CHAPTER 14
I want you to know that it's our time, you and me bleed the same light.
The opening line of the song echoed through the dance hall. Lois and Julie ran through the choreography leading the class. The group had learnt the steps so it was time to practice with the music.
Mrs. Fuentes stopped the track after the first verse and then they ran it through another three times. Once the group had mastered the next series of steps, they tackled the next section of the song.
Honey, it's raining tonight. But storms always have an eye have an eye.
"Well done girls, that's it for today," Mrs. Fuentes announced. "Everybody please give Julie and Lois a round of applause for their efforts." The dance team cheered as instructed and began to move towards the exit.
Lois and Julie strolled over to the benches on the far wall to retrieve their backpacks. Lois picked up her towel to wipe herself down while Julie took a sip of water from her drink bottle. "I forgot to ask you about the lake party?" Lois's curious eyes met Julie's as she fixed up her ponytail.
Julie tried not to dwell on her behaviour that night. She'd made a fool out of herself with Santiago and worse yet, in front of Tim. "It was what you'd expect, nothing to report."
"My date with Lucas was fun. He's actually a really nice guy."
"See, you were worried for no reason." Julie poured a little water in her hand and slicked her hair in place.
"I'm thinking of inviting him over to my house next weekend, my parents are going out of town."
"WOW. That's... quick," Julie uttered considering how slowly her relationship with Matt had developed.
"Not like that," Lois scolded mortified at her friend's insinuation. "A get to know you night. You could come over and meet him? Since he's not in any of your classes. Maybe stay the night?"
Julie's current plans consisted of reading a book in bed. Hiding in her bedroom made life safer but also predictable, routine and boring. "I haven't had a girl's night in ages. Count me in."
Lois giggled in delight, putting her towel inside her backpack. Julie followed suit with her bottle and they each slung their bags over their shoulders.
They walked to the dance hall exit and pushed open the heavy doors.
"JULIE! hold up..." Hearing her name she turned around and Lois did the same. Santiago was jogging over from the picnic tables. Julie's stomach swirled in anticipation.
"Who is he?" Lois asked standing beside her friend.
"I'll fill you in later," Julie stated, hoping Lois wouldn't be around to hear all the embarrassing details.
"I look forward to it," Lois said moseying away while trying to ears drop as Santiago came to a stop in front of Julie. His olive biceps were exposed in his light grey muscle shirt.
"Hey," Julie said apprehensively, noticing how soulful his brown eyes were in the light of day. Those eyes roamed over her body for a moment before he looked down at the backpack in his hand. "I have something for you." He unzipped his bag and rummaged around.
He held out her phone, the one she figured was at the bottom of the lake after they both hit the water. Julie took it from his hand, grateful and a little surprised that he'd managed to keep it safe. "I thought I'd never see this again."
"With the help of YouTube, I dried it out. It's working." She pressed the ON button and her home screen became visible. "I figured I owed you one. I shouldn't have taken you out on the water," he explained, dimples and pearly whites on full display, as they had been that night. "What can I say? I was weak to your persuasion tactics."
Julie glanced away, cringing inside as she recalled running her fingers through his short spiky hair. "I drank way too much."
"I didn't want to get in the way of your friends but I would've given you a ride. I saw you leave with Tim..." His look of concern was unwarranted.
"He took me straight home," she blurted out. Santiago grinned at her unnecessary detail. "Please don't tell my dad."
"Do I look like a narc?" He asked, with his hands raised.
Julie didn't know him well enough to tell if he was lying. She fidgeted with the hem of her tank top, debating her next move. "Did Lyla let you back in her car?"
"She was cool, could tell I was freezing cold. Had to try and explain to Mr. Garrity how I got wet at church. Lyla and I weren't meant to be at the lake."
"Sorry if I got you in trouble, at least you weren't throwing up." Santiago laughed and then offered her a sympathetic look in apology.
"I had fun... the most fun I've had since I moved to Dillon." He gestured at her phone. "My numbers in there if you rethink hooking up with Riggins." Julie wondered if she'd heard him correctly. "I'll see you later… small town and all." Floored by the brazen offer she checked her phone as he strutted away. There it was, his number.
"Santiago!" She called out, being new in town was difficult. He whirled his head around and Julie held up her phone. "Thanks for this."
"Anytime," he called back over his shoulder with a small wave. She paused in the walkway inspecting her phone. How had he gotten past her lock code?
Shoes screeched on the concrete. "MOVE IT!" Julie jumped at the sound of an angry male voice.
An incoming herd of teenage boys swerved around her. "Loser standing in the middle of the path," one remarked as he passed.
"Assholes," she muttered under her breath, sliding her phone into her pocket. The school bell rang for the second time reminding her it was time for the first period.
