Natalie let out a sigh. It had been almost 20 minutes since the end of class and her friends were still missing. They weren't usually so late without sending a text. She was leaned back against the school fence scrolling through her phone.
"They left already," a low voice broke out behind her.
Caught surprised, Natalie stands up and attempts to not look slouched in front of Jace. Out of habit, she pats her clothes for imaginary dust,
"They told me to tell you they can't hang out today," he informs her.
"Oh, okay."
Damn, those scheming, meddling witches. Natalie curses her friends, in jest only, of course.
She knew that they just wanted to get her alone with Jace again.
"C'mon, I'll give you a ride."
It was practically a habit now for Jace to offer random rides to her. She walks by him and gets inside. He starts the car—the engine was the only sound to be heard.
No cheerful or polite "how are you's" or any kind of conversation. It was the most uncomfortable she'd been with Jace. But she needed to bring this up.
"Umm, I've been meaning to ask you something," her hesitant voice breaks the silence.
He only hums in return.
"That day when we bumped into each other and you drove me home, how did you know my address without asking me?" she tries to say the whole thing without giving off an air of panic and distress.
He obviously catches on. What with the weird side stare thrown at her momentarily.
"Oh relax. I'm not a serial killer or anything," he tries to placate her.
That's exactly what a serial killer would say. I probably shouldn't have gotten in the car before comforting him.
When she still doesn't say anything, he glances at her again before returning his focus in front of him.
"You really don't remember me?"
Uh, what? Was all her confused mind could think of. She shakes her head, then remembers he was looking at the road.
"Not really, I guess."
He laughs, though Natalie senses it is without mirth.
"We were friends during middle school, remember? I was the new kid in fifth grade and you were one of the first to talk to me."
He glances at her to see her reaction. She tries to imagine what a young Jace must've looked like, but fails.
"I had really blonde hair that you said looked like a mop."
Ohh.
"Wait, were you short? I think I remember you!" Natalie exclaims.
He nods, this more excitedly now that she'd remembered him..
She is excited to have remembered what apparently was their past, but is a little dismayed to have forgotten about him.
"You look so different now. No wonder I couldn't recognize you."
Jace clears his throat, saying, "yeah, I got taller."
"How could I forget you? I'm such a horrible friend," she cringed at herself
Forgetting his initial dejection at being forgotten, he takes pity on her, explaining, "actually, I left for about a year and came back freshman year."
"Huh, that's probably why I completely forgot you."
"And replaced me with a gaggle of girls," he teases her and they snort in laughter together.
Once they quiet down, Natalie decides to ask him a question. Now that the whole confusion of whether Jace was a stalker was resolved, she wants to invite him to hang out—as friends, of course. But afraid of being rejected, she phrases her question sort of vaguely.
"Do you wanna do something sometime?"
What kind of question was that?
She adds, "like a group thing with me, Min, Kelly. And Levi" to clarify that she isn't trying to come onto him.
Then continues to ramble in nervousness, "umm, y'know like a movie or something...if you want."
Her cheeks heat up in embarrassment.
Why can't I talk properly?
Hands clasped tightly, she turns to stare at the window to avoid eye contact.
Someone please kill me now.
Jace looks at her though the rearview mirror, amused at her sudden shyness. He decides to stop torturing her and finally answers.
"Yeah, I'm free on Saturday."
She mumbles, "cool, I'll text them sometime."
She deflates in her seat, feeling like she got nowhere with him, unable to get specific dates.
The conversation lapses in silence again, then Jace remembers about his upcoming championship game.
"Would you and your friends wanna to go to the championship game? I can get you guys tickers," he offers.
"Yes, please!" she accepts, more happily this time, "we were actually already planning on going."
Usually games were played at their school's own field. But state championship games were played at their local university. It'll be much more packed than usual. More and better, albeit more expensive, popcorn and all kinds of snacks and food will be available. Not to mention, it'll be much louder and there'd be twice as much cheering and bands playing. Nothing could beat attending that game.
Jace nods, happy she'll be there to watch him. "Alright, I'll see you guys there."
Natalie laughs mentally—in amusement, of course. She decides against correcting him that she'll be there to watch him or even the game. Sure, football was kind of fun to watch, but she mostly attended the games for the experience and fun in cheering the players and gorging on the stadium's food. And she couldn't forget the tailgating and the preparation in making food to share with others for the tailgate and the mini road trip on the way to the university. The game was really kind of an excuse for a little weekend getaway.
So she nods to be polite.
"Are you gonna be taking the bus with the other guys?"
He nods. "Yeah, I don't feel like driving kind of long so early."
"You'll be leaving on Friday morning, right?"
He hums.
Should I ask him to go with us?
She pauses to think a little before deciding on doing so.
"Do you wanna go with us? Levi will start driving right after school and we're gonna stay in a little hotel for the weekend."
He meets her eye in the rearview mirror.
"Are you sure? I don't wanna crash your guy's trip."
If only he knew. Min would be fucking elated.
"I can ask them, but I know they wouldn't mind."
They really wouldn't. Min, of course, would be happy for a chance to pester him with questions. Kelly would be shy at first, but once she got comfortable around new people, she could get talkative. Levi, she didn't know for sure, but he didn't seem the type to mind inviting more people. Plus, it meant more time for him and Min.
Jace nods his acceptance. "Then, yes, I would love to go with you guys. I'll just have to ask my parents and tell my coach first."
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