I gather the last remaining things in my locker and shove them into my bag. I'm forced to carry my textbooks because my bag is already overflowing with a year's worth of school items. I should've started cleaning out my locker a week ago, but had other things on my mind. One of those things, being the beautiful Cece Goddard, walks up beside me.
"I'd offer to help with those books, but it appears we have the same dilemma." Says Cece, who had been cleaning her locker just a few feet away from me. I slam the now empty locker door and grin in her direction. She has a stack of about four textbooks in her arms and on the very top is a half eaten donut.
"Walk with me." I say and take an unsuccessful step forward only to trip over my own feet and drop my textbooks all over the floor. I'm saved by Cece who sacrifices her books and donut to catch me in her arms. I gather myself quickly, then start laughing and Cece joins in as soon as she's sure I'm okay.
"Holland, promise me you wont take any jobs that include carrying expensive material. Or better don't take any job that requires walking at all." Cece jokes. I punch her playfully in the shoulder.
"What would I do without you?" I ask her.
"I think we'd both be screwed." She says with a grin, then leans forward and picks up her donut. "Damn, I've been looking forward to this." She says with a frown.
"I'll get you a coffee when we leave." I promise and I turn to face the books as she tosses the donut into the nearest trashcan. What I find isn't the expected mess, but instead a boy holding my books.
"Seth." I say automatically. Why is he here? Does he want something? Is he trying to be helpful? I feel the familiar sense of guilt in my chest as the day of the breakup comes back fresh in my brain. "Why are you here?" I ask. Cece turns to face him, eyebrows raised.
"Well, you looked like you needed help". He shifts comfortably.
"Thank you." I put my arms out to take the books, but he doesn't give them up.
"I also came to say..." He bites is lip, looking unsure of whether or not to say anything at all, but he anchors himself with the books in hand and opens his mouth, "I came to apologize."
"Apologize for what?", I crouch down to gather Cece's books if he isn't going to hand me mine.
"For telling your mother and for overreacting on...on that day." Seth hangs his head. "I was jealous and your mom kicked you out and..." He speaks quickly. Turning to Cece, he says,"I know you think its your fault...about Holland's mom, but its mine. I'm the one that told her." His voice turns serious,"Cece, you have to make me a promise that you'll be better to her than I ever was." She looks at him in awe as if trying to find the right words to say, but decides on nodding. I stand with Cece's books I my arms. "Thank you." Says Seth as he hands Cece my books and walks away through the sea of energized students. I lose him in the crowd before I can even say goodbye.
"That escalated quickly." Comments Cece. I nod in agreement.
"Let's go."
The memory of the afternoon fades as we sit in front of her house in my jeep. Talking, laughing, kissing as the evening becomes apparent. Cece occasionally sips from the coffee I promised her. "I should go." She says, looking at her house. I nod in agreement and lean in to kiss her goodbye. By the time we both pull away, it seems much darker in the jeep than before. "I love you."
"I love you too." She seems so much more beautiful when she has to leave.
She steps out of the jeep. I watch her until she closes her door behind her. Turning on the engine, I start for my shelter. I don't remember the drive there when I pull up against the sidewalk. I enter the building, find my room and jam the key into the hole. Opening the door, I toss my keys aside, and slam it shut. I'm greeted by sleep as soon as I hit the bed.