Breathe

by Tania Trozzo

  “Thanks for the pizza,” he said.

  She laughed. “I’m pretty sure that should be my line, so thank you.”

  He lifted his hand and moved a strand of hair behind her ear and then moved his hand down along her arm and grabbed her hand gently. She shivered. And hell if that didn’t make him happy. He looked down at her. He wanted nothing more than to kiss her but he knew he had to move slower with her compared to other girls. It also wasn’t the time, not in the parking of a shopping center.

  “Well, thank you for letting me bring you to get pizza then. I wasn’t sure you would talk to me.” But she had. She was forgiving and good. He continued, “We didn’t talk a lot about today but I feel like I need to say again that I am sorry. I didn’t mean those things that I said,” he stated.

  “Thanks for coming here to apologize. How did you know what karate studio I was at anyway?”

  “I kind of narrowed it down. But then asked Sonia to help me. Not sure how she found out but she did.” He sighed and pulled her to him and held her. She wound her arms around him. He smiled, this felt right. After a minute or so, he pulled away, held on to her hand, and opened her car door and let her in.

  “I’ll see you at school tomorrow.”

  He watched her until she pulled out of the parking lot and then he headed to his car. Everything felt right again.

  19

  Clara

  When she got home, her aunt and uncle were up, totally trying not to seem like they were waiting for her but she could tell they were. Hell, they were all up except Laura who was away at college for the week. As soon as she walked in, Julia looked relieved, ran up to hug her and headed to bed. Clara had felt that hug was more than a hug good night. She then went to her aunt and gave her a hug.

  “Hi.”

  “Hi, honey. You ok? You seemed rushed when you came home from school and like you were in a bad mood. But you seem ok, now. Karate helped?”

  Clara had sat down. “Yeah, I guess you could say that.”

  At that point, Vince walked into the room, saw her and said, “You good, Clar?”

  “Yeah, I’m good,” she smiled.

  Vince and she had then started talking about school and a few other things and her aunt chimed in here and there. At a certain point he nodded and got up to go to bed. She had then decided that she too should go to bed. When she went to hug her aunt good night, her aunt Nina held on to her an extra second.

  “I’m glad you’re getting out more. Just be careful ok? And don’t overdo it. You do so much, soccer, karate, the newspaper. You should have fun, more fun.”

  “Hey now, not too much fun,” her uncle Frank replied. Both of them laughed.

  “I know, I’m trying and I am. And yes, uncle Frank I won’t have too much fun, don’t worry.” Her aunt winked.

  When she went upstairs, she didn’t head to bed immediately but went to Julia’s room instead. Julia still wasn’t sleeping so she went inside.

  “Hey, Jules, you ok?” Clara just wanted to make sure.

  “Yeah, I’m ok. Why?”

  “I don’t know, that hug downstairs just seemed different.”

  Julia hesitated, “I was just…”

  Clara raised her eyebrow, “You were…” and motioned with her hand to continue.

  “I was just, I don’t know, worried. I know you have gone out a few times and now that I met Sonia when you say you are with her I am ok. But tonight when all of a sudden you didn’t come home and changed plans. I just got worried. I don’t know. Just don’t go anywhere by yourself, ok?”

  Then it dawned on Clara, Julia was worried someone would take her again. She went to sit down next to where she was laying down on the bed. “Jules, look. I know you aren’t used to me going out but I promise you, I’ll be careful. I do karate so I know how to protect myself and I take more precautions. I assure you that I am always careful, ok?” Julia nodded, a little teary eyed but she looked relieved at the same time. They hugged and just like her aunt downstairs, Julia held on to her an extra second.

  “Hey, how about we go to the movies this weekend. Just you and me. Whatever you want, ok?” Clara said.

  Julia nodded. “Thanks.”

  “I love you little sis. Make sure you dream happy dreams, k?”

  Julia smiled, “love you too. Good night.”

  Clara had then gone to bed, thinking about her family. Although she was considerate, she sometimes forgot that her kidnapping had effects on them too. It took her a while to fall asleep, her thoughts drifted between her conversation with Julia and her night with Gabe.

  The next morning she was thankful that she didn’t have soccer practice because she pressed snooze twice. She usually got to school about 10 or 15 minutes earlier. Obviously most people didn’t forget what happened yesterday. As soon as they saw her, a few looked around, others whispered.

  She headed to her locker and to her surprise Gabe was leaning up right next to it. The hallway was a bit quieter all of a sudden.

  “Hey, what are you doing here?” Clara asked him.

  “I thought that was obvious, I’m waiting for you.”

  “Oh,” she could feel herself blushing but what could she say to that? She became tongue tied all of a sudden. Gabe looked at her and smirked. He knew the effect he was having on her, she shook her head and looked around in the process.

  “So it seems everyone is waiting for you to chew me out or for us to make up or something. Are they always like this?” Clara asked him.

  She could feel many eyes on her and she had no idea what to do. Gabe looked around, narrowed his eyes at a group who then rushed by after seeing that he wasn’t pleased that they were staring. “I don’t know. I never had someone call me an asshole before in front of the cafeteria. But I also never cared if they did so…does it bother you? They’re just trying to figure out what happened after yesterday since now we’re talking.”

