Page 21 of We Thought We Were Invincible
Patches of the field soon turned to mud. One foot hit first, and then the other was flying through the air, propelling me onto my back. The wind rushed from my lungs and I was left stunned as a laughing Morgan stood over me. She reached her hand down, and I yanked, sending her sprawling in the mud beside me.
She laughed so hard her breath wheezed in and out. I suddenly got why everyone liked her so much. She looked over at me, grinning. It was her ability to make anyone feel like they too were good enough. She could be friends with anyone and here she was lying in the mud with me. She didn't make you feel like a charity case, only liked.
I sprang up, twisting to look at the mud that now stretched from my calves, up over my shorts, leaving a smear across the back of my t-shirt, and even into my hair.
A shiver ran the length of my spine and I looked down to see Morgan hugging herself as well.
“Hot tea?” I asked.
“Oh, definitely.”
We made the walk home and for once I hadn't been thinking about Jay or Jamie or even my mom. That's what would make this year great. I just wanted to think about the present. Nothing deep. Nothing bad. If I stayed like that, nothing could touch me.
The boys looked up from their game when we walked in. Colby's jaw dropped as he took in our muddy appearance.
“Soccer.” Morgan shrugged.
Jamie nodded in understanding. Colby's eyes darted between me and his girlfriend, unsure of what to say.
Morgan giggled as she leaned down to give him a quick kiss. “Sorry boys, Callie is just more fun than you.”
Jamie mouthed my name in question as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing, and I stared daggers at him.
“Come on, Callie,” Morgan pulled on my arm. “Mind if I borrow some clothes?”
Morgan Cook was borrowing clothes from me, Callie McCoy. What kind of alternate universe had I stepped in to?
* * *
To the average person,the next couple weeks wouldn't have looked anything other than normal. I went to school, trying my hardest to get through my classes without falling asleep. Afterwards, I'd hop in the truck, listening to it sputtering as it transported me to the diner where I'd work the dinner rush. Then it was home to do my homework and go to bed.
Morgan hung around more, providing the little variety I had. I found myself getting more comfortable around her. It wasn't a hard thing to do. Colby was still infatuated, much to my surprise. My brother wasn't known for having the longest attention span when it came to dating. With Morgan insisting on spending time with both of us, I ended up actually hanging out with my brother more than I had in awhile.
Jamie was scarce. I didn't know if it was because of my presence and the resentment I still saw in his eyes over the things I'd said, despite the kiss, or if it was because things were going well for him and Amelia. At school, they could be seen holding hands or being sickeningly coupley.
I wasn't jealous. I swore to myself that I still couldn't stand the sight of him. I just hated seeing him and Amelia together more.
I didn't hear from Jay. Two weeks was a long time for the two of us to go without talking. I assumed he was busy with school and trying to change his non-partying ways. For me, it was that I was enjoying not having to rely on him for everything for the first time in years. I still missed him though.
I was walking through the hall at school when Morgan sidled up beside me and threw her arm around my shoulders. “What are we doing for your birthday?”
I glanced at her before looking forward again and shrugging. It may have been my imagination, but people seemed to part in front of us. Probably the Morgan effect. This school wasn't nearly as intimidating with her by my side.
“We have to do something.” She squeezed me tighter.
“Colby's having a party at the beach on Saturday.” I wasn't much for birthdays or any day that put the attention on me.
“I know that.” Morgan flipped her hair out of her face and waved at someone we passed. “But that's for Colby. Just because you're a twin, doesn't mean you don't deserve a day that's just about you.”
“It doesn't really bother me.” That was the truth. It didn't. Colby had always had parties while I opted to just let the day pass.
“Well, it bothers me,” she huffed.
We turned into our classroom, and she finally released me to take my seat. Leaning across her desk, she brought her face close to mine. “I got this.” Winking, she sat back in her chair with a satisfied grin, and I suddenly remembered why I'd never had many girlfriends before.
Mr.Chase walked in and set his case down on the desk before spinning around to face us. “You guys have no idea what you're in for today,” he said. “Since the start of school almost three weeks ago, we've been doing daily prompts, most having to do with describing things you've done recently.”
He looked around, his eyes bright under dark brows, to make sure he had our attention.
