feel him staring at me. The car ride home is one of the longest of my life. I never really understood how quiet silence can be until this moment. As soon as we stop in front of the Spark’s house I jump out of the car, waving bye to Miles as I head up to the front door. Once inside, I head straight to my temporary bedroom to che
ck on my sister and get away from Connor. My sister looks up from her book when I come in the room.

  “Hey, how was the movie?”

  “Good. What did you do tonight?” I ask even though my mind is on the boy across the hall in his bedroom.

  “I watched some television for a while, then started reading my book for school. I am a bit behind and it has to be read in two weeks,” Allie says looking at me strangely. “Are you even listening to me, Abby?”

  “What did you ask? Sorry, my mind was wandering.” I head towards the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth.

  “So what are your plans for tomorrow Allie? A whole day without school,” I call to her.

  “Oh, my friend Kristy invited me to go to the mall and hang out for a while. The Sparks said it was okay,” she shrugs. “Oh by the way, Mom and Dad called while you were at the movies. They said they were having a great time and taking lots of pictures. They went hiking today. They said at least three times how much they missed us and that the next trip was a family one,” she grins. I smiled thinking about my parents in Hawaii. They have changed over the last month. This week they have called to check on us daily. I used to go days where I thought they didn’t even care about Allie and me. They are really trying to do better and I love them all the more for it.

  My mind feels overwhelmed and confused by Connor and his actions. I grab Salem’s Lot, hoping to get lost in the pages. After reading the same page three times, I give up and close my eyes. Maybe everything will be more clear in the morning.

  Chapter 12

  I automatically panic when I wake up and glance at the alarm clock. It’s 8:30, I have overslept. I jump out of bed and start grabbing clothes to put on.

  “What are you doing, Abby?” my sister mumbles from her side of the bed.

  “We overslept. We are really late for school. Get up!”

  “Abby, it is a workday remember, no school,” I hear a quiet titter even through her face is covered by her pillow. “Now shut up so I can go back to sleep.”