| |
When the bell rings for break, Jared is waiting for me outside my classroom door and my heart swells when I see him. We walk to the cafeteria together and after getting lunch, we sit down with Siobhan, John, Jane and Aaron. I am so unbelievably happy, still I cannot help noticing Jane or Aaron’s sadness, but I do see Aaron glancing at Jane every now and again in a different way.
“Hey Elizabeth,” Jared whispers.
I look up at him and smile.
He groans softly. “Phone your mum and tell her I’ll drop you off after school today. After rugby practice.”
“Okay,” I say. I stand up and as I walk away, I speed dial my mum’s number.
She answers the phone worriedly and I explain I am all right and that Jared will drop me off after school. This suits her anyway, because Esther comes out of school almost two hours before me, which means she and Esther waits around in the village for me every day. It is too far to drive home and then come back to collect me. It would be impractical.
I walk back to our table and see Jared watching my every move. A flush of hotness creeps up my neck, and seriously embarrassed I look down.
When I reach the table, I notice Sarah and Connell have joined the group and she is sitting next to Jared.
Honestly? The cheek of her.
Jared is watching my face, seemingly predicting my reaction. Ashamed I realize he is probably scared of another jealous outburst, and he is right. It is my every intention to grab her by her hair and yank her off the bench, but Jared stands up, letting me slide in, before he sits down on the edge of the bench next to me.
He looks at me, smiling, holding back his laughter and mouths, “I adore you.”
I bump my leg against his, and smirking, I say softly, “Not funny. You bring out the worst in me.”
Last period of the day is English, and there is only ten minutes left of school. Mr. Halpin has stepped out of the class to speak to another teacher in the hallway.
I turn to Jane, raising my eyebrows.
She looks down, a flush spreading across her cheeks.
I nudge her. “I am waiting.”
“Oh, what?” she says exasperated.
“Tell me.” I smile.
“There is nothing more to tell, I already told you all of it.” She sits up straight and then smiling mysteriously, she says, “But we bumped into each other this morning while you were in Biology and we went to sit on the pavilion. We had a long talk about you, and I think he'll be okay.”
I ignore the references to me, and I say pleased, “He is looking at you differently though.”
Her face lights up. “I know. He does, doesn’t he?”
The bell rings and we gather our bags, as I say, “He sure does.”
I look at Jane, pleased to see the new sparkle in her eyes and together we crowd our way out of the classroom.
Jared meets me at my locker while I am packing my school bag. Silently he waits for me, following my every move with his eyes and smiling lop-sided.
After I lock my locker door, he leads me out of the school building. The sun is reflecting brightly off the snow as we walk toward the gym holding hands.
Once we enter the gym, the dim light makes it difficult for my eyes to adjust after the brightness outside. I see him turn around to face me and he reaches his arms around my waist. Bending down he whispers in my ear, “I have been patient all day and I can’t wait any longer.”
I laugh nervously. “What for?”
“You.”
As I breathe in sharply, his lips cover mine and he pulls me tightly into him. I drop my bag and wrap my arms around his shoulders. Before I can lift myself to stand on my toes, he lifts me higher. I catch my breath and ask him, “What about rugby training?”
“Not today. It’s too cold,” he answers apologetically.
“But,” I start.
He chuckles. “I am planning on taking advantage of you today.”
I look at him shocked. “Not here!”
He laughs deep from his belly. “Elizabeth, you are so gullible. We are going soon. I just wanted to steal a quick kiss away from prying eyes.”
“Oh.” I move away from him, bend down to pick up my bag and then I start walking toward the door.
He hugs me from behind and says seriously, “I still want to take advantage of you, though.”
“Ha-ha. You are so funny.”
He laughs again and I cannot help laughing with him, although I am pretending to be upset.
We walk to his Jeep, and I wonder how long the gossip is going to last. When will all those curious eyes that have been staring at us all day stop staring? They are all probably wondering what is happening between the long-single Jared and me.
He opens the car door for me and, as usual, I let him buckle my safety belt for me.
When he gets in, I ask, “Why do you always insist on buckling me in?”
“Don’t you like me being attentive?”
“Of course, I do. Any girl would enjoy thoughtful, considerate and special treatment. But I still want to know why.”
He answers seriously, “To keep you safe. I have this feeling I might lose you.”
Does he have the same fears as me?
I say jokingly, “Sorry, but you are stuck with me for eternity.”
He smiles and starts the car. He reverses out of the parking area and we join the traffic out of the school grounds and through the village.
When we are driving along the narrow road, lined with trees on both sides, he interrupts the silence, “Do you think when we get to your house you could give me some of that nice hot chocolate again?”
“Of course.”
Once again, I feel a lonely sadness radiate from him.
