“Uh, yeah.”
She scoffs and sits back in her seat. “Come on. Let’s go before you start talking too much.”
I blink a few times before putting the truck in reverse and heading to the track. When Rylee started running with me, she liked having a goal for how long we would go. When I run on the trails at my house, she says it’s too easy to stop since you’re always overlapping different paths, so we come to the school. While she rattles on about all the events at summer camp, I glance over, scanning her to figure out what’s different. It can’t only be the braces. I’ve always noticed when her body started to fill out and become more like a woman than a girl, but I always still saw her as a friend. Today, though, I can’t picture the girl I grew up with. She’s now someone who fills out her tight leggings. Her shirt is baggy, but not enough to cover that her chest has filled it out, but mostly, it’s her face. Rylee rarely wears makeup, but she is right now. Her eyes seem brighter along with her metalless teeth. She looks good, distractingly good, and I’m not sure what to think about that.
“What did you do to your face?” I interrupt.
Her eyes are wide as she looks at me.
“I’m sorry, but there is something different.” I take quick glances at her, then back to the road, pulling into the school’s parking lot.
“God, Clay.” She crosses her arms in front of her. “Can’t a girl just look nice?”
“To go for a run?” Putting the truck in park, I face her. She isn’t meeting my eyes. Hers are focused on her fingers that fidget in her lap.
She sighs. “Yeah. Even just to go for a run.” Unbucklingher seat belt, she gets out, not waiting for me as she walks to the track field.
I jump out, grab my bag from the back, and jog to catch up with her. “Ry, I didn’t mean anything by it.” I go to reach for her arm, but she spins around, stopping us both.
“What did you mean then?” Her face pinches.
My eyes scan the area around us, and I take a few breaths. I’ve never liked when she gets upset. It’s like I’m out of control. My instincts take over, and my hands immediately contract in and out of fists. My short nails dig into my palms, focusing me even more. “You just look different,” I say, looking down at my shoes. She sighs, and I know it’s because she knows more than anyone how I am with change. I do the best I can, but I don’t like change. When something constant in my life changes, it makes me want to run. She knows how hard I’m struggling not to take off.
“Yeah. I guess I do look different without my braces.” She grabs my arm and leans her face into my eyesight. “I’m still me, though. Come on. Let’s start before you bolt on me.” Her smile, though different, brings me comfort.
I nod, and we walk to the bench where we always leave our stuff. She stretches her legs, leaning into a forward fold over each of them. My gaze locks on her. One thing I know for sure, it’s not only her smile that’s different.
Walkingthrough the crowd at the game brings fresh anxiety to the forefront, but I shove that down the best I can because I’d do anything for Rylee. I’ve never liked big crowds, but I promised her we could come. She loves seeing our classmates play, but she also likes the social aspect of it. Most of our teachers and studentbody are here. Our school’s spirit is infectious. I go to the concession stand, getting two sodas and candy. The candy is specifically for Rylee. I don’t think she goes a day without either candy or dessert.
“Clay!” a voice calls from behind me.
I turn, but the girl who’s calling me over isn’t Rylee. It’s a girl named Rebecca from our class. I nod, not moving closer, but she urgently waves her hand for me to come. My brows furrow before I finally go up to her. I can’t remember five words we have ever said to each other, so I don’t know why she would want to talk to me.
“That math test was hard, right?” she asks, placing her hand on my forearm.
I’m careful not to spill the drinks in my hand. “Uh. Sure.”
She laughs, making my eyebrows draw closer. I’m not sure what I said was that funny.
“So what are you doing after the game?” She steps closer.
I shrug. “Probably taking Rylee home.”
Her smile falters. “You two are always attached at the hip, aren’t you?”
I scan the crowd, still looking for Rylee. “I guess.”
“Well, there are other girls who would like some attention too.” She flutters her eyelashes.
I take a step back. This entire interaction is making me far more uncomfortable. “Okay. I’ll see you later.” I turn, not giving her a chance to say anything else, and exhale with relief when the brunette I actually want to see stands there. Handing the soda to Rylee, I stand next to her and force myself to watch the game even though it doesn’t interest me.
“How’s Rebecca?” Rylee sings out.
I glance over my shoulder. “Why do you say it like that?”
“She’s nice.” She faces the game.
“Yeah . . .” I rub the back of my neck. What’s she getting at? I think most of our class is nice. I don’t have any enemies.
