Ever since that faithful day at the park, Jared had been around to keep me
company. Now, every morning at school like today, he's always there waiting for me. I
would be driven to school by my sister and when I got out of the car and into the parking
lot, I see him already walking towards me with a smile on his face.
"Hey Kim, how's the elbow doing?" It made me smile every time he talked to me.
"I'm good, but it's kind of hard to do anything with just one arm."
"You need me to carry your stuff or something?" I just smiled and shook my head
and then we stared walking to the school. I couldn't believe my mixed luck of good and
bad. On one hand, Jared had finally spoken to me and is now hanging out with me. But
on the other hand, I hurt my elbow and now I have to worry about making it to the next
game.
It all happened just a couple days ago. That day, I was wearing skinny jeans and a
white tank top, along with my matching Nike shoe with my hair was put in a high
ponytail that afternoon when school was over, I met up with my friend Ayisha. We
decided to practice for our next volleyball game against our top rival, Crystal Lake High
School. As we arrive at the public park, I hear some voices coming closer and closer from
behind. I was too busy hitting the ball that I didn't pay them any attention. They'd pass us
soon enough.
After a while, it started to get dark, so we decided to go home in another 10
minutes. As the ball came towards me, I heard someone call my name. I turn around and
there's my friend David by the gate. As I started to say "Hi," I stopped and saw the very
person I wanted to talk to so badly since we were 6. At that moment my voice went mute.
It's been 9 years since we really said "hi" to each other and I couldn't say a thing.
Jared, the love of my life was watching me. His face was flawless and had on
shorts and a shirt that seemed loose on him. No doubt they'd just finished basketball
practice. I couldn't stop myself from staring. I felt a rapid beat in my chest and my
breathing was short and quick. I couldn't move at all. One minute my eyes were on him
looking at me. Ayisha seemed to be shouting something that sounded like, "Kim, heads
up!" but I wasn't listening.
The next thing I knew, I was looking at the sky for some reason. Ayisha was the
first to come rushing over and asked me if I was okay. It took a while to answer because I
was wondering what had just happened. Was I okay? I got hit by a ball, got knocked
down, fell back on my back and Jared watching the whole time. I was not okay. My
elbow started to hurt as I tried to straighten myself. I couldn't believe what just happened.
Ayisha grabbed my arm to help me up. Then when I was finally standing, I saw
David and right behind him was Jared head our way. I looked down at my feet
embarrassed to look at them after what just happened. What was he going to say? He
probably thinks I'm a cluts for getting hit by a volleyball. I looked up when I saw their
shadows on mine and then saw the unbelievable sight of Jared Talins looking into my
eyes. I couldn't speak, I must have looked like someone just froze me and there was
nothing I could do. My mouth was open and completely dry as a desert. When Jared
started talking, it was the most glorious sound in the entire universe. And he wasn't
laughing or making fun of me.
"Hey, you okay Kim?" I had to say something. But I couldn't think while looking
at him, so I had to look to him then David over and over to even get out a word.
"Yeah I'm fine." I kept rubbing my elbow. "What are you guys doing here?" Of
course I couldn't wipe the big smile off my face. All I could think was, I can't believe his
talking to me. For the first time in 9 years, Jared was finally talking to me. But when I
tried to move again, I realized that my elbow wasn't just hurt.
"Well, we were going to Pizzaria." He paused. "But then we saw you guys
practicing and decided to watch for a while." He took a closer look at me and asked, "Are
you sure you're alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I kind of landed on my arm, but I'll live."
"Are you going to be able to play next week?" Ayisha held on to me just in case I
lost my balance.
After they saw that I was okay but still hurt, Ayisha and David left to get some ice
for my arm, while Jared stayed with me. He helped me sit down on a nearby bench to
wait. It was so nerve wrecking to be so close to him and not know what to say. But not
talking to him would've made it even more awkward. So I just decided to say anything
and hope for the best. I took a deep breath and my eyes slowly headed towards his face.
My body still next to him, but my head turned.
"So Jared, how've you been doing?" I've always hated small talk.
"I'm good. Our team made the playoffs so I'm excited. How's volleyball going
for you? You know, before today." I gave him a smile and a small laugh to show how I
felt about that.
"It's going well. We're about to have our next game. So if we beat them, then
we'll be in the finals."
"I heard you were going up against Crystal Lake."
I told him we were, but my arm was seriously hurt and that I might have to sit
this one out. I kept my elbow at an angle so it wouldn't hurt so much.
"You shouldn't think about something like that now. Just try to get better." He
sounded so sincere. Even though I was staring to think he might actually like me, there
was still a rumor about him going out with that self- absorbed cheerleader, Sarah. "You
sure you don't need anything?"
"No, but thank you." He's a lot nicer than I thought. "You know I'm surprised
you even knew what my name was. I mean, we weren't really that close back when we
were kids" No! Why did I say that!
"I hear a lot about you from school. I know you're a great athlete and that you're
an interesting girl" I couldn't help but smile. Those last words he said made me forget all
about the aching of the elbow. "You know, my sister's a doctor at Crystal Valley
Hospital a couple blocks away. You want me to bring you there?" he watched me as I
was thinking of my answer.
"Really? That'd be great. Thanks." So here I was, walking with Jared to class. His
sister, Rachel, said that it was going to take at least a week for me to heal, so it's still a
question if I'll be able to play or not. But at least there will be an interesting guy at can
help me get through it. Jared sent me a smile right before the first bell rang.
Rrrrriiiinnnnnggggg!