The Freshman Year of the School Days crew is officially over. This doesn't mean the story is over, just that they are now Sophomores. More fun and drama to be had by all.
For new readers, you could probably pick up at the start of the Sophomore year without too much trouble (once I start it of course) but if you want to read the entire Freshman year in all it's goodness, they are on the blog or you can follow these links. There are 22 chapters in all.
Freshman Year
(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), (17), (18), (19), (20), (21), (22)
Thanks for reading guys!
Chapter 21: Cloudy Skies
I laid in bed staring at my phone after Erik and Todd left. The first time I reached for it, I put it down with a "hmph". He was being moody and was always quick to jump to being jealous but I'd been nothing but faithful!
The second time I picked it up I managed to dial the first three numbers before clicking end and putting it down with a sigh. But it could have looked bad to him I suppose - not that we'd done anything wrong but still, I could understand....sort of.
The third time I picked it up and punched in his whole number. It rang once before I clicked it off and tossed the phone across the room so I wouldn't be tempted. It landed with a small crash but didn't break. I'd see him at school I decided and pulled a pillow over my head.
I did see him at school but there was a deathly silence coming from his corner of first period and he managed to miss lunch all week. I was still alternating between sadness and annoyance so I didn't try to push him. After a week of stony silence and a week of me having to get my own locker open or lug around all my books, he approached me before school one day. He brushed my hand aside on my locker and popped it open for me and then just watched me as I swapped books. I eyed him curiously but waited for him to break the silence.
"I'm sorry." he said quietly. "For leaving like that, for not talking to you - I'm just sorry. I've had a lot on my mind."
"Okay." I said lamely. "Nothing happened you know." I said quickly. "I wouldn't..."
"Yeah. Look, I gotta go get ready for a final - can we talk later? Meet me in the gym after school?" he asked
"Sure." I said looking confused. He had seemed ready to talk and he was back to rushing off. I watched him walk away and slumped against my locker.
Todd watched him leaving as he walked up beside me. "Talking again?" he asked.
"Sort of....I guess." I said annoyed. "He looked like he was ready to talk and then rushed off."
The rest of my day was miserable. It was finals week so we had a special schedule to allow for finals in the morning and afternoon. Three hours in my computer final was miserable. I think I passed but I may scrap by with a C. Timothy tried to reassure me after but seeing as he was done an hour into the test and played computer games the rest of the time, I didn't put much stock in his assurances about MY performance.
By the end of my afternoon final, theater, I felt better. I was confident and hopeful that Erik and I would survive everything going on around us. He would realize nothing had happened or would happen between Todd and I; his mom would completely relent and agree to let him stay; the China trip would be over and everything would be great.
I told myself all these things as I crossed the school, as I cursed my locker and then headed down to the gym. I told myself this as I made a packing list in my mind. We left for China in just a couple days and I hadn't even started packing my suitcases. Veronica said she had six packed already earlier. I was calm and ready to talk with Erik when I walked into the gym.
And saw him in Mei-Ling's arms. It looked like more than just friendly hug. In a matter of seconds a dozen explanations flashed through my mind but I settled on the worst. After all his moodiness, all his jealousies...
I narrowed my eyes and cleared my throat to get their attention. They broke apart and didn't look the least bit guilty or concerned when they saw me. Odd.
Erik came towards me smiling, seemingly happy to see me but stopped as my looked over my face. He looked confused and then caught sight of Mei-Ling and understanding swept over him. "Gin...nothing...."
I didn't let him finish as I threw my hands up. "Gah!" I said loudly and turned on my heal to run out.
"Gin!" Erik called at the same time Mei-Ling called out as well. "Ginny!"
I didn't listen and kept going.
Somewhere in my head, buried under a lot of heat and rage, I knew there were a lot of reasons for what I just saw - none of which equaled Erik cheating but I ignored that slightly more rational thought and ran all the way home.
When I got home I stomped up to my room and pulled my suitcases out of the closet with several loud crashes, curses and bangs. I set them on the floor and collapsed next to them. Staring at them, tears stung my eyes and the anger dissipated replaced by sadness - overwhelming sadness.
