GREER
I’ve never been to a ninja competition before. I’ve caught a glimpse here and there of Grey in class, but still, I’m a first-timer, and the course set up looks pretty intense.
The gymnasium is half full when I get there, and although I could pick a seat up front, I opt for one in the back.
I didn’t question whether or not I should come today. It’s a Saturday, after all, and I’m not required to be here, but Grey is pretty excited about how far he’s come this summer, so I wasn’t going to miss it.
However, the last couple of weeks with Simon have been harder than I imagined they would be. He may have called it quits, but that heat between us, the one that draws us to the other anytime we are near, hasn’t faded.
I just wish there was a way for me to help him realize all that he could have. That this distance between us can be changed all by one choice. His choice.
He can choose to be happy, but he won’t.
Won’t or can’t?
“Hey!” Calla says, coming up the bleachers. “Why are you sitting up here?”
She plops down next to me with a small bag of popcorn and offers it to me.
I grab a small handful.
“I’m not sure your brother knows I’m coming, and I figured it was better if I stayed out of sight.”
“Oh, he knows. Grey told him on the way here. I called him and heard it through the speaker. No one expected you to miss it. You and Grey are best friends now. No matter how stupid my brother is when it comes to relationships, he’s stuck with you.”
I know she’s trying to be supportive, but I don’t want him to be stuck with me. I want him to pick me. The way I pick him.
It was a long stretch to hope for it, and I know that by continuing on the way I am, there’s a chance he will never change his mind.
It’s one of those moments when you know you know, and I just need to be patient.
But I’ll tell you what. Being patient isn’t easy.
“Speaking of,” Calla goes on, “has he said more to you about the two of you?”
My friends know me well, so it didn’t take long for Willa to notice my mood change and for her to call Calla, who called a girl’s night out. I told them everything. Even when Calla didn’t want details on her brother, she listened. In the end, they both agreed with me that what Simon and I have doesn’t come around often. It helped that he’s Calla’s brother, because even though she thinks he’s a total moron, she gave me an extra-long hug for not giving up on him.
But how long do I wait? How long do I give him until I realize that he gave up on us for good?
“No, he hasn’t said anything more.”
“Damn.”
“Yeah. Do you think I’m crazy?”
She laughs. “You’re talking to a woman who married a guy she despises in Vegas all because they had one amazingly fun night together, and then who proceeded to drive him crazy so that he’d divorce herand nowjust celebrated her wedding reception. So no, I don’t. Love does crazy things to people.”
“Oh, I’m not sure we’re in love.”
“But aren’t you? You’re waiting for him, right? Isn’t that love?”
“If it were, wouldn’t he put me out of my misery?”
“Maybe he’s waiting for the right time.”
“Maybe.”
“Look, it’s not my place to say anything, but he’s… making some changes, and I don’t think he’s doing it for just him. I think he wants to be with you too.”
