And for some reason, I said, “I just don’t want to go to work today.”
“How come?”
“I don’t know.”
“You still like it there?”
“Yes,” I said automatically. “Maybe. I don’t know.”
“It sounds like you do know.”
I shook my head.
And then I said, “I’ve wanted to work there forever.”
Chip said, “You know why I tried out for soccer this year instead of football?”
I reached for my tassel but stopped myself.
“’Cause I hated football. I’d been playing since I was a kid and every year I liked it a little less. Last year I dreaded going to practice every day. And Trent was the only friend I had on the team. The only thing that got me through the season.”
“Oh.”
“It was hard quitting. Coach Winfield is still mad at me. Mom’s kind of mad we spent all that money on pads and helmets and stuff. Sorin used to play too, you know?”
Chip swallowed. His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down.
He had a really pronounced Adam’s apple.
“I guess what I’m trying to say is, if something’s not making you happy, doesn’t it make sense to let it go?”
My chest felt warm again. That pulsar feeling was back.
Could I really let go of Rose City?
Just like that?
I cleared my throat. “I have to have a job, though. My parents are both working overtime and they’re still worried about money.”
“There are other jobs.”
“But I’m not good at anything else.”
Chip gave me this look then. Like it hurt him when I said that.
I don’t know why I felt so ashamed.
“Sorry. Um. I better go. Don’t want to be late.”
“Oh. Yeah. Hey, you got your tickets for homecoming?”
“Got them today.”
“Cool,” Chip said, but there was this thing in his voice.
I didn’t know what it was.
He unlocked his bike.