I'm not sure how long I sat there staring at the empty suitcases. Eventually I heard a knock on my door. My face felt tight and my eyes were dry. My dad stepped into the room and stood at the doorway looking at me. He hadn't been home when I came in or during my fight with the suitcases. I'm not sure he knew anything was wrong but he seemed understanding. Maybe Todd had told him something. Maybe he assumed I was still sulking.
"Erik's here." he said quietly.
"I don't want to talk to him." I said looking up at him for the first time.
"Okay." he said sitting next to me. "But the two of you are about to be stuck on a very long flight to China together - you might want to figure it out before then."
I didn't say anything.
"It's normal you know." he said after a few moments of silence.
"What?" I asked as I picked at the carpet fibers.
"Fighting....with someone you love." he said. "Not that you should do it regularly but it's not the end."
I leaned my head against his shoulder and he put his arm around me and just held me.
"I was wrong about him." he said. "I think he's a good kid."
"I thought so too." I muttered. I stayed in my dad's arms for awhile before making an excuse about packing. He gave me a tight hug and motioned to the window as he left. I walked over to it and looked out. There he was, waiting, hoping....he saw me in the window but didn't motion for me. He just watched me as I turned away and closed the curtain.
Since we were on a finals schedule, I didn't have to see him until the day we all met outside the school for the airport shuttle. Todd and Mei-Ling seemed perfectly happy and Mei-Ling caught my eye. She looked apologetic but not guilty. Veronica pulled me aside before Erik had arrived. "I don't think anything happened" she said quietly. I'd given her the details of that afternoon and apparently she'd done some snooping.
I saw Erik's dad's car arrive out of the corner of my eye but returned my gaze to Veronica before I caught his eye. "Mei-Ling told Todd about it and she was really distressed about you." Veronica added quickly.
I just shrugged. I had a few days to calm down and start hearing the more rational thoughts and I knew it was entirely possible the hug was platonic. I was even ready to accept that if Erik came over to me and told me so. But the hug wasn't out only problem lately so I wasn't ready to talk to Erik. I sat with Veronica on the shuttle and tried to stay with her as much as I could to avoid the inevitable. It was easy to ignore his calls and emails at home, it was even easy to avoid him at school but there were only seven of us total including Ms. Moore. I was going to run out of ways to hide soon.
We checked in at the airport and filed through security one at a time. I ended up behind Erik in the line but the security officers kept us too busy with shoes and bag checks to talk and once we were on the other side we had a gate to get to.
While we waited for the plane, I took up a position of solitude by the window, watching the planes come and go over the ocean. Our airport was situated in such a way that it almost felt like you land on water when you came in.
I heard soft footsteps approach me and saw Mei-Ling's faint reflection in the glass. I didn't acknowledge her. Behind me I could hear Todd's voice. "She's really upset man." he was saying.
"But nothing happened, she was just sad because of going home....she's my friend..." Erik explained.
"I understand that." Todd said with emphasis on the I. "And I'm sure Ginny is to the point that she does too....but after everything else...." he trailed off without specifying what 'everything else' was.
Erik didn't reply to that. He knew what everything else was without Todd saying. The moods, the jealousy, the silent treatment....mostly the jealousy. I tuned them out and continued to stare at the ocean and the planes. I was so focused on it that I didn't hear Mei-Ling leave and I didn't hear him approach me until he said my name.
"Gin." he said softly. I turned slowly to look at him. "It was just a hug..." he said. "Nothing happened. Please believe me."
I nodded and looked back at the ocean. "I believe you." I said.
"You...You do?" he asked sounding surprised.
''Should I not?" I asked not looking at him. "You haven't given me a reason not to trust you."
"But the other day and the calls...." he trailed off.
"I was upset and...slightly irrational. But I believe you. If you say nothing happened then nothing happened." I said.
"Okay then." he said still sounding unconvinced. "We never got a chance to ...." he was cut off by a call for our flight.
"Flight 1408 to China now boarding." An emotionless voice rang over the loud speakers.
"Time to board." I said grabbing my carry on.
Erik grabbed his own and walked along side me but neither of us spoke. Ms. Moore stood at the gate making sure we all boarded and then followed us onto the plane.
