I quickly covered my mouth after saying that. I've never let any personal information escape my mouth. I looked over at the nurse; she had that creepy, dirty face. What is this woman imagining right now? Is he planning to blackmail me? Shit! I can't believe I messed up. What's going on with me? I don't feel like myself. Huh, did Erica just move?

 

"Fufu. I see. Everything makes sense now. Make sure you pay attention to this girl if you care about her."

"Ah, yes."

She left after that, and I was alone, sitting next to Erica while she lay on the bed. Wait, what did she mean by everything made sense now? Damn it! Just why did I have to go ahead and open my mouth? Ok, I need to calm down. Otherwise, I'm going to go insane. Maybe I should open the window for some fresh air. 

[Ding, Dong, Ding, Dong]

Well, that's the bell. I should text our track team group chat to tell them I'll be running late.

AW_… I'll be running late, boys, but I got all the equipment out already at the nurse's office. JD, take care of them.

[~~~]

 There that's taking care of.

[]

"You look peaceful while you sleep. Yet, when you're awake, you're something else. Your hair is too long; you need to trim it; then again, I should say the same to myself. I guess, in a way, we are similar."

The wind blew her hair all over the place, so I brushed her hair away from her face. Her hair smells good; she most likely took a shower before coming here. I wonder what type of shampoo she uses because this one smells familiar. 

"Well, I have to go, Erica. If I don't see you, see you Monday."

As I was walking away, someone grabbed me. My first initial thought was it was a ghost. Completely gone mad, my mind has. After tossing that out the window, reality comes in. It was Erica, of course. 

→ Erica 

Hm. It feels like I'm on a bed, and it looks like Aaron must have taken me to the nurse. Huh, I hear him and another talking.

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

"You don't remember, do you?"

The other person is Mrs. Dunsmore.

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

 "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."

Of course, you didn't know. You were passed out, and you never bothered even to thank me. And I'm sure you ditched me and skipped a track meet after that. 

"Hey."

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

Seriously Aaron.

"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."

You idiot, why did you go on and tell her that? And what was that corny little joke you just sprouted? Oh my God, I almost lost myself in laughter. I need to turn slowly away from them.

 

"Fufu. I see. Everything makes sense now. Make sure you pay attention to this girl if you care about her."

"Ah, yes."

That sounded so genuine, Aaron. Then again, that is part of your personality, so I know you mean it. You need to learn how to say things better; I'm guessing that's why everyone misunderstands you. Alright, Erica how long will you keep up this act? Because I feel like it's not fooling him.

"You look peaceful while you sleep. Yet, when you're awake, you're something else. Your hair is too long; you need to trim it; then again, I should say the same to myself. I guess, in a way, we are similar."

Yeah, I was about to say your hair is too long. So don't go judging. But I wonder what Aaron would think of me with short hair? Would he like it? Would it get his attention more? Maybe.

He's touching my face. His finger felt so gentle as he brushed my hair from my face. It feels nice. I wish this moment would never end.

"Well, I have to go, Erica. If I don't see you, see you Monday."

No. You can't leave me; I don't want you to go. What should I do? Oh, the heck with it. Without thinking, I got up and grabbed his hand. 

"Don't go, please. Stay with me, just a bit longer."

"I figured once I said that, you'd get up. Don't worry; I'm not in a rush. I texted my teammates to let them know I'd be running late."

I blushed and bowed my head with a nod. He came back down and sat near the bed. I didn't realize it, but I still held on to his hand. 

"Sorry, I should have let go."

"Uh, it's alright. Um, so why did you come to school? More specifically, the field."

"Oh, well, I overheard you talking at lunch the other day about having practice. So I thought I would come to watch you all."

"Ah, I see. So you came to watch us, and no one has ever done that before besides my little sister. Anyway, how are you feeling?"

I didn't know that.

"Well, I feel better. So I think I can get up now."

"No, you should lay…."

"It's alright, ok? I'm fine, Aaron. We should get to the field."

"Ok, let's do that then."

He helped me, and we walked over to talk to Mrs. Dunsmore. She scorned us both for a few, then shooed us away. The school was empty. Aaron walked to his locker, where he found Andrea waiting for him. Andrea gave me suspicious eyes and then grabbed her brother's arm. I walked behind them, feeling so alone. I just wish we could go back to how we used to be like they are. But have something more. Suddenly, Aaron stopped.

"What are you doing, Erica? Walk with us."

I blushed a bit and was silent for a moment. 

"Yeah."

It feels just like back in the day. I'm so glad I came.

→ Aaron