  She nodded and pulled her books from her locker.

  “Hey,” he said quietly. She looked over. “Want to slap me in front of everyone and I’ll beg for forgiveness?”

  She laughed. “NO!”

  “Then, don’t worry about them. They’ll get over it. They are just dying to know what happened. This is about us and we’re good, right?” He almost seemed like he was worried they weren’t.

  “Yeah, we’re good,” she closed her locker shut and turned to go towards her first class. He stepped up right beside her and they walked down the hallway together.

  “What’s your first class?”

  “Ugh,Math.”

  Gabe laughed. “Nice way to wake up, huh?” Clara looked at him and rolled her eyes. “Did your aunt or uncle say anything last night? You didn’t get in trouble, did you?”

  She shook her head. “No, they totally were waiting for me but I think they were just surprised. I don’t go out often.”

  “Yeah, you’ve said that before. One day you’ll tell me that story too. But I’m glad, that they were ok, that is.”

  Connor was heading towards them and stopped to talk. He and Gabe were speaking about their soccer game and Clara had stepped a bit to the side to say hello to Rosie who had walked by. Right at that moment, Bruno was heading down the hallway and joking around with a few other guys. They were tossing a football around but the other guy totally threw the football a bit harder and Bruno had to step out to catch it and rammed into Clara. Clara almost fell over, until she felt two hands grab her, steady her and gently move her out of the way.

  “Hey! Watch where you’re going,” Gabe said, gritting his teeth as he realized it was Bruno that had ran into her.

  Bruno laughed and then smirked at Gabe, “Chill out man, just having some fun. Didn’t mean to hurt anyone,” until his gaze settled on Clara. “Although we got to stop running into each other like this. Obviously that body wants to run into mine.�
� Clara glared at him.

  Gabe clenched his fists and took a step closer to Bruno shielding Clara a bit while Connor stepped to the other side of Clara, slightly in front of her in a protective stance. Clara could feel the tension in the air and it seemed that Bruno was about to say something else when Leo stepped up to the group, shielding Clara totally and diffusing the entire situation by punching Bruno playfully.

  “Bruno, stop causing havoc, will you? I have to ask you something,” and pulled Bruno by the arm away from the entire situation. Bruno smiled but before he turned to look straight ahead, he winked at Clara and made sure to smirk at Gabe. The bell rang signaling the beginning of classes. The entire exchange took only a minute or so that only those close by had realized what had happened. Henry had been walking by and looked at Gabe shaking his head.

  Gabe turned toward Clara, “Hey, you ok?” he asked softly.

  “Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks for catching me. Totally did not see him.”

  “Let me walk you to class.”

  “No, no. it’s ok. Then you’ll be late.”

  “Are you sure you’re ok?”

  “Yeah, there’s just something about him. He gives me the creeps.”

  Gabe grimaced, “That’s because he is a creep.” Clara swallowed and nodded nervously. “Clara?”

  “Hmmm?”

  “Hey, if he ever bothers you or steps out of line towards you, you’ll tell me right?”

  She looked at him. “What? What are you talking about?” she laughed nervously. “I have to go to class or else I’ll be late. I’ll see you later.”

  She had to get away to breathe for a second. There was something about Bruno that occasionally reminded her of old memories and she didn’t want to think about that time. As she walked away she didn’t notice Sarah observing what had happened with a keen interest before walking into her class.

  20

  Gabe

  Gabe stared quizzically at Clara as she walked down the hallway. What the hell just happened? Something happened to justify her reaction. He had to get to class now but he would find out about it later. This girl managed to send him in a tailspin. But something was wrong with her. He headed to his first class, Chemistry, but he couldn’t concentrate on much. He kept thinking about her. And Bruno. He didn’t know why he felt that the guy was sooner or later going to do something reckless or out of line. It was like he was waiting for it. Leo seemed to have distanced himself from Bruno and totally saved the situation today.

  Henry sat next to him in his second class. As soon as he saw Gabe he shook his head. “I don’t know why, but I have a feeling that sooner or later, I’m going to have to have your back with a certain douche. Prick rubs me the wrong way. I can’t believe he is on the football team.”

  That was the thing with Henry, he didn’t talk much but his observations were usually spot on. And because of that when he spoke everyone listened.

  “I know, man, I know. I feel it too.”

  “Not sure what is going on with you and Clara, but she’s in his line of sight. Watch out.”

  The teacher came in at that point and they turned toward the front of the classroom. His classes dragged until finally he headed to English. He felt this need to make sure Clara was ok. Heading to his seat, he sat down and waited for Clara. She usually arrived at the last minute, which she did today as well. She was a little tense but seemed a bit better.

  You ok? He wrote in a note to her.

  Yes. He kind of expected her to be short but he had hoped that he had gained some ground with her and he wasn’t one to quit.

  You sure? Please don’t BS me, because you weren’t fine before. He handed the note over and she sighed and wrote back.

  I know, I’m sorry I freaked. I feel stupid now. He read it and shook his head.