End Chapter
Chapter 22: China Here We Come!
As soon as we were on the plane I felt crowded. I have no problem with flying but I knew it was going to be a long flight and I wasn't ready. I already knew that Ms. Moore had arranged our seats as close together as she could but the best she could do was two three person rows a few rows a part and then a single for herself where she could keep an eye on us without being in the middle of us - really it's not like we could get away from her on a plane in flight anyway. The walk down the aisle felt long to me as I waited to see where Erik would sit, I had no idea if we were on the same row and I was making plans for a seat swap if needed. Erik turned into the row I wasn't assigned to and I tried to hide my relief. I wasn't ready. I took the window seat of my row, followed by Veronica and Timothy. After tucking my carry on under the seat I looked at Veronica seriously. "Don't swap with Erik." I said quietly.
"What?" Veronica asked. I glared at her.
"Do. Not. Swap. Seats." I said slowly and she just shrugged.
"Like I'd want to sit next to the love birds." she said looking a few aisles up where Todd and Mei-Ling were already nestled in with each other.
I didn't make a plea to Timothy - as long as Veronica refused to give up her seat I was hoping I could delay things. Of course if Timothy did swap with Erik, Veronica would lose interest in being stuck in the middle of us. I leaned back and stared out the little window waiting for take off.
The plane was starting to taxi out when Veronica broke the silence. "Okay so why are you avoiding Erik - who if you recall IS your boyfriend and if I heard correctly, you said you believed?"
I sighed again and kept looking out the window.
She took my silence as the only response she was going to get. "Okay then...but you're gonna have to talk to him about....well whatever....at some point. This isn't one of those 'if I avoid it, it will go away' things."
"I know." I said to the window. Whether Erik sensed my mood or was avoiding me as well, he didn't make an attempt to swap seat until almost half way through the trip. I'd slept through most of it so I didn't feel any more ready to talk to him now than I was when we took off. Timothy agreed to switch and Erik took his place to start working on Veronica. She looked at me and knew without words that my request still stood so she refused, claiming not to like the aisle. Erik tried again a few times but ultimately settled into Timothy's seat and our awkward silence. When Veronica excused herself to go to the bathroom, Erik took her seat in the few precious moments he had.
"Gin." he said when I didn't look at him. "Ginny, why are you avoiding me?" he asked putting his hand over mine.
"This...." I stopped and looked at him. His eyes were full of confusion which I expect but also pain - which I wasn't ready for. "I'm tired Erik, can we talk after we land?" I asked willing Veronica to return at that moment. She didn't right then but she did return before Erik could push further. I went back to looking out the small window and drifting in and out of sleep.
When we finally landed and arrived at the hotel we were all tired, dirty and irritable from the flight but Ms. Moore ushered us into a quick group shot. No one made any effort to pose or smile for the tourist she'd gotten to take the picture.
Knowing our luck it will be in the year book.
We'd arrived the day before the tournament which was a good thing since most of us crashed in our rooms to sleep off the bad sleep we'd attempted to get on the flight. The first rounds of the tournament were for the novices - in our little group that was Timothy and I. I'd like to say that Timothy and I were a real credit to our school and our instructor and took top ranks in our division but it's not true. We didn't do badly - we each won a couple matches but we both washed out on the first day.
I can't really say I was disappointed though. I had fun with the club but the tournament had lost it's luster before I even got on the plane. Now I was free to see China with the time we had left.
The second day of the tournament was for the intermediate contenders - including Veronica on the lower end and Todd. Veronica did very well for her belt class and even worked her way up the ranks to compete against a newer blue belt. She ended up taking first amongst the green belts. Todd, though good, was depressed and real life effected his sparring. He held his own but ended up on the bench with Timothy and I before the final matches. He just didn't have any fire in him.
Even though the third day was for the higher level contenders, we all got up early to cheer Erik and Mei-Ling on for their matches. The sun had barely touched the sky when we met and I tried to stifle a yawn.
Erik's first match wasn't for another hour so he pulled me aside as soon as he could. "Ginny can we talk please?" he asked.
