Regrets Part I

Brayden - October Again

The days are getting shorter and it's starting to get cooler out. My favorite type of weather! It's Saturday morning, I sit up in bed and stretch. A perfect fall day. I get out of bed, get my running gear on and head out the front door. I know by the time I get back, the rest of my family will just be getting up. I like this time of the morning, it gives me time to think. As I run, I start thinking about everything that has happened in the last year and a half. I'm now a Sophomore in high school, basketball tryouts are coming up again soon and slated to be the next captain of the JV team. Jackson and I have kept our friendship through almost 10 years. I'm starting to meet new people and make new friends but no one could ever replace my friendship with Jackson.

Then my mind drifts to Savannah Grace. Her number still neatly tucked away in my wallet. I can't seem to come up with anything to say to her. I can't talk to her in person, we just exchange a glance or two now and then during audio class. Why is this so hard for me? It's never been this hard to just talk to someone. Jackson assured me she is super sweet so there goes my theory about her being a b*&@h. I'm going to do it. I'm going to send her a message. Today is the day. I've had her number for over a month now, it's time that I start using it. Who knows, if nothing else, maybe we can be friends. "Oh, who am I kidding? I don't just want to be her friend" I think to myself.

I get home and head upstairs for a shower. I come back down to my mom making eggs and pancakes in the kitchen. This is a very rare event so I ask her "What's the occasion?"

"What? I need an occasion to make my family a nice Saturday morning breakfast?" she replies as I pour myself a cup of coffee.

"No but you're usually not here on Saturday mornings. No meetings or work this weekend?"

"No, I'm home for the weekend, I'll fly out first thing Monday morning for New York. You kids have me all weekend, what should we do?"

"I've got some homework I need to finish then I was planning on going down to the court with some of the guys from the team"

"What about Jackson? We should invite his family over for dinner tonight. I'm making lasagna"

"Sounds great mom, I'll ask him and see what he thinks"

"Ok sweetie" she says as she gives me a kiss on the cheek. Who is this woman and what has she done with my mother? I grab a plate, pile up some pancakes and eggs and head upstairs to my desk.

Once I'm upstairs, I close my door, set my OJ and plate on my desk and pull out my phone. I flip it open, click messages and start typing in Savannah Grace's number. I take a deep breath "I can do this". What do I say? What if she gave Jackson the wrong number? She wouldn't do that, Jackson said she was nice. Ok, here we go.

"Hey, it's Brayden" I type. I close my eyes and hit send. Ok, there, done. I turn to my breakfast and take a bite. A few seconds later my phone dings. I quickly flip it open and see her number at the top.

"Hello Brayden" she responds. I start to panic, what do I say now? I can't just not reply.

"How is your Saturday going" is what I finally come up with. Lame. I slap my forehead. All this time and this is all I can respond with?

"Fine, and yours?" She's being polite.

"Great. How are your classes this semester?" Really Brayden? Think, THINK! This is the girl you've been crushing on for an entire year.

"Not too bad, and yours?"

"Not too bad either. Hey, do you want to hang out sometime? I mean, not like a date or anything. Like maybe you, me and Jackson?" I'm trying to be polite. I very much want to go on a date and be by myself with her but I don't want her to think I'm pushing her or anything. I want to get to know her first. I eagerly wait a reply.

"Sure" she types back. SCORE!

"Ok, just let me know when and I'll see if Jackson is free!"

"I'm busy this weekend, maybe next?"

"Sounds good, I'll see you at school on Monday"

"Ok"

I can't believe I finally did it. I finally spoke (Ok, texted) the girl of my dreams! And she wants to hang out. Even it's going to be Jackson, me and her, I don't care. It's a lot further than I've gotten the last year and a half so I'll take it. I pick up the phone and call Jackson.

"Hey, you'll never guess what I did today"

"Please tell me you finally texted Savannah Grace"

"I did" I could hardly hold my excitement in.

"Good for you, it's about time. What did she say?"

"I asked her if she wanted to hang out. She said yes but I told her that it could be the three of us, I thought it may make it a little easier on her. Take the pressure off a little. Hopefully it'll eventually lead to a date with just her and I but I have to start small. I really like this girl. What do you say?"

"Wow, you really do like her. I guess I can be your third wheel but only because it's you."

"Thanks man! She's busy this weekend but are you free next weekend?"

"I can be, let me talk to my dad and see what he has planned but it shouldn't be a problem. I'll let you know."

"Great. Oh and my mom is in town and wanted me to ask if you and your family could come for dinner tonight. She's making lasagna. Granted it will more than likely come out of a box but it's the thought that counts."

"You're mom is in town? Nice, I'll talk to the parents and see what they say. Catch ya later"

"See ya!"

I close my phone and finish the rest of my breakfast. By now, my eggs are cold but I don't even care. Today will forever go down in history as the day I finally got up the courage to talk to Savannah Grace!