→Aaron

I began to walk home early from school. Well, at this point more like ditching school. Something didn't sit with me; it felt like I had forgotten something. I turned around a few times to look at the school and just stopped. I stood there for at least 5 minutes. And then it finally hit me. We have a track meet today.

"How the hell could I forget? Damn it!"

So naturally, I ran back to school with only 10 minutes left in the study hall. So I went to the sports gym early and changed. I sat there and waited. You wouldn't believe who was in the bleachers sitting, waving for me to come here. 

→Erica

"Erica, can I come in, honey? How are you feeling?"

"Mom, I told you I'm fine. I just didn't feel too well. I feel a lot better now. I think whatever it was, passed."

"Let me feel your forehead. Here I'll take your temperature instead."

"I was going to say, why feel my forehead when you can use that."

"Oh, hush you. You're beginning to sound like Aaron. You know, since I've been swamped. I've been meaning to tell you that I was thrilled to hear things settled between you two."

"Well, you and Mrs. Wheeler came up with some grand scheme to get us together. Which details you seem not to want to tell."

"What matters is you both have made up a long and awful past. No sense in living with regrets or grudges now."

"Mom, you sound like a grandma now."

"Are you implying that I'm going to be one? Erica…"

"Mom, that's not funny; I haven't even...never mind."

"Hm...I wonder if…."

"Don't you dare say his name!"

"Haha, it's quite funny how you say the opposite, but your whole face turns completely red. Oh, that's right, you wanted me to remind you when there were 45 minutes left from school. Is there a reason?"

"None at all. I'm going to take a shower. Can I take the other car?"

"Erica, where are you going? Do you have a date with..."

"Mom, get out of my room!" 

"Sheesh, fine. Just be careful and don't come back too late."

"I know."

Why is she always being that way with me when it comes to Aaron? I mean, sure, I like him, but I don't know if he feels the same way for me. I thought our talk might have gone somewhere, but nothing. And I've noticed a bit that he's been looking at that Jasmine girl. Ugh, no use thinking about it now. I need to get in the shower; otherwise, I'll be late. Now I need to decide what to wear. 

"Huh? I could've sworn I put it behind the door. Mom, have you seen my towel?"

"Erica, why are you yelling again?"

"Mom, all I asked was a question. How's that yelling?"

"It's in the laundry. Fufu."

"Could you quit messing with me and get me a towel?! I'm going to run late." 

"Sheesh." (The more she gets like this, the more those feelings emerge.) 

I don't understand. Lately, my mother has been all over the place joking. I don't hate it; I can't stand the sight of being embarrassed in front of her, making me feel weird. Anyway, I better hop in the shower; otherwise, I'll be late. 

→ 15 Minutes Later

"Mom, I'm heading out now. I'll be back later."

"All right, just don't stay out too late."

"Does it matter? It's a weekend."

"Erica, please just listen to what…."

"Is he coming here tonight?"

"Erica, you know your father always comes around this month. I know you don't get along with him, but just…."

"It's all right. Things have been going great between him and me, so maybe he'll be over until the weekend passes. Is that all right?"

*sigh* "I figured you might get like this. So I packed some clothes for you last night. Here take this backpack, and I also told Aaron's parents ahead of time just in case."

"Thanks, mom. So that you know, I don't hold anything against you, mom. And I know you're just putting up with him, for my sake. But he took something and someone very dear to me. So I will do everything possible to get the lost time."

"Erica."

"I have to go now."

(My, she's grown up. I promise Erica things will improve for us in the next few weeks.)

It looks like I have about twenty minutes until school ends, and I can still make it with ten minutes left. 

→ 10 Minutes Later 

I just realized just how big this stadium is. I guess that's what happens when your school is very well known. This is almost a professional stadium, and I better find a good place to park.

Well, it looks like my parking job has gotten a lot better. Mom should look at me now. I wonder what she would say?

→ Erica's Imagination 

"You did an amazing job."

"Thank you, mom. See, I told you I can do things on my own."

"That you can, sweetie. But aren't you going to show Aaron?"

→ Imagination Over

Ahhhh, that's just what she would say too! My mother should be predictable by now. Now I think the gate to the field is around this part of the building.

"Huh, the fence is open already? But school isn't even out yet. I wonder who it could be?"

Huh, is that Melissa over there? Yeah, that's her; I recognize that red hair anywhere. It looks like her mom is picking her up early for dance classes. This reminds me of a few days ago.

→ A Few Days Ago

"Hey, Erica, it's me, Valerie."

"Oh, hello, Valerie."

"Hey, don't ignore me too, Erica. I'm here too."

"Sorry, Melissa, I always forget, like Aaron." 