I shut my eyes tightly to focus. I knew I couldn't put this off much longer but I didn't want to mess up his competition - I didn't want to mess up anything. "You've got to stay focused Erik, I don't think now is really the time." I said as serenely as possible.
"Gin - you're avoiding me, you won't talk to me....you say you believe me about Mei-Ling and yet...." he trailed off. "What's wrong?"
"Just not now!" I snapped and then immediately regretted it as he recoiled back from me.
To his credit, he put his frustrations toward me into his sparring and breezed through his sparring matches. On the last one he stumbled and lost the match coming in second for his belt class. Mei-Ling, who had years of practice on all of us, was able to focus entirely on the sparring. Nothing stopped her as she climbed the tournament ranks. Although she didn't come in first for her belt, she placed highly. Her previous instructor was at the match as well and challenged her to a spar to test her.
The tournament also included a board breaking portion which Veronica, Timothy and I had all decided not to enter. Timothy decided to go watch though while Veronica and I took the day to get away. Veronica made a list of places she wanted to shop and I made a list of places I wanted to see. We agreed to try to do both while we had the chance. Shopping was first.
I let Veronica drag me from shop to shop and the act of shopping kept her attention off of me and on herself. I knew she wanted to see if I had talked to Erik, when I would talk to Erik, what would I tell Erik, and so on and so forth - but she wanted new clothes more.
I dragged her to Palace and the Terracotta Army after the shopping. Once again, her urge to complain about my choice of activity took priority of her need to pry into my life.
We were walking back to the hotel when I saw a little pile of rubbish in the grass. I looked over to investigate and saw a fleck of gold so I dragged Veronica over.
"Seriously Ginny! The history lesson was enough - why are you digging in the dirt?" Veronica asked looking less than amused.
I ignored her and kept poking around the bit of rubbish.
"Okay fine, well while you're digging you can at least entertain me." Veronica said changing her tactics. "I know you haven't talked to him yet - I caught your little scene at the tournament - so why don't you tell me why you're avoiding him?"
I considered ignoring her but figured she'd just keep bugging me. "I think I need to break up with him." I said bluntly.
Her eyes about bulged out of her head. "You what?!" she said kneeling beside me. "Why? You don't think anything happened...so why?"
I sighed. "Part of him - a big part of him - wants to go home to Virginia to be with his mom. But he doesn't want to hurt me I don't think. I'm afraid if I don't, he'll stay here and then be miserable." I sat down on the grass and tucked my knees to my chest. "You've seen how he's been.....am I wrong?"
Veronica sat down next to me. "Heck if I know Gin - he has been moody but I figured it was because he wanted to stay and his mom was making him go...."
"At first that's what it was I think but then when she came and dropped that bombshell at his birthday...." I trailed off.
"So it for his own good then." Veronica said trying to follow my reasoning. "No other reason."
"Well the jealousy bugs me but I can live with that - I wasn't the most rational person either. But Todd is my best friend - don't give me that look." I said with a half-hearted smile. "I don't know V! None of it feels right anymore."
"Maybe you guys just need a break. He's going back to Virginia for the summer anyway, why don't you just let it go and see where things are after?" she said sounding almost reasonable to me.
"I can't let him leave without talking to him. And what would I say - oh I've been avoiding you but it's all good now, see you in the fall." I said.
"True I guess..." Veronica said putting her arm around me and leaning into me.
The next day was a free day for us to see the sights but Ms. Moore wanted at least one more group shot. She took us to the steps of the palace and we all put a little more enthusiasm into it for her sake and then she released us with strict curfew instructions - except for Mei-Ling. Her parents had come for the tournament and were planning to leave with her tonight. Todd and Mei-Ling were the first to disappear, clutching each others hands tightly.
Mei-Ling took Todd to a quiet hilltop from which they could see the great waterfalls and overlook the city. Neither of them spoke on the way up and just held hands as they stood at the peak of the hill. "Thank you Todd." Mei-Ling finally said turning to look at him.
"Thank you for making this such a special year." she said fighting back the tears.
Todd was fighting his own emotions as he pulled her into a hug. "Thank you." he said softly. "Being with you has been...."
