by Nicole Nwosu
He held my hand up, looking at the difference between our palm sizes. “For a tall girl, you have very small hands.”
“I don’t.”
“You do.” He linked our hands together. He took a sip of his drink and I tried getting comfortable, wanting to lean against the wall and hike my feet up on the chair. “How long exactly have you liked me?”
“I’m seriously debating whether or not I should kick Austin or thank him.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” He tilted his head as dessert was placed in front of us and I dug into the piece of the chocolate cake we were sharing.
“Because you’re you,” I said. “We’ve always been friends.”
“Since science class,” he reminisced, taking a piece of the cake for himself. “You’d wear that Messi jersey to class, like, twice a week.”
“I think I still have that jersey.”
“That jersey’s washed out at this point. I don’t recall a week where I didn’t see you in it.”
“Stop.” The witty grin I received made me look down for a moment. We dived for the last small bite at the same time. “I want it.”
“Try me.” He went around my fork, clinging and clashing it with his own.
“You’re so weird.”
He dominated the piece and held it up in victory before leaning over to put it in my mouth instead.
Even during the car ride home, he was generous and charming. He parked in the driveway, neither of us getting out of the car as our conversation continued, although we were sure that someone had peeked out the window of the house to look at what was happening. “I think your dad did it again,” Cedric said.
The curtains closed once again.
“No, that was definitely Justin.”
“What grade is he in?”
“Grade nine. What about Phillip?”
“Second. He’s turning eight soon. Won’t let anyone forget it. If I take him out to eat, he tells the waiter. I take him to his gymnastics class, he tells his instructor.”
“He does gymnastics?”
Cedric nodded, his fingers tickling my own lightly. “My brothers all did something growing up.”
“You have another brother?”
“There’s a bit of an age difference. Phillip’s still in elementary school and Ivan, my older brother, graduated from university about a year ago. He was more into karate growing up,” he explained. “What about you, though?”
There was no way he was getting closer to me. Yet he was definitely getting closer to me; his hand over mine stopped moving and I held in my breath. “You ever do anything outside of soccer?”
“I read a bit. You?”
“I play a bit of drums. What kind of books do you read?”
“Are you any good? I like sci-fi and dystopia.”
“I’m decent, I’ll play for you one time.” His eyes weren’t holding my own anymore. “Not a romance person?”
Andrew and I spent a lot of time making fun of rom-coms in my basement. “Not really.”
“That sucks because of what I’m about to do.”
He kissed me. The surprise made me highly aware of my heartbeat. This was my first kiss and it was with Cedric. Dude, I encouraged myself, shutting my eyes as I kissed him back.
When he pulled away, our attention turned to the window where Justin wasn’t hiding himself anymore; his face was twisted in disgust.
“Sorry, my brother can be a pain.”
“It’s okay.”
“I should go.”
Cedric leaned in and kissed me once again. “I’ll call you.”
When he had driven away, I stood in the driveway for a split second, still surprised that that happened. That this night happened. As I entered the house, Dad and Justin both stood in the hallway, as if they hadn’t been watching us through the window. “How was your date?” Dad asked.
“It was good when you both weren’t looking through the window.” Pushing past my family, I headed up the stairs as Justin laughed.
Andrew’s eyes went wide with surprise. He sat on top of my bed on Monday morning as I pulled on a sweater before we headed for school. I had told him about the kiss and his reaction was as expected. “I can’t believe we’re having this conversation,” I muttered.
Part of me had wanted to see both his and Jasmine’s reactions right after the date, but we were all busy catching up on homework, and I couldn’t tell them over the weekend.
“Then tell Jas.”
“I will when I see her,” I said.
“How was it?”
“It was good,” I said partially in disbelief at how well the night had gone. “The entire night was good—from the date to the kiss, it was good. Do we go out again? What do you do?”
He shot me a look. “Do you want to know?”
“Now that I think about it, no.” I’ll talk to Jasmine about it at school.
But there was no chance to speak to Jasmine because when I got to my locker, Cedric was leaning against it. “Hi.”
“Hi,” I said.
“What are you doing after school?” He wanted to see me again.
Raising my duffel bag up as an answer, I put it in my locker. “Practice. What about tomorrow?”
“That’s when I have practice,” he said. “I can meet you after practice tomorrow for a bit?” I agreed just as the warning bell rang and everyone in the hallway scattered to their homeroom classes. “Shit, I got to run. Had to say hi. I’ll see you later.” Pressing an unexpected kiss to my cheek, he then hurried through the hallway until he disappeared.
My friends appeared behind me, and I knew whatever Jon Ming and Jacob were going to say would be annoying. “Quit it.”
They didn’t stop their relentless teasing until the end of soccer practice. I was sitting on the bleachers in the rec center after everyone had gone home. “Caleb said something interesting the other day.” Sam took a seat next to me.
“What did he say?” I asked.
“He said you called me your friend. Don’t deny it now.”
“I said you were growing on me. Like a rash.”
“Like a rash,” he repeated dryly.
