I waited at the stop outside the mall. The gray sky matched my somber mood. Overhead, thunder rumbled, shaking the ground beneath me. Oh hell. I tugged the hood of my sweatshirt over my head, right as a fat raindrop hit the side of my face.
The bus rolled up to the curb and I stood back to let the passengers get off. When the last of them emerged, I climbed the steps and dropped money into the slot. I found a spot about half-way back, away from everyone else. With a sigh, I plopped down on the fake leather seat. My hood hid my face, which I was happy for as tears streamed down my cheeks. I rested my head against the fogged up window and watched flashes of lightning emblazon the storm darkened sky.
Trey really liked her, or so it seemed. Maybe it was time to let him go.
Thirty minutes later, I climbed off the bus, two blocks from home. Trees bent beneath the gusts of wind. Water squished in my tennis shoes as I stepped in another puddle. Rain pelted the side of my face and I wrapped my arms tighter to my body. I regretted not grabbing a coat or jacket today, not that it would’ve helped much. My teeth chattered as I watched the steamy puffs of my breath billow in front of me. At last, I rounded the corner and saw the most glorious thing ever. Home. I picked up the pace, trying to dodge the slimy worms wiggling on the sidewalk. When I got to my driveway, I spotted Jimbo sprawled out on his porch all wet. He glanced up at me, his eyes sad. Why was he acting so weird lately?
“Come here, Jimbo,” I called.
His tail wagged, thumping against the side of the house. He climbed to his feet and trotted over to me. I petted Jimbo’s head, scratching behind his ears.
He licked my hand, staring up at me.
“Don’t worry boy, I’ll sit with you for a little bit.” After the day I had, I needed to focus on something other than my own problems. So I sat on my porch, with Jimbo curled up on the swing with me. I wasn’t sure if we called a truce or not, but right now, for whatever reason, he needed me, just as much as I needed him. Tears swam in my eyes, and the dog laid his head on my lap as if he understood exactly what I was going through.
We sat together until Mr. Foster pulled in next door. Then Jimbo went his way, and I went mine.
My fingers trembled as I tugged my cami over my head, then a cute light blue cardigan on top of that. I brushed my hair, trying to figure out how I wanted to style it today. Maybe a barrette? Or a braid? Gah.
Because the not knowing killed me.
“Delyla, Kenadi’s here,” Mom called upstairs.
“Coming.” With one last glance in the mirror, I grabbed my school bag, and slipped my ballet flats on.
Kenadi stood in the kitchen, eating a muffin Mom had given her. “Ready?”
“Yep.” I gave Mom a kiss goodbye and took the store bought muffin she handed me.
“Have a good day sweetie.”
“Don’t worry, she will.” Kenadi grinned as we raced out the door.
When we got in her car, I turned to her. “I’m a nervous wreck. Do you realize I changed my outfit like six times this morning? I never do that.”
“You’ll be fine. Just take a deep breath. Don’t freak out. You and Trey have been friends forever. It’s not like you’re gonna be talking to a stranger.”
“But that’s the problem. I don’t want to destroy our friendship.” I peeled the wrapper off my blueberry muffin and took a bite. “What if I don’t say the right thing?”
We backed out of my driveway and onto the main road. I watched the line of manicured lawns and cookie-cutter houses as we drove to the end of my street.
“Just say whatever comes to mind. And be honest with him.”
“What if he rejects me?” I wiped crumbs off my jeans.
“Then he’s an idiot.” Kenadi slid her gaze to me. “You’re awesome and if he doesn’t see that then he doesn’t deserve you.”
I smiled. “And this is why you’re my best friend. You always talk me down.”
“Ditto.”
When we got to school, I sucked in a deep breath, smoothed down my shirt, and walked inside. Now, I just needed to find Trey. Well, if I could peel Portia away long enough to have a conversation with him.
But when I got to my locker, I saw Portia already glued to his side. Damn. Okay, new plan. After I grabbed my books for first period, I headed toward Trey.
When he saw me, he smiled. “Del, what’s up?”
“Do you think I could talk to you during lunch for a few minutes?” I said, trying hard to ignore Portia. Guilt gnawed at my insides. Maybe I shouldn’t go through with this.
“Is everything okay?” His arm dropped away from her shoulders.
“Um—yeah, I-I’m fine. If you can’t talk, that’s fine. I can always stop by after school or something.”
