Page 23 of Damaged Boys Don't Fall For Bubbly Girls
Lexi
I wake up the next morning feeling a little blah, since I spent the whole night tossing and turning, thinking about Brock and Andy and the accident, and of course my terrible words. But as I get ready for school, I tell myself that I need to find a way to move on. All I’ve wanted for the past four years was for Brock to come back, and now that he has, I can’t let the past hold me back. I can’t let it ruin what could be a possible future for Brock and me. A deep and powerful friendship like we had in the past. If he wants that, too, of course. From what I can tell, I think he does. Ihopehe does.
“Good morning, sweetie,” Mom greets from where she sits at the kitchen table with a mug of coffee. “I have an appointment near your school in half an hour. Want a lift? Or would you rather ride with the guys?”
It’s definitely tempting because I’m still thinking about the memories and I have no energy to deal with the guys’ shenanigans.
“Okay,” I say as I sit down at the table with cereal and milk. “I can be ready in half an hour.”
After I send a quick text to Finn that I have a ride this morning, Mom and I finish breakfast and then hop in the car and she drives toward school.
“Are you excited for your dance class after school?” she asks.
“Yes! Dani will probably tell us what ballet we’re going to perform. I bet it’sThe Nutcracker. I’m so excited.”
I’ve been going to dance classes since I was eight, when Aidan signed me up. Dani and Easton Knight offer free classes for all kids because they want everyone to have the chance to shine and follow their dreams. I fell in love with it the minute Istarted the classes, and I once had a dream to be a professional dancer, along with being a marine biologist. But obviously, it’s not exactly possible to be both, especially because I want to dedicate my life to ocean creatures. So I just dance for fun, though of course I put my all into it, too.
“The Nutcrackeris beautiful,” Mom says with a smile. “You think you have a shot at Clara?”
“Iwish,” I say with a laugh. “But nah. It’ll probably be Ruby. She’s the best and always gets the main roles.”
“You’re amazing, too, honey,” Mom says as she slows down before a red light. She removes her hand from the steering wheel to rub my shoulder. “My little firecracker. I have no doubt you have an equal shot at Clara.”
Her words fill me with warmth. Mom has always taught me to reach for the stars and follow my dreams. “Thanks. I’ll try my best.” I lean forward and press a kiss on her cheek. “Thanks so much for always encouraging me to never give up. I know I always tell you this, but you’re such an unbelievable person. You had to take on the role of mom and dad after Dad died, and you never once made me feel anything but super loved.”
Her body sags with relief as she gives me a quick hug before the light turns green. “Thanks so much, Lexi.”
After she drops me off before the school building, I wave and make my way inside. I’m more than half an hour early, so I head into the cafeteria and take out my phone and earbuds, playing a video I started watching last night. It’s about ocean life—duh, what else? Is there anything more beautiful than that?
Oh my gosh, how amazing are whales? I know the guys want to bash their heads into the wall whenever I gush about whales, but I can’t help it. They’re just so mesmerizing. Think about it: there are huge mammals, some of them the size of small planes and ships, that freakin’ swim in the ocean. They just mind their own business and enjoy their time in the water. They’re peacefuland love interacting with humans. Ugh, I can’t wait until I can swim in the water with them.
I’m so into the video that I don’t pay attention to whoever walks into the cafeteria or passes by. So I nearly jump to the roof when a male voice says, “Hey.”
Pressing my hand to my racing heart, my head snaps to the left. I almost fall off my chair when I find Brock standing there. His backpack is slung over one shoulder and he holds a book in his hand.
“What are you doing here?” I blurt.
With a small chuckle, he says, “Last I check, I kind of go here.”
I laugh sheepishly. “Duh. I mean, of course you go here. I just meant what are you doingin here?” I catch the time on my phone. “It’s a little early, isn’t it?”
He pulls out a chair and drops down on it, placing the book on the table. “I woke up too early and I guess I got bored at home. I passed by the cafeteria and saw you in here. Is it okay if I sit here, by the way? Because I can leave if you want to be alone.”
I playfully slap his arm. “You’re not a leper. Of course I want you here.”
For a second, I worry that I stepped over a line. I mean, is he okay with me joking around with him like we did when we were kids? Is he still upset with me about the Andy comment I made yesterday?
But I swear I see relief and joy flash in his eyes. “Really? Thanks. It means a lot.”
“Of course,” I say. “You know I’m super happy you’re here.” I play with my hair and then laugh like I’m embarrassed. “Sorry if I’m over exuberant. I think this video put me in a good mood.”
“Can I see it?”
I pass him my phone and he plays the video, his eyes instantly lighting up. “Oh, wow. This is amazing. Did that boatactually get that close to the blue whales? I love the sounds they make. It’s like they’re singing.”
“Totally! And look here.” I rewind the video to where someone on a kayak floats right above a blue whale that is under the surface. “Compare the sizes. It like he’s on a small plane.”
His face softens with another smile. “Breathtaking.”
