Rising Up

Four

Brian

    I look up to find Jade walking back into the cafeteria. I really hope she was able to talk to Aubrey for me. What Lauren said was uncalled for. If I knew Lauren was going to act like that then I would have just kept talking to Aubrey out in the hallway and had her meet some of them later on.  I was ready to go after Aubrey when she left especially after I saw the look on her face but Jade told me she would go with make sure she is okay.  I figured that was probably for the best. By the time Jade sits down I am ready to ask her how things went but I wait until Lauren, Mason, and Tyler are gone. As soon as they are out of ear shot though I ask her.

    "Is Aubrey okay?" 

    "Yes, she is." 

    "What did she say?" 

    "Why do you want to know?"

    "Jade, come on please just answer the question." 

    "She didn't say to much. She did agree to go to the football game with me." 

    "That is great." I say relieved. I hear the warning bell ring letting us know that we have five minutes to get to class. I start getting ready to leave.  I turn to head to the door but Jade blocks my path. "What?" 

    "Don't what me. You know that I still expect you to tell me why you are so interested in her." 

    "Come on Jade we need to get to class." 

    "I don't mind being late." 

    "Jade, really can we talk about this at home?" 

    "Fine, but don't think you are getting out of this." she says then steps aside.  

    Great just what I need to deal with. How am I supposed to tell her why I am interested in Aubrey if I don't even know why I am myself. I owe her for talking to Aubrey earlier so I will just tell her the truth. I can't believe she was able to get her to agree to go to the football game.  Hopefully, she goes. I really want to talk to her more. 

    By the time school is over I am ready to go home but I debate skipping football practice. I decide not to since I don't want to let my team down.  Once practice is over I head to my car and go home.  I walk into the house to find Jade and my parents watching a movie in the living room. I quickly walk past them heading up stairs to my room.  My room is at the end of the hall. I grab go in and set my stuff down. I walk over to my dresser to grab some clothes then walk into the bathroom connected to my room.  I take a quick shower, get dressed, then walk into my room. I am thankful that I don't have much homework so I can lay down and relax for a little while. About five minutes later Jade comes barging into my room. She closes the door and before I realize it she is sitting at the end of my bed staring at me. 

    "Soooo you going to start talking?" she says with a big smile on her face. She must be getting a kick out of seeing me like this. 

    "What do you want to know?"

    "How about everything? Start from how you met her." she says to me. I end up telling her all about my friend and I almost hitting her in the face when we we did out greeting and how I went over to apologize. I told her how I didn't think I would be talking to the girl long but for some reason I ended up staying. I told her about how I wanted to get closer to her even though I didn't know why and so I invited her to lunch. Jade listened patiently which was a first. Usually all she does is interrupt me. Then when I was finished she spoke. "Wow! She really wasn't kidding when she said she only new you for ten minutes. She must really not be involved in school sports or know many people though since she didn't know about you being the varsity team quarterback." 

    "Yeah" 

    "Well I think she is cool. I have been texting her ever since we exchanged numbers and she is really friendly. It seems like she doesn't really care what people think. I am looking forward to hanging out with her. I think I am going to see if she wants to meet up before Friday. "

    "Wait don't start bugging her all the time. I just kind of want to get to know her before you scare her away." 

    "Ha Ha very funny Brian. I am not bugging the girl. She knows she doesn't have to answer me if she doesn't want too. Don't go getting jealous because I get to talk to her and you don't." Jade said and then ran out of my room before I could respond. 

    It is good she left since I don't even know how to respond to that. There is no way I was jealous of her. I mean I just met Aubrey today. How could I possible be jealous of someone texting her. Especially of my own sister. It's just not possible. Then again she might be right. I regret not giving Aubrey my phone number.  Next time I see her I will make sure to give it to her.