  You’re not stupid. I just want to understand. She read it and went to write something but kept hesitating. He grabbed the note again, paid attention a few minutes to what Mr. Brooks was saying and wrote down something else.

  I’m here, Clara. She read it, looked at him and nodded.

  Bruno reminded me of someone from my past.

  He stared at it finally feeling like he was getting somewhere. Being careful he wrote back.

  Someone not good? She looked at him and nodded.

  I’m not going to ask you to tell me about it yet. But one day I will.

  She took a deep breath and mouthed Ok. Ok, he nodded and mouthed back. He wrote down another note but kept it close. They paid attention to the rest of class, fortunate to stop when they did as Mr. Brooks called on both of them. 5 minutes prior to class being over Mr. Brooks asked for all their first draft papers to be handed in, he walked around the room collecting them. When he got to Clara’s desk he instead placed her paper down, He had already read it and graded it. Right there in the top right hand corner was a big fat A.

  “Clara, I wrote down a few things in the margins for your next draft but it was excellently written. Great job.”

  Clara’s cheeks flushed, “Thanks Mr. Brooks,” she murmured.

  Gabe got closer to her and whispered in her ear, “I don’t think anyone gets an A on the first draft. That’s incredible.”

  She looked at him and said quietly, “Thanks.” She was beaming, she grabbed her paper and put it in her backpack. Right at that moment the bell rang. They all got up and headed towards the door.

  Connor reached them both, “Was that what I think it was? Did you hand in your paper early?”

  “Yeah, I did.”

  He grunted, “Want to help me pretty please with a cherry on top?”

  Clara laughed. “I’m not kidding, I hate writing,” Connor added.

  Gabe looked at him, “Dude, it’s a writing class. If you hate writing why are you in there?”

  “Not sure, figured it would be better than reading Shakespeare.”

  Clara chuckled again and Gabe grinned, patting Connor on the shoulder, “Get used to it. We technically just started so there’s much more writing to cover. I got to go to my locker and get to class. Clara, see you at lunch?”

  “Yeah, I have to go to the newspaper room at some point but I may just go after practice instead or during study hall.”

  “Ok,” he then took her hand and pulled her a little to the side as if he was moving her out of the way but instead stuck a note in her hand.

  She quickly caught on and tightened her hold on the note and grinned, “See you later guys.”

  “Bye, Clara.” They both responded.

  Gabe went to run to his locker and Connor shook his head. “Dude, I feel the need to repeat myself.”

  “About what?” Gabe asked.

  Connor grabbed his shoulder, leaned in and said, “Stop pussy footing around and claim her.” He shook his head, walked a few steps backward and pointed at Gabe. Gabe grabbed the back of his neck and grimaced. He was totally pussy footing around.

  21

  Clara

  Clara felt like between yesterday and today she was totally out of it. Mr. Brooks had reached out to her with an extra newspaper assignment. He said if she could write her paper so well, she should do some more interesting things. She was excited about it but it cut her lunch short and so she was rushing after that and because of rushing around, she had misplaced her paper from his class momentarily. She found it this morning in the newspaper room but she could have sworn she didn’t bring it with her during lunch or when she went back in the afternoon. She was probably wrong. Also, yesterday, during soccer practice the coach wanted her to try a new play with Jamie. Clara expected Jamie to throw a hissy fit but instead she didn’t complain and didn’t even give her haughty looks.

  She just said, “Ok, coach,” looked at Clara and continued, “let’s do this.”

  Moira, looked at Jamie suspiciously as well as Amelia and both of them said, “Real
ly?”

  “Yeah, why not? Let’s go.”

  The play had been awesome, they had to practice it a bit more but if it worked then it would be a great way to score a goal. Clara had felt in the twilight zone. Not that she was complaining but the entire day had been very weird. Today, as she walked down the hall to lunch she felt everyone was looking at her, more than usual.

  As she opened the door to the cafeteria and walked in, every table one by one started whispering and looking in her direction. It would be amusing how each person stopped, became silent, and then started whispering. But this was about her. Her heart started beating frantically. They knew. She felt it. She stopped, thinking over what to do when out of nowhere her backpack was lifted from her shoulder. She gasped and looked to her right.

  “Come on, let’s go.” Gabe lifted her back pack and carried it with him. “Do you have your lunch or are you buying?”

  “Wait, wh..wh..what?”

  “Did you bring your lunch or do you need to buy something? And keep walking.” He said the last part quietly and looked at her. When she looked at him, his eyes were telling her to trust him.

  “Um, I didn’t bring anything today so I should..I guess I should buy something.” Alex was right behind them and Connor peeked out behind him smiling and winking. They headed forward and grabbed some food. Her stomach was in knots of course so she didn’t really want to eat anything but she went through the motions. When they went to pay she put her hand in her pocket but Gabe stopped her. His hand on top of hers sent a zing through her. Did he feel this too?

  “I’ve got this. Let’s go sit down.” He had both backpacks on his shoulder and grabbed both trays and handed one to her as they walked towards his table. She looked over and saw Rosie who looked concerned and in fact, Rosie went to stand up to go towards Clara but Clara shook her head slightly. “Later” she mouthed. Rosie nodded and sat back down.