"Well, I guess that's fine. Ma. Carol and I just had a conversation about you. And Rachel was part of it as well. You seem to be close to Aaron. Ma. Do you two know one another?" 

"Ah, what do you mean? Of course, we go to the same school."

(VD)

"No, Erica, I think she means outside of school?"

(EE)

"Huh? Of course not. I've only ever heard of him from the competitions with other schools. As well as with my old school, and during that time, I only saw pictures of him."

(MJ)

"Hm. I don't know about that! Ma. You two seem pretty close to me. Do you like him?" (If I had to guess, I'd say they are childhood friends)

(EE)

"Huh?!"

"Ma! It looks like I got it! Your face says it all."

(VD)

 "Wait, is that true, Erica?"

(EE)

"Melissa, please don't start assuming things about people. You asked me a simple question, and I answered you. The last thing I want is a rumor to start about Aaron and me. He's a very nice and quiet guy. Very laid back here. So, please stop. I don't want to end up leaving this school as well."

(MJ)

"Maa!? I'm sorry; it just seemed like that was the case. Please don't…."

(EE)

"It's fine. Just please stop assuming things between us."

→ Present 

I walked off from the girls that day. Of all the times, why do I have to think about this? Since I'm the first one here, I might as well take a seat.

Oh my God! It's Aaron! But shouldn't he be in class right now? Why is he here so early? Wait a moment, why the heck am I waving to him? Ehw, I was doing it unconsciously. Ah! He looked this way. Don't come over, don't come over! He's walking over here now! Ouch, my stomach, I have butterflies now. Huh? HE'S RUNNING OVER NOW!!

→ Aaron 

You wouldn't believe who was in the bleachers sitting, waving for me to come here. But the strangest thing is, why is she waving like that? I thought she was homesick. Well, that's a peculiar way to wave your hand frantically, and it must be important. 

*sigh* "Well, it wouldn't hurt to see what she wants."

Huh, she gripped her abdomen. What for? Her face looks in pain. I should sprint there, and I'll make it there in twenty seconds!!

Right when I got to the main fence that separates from the running track. I jumped over it, landing on top of the first bleacher. I squared down in a jumping position and started to leap four bleachers simultaneously. On my last jump, I softly landed on Erica's left side. 

"Erica, are you all right?"

"Mm ugh, not really. I thought I was over whatever was going on, but seems to be back."

And holy crap, he got up here so fast. That landing was too perfect as well. 

"There is still some time left. Would you like me to take you to the school nurse?" 

"No, I think I'll be all right…."

Erica was about to fall over, but I quickly caught her. It looks like she's passed out. I felt her forehead, and it was hot. I wonder just how she got this way? 

"Stop it, Aaron; stop thinking and start running to the school nurse!" 

That's what I did. The best thing is everyone was still in class. 

"Excuse me, is Mrs. Dunsmore still here?"

"Yes, she's still here. You may head back."

"My goodness again?!"

"Again?"

What the hell is going on here?

"First, it was you, and now her? Just what is going on between the two of you?"

What is she talking about? Am I missing something?

"I'm not sure what you mean, Mrs. Dunsmore. She passed out, looks like she has a fever."

"Come on back; she lay on the bed we have here. I need to take her temperature."

"Ok."

"Hm, that's strange. Erica's temperature is normal, but her forehead is quite warm."

"She said something about her stomach hurting. After I came to her side, she fell over, but I caught her."

(For as bright as I heard he is, he is pretty dense. There isn't anything  wrong with Erica; she's just love-struck.) "Don't worry; she'll be alright. I just noticed she's not wearing her uniform. Is there a reason?"

"She didn't come to school today because she was sick."

"But she's here now, you're saying?"

"That's correct. However, I'm unsure why, and I never got the chance to ask what she was doing at the bleachers."

"Young man, you're on the track team, right?"

"Yes, I'm the captain. We have practice today, so I was getting the equipment when…."

"Ok, no need to explain yourself." (He's going to make me crazy. This girl came to watch him practice.)

"Hm. Is there something wrong?"

"No, no, nothing at all."

"Um…"

"Yes?"

"Earlier, you said something along the lines of again. Just what did you mean by that?"

"You don't remember, do you?"

"Well, I'm asking you. So yes, I don't remember."

(HUH?! That was an intelligent way to reply. Calm down, Gwen. Just answer the boy)  "Well, a month ago. She brought you here to the nurse's office, and somehow Erica got you here by herself."

"Really? I did not know that."

"Hey."

"Mrs. Dunsmore, hey is for the horse; the grass is cheaper. But you may con…."

"Listen here, boy! Do you care about this girl at all?!"

"What kind of question is that? Of course, I do. We have known each other since we were five."