"Wonderful." Mei-Ling finished. "I cannot believe the year is over already." she said looking out over the city.
"I know." Todd said still holding onto her, afraid to let go of her - afraid it might be the last time.
"I did not expect to find you when I went to America - I did not even expect to enjoy it there." Mei-Ling turned and gave him another tight embrace.
"I want to tell you how much I'll miss you, I want to ask you not to go, I want to say a lot of things and just don't know what the words are." Todd said. "We'll write..."
"And call." Mei-Ling added with a sad smile.
"And email." Todd said matching her tiny smile.
"Right." they said at the same time and chuckled a little. They didn't come down from the hill top until dusk. Mei-Ling parents, for their part, did look sad about splitting the pair up but there wasn't really much to be done. It was a one year exchange program. After they drove off, Todd walked off as well. I had an idea where he was going but wanted to give him some time first. The others stood behind me watching him leave and waiting for me to make a move. After awhile I followed him and found him at the lake not far from the hotel. I sat beside him but didn't say anything.
"This sucks Ginny." he said finally.
"I know." I said. "I'm sorry it had to be like this."
Todd didn't reply, only stared into the water. He didn't need me to talk so I didn't talk. Eventually the others came up behind us and just stood or sat quietly lending their support.
I spent the last few days of our trip hanging out with Todd mostly. He wasn't in the mood to see China and I wanted to be there for him if he needed someone.
I decided not to put up a fight on the flight home, Erik had endured almost two weeks of almost complete silence from me since the incident in the gym and I was too emotional exhausted to keep it up. Since we were going home one less than we came with, Erik and I ended up with a row without the others. We did have a German tourist on the aisle but he ignored us. I was staring out the window when I felt Erik take my hand. When he squeezed it, I instinctively squeezed his hand back but didn't look over at him. "Ginny please talk to me." he said softly.
I looked over at him sadly. We were only a quarter of the way into a long flight and I didn't want to spend the rest of the flight with him giving me those pained eyes. If I did it now there would be a different pain there, but it would be the same either way. I looked back at the window to find the right words but none of them came to me. "I think..." I said still looking at the window. "I think we need to take a break..." There was silence beside me and I was afraid to look. Would there be hurt, anger, confusion? All of the above?
"If you're breaking up with me, I'd rather you talk to me and not the window" he said with surprising calmness in his voice. I slowly turned to look at his face and could see the swirl of emotion playing across his face. "Why?" he asked.
"You need to go home to Virginia, at least for the summer. I know you want to..." I said. "When....if....you come back, maybe things will have settled down..."
"If? You think I want to move back there? Or are you hoping I will?" he asked sounding angry.
"Of course not!" I replied quickly and honestly. "I don't want you to move back but....I could understand if you did."
Erik was silent, piercing me with a gaze I wanted to flinch away from. "You say a break....are you breaking up with me here Ginny?" he asked after several tense minutes of silence.
"Yes." The word was out of my mouth before I even knew I was going to say it. I was pretty sure my own eyes were as wide as his at my response but it was the truth. At least I think it was. Unable to find the words to take it back or maybe unwilling to, I made the uncomfortable effort to get past both Erik and our German rowmate to go to the bathroom. I stayed in there longer than necessary and then begged with Timothy to switch seats with me on the way back. He was a good friend, and completely unaware of what had happened, so he agreed.
I saw Erik watching me as I took Timothy's seat but I tried not to notice. I ignored the curious looks from Todd and Veronica and tried to tune out the rest of the flight.
When we landed back at home, Veronica had to poke me awake. Most of the flight had already disembarked and she needed by me. I scrambled back to my original seat to grab my abandoned carry on bag and felt relief that Erik had already gone. I was one of the last ones off and was surprised to see Erik waiting for me. I shouldn't have been I suppose but I was.
"That was cowardly, switching seats with Timothy like that." he said calmly.
I couldn't help but agree there. "Maybe it was." I said.
"I don't...." he stopped, trying to control some emotion. "Why?"
I just shook my head. "Because we've been drifting apart for awhile now. Every time we tried to come back together it seemed like we ended up further apart. It hurts too much to watch you push me away...."
