Page 7 of Saving the Halfback

Lachlan leaned over me, moving a few items away before grabbing a small white box and opening it to display the pastels. He pulled out the black. “This is a pastel.”

I stared at the stick, only barely remembering where it had come from. When he’d leaned across me, I’d found myself resisting the urge to sniff him, and I’d failed miserably. He smelled like sandalwood, with an earthy tone of something else I couldn’t put my finger on. I liked it, though. Liked it too much as my heart was thrown into overdrive. That had definitely never happened when we were younger.

I sat back, giving him some space. “I’ll remember that,” I said, returning to my picture of a tree and hill, and now I was drawing stick people. Was this normal? Not the drawing; I knew I sucked. But to react like this just because of someone's scent? It was a hormonal teenage thing, right? If so, then why did I feel so guilty?

Lachlan got busy working in his sketchbook for a bit before looking up at me. “So, what’s with the change?” His blue eyes met mine briefly before he looked away.

I peeked over at Nolan, noting that he was leaning over the aisle, talking to another guy. Turning back to Lachlan, I asked, “What change?”

“You, your look, you're talking to me again.”

How should I answer him? How could I tell him? That, all this time, I’d been a breath away from calling out to him. I’d been a touch away from falling apart. But I didn’t because of my fear of the consequences. How could I talk to him? The answer was simple—I couldn’t.

“You’re talking to me again,” I countered.

He seemed thoughtful for a moment before nodding. “True.”

I sighed. “I thought we could go back, but I didn’t realize… We ended things on bad terms. I guess I owe you an apology too.”

“Ah. Is that why you’ve changed your look?” He nodded down at my clothes.

I shrugged. “I just wanted to try something different.”

Lachlan leaned forward. “You don’t owe me an apology. We’re different people. My group doesn't hang out with Chase’s group or even Ethan. And you just seemed happy not to be around us. I have nothing against you.”

“So, you don’t know what Chase is upset about? He acted like I was a stranger, completely blew me off when I tried to talk to him.”

Lachlan frowned but continued to work on his picture. “You sort of are a stranger. See this? This is the Bailey I know now.” He tore the page from his book and handed it to me.

The picture was of a girl, drawn anime style. She wore an oversized plaid flannel over a dark shaded tank top, reminiscent of what I’d wore over the last few years. Her long hair was left down but pulled behind her ears. I couldn’t see her eyes because Lachlan had drawn a ball cap that was pulled down, covering them. Her cheeks were shaded, as if she were blushing.

“Wow… I think it’s great,” I told him, though it nearly choked me up. Not because he’d drawn a picture of me, but because it was a picture of me last year. How I’d always worn my hair and clothes. I hadn’t worn the cap in years, but I liked that he drew it into the picture, like he knew I was using it for comfort today. Otherwise, the picture was me last year, when I’d felt lost and tried to hide.

He’d seen me, even then.

“So do I,” he whispered. I looked up to find his eyes on me. “There’s no need to change yourself, Bailey. The confidence, I like, but don’t feel the need to dress up or put on makeup for anyone. If it takes changing you for them to notice, they don’t deserve you.”

“It took doing this for you and Chase to notice me,” I point out.

Lachlan scoffed. “Bailey, it took you to sayheyfor me to notice. Plus, we don’t deserve you. Never have, never will.”

I looked back to the picture, remembering how freeing it had felt this morning to wear the clothes I’d always wanted to, do my hair how I wanted, without being worried whether Ed would approve. “Well, I did it for myself.”

“I guess that’s okay, then. As long as it’s for yourself.” Lachlan bumped into me with his shoulder, his body relaxing. I smiled and found myself leaning back into him.

3

Bailey

As we walked through the halls, Lachlan leaned into me now and then, working hard to avoid other people. It didn’t bother me, but eventually, I moved so he was between me and Nolan. He gave me a quick smile.

I had decided to join them in the cafeteria, and a certain amount of excitement overcame me. This was my first time eating in the cafeteria. Weird, right? Something about being accepted by Lachlan made the anxiety of this morning seep away.

I was nearly jumping from one foot to the other as I grabbed a tray of mac and cheese. Lachlan chose the same, while Nolan picked a grilled chicken salad. A girl came from the back of the kitchen and handed Lachlan a container of breadsticks and marinara sauce.

“What?! The menu says those are sold out.” I pouted.

Lachlan grinned. “I can’t share my secrets.”

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