the hose to Saralie and aimed to tackle his friend. Saralie squirted, soaking Bradley’s clothes through.
“Enough!” Bradley again yelled. This time he
was upset. His forehead creased, and he spit onto the ground. “You okay dude?” Ryder asked, letting him go as he hunched over, the water dripping off his nose to the ground. “Leave my girl alone.” He pushed past Ryder and headed to Saralie. Saralie flicked her wrists, trying to get any loose water off unaware of what was just said. “For the record, I don’t like to get wet.” Brad-
ley said shaking his head. “Oh, okay…sorry,” Saralie shrugged as he took her hand and led her towards the bleachers.
Bradley sat with Saralie on the bleachers,
where others had gathered to eat their lunch. “So, how was your day?” She asked. “I can’t even begin to tell you. I was stuck by the most annoying person ever. I’m just focused on training for the next big game. My father’s already making calls around for next year. Got to start early. They’ll come watch me play, and I’m sure that’ll be it. I really don’t have time to play games today; it’s so dumb.” Saralie just nodded her head, taking another bite of her sandwich. “I just finished this…” “Did you see that?” Bradley interrupted. “What?”
“That kid down there. He can’t throw a pass
to save his life. Even a cheerleader can throw better than that. Watch your man at work.” Bradley jumped down the steps two at a time until he was out on the field himself. Girls around them were suddenly intent on watching the field. Saralie used to be the gawking girl, now she was being gawked at. She didn’t know if it made her feel good or uncomfortable. “Field again, huh?” “And you pop out of nowhere again huh?”
Saralie smiled as Ryder sat next to her. “Why are you even interested?”
SHE DIDN’T KNOW IF IT MADE HER FEEL GOOD OR UNCOMFORTABLE.
“He’s your best friend. Remember that be- cause I feel a negative comment coming on.” “He is my best friend. It’s just, I know how into himself he can be. He’s definitely only focused on one thing—football. You know he
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just…you just don’t seem like…well… whatever.” “You don’t know me. Besides, he’s Bradley Huxton.” Saralie said as if that carried enough weight to explain everything. “I’m Ryder Gentry and you’re Saralie…?” “Saralie Lawrence.” “Does he know that?” Ryder asked. Saralie looked at Ryder. She hadn’t ever no- ticed how his eyelashes were so long or how soft his hands were until earlier that day. His wolf like eyes were soft and playful. She shook her head and stared down at the field. Bradley was the one. He had to be. She wished it.
“That is ugly,” Bradley exhaled as they stood
before the bulletin board. He pointed to the winning art piece hanging brilliantly on display. Saralie clenched her mouth shut. “I don’t think this is r…” “Don’t. Babe, we’re perfect together.” Bradley pulled her in for a hug. “You think so?” Saralie asked, her eyebrow
raised. “Of course. You’re beautiful and smart. You
like to watch football.” Saralie shook herself from his grasp. She
stared at the painting she had done herself, hanging for the whole world to see. She felt the happy swirls of blues and purples. She could hear the whistle of the white birds that clung to the blue sky. “Hey, practice time…” Bradley lifted his chin
in response to his teammates pressuring him towards the gym. “After…we’ll talk. You’re the best.” He ran off after his team. Saralie walked
towards the front of the school. Sitting on a lonely bench was Ryder. She hesitated and then resolutely walked towards him. She sat beside him quietly. “Hello to you too,” Ryder said softly. “Hey,” Saralie breathed out. “Everything okay? Where’s Bradley? Practice?” “Yeah… no I mean everything’s…yeah…” They sat in silence looking at the clock tick on the opposite wall. Each second seeming lon- ger than the last. The doors to their right swung open and Juliana walked in. She stopped in her tracks, her mouth firmly shut. She pressed her books tighter to her chest as she walked past them both. “Isn’t that your best friend?” “Yup…” Saralie whispered. “Didn’t seem so bestie to me.” “Bestie?” “Don’t ask… I can’t believe that even came out of my mouth.”
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