"I never meant to push you away." Erik said sounding upset.
"Go home Erik, be with your mom and your new brother when he's born." I said turning to walk away.
He stepped back as if my words had stung him. In a soft whisper, "But this was home..." he said as I walked away from him.
End Chapter; End Season 1
Chapter 20: Misgivings and Misunderstandings
"Congratulations on your new belts." Ms. Moore was saying at practice. "The final entrance forms for the competition have been submitted based on your current levels so that you are matched accordingly. I need each of you to come see me today during practice to confirm that everyone has what they need for the trip. If you haven't already turned in your final paperwork and permission slips I need those this week as well." she concluded and then nodded toward Mei-Ling and Erik. She walked to the other corner and took a seat with a bundle of papers and folders.
"Ginny and Timothy, you will spar with us first while Veronica and Todd talk to Ms. Moore." Mei-Ling said giving directions. Without needing to be told, Erik stepped back and took up a position ready to spar with Timothy and Mei-Ling stepped into position as well. Once V and Todd had crossed the gym, Timothy and I took our places. While we both enjoyed ourselves, neither of us had the natural talent or drive for it that the other did. Todd practiced more than anyone it seemed and Veronica just seemed to have a natural skill.
After a few rounds, Mei-Ling and Erik gave us each a few pointers and suggestions on areas to focus on before the competition. Timothy and I switched places with Todd and Veronica. As Timothy and Veronica passed each other, they exchanged a look I couldn't read. I saw Erik watching me as I passed as well but didn't say anything. He was generally all business at practice so it wouldn't have mattered if I did I figured.
I took my seat on the bench and started going over the final details with Ms. Moore. I was only half paying attention to her since I knew I'd already turned everything in for the trip. I was watching the sparring between the others with the rest of my attention. I had to admire Veronica's skill, she had raced along this year, surprising everyone.
I traded places with Timothy when Ms. Moore acknowledged I was prepared for the trip. She handed me a packing list as well which I tucked into my backpack to be forgotten about until later. Then I turned my attention back to the sparring.
Afterward we paired off and continued to spar against each other. Ms. Moore left after she consulted with Mei-Ling and Erik satisfied that everyone was ready. Or as ready as they could be. Mei-Ling kept us practicing later than usual given that we had a limited number of weeks left before school ended and we left for China. As much as they hated to do it, they had agreed to suspend the practices the last two weeks of school to allow everyone study time but Mei-Ling "encouraged" us to come in and spar or practice with the dummies as time allowed. Practice ended with everyone exhausted; Todd and Veronica were both pumped though while Timothy and I were just plain tired. Erik and Mei-Ling made a beeline for each other so I walked over to Todd to chat with him while we waited.
"You did good today Ginny." Todd said as I walked up. I made some sound of acknowledgment unrecognizable in the English language. "Bit tired?" he asked with a smile. Since the camping trip, he and Mei-Ling had been close again and he was visibly happier. Given the feeling I had regarding Erik right now, it was a little sickening to me.
"Er" I replied too physically and emotionally spent to make more coherent words. I tried to focus on him but my eyes kept straying to Erik and Mei-Ling. Finally they finished and joined us. We all left the school together and split up on the school lawn. Mei-Ling and Todd walked hand in hand one way (Todd was taking Mei-Ling back to Veronica's house) and Erik and I walked silently the other way.
The remaining days of the school year seemed to be flying by. Practice was now three times a week at least but Mei-Ling and Erik agreed to be available every day after school if any of us wanted extra sparring practice. I never went to these extra times - I was sick of the gym. With Erik busy and most of my other friends busy, I found myself at home more often.
"No Erik tonight?" my dad asked having walked up behind me at some point. I made a point to turn the page of the book I was reading in response. I didn't want to talk about it. He put a hand on my shoulder and squeezed it like he often did to tell me he was there when I was ready. After I heard him leave the room I tossed the book on the couch and left the house.
I walked out to my old play house where hopefully no one would find me and slumped back on the small couch in a huff. "He's just busy" I muttered aloud hoping that was all it was. Maybe after China, after his mom had the baby, after....whatever; the distance would close back in and we could just be Gin and Erik again. I was tired of talking to a wall and I was tired of thinking about it.