He held the ball he’d brought up, gesturing for us to head over to the field. Sam made a quick pass, making a left cut, and I passed it back to him. He shot the ball into the net. Heading over to me once he retrieved the ball, he sat down in front of me, staring up at me with the ball between his stretched-out legs.
“What are you doing?”
“Sit.”
“Why?” I took the ball, sitting down.
“Because we’re hanging out. It’s what friends do.”
“Serious question. Why aren’t you on the team? You’re crazy good.”
“I’m not crazy—”
“Caleb wasn’t joking,” I said. “Soccer is your sport. You obviously love it. It doesn’t make sense.”
“Maybe something can happen?” Sam’s voice was sharp, making me stop moving the ball under my hand. “Or one day a person could decide that they don’t want to play anymore, how about that?”
“Okay, geez.” I shouldn’t have asked. The same way I didn’t push for the story behind the lily on Caleb’s ankle. “I shouldn’t have asked.”
“Fuck, I didn’t mean it like that.”
“What do you want to talk about?”
“You and my cousin.”
“You’re trying to see if this thing with Cedric will interfere with our friendship?” I asked.
“You should talk to Jasmine and the boys about that, not me. Our friendship is different. For one thing, you’re now dating my cousin. Second, anytime you come over you better not be making out with him where I can see it. My eyes will burn. Third, make time for your awesome new friend who has the superior genes of the family. I’m about to ma
ke your life more exciting.” He snatched the ball from my hand, standing up and dropping it on the ground. “Get ready to experience Sam Cahill.”
“How are you going to make my life more exciting?”
“I’m going to show you. Keep up, Hazel.”
Despite me calling him my friend, I didn’t know much about him, but I wanted to. But I wasn’t going to pry into the reasons for his sudden mood swing. And so, for the next few hours, Sam and I played soccer, and I didn’t mind it.
6
Take a Picture, It’ll Last Longer
The following Tuesday, I sat with Cedric in one of the school stairwells, waiting for my soccer practice in the gym to start. Jasmine had pestered me for details about what was happening, constantly mentioning how much time Cedric and I were spending together. Cedric was talking to a classmate in his chemistry class about a new topic they were on when my phone buzzed in my pocket.
Checking the text message, I stared at the device, puzzled by the unknown number.
Trip over any soccer balls lately?
A little chuckle flew out of my mouth.
Me: How did you get my number?
Sam: Andrew
I had just changed his contact when Cedric’s classmate said good-bye to him, disappearing from the stairwell.
Jerk: Remember that we’re friends
Caleb and Andrew were now on the roster with Austin as boys who couldn’t keep their mouths shut.
Me: I never said that
Jerk: Caleb says otherwise
“Who’s that?” Cedric asked.
“Sam.” Turning off my phone, I didn’t miss his look of surprise at the mention of his cousin’s name.
“My cousin? I didn’t know you two talked.”
“We’re friends. He’s okay,” I confessed. Annoyance crossed his face at the mention of Sam. “You guys don’t have a good relationship?”
“Never have, really.” The obvious tension stayed, and I didn’t mention Sam any further.
Whatever feud was between Sam and Cedric, it had been something that developed over time because; while Sam could be rude and obnoxious, even I couldn’t see myself truly hating the guy.
The conversation stayed in my mind when Sam and Caleb approached me the following Wednesday morning before school started. Sam had texted me last night about English, wondering if he and Caleb could borrow my notes from last semester.
“Here.” I handed Caleb my old notebook. “I have notes for the play we read in there. Should be the same as last semester.”
“Thank you.” Caleb and Sam flicked through the book.
“Don’t you write?” I asked Caleb. “Why are you so worried about English class?”
“Because I like writing out of my own free will,” he clarified. “English class is different.”
“He does fine.” Sam lightly punched his best friend on the arm. “He just likes knowing every single detail.”
“Princess, you’re a lifesaver,” Caleb joked.
Sam made a face at the nickname and I rolled my eyes. He had no right to criticize the nickname when he was the one calling me Hazel. “We’ll see you at lunch?”
Down the hallway, Beatrice was talking excitedly to her group of friends as they passed other people. When she saw me, she looked bothered. Oh my God.
Her eyes flicked over to Sam, whom Caleb had handed my notebook to as they walked down the hallway after saying good-bye to me.
Beatrice’s annoyed eyes fixated on me, and aggravation overcame me at the sight of her. What she had said to Jasmine the other day crossed a major line. She could have walked past me. She could have. I don’t know what suddenly possessed her to stop in front of me because she did with her gaggle of ever-present friends close behind. “Why are you talking to him?”
“You realize that there’s more than one guy at this school, right? You’re going to have to be specific when—”
“Sam,” she interjected. “Why are you talking to Sam?”
Oh. She’s into him. “What does it matter to you? Get out of my face.”
“Relax.” Beatrice flinched dramatically as I slammed my locker shut. “There’s no need to be aggressive.”
“I’m not being aggressive,” I muttered, hiking my backpack up my shoulders.
