“You okay to drive?” he asked.
I hid my shaking hands behind my back. “Absolutely.”
“I’ll follow you back to your place,” he said. “Make sure you get there okay.”
“Thank you.”
Back at home, I don’t know what I expected. A wave of the hand, a chin tip maybe. But he parked his car and got out, moseying on over to where I stood.
“Your mom home?” he asked.
“No. She doesn’t finish until four.”
I’d left on the light in the front hall and the bedside lamp in my bedroom. Walking into a totally dark house had a tendency to freak me out these days. Meanwhile, my stupid hands were still trembling. The noise the tire made when it blew had been shocking, true. But that had been nearly an hour ago. I shook them hard, trying to dislodge the fear, to get the tremor to ease.
When I looked up, John stood silently watching. “I can stay for a while if you want.”
“No,” I said, guilt making me refuse. “Really, you should go home, get some sleep. I’m going to as well.”
He just looked at me.
“Thank you for rescuing me. I would have been in real trouble if you hadn’t come.”
A brief smile flitted across his lips. “No problem.”
I smiled back at him, took a deep breath, and raised my hand in farewell. “Good night.”
“’Night.”
“Or morning.”
“Right.”
The curve of his lips could have kept me occupied for hours. Wings stirred in my belly, both scary and thrilling at the same time. Friends again or not, liking John in a more-than-that way was dumb. Insane even. Still, just to be sure where we stood, I wanted to ask if the fight had been archived, forgotten. Except just bringing it up again seemed risky during this time of peace. Maybe I should, though. Clear the air and all that.
“Edie,” he said, shaking his head. “I’m waiting for you to go inside.”
“Oh. Right.”
“You sure you don’t want me to stay?”
More than I could say, and for reasons less than pure. “Oh, no. I, um . . .”
“I don’t mind.”
“No, no. I’m fine. Really. Thanks.” I rushed to the front door, unlocking it with all due haste. “’Bye.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow at school.” He took a step backward, watching me all the while. Then he turned, heading straight for his car.
“Today at school,” I called out.
He laughed. “Whatever.”
Such was the magic of John Cole, I even managed to get to sleep. Bet I still had the stupid smile on my face, too.
John: Hey
Me: Hi. How’s 1:38 am treating you?
John: Shit. You?
Me: Same
John: No driving at night alone again right?
Me: I’m guessing you want to hear no…
John: correct
John: Been worrying about it
Me: Alright. I’ll text you first if I do.
John: Ok thanks
Me: And you’ll let me know too John: You want to know when I go out?
Me: That’s what you’re asking from me Me: Hello?
John: Ok deal fine
John: I can look after myself though Me: I put a baseball bat in my car.
John: You’re weaponized now?
Me: Or ready for impromptu baseball games John: Right
Me: So…what else shall we talk about? What do you usually discuss when you text girls at one in the morning?
John: I don’t
Me: Sure you do. Come on. Tell me.
John: You don’t want to hear that Me: I absolutely do.
John: lets talk about movies or something Me: Waiting.
John: Shit Edie
John: I ask them if I can come over Me: That’s all?
John: Yeah
Me: You don’t text them anything else?
John: No
Me: None of the “what are you wearing” thing first?
John: No
Me: Let me get this straight, you give them no lead-in whatsoever?
John: Already told you no. Can we talk about something else now?
Me: Man, you’re so lazy.
John: It works
Me: I’m actually disappointed in you right now.
John: FFS
John: we both get what we want. Why complicate things?
Me: I’m beginning to think life is about the complications.
John: Enough shit in life is complicated thanks. Sex can stay easy Me: Not even a prom date on the horizon?
John: not going
Me: Got other plans?
John: hang at the lake maybe. What do you think Me: You’re inviting me?
John: yeah
Me: Cool. Sounds good.
John: We could jump off the rock again Me: Okay. But just to warn you, I’m wearing a prom dress even though I’m not going to the dance and this isn’t a date. It’ll be something truly sparkly and stupid.
John: Remind me to bring floaties so you don’t sink.
Me: Thanks, I appreciate that.
John: No problem
Me: You seriously wouldn’t be embarrassed to be seen with me?
John: No. If that’s what you want, go crazy Me: You’re sure? Because I’m talking big hair, a corsage and fluffy skirts, serious amounts of sequins and tulle.
John: whatever makes you happy. I’ll even buy the corsage for you.
Me: :)
John: I’ll bring the flowers and drinks and you wear the dress.
Me: Done.
John: Tell me something good
Me: We’re in our last year of high school.
John: So?
Me: So time to get the hell out of here.
John: And go where?
Me: Everywhere.
John: What about college?
Me: College is out of this town. It’s a start.
John: yeah
Me: You thinking of going?
John: maybe. Been looking at a certification for landscape technology and construction management. But my brothers not doing well so leaving him could be hard Me: I’m sorry.
John: going to try sleep. Need to keep my strength up for fishing you out of the lake soon Me: Ha
John: How about you?
Me: I might try to sleep too. Night John John: Night E sweet dreams
The next night, a hand waved in front of my face and I sat upright, screaming. The motion ripped my earbuds out, but Marina and the Diamonds played on without me.
“Hey,” said John, as calm as ever.
“Holy shit,” I whispered, hands clutching at my chest. “I really wish you’d stop doing that.”
“It’s only the second time.”
“Let’s not have a third.”
He lazed on my windowsill, backpack in hand for some reason. “You didn’t answer your door. What am I supposed to do?”
“Okay. All right.” I grabbed a pillow, covering up my baby-blue sleeping shorts. Little could be done about the slightly tight tank. At least it had a shelf bra and nothing was hanging naturally. “So what’s going on?”
“We’re studying.”
“We’re what?” I scrunched up my face, hitting stop on the music. “It’s nine o’clock on a Saturday night.”
He just shrugged. “Working all weekend. Now is the time I’ve got.”
No wonder he had such a great tan, mowing lawns and landscaping all weekend. And muscles. Let’s not forget the muscles. I respected him heartily for them.
“You didn’t do that well on the book essay,” he continued. “Better than me, but still.”
“Hey. C-plus is a passing grade.”