Chapter Seven

There’s a certain amount of tenseness in Evan’s shoulders over the next few days, it breaks my heart to know that it’s because of me. Emily has a worried look across her face, that she tries to cover up with a smile. Evan insists on walking me to my car everyday, which would be pleasant except for I know the reasons behind it. Emily is at my side almost every second. Evan and I go out after school for coffee, we’ve developed a tense schedule that could be very comfortable if they’d stop worrying. 

The tension hangs over all of our shoulders like a fog. The feeling of worry, mixed with no one wanting to say a word. It’s a Friday, and Em has a choir competition out of town this weekend. She leaves school early. I can practically taste the loneliness as it sets in. I sit in art class, drawing dark landscapes, to fit my mood. The period goes by fast, blasting a play list of music I hardly recognize. Somewhere in between drawing dark leafless trees, and flipping through my Ipod to find darker music, the period passes. The bell rings signaling the end of the class period, and I can finally breathe a sigh of release. There will be a slightly awkward ride home, and then I can go home and sleep. Sleep it all off. I gather my stuff, cramming it messily into my messenger bag. 

“Bye, Jenna.” I sigh lifting my hand up in a silent salute that things are going to work out as I leave the classroom. I sigh nudging the door open with my hip and colliding completely into Evan. His books hit the floor and his arms are around my waist, holding me flush against his chest. I look up, and for the first time in days, I start laughing, hard whole-heartedly tears streaming down my cheeks. And then Evan is laughing, his arms still around me chest rumbling beneath my hands. 

“We’ve really got to stop meeting like this!” Evan laughs lifting an arm up to run his hand through his hair. My heart is absolutely pounding in my chest, and I’m sure that if he can’t hear it, he can feel it. I laugh, a smiling forming on my face and take a step away from him. He laughs shaking his head, a wide smile gracing his features.

“Come on, I’ll buy you coffee.” He chuckles nudging me with his elbow. I roll my eyes and bend over to pick up his books. I watch his eyes roam over my body. His tongue darts out to lick his lips, and I’m pretty sure it’s sexual. Not that I have much knowledge about the sexual aspects of life. Regardless, who in their right mind would say no to free coffee?

I’m laughing as Evan walks me to my door, my keys rattling in my hand as I unlock the door. At some point, between talking and at least four cups of coffee, the sun went down. I unlock the door and nudge it open with my hip, leaning against it holding it open for Evan. I c**k an eyebrow and purse my lips. 

“Are you in, or are you out?” I joke leaning against the door crossing my arms over my chest. My keys slip from my hand and hit the ground with a clattering noise. Evan bends over and picks them up in one swift motion. He laughs softly, next thing I know, his hands are on either side of my head. 

“I’m in.” He whispers his breathe cool against my lips.