“Says the girl who slammed her locker shut,” Ivy muttered.
“You’re not his type,” Beatrice said. Her expression was distasteful as she took in the sports headband around my head, my ponytail, and my sweater over leggings. “Then again, you’re not really anyone’s type.”
That comment wasn’t new. I didn’t want to stand here any longer hearing her try to make me feel insecure. “I never said I wanted to be anyone’s type.” Beatrice stepped in front of me. “Do you think I’m going to talk to you about any guy? Like we’re besties? Like you didn’t say what you said to Jasmine?”
“This isn’t about Jasmine.”
“She’s my friend, so I’m going to tell you something right now.” My plan to get to class on time disappeared. The action grabbed the attention of many others passing through the crowded hallway. “Don’t bother her.” I got right in Beatrice’s face.
“You’re not going to do anything to me,” Beatrice taunted, crossing her arms.
“Why would you think that?”
“I mean, you’re definitely capable of channeling that kind of aggressive behavior. After all, they made you captain of the boys’ team.” There was no praise in her words. She wanted me to feel ashamed about it. “But you’re not your psycho friend. You’re not going to actually attack me like she did.”
It was clear that she thought even less of Jasmine than she did of me. And I knew deep down that she was jealous; this need to be the mean girl proved it. But I hated it. My anger was hot, and I wouldn’t have cared about any consequences, but thankfully Cedric tapped me on the shoulder.
“Mace.”
He didn’t notice my tense shoulders or curled fists. Immediately relaxing, I turned my focus to him. “Hey.”
“Hey, Beatrice.” The smug look on her face changed to a pleasant one at the sight of Cedric. Cedric turned to me. “Ready to walk to class?”
“Yes,” I said too eagerly. He didn’t notice all the negativity Beatrice brought with her, and for that I was glad.
Beatrice didn’t bother me for the rest of the week. I didn’t mention the incident to Jasmine but I’m sure she heard through Wellington’s grapevine. If she did, she didn’t bring it up, though. I think we were both sick of thinking, talking, and worrying about Beatrice. We made it through the rest of the week without any further incidents.
On Saturday, I spoke to the youngest Cahill at the end of his game at the rec center.
“At my birthday party, I’m going to have this big Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles theme cake.” He’d brought up his birthday about five times, but it was cute to see the kid excited for his big day.
Sam made his way over to us, and gave Phillip a fist bump. “I didn’t know you were picking me up today.”
“I’m not,” Sam said. “Ivan’s waiting for you at the front.”
Phillip looked puzzled. “Why are you here then?”
“I left my car when I was at the gym here this morning. Ivan and I had things to do for your mum,” he explained. “I’ll see you at home later.” Sam playfully knocked his hand against the side of his cousin’s head, who groaned and pushed it away before waving good-bye.
“What are you doing later today?”
I raised an eyebrow at Sam’s question. “That’s why you came inside? This is your attempt to make my life more exciting, isn’t it?”
“This is my attempt to be an actual friend to you.” He twirled a set of car keys in his hand. “Any plans? You hungry?”
It hadn’t taken Sam long to learn that food was the way to our friendship. �
��What do you have in mind, Cahill?”
Minutes later, I sat in Sam’s car, observing the interior of the vehicle. He and Cedric both had nice, new cars, giving me the impression that their families were better off than most. “Motorcycle still in the shop?”
“Piss off.”
I went through the playlists on his phone, my camera in my other hand, as he drove through the bright day, getting farther from the residential areas of the city. He didn’t answer my question about where we were going, but we had picked up some food, which was currently stored in front of my feet. “You have an entire playlist dedicated to boy bands and a lot of Spanish music.”
“Caleb’s always on my phone,” he explained.
“You know, if you want to be actual friends you’ve got to open up a bit. Outside of flirting with half the female population at Wellington, the only person I’ve ever seen you with when you’re not with us at lunch is Caleb.”
“I’m not in high school to be popular,” he said. “The female population thing’s a stretch, Hazel. I like to keep to myself. I figured you’d understand since whenever I see you at the rec center, you’re practicing on your own.”
We were far outside the city at this point and went down a side road I hadn’t been to since I was younger. The buildings surrounding us gradually turned into trees. “What’s your favorite color?”
“Twenty questions?” he asked as I pointed my camera at him to take a picture.
“I’ll go first. Mine’s forest green.”
“Orange,” he answered.
“When’s your birthday?”
“January 3.”
“Could’ve been a New Year baby.” My gaze focused outside. “No, seriously, where are we going? Because if you’re going to do something stupid like push me out of the car and leave me stranded—”
“You’re so dramatic,” he interjected. “The quarry. Have you ever been?”
When I was younger, kids used to go with their parents to the quarry all the time. It was a great place to take pictures, enjoy nature, go on walks, go to the water and swim, or watch people do so from the cliff tops. Mom and Dad used to take me and Justin during the summer. We would all be near the water, me kicking the soccer ball to Mom. Dad would record every moment while watching toddler Justin try to walk over to us, even though he always ended up getting distracted by butterflies.