Chapter 4: Pacing the Field
*Author's Note: Thanks so much for sticking with me. I appreciate all of the comments and take them to heart. I know this story isn't fast enough for some of you, but it really starts to heat up in chapter 5.*
I woke up in a decent mood, still trying to figure out how the year would go, but cautiously optimistic.
"What do you think of school so far?" Emily asked as we made the drive.
"Not too bad I guess," was my response as we pulled into the parking lot. "I'll meet you after school."
"Volleyball tryouts are today, I'll catch a ride home with Lindsey."
"Good luck Em!" I smiled at her as we made our way to our separate classes.
I kept getting the feeling someone was staring at me in English, but the few times I dared turning around to glance behind me, no one was looking. Right before the bell rang, I thought I might have seen Rob turn his head, but he was staring at his notebook, seemingly fascinated by the blue lines that ran across the page.
Chicken nuggets were on the lunch menu today and I eagerly grabbed my tray and headed to the same spot as yesterday. I was glad when a couple of Rob's friends just came over and filled in their seats. Rob made his way to the table and was greeted excitedly by the rest of the table. He greeted his friends and added "hey Bobby," to me. "How you getting along? This small town school not overwhelming you is it?"
"It's been pretty good so far." I nodded as he took a chicken nugget and ran it through his mashed potatoes before eating it. He must have seen a funny look on my face as he chuckled before speaking, "sorry about my table manners, I'm starving."
I grinned at him "No worries," I said as I dunked a nugget in my mashed potatoes before eating it. "not bad." I smiled sheepishly at him as he laughed at my mimicry.
"Your house is on the creek isn't it Bobby?" He asked a few minutes later.
"Yeah," I nodded.
"Would you mind if I came by and went fishing off your dock sometime?"
"No I wouldn't mind if you did that."
"Awesome" he exclaimed pulling his phone out of his pants, "what's your number so I can let you know and see if it's a good time?" I gave him my number and was surprised when my phone started vibrating in my pocket. "Now you have my number, so you won't be surprised when a random number wakes you up at 5 AM."
I made an exaggerated groan, "if you're coming over that early, please don't wake me up." I said in a sarcastic voice and he chuckled as the bell rang.
I was glad to be in History class sitting behind Rob. Even just staring at the back of his head was awesome. He even smelled good. I was surprised at the end of the class when the teacher, Mr. Brown, asked me for a minute of my time, I saw Rob glance behind him, but he headed out the door with the rest of the class.