Chapter 9: Julia
With my backpack straps tightened I was ready to face another day in the daunting halls of WHS. After I found out about Gigi and Brian and what he'd put the two of us through, I couldn't bare to look at any of her friends, or his. We avoided each other as best we could at school, though there was the rare occasion we would bump into each other and have to make awkward small talk before excusing ourselves politely. It had to be done that way.
Everyday after school I'd visit Katie. She'd been pregnant for about 3 months now and was out of school indefinitely. I mean, I guess we were still friends, but we hadn't hung out in over a year. Her boyfriend James had corrupted her and she had little interest in the things that used to give her such joy. She would drink and pop Advil and still be able to look her mother in the eyes. Her mother is one of the kindest people I've ever met and she's helped me through many a difficult situation. Now it was my turn to pay it forward.
The bell tolled and I slowly closed my notebook and began packing my belongings. Shortly into this Gabe had stopped me. "What do you want?" I say, a bit more harshly than I'd liked to. "Forgiveness. Starting with a minute of your time." He pleads as I get out of my seat and walk to the door, his footsteps trailing mine.
"Fine." I say turning angrily to face him. "I've changed Jules, really I have. I want to be better. I've tried forgetting, but its no use. I'm a horrible person. I-I screwed up and I wish I could take it all back. I miss our friendship." "What friendship?" I ask coldly, looking him up and down. He'd lost the twinkle in his eye and dark bags formed under his cocoa brown irises. He looked roughly the same, but had clearly undergone something horrible. "What'd they do to you anyway?" I ask, referring to the trial. "Well, she's got a restraining order against me and I did spend some time in juvie, and rehab-" "Rehab?' "...Yeah, I needed to get away from it all for a while and consider everything in a new light. Now I see the damage I've done and I feel horrible about it. But I'm hear to make amends, that is, if you'll let me." He asks with a sad yet hopeful look on his face. "Alright, but I still don't trust you." "I don't blame you… I don't trust myself anymore." He says looking down. "Don't be so hard on yourself. You came to me and that was a huge step. You can get better Gabe, I really and truly believe you can." I say embracing him in a hug, his strong arms calming me as he moves his hand gently up and down my spine. "Can I walk you home?" He asks, hands in his pockets. "I'd like that." I say, readjusting my bag and signaling for him to start ahead of me. Surprisingly, he holds out his hand for me to take, a gentle and insecure smile playing upon his lips. I cautiously entwine our fingers and a soft and hopefully unnoticeable blush creeps onto my pale cheeks.
The walk started fairly silent with no noise between us but the pounding of our feet on the worn and discolored pavement. He's the first to speak, taking me from my thoughts. "You know, this is nice." "Yeah?" "Yeah. Its good to take a walk and clear your head." "I guess so." I say, hoping he won't see me blush. It had been awhile since I'd been able to look at a guy without feeling insecure that they wouldn't want me or that I wouldn't be the "other women". I mean, I've never been the most popular girl in my class. I've just kinda hid in the corner and hoped that no one would notice. We turn onto my street and keep to the edge of the sidewalk, staying silent and listening to the chirping of birds and taking in the smell of freshly mowed lawns.
"This is me." I say, motioning to the house on the right. "Okay. Well, I guess I'll see you Monday?" He asks, ringing his hands with a nervous look on his tanned Brazilian skin. "You will." I say, easing the look of eagerness on his face. I begin walking up the path when Gabe stops me. "Julia… Do you maybe want to go to dinner sometime, with me?" I pause a moment to collect my thoughts and make sure I know what I'm doing. "I'd-I'd like that Gabe." "Really?" He asks, unsure if I'm trying to be sarcastic. The fact that he's bilingual doesn't ease his understanding of sarcasm. "Yes really! Now, I gotta finish my Bio lab, but I'll see you. Bye." "Bye." He says, timidly trying to embrace me in a hug which I gladly return.
As I fish the key out of my pocket, realization hits me. Gabe really has changed. He's acting like he used to in 7th grade, when I first developed a crush on him. I think to myself, opening the door and setting my bag down, kicking off my shoes and thinking about Gabe. He's acting like himself.
So sorry for the lack of updates! I've been busy the last weeks of summer, trying to get ready for school to start. I'm off tomorrow so I was able to finish this and start the next. I really hope you guys are still reading. I know its a lot to keep track of, even for me knowing all the characters. But please stick around, read, review etc. I appreciate all that you guys do and I love you all :)
Love and rockets,
Squeegee G