Lost In Time

Chapter 11

Juliet's POV

“Hey, Juliet,”

I turn around, a smile immediately taking over my face. “Hey,”

“You’re walking to school,”

“Yeah, Josh left early, and Marie went early to cover someone’s shift.” I shrug, hugging the book to my chest tighter.

“I can give you a ride,” Preston says, his eyes darting toward the bike on which he sat. It was a welcome offer, and I couldn’t help but smile.

It is a 1960s Rollfast vintage bicycle, like one of my brothers’. It doesn’t have a seat at the back, so how was he supposed to give me a ride? I looked up at Preston, confused.

He grins at me and says, “Don’t worry.”

He took one of his hands off his bike and readjusted himself. With one hand still gripping the handlebars, he leaned backward, inviting me to take a seat in front of him.

“Sit,” he says, and my puzzled expression is replaced by wide eyes. The thought of being in that position with him makes my heart quicken.

“I—I can walk,” I managed to say as he reached out a hand and pulled me up, our eyes meeting as we shared an intimate moment. His hand lingered on mine, our faces just inches away from each other as we stared into each other’s eyes, time seeming to stand still.

My face flushed with embarrassment and desire, and my stomach flipped as he gently took my hand in his and guided me to the seat. His grip was firm and secure, and I felt safe and secure in his arms as I slowly sank down in front of him.

I gripped the bicycle bar tightly as he caged me inside his arms and began to pedal off. We rode down the street and around the corner, and every now and then I could feel his eyes on me.

As we continued to ride, my heart raced faster and faster, and my nerves began to settle while I took in the scenery. I was filled with a sense of freedom and excitement as I enjoyed the ride with him. It felt like a scene out of a movie.

All of a sudden, the wind blew, and my hair flew wildly in the air, covering Preston’s face. The bicycle began to sway dangerously while I tried to use one hand to tame my hair. Despite the precariousness of the situation, I couldn’t help but laugh and think that this moment could be something I will never forget.

“You good?” I ask, finally managing to hold my hair down.

“Yeah,” he chuckled, glancing down at me while I briefly looked up at him.

For a minute there, I thought we would crash.

Thank God we didn’t.

A few moments later, the school came into view. We both breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that our near-disaster had been averted.

He parked his bike where the other bikes were. “Here you go,” he says, uncaging me. I hopped off, pushing my hair behind my ears, let out a laugh, and thanked him for his help.

He smiles, shakes his head, and mutters, “My pleasure.”

As I turned to head inside after saying goodbye to him, I saw Pat, Jessica, and the rest coming our way. Jessica threw herself on me, hugging me while wailing. “Can you believe it?”

“Believe what?” I ask.

“We all got grounded,” she says as she pulls away, looking up at me like a child.

I chuckle. “I was, too, but that’s normal for a teen.”

“True,” Preston mumbles, coming to stand beside me and wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

And there’s my heartbeat again and the zoo in my stomach.

Pat stepped back, smiled, and winked at me. I rolled my eyes, but that couldn’t stop my lips from spreading into a smile.

“Are you good, Jessica?” Michael asks. Her arms were crossed under her chest while her hands were in fists. For some reason, her expression was pinched. Her lips were pressed together, and her teeth were clenched.

Michael’s question hung in the air as he looked at her. Her eyes were narrowed, her brows drawn together in a deep frown.

“I’m fine,” she says, but her voice was anything but convincing.

She was obviously agitated, and the tension in the room was palpable. Michaels hesitated, unsure of what to say next.

Thankfully, the school bell rang, and we all headed to class. While walking in, Jess asked to speak to me for a moment.

I came out of Preston Hold and walked beside him so he could speak to me. “What are you doing tonight?” he asks. I was taken aback by the question, but I decided to answer honestly.

“Tonight?” I chuckle. “Nothing, because I am grounded.”

“Oh,” he says, his realization dawning on him. He had completely forgotten about my punishment.

“How about after school? We could go to the place your guardian is working and hang out together. That won’t be breaking your punishment, would it?” As we continue to walk, he runs his hand through his hair, glancing at me for a split second before looking away.

I thought about it for a moment, a little taken aback by his suggestion. I hope he means hanging out like “just friends” and nothing more.

I mumble. “Sure, I’d like that.” He smiles and looks away, but I can’t help but wonder if he wants more .

“Great, I will meet you outside of school,”

I nodded at him, and we parted ways and went to our respected classes, though as I was going to mine, Preston appeared beside me. “So what did he want to speak to you about?” he asks.

I froze midway, wondering if I told him he wanted to just hang out with me, what would he think? because I definitely didn’t want Preston to get the wrong idea.

I avoided the question, simply telling him that it was nothing important and trying to change the topic. But it didn’t work; he wanted to know why Jess looked so happy. I was scared to admit the truth—that Jess had asked me out to hang out.

But did Jess look happy? I don’t think so!

I turn to face him, muttering. “Jess wanted to hang out at the diner where Faith’s mother worked.” His face was drawn, his eyes darker than I remembered them being, and his mouth set in a thin line. “What?”

“He wanted to…”

“I heard you,” he says, pushing his hand into his pocket. He stares at the wall behind me; now we are the only two students left in the hallway.

“You’re not going, are you?” he asks, finally looking into my eyes.

I nodded. I didn’t know what to say in response, and immediately after, he left me standing here, confused.

I sighed and watched him walk away, the echoes of his footsteps fading away.