I closed my eyes and tried to close my mind when I heard the door creak open. I didn't open my eyes to look at whoever it was. I didn't move hoping whoever it was would leave.
"Ginny." Todd said nudging me. "Move over so I can sit down." he said. "I know you're not asleep...."
I sat up with a sigh and made room for him.
"What's wrong Ginny?" Todd asked sitting next to me.
"Nothing." I lied. "I'm peachy." I said not looking at him.
"Yeah right, I believe that." he said with a smirk. "Trouble in paradise?"
I shrugged. "I don't know Todd, I just...don't know." I said leaning my head against his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders in comfort.
"You guys have had a lot of drama around you lately. Maybe once it all settles down you guys need to get some alone time." Todd said sounding like a relationship guru. I looked at him and then started laughing.
Todd seemed to sense what I was thinking and started laughing as well. "I'm sure it will work out Ginny, just give it time." he said as we both calmed down.
We were still leaning against each other when the door creaked open again and Erik walked in. He didn't say anything and just took in the scene. Todd and I had found friendship with each other many time like this so I didn't think much of it until I saw the dark look on Erik's face.
I could tell, for once, exactly what he was thinking - what he was seeing. He turned and walked out of the house without saying a word and I got up to follow him.
"Erik!" I called after him as he strode across the deck toward the gate.
He stopped long enough for me to catch up but didn't look at me. "I have to get home Gin." he said staring ahead. "I just wanted to see you..." he trailed off and started walking again.
I started to follow and then stopped. I didn't have the energy for this tonight, I didn't have the energy for much right now. I stared at the gate as it closed behind him, it wasn't long before I heard Todd's footsteps on the deck boards. "I'm sorry Ginny, you know that..."
"I know." I said cutting him off. I rubbed my neck and groaned. "He was right about one thing - it's almost curfew. You should get home as well." I said still looking ahead.
"Right." Todd said placing a hand on my shoulder and squeezing it much like my dad had. "I'll see you later Ginny." he said and walked out the gate as well.
"Right." I said softly, still rooted in the same spot.
End Chapter
Chapter 17: Sadie Hawkins Dance...or not
"So are you planning to ask me to this Sadie Hawkins Dance this weekend?" Erik said teasing me at lunch about a week before said dance.
"Actually, no, I'm not." I said with a smile and took another bite from my sandwich.
Erik looked confused but shrugged with a teasing smile. "Alright, well then I guess I can tell Elsie Reynolds yes then?" he asked.
I knew he was joking, I struggled not to laugh. "Well you could I suppose." I said with a shrug. "But I did have other plans for us....if you're agreeable."
"Plans that are NOT the dance?" he asked raising his eyebrows.
"Well if you'd rather go to the dance we could, or you could go catch Elsie before she asks James." I said as Todd, Mei-Ling, Timothy and Veronica sat down around us. Veronica sat on the other side of Erik and did not look at me.
"You're not going to the dance?" Todd asked surprised.
"Apparently not." Erik said with a shrug. He did much like dances anyway.
"What?" I asked. "I can't miss a school dance?"
"Ginny, you love school dances!" Todd said still shocked that I was voluntarily missing a dance.
"And there will be plenty more. But I'm - WE'RE - missing this one." I said looking at Erik with a wink.
Todd was a little disturbed by my attitude but shrugged. "What is a Sadie Hawkins Dance anyway?" Mei-Ling asked.
"Sadie Hawkins was a character in the Li'l Abner comic strip, she was a spinster and soon Sadie Hawkin's Day was created in which all the unmarried women in town could - literally - chase down a potential husband." Timothy said.
All of us stopped eating and stared at him.
"What?" Timothy asked.
I shook my head and looked at Mei-Ling. "Girls ask the guys - that's the difference." I said with a smile.
"Ah." Mei-Ling said. She turned to Todd and proceeded to ask him to the dance.
Erik and I finished early and left the table, never having exchanged a word or look with Veronica. I sighed inwardly but let it pass.
