Page 19 of Walk With Me
“Yes. I can walk, you know.”
“You’re coming to the match, right?” Becca says, interrupting whatever retort Pia was cooking up.
“I mean, I wasn’t, but I can.” She looks at me.
Becca claps. “Great. There, it’s settled. You, Pia, and Todd will be at the game, and we can discuss the party after.”
I feel like I did the other day when Sloane tricked me into exercising. Especially when Becca grabs Sloane’s arm, waves at us and marches them away.
“It happened again, didn’t it?” I choke.
Pia simply nods.
Right. Fantastic. I’m going to a football game.
6
Sloane
It’s game day. The atmosphere at school is electric. I haven’t gotten the chance to see Eden yet. Becca drove me to school early today for extra practice. It’s strange, we’ve only walked together for a couple of days and yet it already feels like a routine. I like getting those thirty minutes with her before our commitments and classes take over.
Becca is still a little salty about the change, but nothing I can’t solve with Doritos and ice cream. She’s really not that hard to please. Also, it’s been nice getting to know Pia, Todd, and Bella. Becca seems extra interested in the latter, which is exciting. As far as I know my bestie is straight,but I’m thinking there might be a little internal awakening going on.
We’ve all hung out together twice at lunch. It was quite comical watching the reaction of our peers as both groups merged at one table. It was like a sea of meerkats turning their heads with every footstep.
It’s odd how we form these small groups of friends at the beginning of high school, never letting anyone else in. Holcroft is full of diverse people, and yet we still fall into the same trap as every other high school. Social groups that stand apart, never to mix. Well, not anymore.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my friends, most of whom are on the cheer squad, but it was totally refreshing speaking to and getting to know new people. I felt like I had a real break from the norm. No cheer talk or strategy meetings, just plain old fun.
Pia and Eden are hilarious together. Todd is such a sweetheart that if I were remotely into guys, I’d envy Pia. Bella is all attitude, and I love it. I think that’s what captured Becca’s attention.
Hopefully, she’ll come to me when she’s ready. There’s no need for her to go through anything alone. Becs was so cool when I came out, and she threatened to take anyone down who dared to make a thing of it. She didn’t have torage, though. There are many queer students, and faculty for that matter, at Holcroft. I’m not saying it’s perfect. Hell, it’s still high school, but I think we could all do a lot worse.
Back to today, and the fact I’m jonesing for my Eden fix. It’s becoming quite inconvenient. I’ve crushed on her from afar for three years, totally unprepared for what would happen when I finally got the chance to be close to her. Answer: become a little obsessed.
I find myself looking for her between classes, even though I know she won’t be walking my way. My mind replays the time when she called me babe, and then blushed furiously. I know she didn’t mean it that way, but my heart did a few tumbles all the same.
Becca still insists I ask her out, and I’m starting to think I should. We’ve only got this year left, and I already want to kick myself for not talking to her sooner.
A little part of me is worried she doesn’t or couldn’t feel the same, but then I think of the times I’ve caught her staring at me, and there’s no way I could be misinterpretingthosesignals.
Crap, I have to get my head in the game. Today is important. It’s the opening match and my final year to prove I’m the best captain this school has ever had. There will be scouts for the football team and cheer squad in thecrowd over the next few weeks, too. Getting scouted would be such a huge win for many of the girls.
It’s not just the students who recognize the importance of today. Many of the teachers let us go early or skip entirely to practice. It doesn’t happen for every game, but the opening and closing ones are an exception.
We’ve run the routine several times this morning, and now I need to replenish my energy. It’s hard being “on” all the time. Not only do I have my own part to perfect, but I also have to make sure the rest of the squad are on point and feeling positive.
“Oh, they’ve got tacos,” Becca announces loud enough for the whole cafeteria to hear.
Becca has an iron stomach, whereas I will have acid reflux the entire afternoon if I eat spicy beef tacos. Looks like another salad for me, which isn’t so bad. I don’t want to feel full, not when I’m going to be thrown around later.
Pia waves us over as soon as we’re out of the lunch line. Normally, the squad sits together on game day and discusses any issues or concerns they have leading up to the cheer. Today doesn’t have to be any different. We can just add a few extra people to the group.
Eden’s eyes grow a little wider as I lead the team over to their table.
“Hey guys,” I say with a big smile.
“Hi, Bella,” Becca blurts. She looks momentarily shocked at herself but recovers quickly. Bella grins at her and pats the free seat next to her. Interesting.