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Julie lifted another textbook into her open locker. "So many heavy books," she groaned. With her backpack finally empty, she started grabbing the textbooks from her locker that she would need for the next two lessons.
A shadow was cast over her books as she motioned to close her locker. Peering to her right she found Tim Riggins leaning against the lockers in his Dillon Panthers t-shirt and jeans. Long hair effortlessly styled to perfection.
"Taylor," he drawled. She hadn't seen or spoken to him since he dropped her home after the lake party. She wasn't sure what they were officially, but that didn't stop her body racing in exhilaration anytime she was in his presence. "How'd it go with your folks?"
"It was a normal day at the Taylors. I read on the couch while Dad watched football and Mum played with Gracie."
"So, no more checking over my shoulder for Mrs. T? We're free and clear?" Julie laughed at the idea of Tim hiding from her mother.
"My Dad is the one you would need to hide from."
"You're probably right." Tim's eyes sparkled as he scoffed. "The games Coach watches, are they my moments of glory that won him the championship last year?"
She couldn't resist rolling her eyes at the size of his ego. "You haven't got a big head at all… Lately, if you really want to know, he's been keeping an eye on the local College recruits."
Tim's expression sobered. "You were watching college guys all day!" He surmised taken aback by the development.
"No! I was studying, some of us do our own assignments. Ryan Yearling only distracted me twice." Tim folded his arms and straightened up, increasing the height difference between them. "In my defence, any girl would find it hard to concentrate when he was around."
Tim pursed his lips for a moment. "What are you doing this weekend? Feel like slumming it with a high school guy?" He emphasised 'high school' with a finger quotation.
Julie scanned the hallway, "I dunno, which 'high school' guy? Cause there is a new-"
"Me, you Smartass!" He quipped, playfully nudging her with his forearm.
She giggled, wishing she didn't already have plans for the weekend. "I'm booked, my friend Lois has a new boyfriend and it's my chance to suss him out."
Tim pinned her with his eyes almost searching for a lie. "He won't want you there like a third wheel."
"I don't care what he wants. I'm looking out for my friend."
"Must be a Taylor family trait, taking care of other people." His eyes blazed with affection as they gazed at her, making her heart flutter. Julie recalled the sensation of his lips on hers shortly followed by the need to feel it again.
"You should come over to Lois's house Saturday night." He abruptly broke their eye contact. There was silence, nothing but time seemingly moving slower than ever before. His pause set her mind racing.
Was he trying to find a polite excuse to reject her?
Why had she just let an invitation slip out?
One little pause. Why did it hurt so much?
She flipped through the textbooks stacked in her locker, unnerved by his reaction.
"Her parents will be creeping around."
That was his only concern, Julie filled with relief. "They're out of town for the weekend." His eyes went wide-eyed and he leaned a little closer, his breath now tickling her cheek.
"So, it's a double date?" She could almost hear the gears turning in his head.
"We don't," Julie hesitated then carefully said, "It doesn't have to be, we can hang out... just as friends." There was a faint tension about his eyes that she couldn't read.
"Who's the guy?"
"Lucas, I doubt you've met him. He doesn't play sports."
Tim wore a cocky grin. "What you're trying to say is, he's a nerd."
Julie nudged Tim's core with her elbow, personally offended. "That doesn't mean he's a nerd! I don't play sports. Am I a nerd?" She warned him to watch his next words carefully by pointing her finger in his direction.
Tim's chuckle made her laugh too. "Jay told me that you dance. I haven't seen it for myself." Julie's cheeks warmed at the possibility of Tim watching her dance. "What's her address?"
"You sure we won't bore you?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm.
"Just write it down, Taylor." Julie opened her notebook and wrote down Lois's address and meet time. She tore it out and handed it to Tim. He pocketed the paper without looking at it. "I'd kiss you but..." Tim eyeballed the students dawdling past.
Julie had an idea; she didn't want to wait until the weekend to hang out. She scrawled down a time and place where they could meet without prying eyes.
She handed the scrap of paper to Tim. He read the note and glanced up at her with a devilish grin. Without a word, he swanned away down the hall. Julie laughed as she closed her locker, picked up her backpack and walked in the opposite direction.
She entered Health class with the knowledge that Tim's mouth would be on hers in under an hour.
She plonked herself down on the seat next to Lois.
"What are you so happy about?"
"Nothing," Julie lied.
"How nice of you to join us, Miss Taylor," Mr. Holland announced to the entire class. He was actually one of the better teachers at Dillon High School. Julie checked the clock, unsettled by his hostile tone, she was only two minutes late to class.
"Sorry, Sir, it won't happen again." She apologized, worried he might not let her out of class to see Tim. Julie planned to win back his favour by participating in whatever class debate they were having this lesson.