"Are you seriously not going to tell me what you have planned for Saturday then?" Erik asked twining his finger in with mine.
I laughed. "I could, but where would be the fun in that?" I asked.
"Because then I would know and it would make your boyfriend happy?" Erik suggested.
"Nope...don't think so, I like making you wait it out." I said with a chuckle.
"Maybe I can make you talk" he said pulling me to a stop in the hall. He looked around and put his hand on my face giving me light kisses. Most everyone was in class or at lunch so for a few brief moments, we were alone.
"Is this working?" he asked.
"Well it's very nice but I'm still not telling." I said and winked.
"Gahh!" he moaned but he was still grinning.
I laughed and started walking again. "Come on, we better get to our classes."
For the rest of the week Erik teased me about the date plans, Veronica and I didn't speak and Timothy spent more time with Ranna. I heard it from someone else that she asked him to the dance and he accepted. Veronica didn't ask anyone that I know of.
Finally Saturday rolled around and I met Erik in front of his house with a taxi. "Your chariot." I said with a laugh.
Erik smirked and got in the back of cab, I slid in after and as I closed the door the driver took off. He already had the address. I took Erik's hand.
"Not even a hint?" he asked looking out the window to see where we were going.
I just squeezed his hand in reply as the cab left the outer edges of our town center and moved into the less populated areas. Finally the cab stopped on a hill, on which sat a castle - a small, built for show, castle but a castle none the less. I paid the cab driver and tugged on Erik's hand.
"What is this place?" he asked looking around. We could just see the tops of the towers over the trees and bridge.
"Welcome to our castle." I said leading him around the trees and hill along a rock path.
"I've lived here almost a year and I've never even heard of this place." he said taking it all in.
"One our best kept secrets I suppose." I said with a smile, the path landed us right in front of the hedge maze. "What do you think?" I asked.
"It's great." he said, he was still looking around when I surprised him with a kiss.
He put his arms around me and returned the kiss. It was early afternoon so we had time to explore. "Every year they host a Renaissance Faire here in the fall but during the rest of the year it's used for weddings, parties and such. And on the second weekend of every month they play old movies on a huge screen on the side of the castle over there." I pointed to where a large screen was already set up for the evening showing. We wound our way through the maze and even though I knew the way by heart, I let Erik lead us down several dead ends.
The sun was beginning to set when we came to the little bench hidden within the maze. "This is wonderful Ginny." Erik said as we sat down. "It's great to have time alone together."
"You've been very accommodating of my desire to do school activities and we don't get a lot of time away from other people so I wanted to do something that's just the two of us." I said leaning against him.
"This wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that I may be moving in a few months would it?" Erik asked holding me close.
"Not at all." I said covering the growing ache in my chest by kissing him.
The sun was getting lower in the sky and I took the lead on the maze so we'd get out of it before sunset. We ended up crossing back over the bridge as the sun set beyond the castle and paused to watch.
"There's still a chance she could change her mind." I said "Right?" I said glancing at him. We hadn't talked much about his parents or the potential move but I knew it was weighing on both of us.
"Sure there is." he said, entirely unconvincingly. I laid my head against his shoulder as the sun set and the air turned cooler. "Sure there is." he repeated softly.
We made our way to the courtyard where benches were already set up. During the Faire, acts would perform in the square so the benches were a fixture. Across the small river was a hill top where cars could park and watch the movie or was used for market stands at the fair. Tonight they were playing an old vampire movie. Erik and I didn't talk during the movie and simply snuggled into each other during the movie.
When the credits rolled, he turned to me and and stroked my cheek. "Thank you Ginny. This was more than any dance for me." he said with a smile.
"I'm glad." I said giving him a kiss. We waited until the final credits were rolling across the screen before moving to get up at all.
Before we stood, Erik stopped me. "We'll figure it out." he said. "Not sure how but we will."
I smiled, trying to hide the creeping sadness. I didn't want to spend what could be our last couple of months sad. "I'm sure we will." I said softly. After a few moments more I looked over and saw the cab I'd scheduled waiting for us. "We better catch your chariot." I said with a small laugh.
End Chapter
