The final bell rang. He knew he had to go to her, to explain, to apologize for acting like such a dick. There she was, putting her school books back into her locker. Boldness had to take over. He walked straight up to her ignoring some people cheering him on, encouraging him to get pumped for the game tonight.
"Hey, Cadence," he said.
"I'm sorry, have we met before?" she asked sarcastically.
"I certainly deserved that."
He looked at her, pleading to have her understand.
"You know words would be helpful so I can figure out what you're thinking. Staring glumly at me won't get you anywhere," she said as she shut her locker.
"I'm sorry. I was a total dick to you, but just to explain, it scared me when you approached me."
"Uh, why?"
"You may be fine with being the poster child for a peer support group, but I'm not. Look, I don't want anyone to know I'm so broken."
"What exactly makes you, the biggest success in the class, so broken?"
"How long do you have?" he asked.
"Ok, let's make time."
"This weekend? I've got a lot going on with football and everything else. Say Saturday? You know there's this nature trail that always makes me reflective. It always keeps me calm. It'd be a great spot to just, you know, talk."
"You only want to talk to me in group or outside of school altogether?"
"At least until I get my feet from falling out under me. I don't let just anybody in and I know you know that. Please make this sacrifice for me?"
"It's under consideration. I still don't think it's right and you made me feel awful this morning by ignoring me, but yes, I agree that we should talk Saturday."
"Is that a promise?" he asked.
She nodded. "Why don't you run off, be with your friends?"
"I really only have one friend, Jay, and he's busy at play rehearsal."
"So, I'm not your friend?"
"You could be, but there hasn't been enough time yet. This is only the third time we've talked."
"Challenge accepted. I'll have you calling me your friend before winter break."
"Maybe," he paused, "but hey, I gotta run. Saturday at the nature trail?"
She nodded.
"Yeah, ok, bye," he said. He couldn't believe how awkward he was in leaving the conversation, but at the very least he'd found time to talk again away from wandering, curious eyes.
The rest of the week flew by for Cadence, but something inside of her had changed. She smiled for the first time since she remembered after she transferred to Oak Stream High. Slowly but surely, every day more and more makeup was applied to her face. Walking down the stairs on Saturday morning, her mother finally noticed.
"What's going on?" her mother asked.
"Nothing, as usual," Cadence said, rolling her eyes.
"You seem different, a good different."
"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm in a good mood, that's all," Cadence said.
"I have to say I'm relieved. I thought you would be really down as you said nobody showed up to the peer support group."
Setting her book bag by the door and sitting down at the dining room table Cadence replied, "I told you one person showed up."
"Oh, yeah, that one jock, right?"
Cadence's smile gave her away. She was wearing mascara.
"What do you fancy him?"
"Fancy him? What century do you think we're in, mother?"
"Well, you have been putting make up on this week, which is so unlike you. I was thinking you were trying to impress him or something."
"Uh, no, I don't think so. He barely knows I exist, but, admittedly I do want to look nice when he does."
Her mother just stared at her with her arms crossed. "Also, what are you doing up so early on a Saturday?"
"I've got a hike to go on."
"Is this a date?" her mother asked.
"I, uh, don't know yet. I hope so."
"Sweetheart, just be careful. We don't want a repeat of earlier this year. You don't want to rush into things, rush into assumptions."
"Can't I just be happy?" Cadence asked agitated. "Just forget it. I'll see you later."
"At least let me drive you to the trail."
"No, I'd much rather walk," she said bolting out the door, refusing to look back. Admittedly, it was a lot colder than she was anticipating. She really should've taken that ride, but her stubbornness prevented her from turning back.
"Cadence, wait up!" Kerass called out.
"Wow, I didn't think you knew where I lived."
"Uh, we live in the same neighborhood. It's not that complicated to figure out."
"You ready?" she asked as they neared the nature trail entrance. "I've never actually walked this path before."
"It's not terribly long of a walk. I often run it, actually."
"Yeah, I'm not," Cadence shook her head, "not a runner."
"Sure, I'm fine with walking," he paused before stepping on the trail. "Listen, they don't know about us, no one at school knows that we talk outside of Mr. Hendricks and I'd like to keep it that way, at least for now."
Cadence stared at the ground. "I know, you don't have to repeat the conversation. You want to keep us a secret."
Jay was jogging down the street when he saw Kerass talking to some girl. Who was she and what was she doing with his man? He wouldn't stand for this, especially after they hadn't crossed paths the rest of the week since he came out to him. Some girl wasn't going to ruin that special bond, one that he could hopefully seal with a kiss. Kerass is mine, he thought.