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The class flew by as she daydreamed, giddy and somewhat apprehensive about meeting up with Tim. She stared at her blank notebook unable to answer the question sheet. Lois was beside her busily skimming her textbook for answers.
Tim probably did this a lot; she'd never lied to get out of class or met up with a guy in a restroom. Her heart began to race as the time she wrote down fast approached.
Julie steeled herself and raised her hand.
"Yes, Julie."
"May I go to the bathroom?"
Mr. Holland checked the clock and sighed. "Make it quick."
Julie practically ran out of the classroom and down the corridor.
She peered around the bend near the restrooms but couldn't see Tim. She entered the girl's restroom. The end stall was occupied so Julie tottered over to the sink to check her hair in the mirror.
The door of the occupied stall swung open. "What took you so long?" Her heart skittered hearing the familiar gravelly voice. Tim was leaning against the doorway a crooked smiled stretched across his face. Her legs felt weak; she was frozen on the spot. He lazily pushed off the frame and pulled her inside the stall in one fluid motion.
She leered at his broad shoulders while he locked the latch on the door and turned his attention back to her in the cramped space. Tim's mischievous eyes intensely stared down at her and suddenly it felt even smaller.
He cupped her cheek with his strong hand and closed the gap between them. Eagerly his lips pressed his against hers for a bruising kiss. Julie returned the kiss as his free hand slid down her body coming to rest on her hip. Her skin tingled and she sighed into his mouth, momentarily forgetting where they were.
Julie parted her lips and Tim's tongue began to caress hers. The present, this moment was all that mattered in the world. Being alone with him, encased in his scent, his lips and hands on her body. She draped her arms around his neck, lacing her fingers through his hair.
The hand on her hip lowered, hovering over her behind before giving it a squeeze. "Tim," she breathed as he held her tightly against his body.
"Mm," he hummed against her lips.
"I have to be quick," she uttered breaking for a moment from his mouth. Tim swiftly lifted her up off the ground and pressed her against the cold cinderblock wall, returning his lips to hers.
Julie pushed his chest until he moved his head back, meeting her eyes. She grabbed his chin to make sure he heard her. "Mr. Holland will send someone to look for me." He bit her bottom lip and fixed his eyes on her, begging to stay longer.
She ran her fingers down his cheek and softly kissed his lips. He smiled against her lips before moving tenderly down her neck and back up to nibble on her earlobe.
Julie heard the restroom door open.
Before she could say a word, Tim had placed his hand over her mouth. He gently lowered her feet to the ground and sat down on the closed toilet lid. He dragged her onto his lap and put his feet up, so only hers could be seen under the stall. She stifled a laugh, her back shaking silently against his chest.
A girl entered the stall beside them.
As they listened to her relieve her bladder Tim began to tear off pieces of toilet paper, the chinking of the toilet roll echoed in the room. Julie was quiet as the girl flushed the toilet and left the stall to wash her hands.
Tim flushed their toilet as the girl was leaving the restroom. Once the door was closed, Julie burst off his lap and whirled around. "How many times have you done that?"
Tim leered up at her from his seated position, looking rightfully guilty. "Once or twice." He tugged her down onto his lap to straddle him. "We're good for a couple more minutes, relax." Julie leant into his embrace pressing her chest against his. Tim exhaled a sharp breath when she slid forward.
As they made out, he ran his hand under the back waistband of her jeans encouraging her. Only a thin layer of lacey fabric separated their skin. "Tim," she gasped by his ear, breathless and nervous. "If we get caught like this."
He wisely slid his hand out from under her waistband and rested his forehead against hers while he caught his breath.
Julie used her long sleeve to wipe the lip gloss from this mouth. "I won't wear it next time."
Tim leant back and confidently met her gaze. "Already planning next time, huh?"
Julie purposefully rolled her hips as she stood up making him arch forward after her. Each time she'd wiggled her waist, he'd let out a ragged breath sending a shot of pride through her. Julie pulled Tim up and he planted a soft lingering kiss on her lips. "Same time tomorrow?"
"By room 102, if you can get there."
"Wouldn't miss it," he replied with a wink.
Julie caught her reflection in the mirror as Tim left the restroom. Her face was flushed and her lips were plump. What if people could tell?
She patted down her hair and reapplied her lip gloss before she went back to class.
The hallway was eerily quiet on the walk back to class. Julie entered the classroom taking her seat next to Lois.
"Argh…" Lois groaned. "Can you find the answer to number eleven? I'm giving up."
Julie inwardly rejoiced; they were all none the wiser.
AN: Winters back so I've been writing again! I hope you liked the new chapter. I should have another one up soon, a little more tweaking to be done.