I sauntered into the gym after school for cheerleading practice. As I was walking through the door I noticed Meagan walking in the entrance on the opposite side. We caught sight of each other and stopped walking. I breathed in deep and finished walking over to where Brooke was standing, Meagan following suit. "Hey Peyton," Meagan said, nodding her head so I would walk over to her. "Yeah?" I was semi-afraid of what she could possibly have to say. "Listen, sorry about sounding so accusing earlier. It's just, Lucas is so hott, you know?" "No, don't worry about it," I smiled, "water under the bridge." A smile spread across her mouth infecting her other features, "Good! I knew I liked you, Peyton," she said in a mock snotty way before giggling.
"Peyton, your cheers are looking great today," Brooke noticed, "dare I guess, are you in fact actually cheery?" I was about to answer, but Whitey blew the whistle and the basketball team stopped to look over at him. The rest of the squad and I were taking a five minute break because our captain, Meagan's best friend, said that we were looking great and deserved it. I missed what Whitey had said, but he left the gym leaving the boys unattended running laps. "I'll be right back," I said to Brooke, but looking at Lucas. I ran up beside him when he passed me, "Hey, so how's practice?" "Peyt, what are you doing?" "Well, I had a free minute, so I thought I'd say 'Hi'..." He smiled looking over at me, we were still running laps. "Seriously, Luke, you gotta slow down a little bit; I'm a cheerleader, not on the track team!" We laughed and Lucas slowed down his pace a little bit.
Over by the bleachers, Brooke was getting drilled by the rest of the squad. "What do you mean?" Brooke asked knowing full well what they meant. "They hate each other," one girl commented and another finished her thought, "so why are they talking to each other?" "Why are you asking me!" Brooke didn't like the pressure, partially because she didn't know why. I hadn't gotten a chance to talk to her about Lucas yet, well, not that I hadn't gotten a chance, but I hadn't taken the chance. I didn't understand where Lucas and I stood, so I decided to wait until I did before I said anything on the record. "Because she's your best friend!" Meagan forced out. Brooke looked over at me and caught my eye. She silently pleaded with me to come save her. Lucas saw the look too and looked down at me, "Well, I think that's your cue." "So, what are you doing after practice?" I veiled, soliciting an invite. "If you're still alive by then," he motioned towards the squad without looking over at them, "hanging out with you?" "OK!" And before he could say anything else, I jogged back over to the girls.
The girls looked at me expectantly. I realized that I was looking at the faces of all of the most popular girls in school. "I was apologizing," I shrugged taking a drink from my water bottle. They all turned a skeptical eye on me, but accepted my explanation. "Good," our captain stated, "I don't want there to be any tiffs between the boys and us. This year is going to be great! I have the most perfect squad rooting for the most perfect team." She turned giddily towards Meagan and declared practice over even though it was early.
o o o o o o o o o
I set my stuff down on the couch when I got home, looking at the clock near the doorway. Lucas wouldn't be out of practice for another 20 minutes and Karen would still be at the café. I bounded up the stairs having just enough time to take a shower before I headed over to their house.
I walked out of my bathroom wrapped in a towel, my hair still dripping as I walked into my closet. After I had slipped on some clothes I walked back into my bathroom finally noticing a body lying on my bed. "Oh my god! Lucas! You scared me!" My hand instinctively went over my heart. Two beats later, I realized that he'd come straight to my house from practice. "Ew! You better not be getting my bed all gross and sweaty!" He looked around where he was lying, "Too late," he beamed. I exaggerated an amused groan.
Just then, we heard the front door open and slam shut. My eyes got as wide as the china plates hanging on the wall in our dining room. Lucas sat up. "Are you expecting someone?" I shook my head no. We both walked towards my door and I grabbed his hand. "Chicken!" I heard my father yell from the bottom of the stairs. My eyes got even wider, but for a different reason. I darted down the stairs dragging a stumbling Lucas with me. I finally let go of his hand and ran into my father's arms. He grunted at the force. "Lucas," daddy let go of me and went over to hug Lucas, "haven't seen you around in awhile, I was beginning to think you and Chicken weren't friends anymore." Lucas just laughed at the comment like that would be unheard of. Daddy knew very well that something had happened a long time ago, but it was nice to see him accept Lucas back into our lives. "Ugh," daddy groaned, "I'm starving. Who wants dinner?" "Hey, we could stop by the café and get some free food?" Lucas suggested. "Chicken? That OK with you?" I was totally enamored with my father and didn't think about what might happen if someone from school saw Lucas and me together. "Of course, daddy," I smiled, "Let me just grab my coat."
Standing by the front door waiting for me to come back downstairs, "Phew! Lucas! Don't you ever shower?" "I joined the basketball team, actually," Lucas laughed. Daddy's face scrunched, "How long have I been gone?"