Page 38 of We Thought We Were Invincible
The sad thing was - I knew the answer to that was a resounding yes.
“You okay today, Cal?” Morgan asked.
“Fine.” The bell saved me. “I have to go to the office before calc.” It was a lie, but one that Morgan believed without question as I ditched her in the hall and hurried toward the stairwell.
At the bottom, I almost collided with the large body of Rick Yellen. He didn't see me as he bulled his way into the stairwell, but I was yanked back as someone wrapped an arm around my waist from behind. My back slammed into a hard chest.
“Watch where you're going, Callie girl.” Jamie chuckled, sending vibrations through my body.
I pushed away from him, needing to get out of that school.
“Wait up,” he called, but I was already booking it toward the front door. I didn't have a car anymore since Old Red died on me, but the beach wasn't far.
Glancing back at the school, I legged it down the sidewalk, needing as much distance as my legs could give. I barely knew most of the kids I went to school with. Some I'd been friends with at one point since I grew up in town, but were no longer part of my life. Others I'd avoided. Or maybe they'd avoided me.
Skydiving had given me a sense of contentment that lasted for a little while, but was wearing out as I lived the same old life with the same old people. I needed another shot.
The beach would give me that feeling as long as I was there, and that's what I needed now. It was an addiction. Could you be addicted to escaping? I didn't even know. Adrenaline? Sure. Forgetting? Definitely.
My jaw dropped when I got to the beach. If there was ever such a thing as perfection, those waves were it. Bigger than we usually got, I couldn't remember surfing in such conditions, but I suddenly couldn't think of anything else.
There were a few surfers out there, probably older, with more experience. I didn't care. This was why I'd felt such an urge to leave school. Something was pulling me here.
Only a few problems. I was carless, suitless, and boardless.
But I did have a phone.
Me:Beach. Now.
His response was quick.
Jamie:In class.
I snapped a picture of the waves and sent it.
Jamie:Well, okay then.
I grinned, putting my phone away and parking myself on the rocks.
It didn't take long for the crunch of gravel to signify an oncoming car. Jamie slammed the door and sauntered toward me, an excited look in his eyes.
“I thought you were in class,” I said.
“I may have just walked out.” He whistled through his teeth. “I have to get out there.”
Dusting my pants off as I got to my feet, I turned toward him. “I need my board.”
“Mine is in your garage,” he said.
Once at my house, I sprinted inside while he strapped the boards to the roof of his car. I came back out as he was rifling through a bag in his back seat. Looking through his tinted windows, I saw clothes, pillows, and food wrappers scattered around and shock choked off my words.
He saw me and shame clouded his eyes. “I couldn't very well stay in my father's house right now.”
“So, you're sleeping in your car?” I gasped. “Jamie.”
He looked down, our mission forgotten for just a moment. Before I knew what I was doing, I'd stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him. He stiffened before lowering his head to rest his chin on my shoulder. I squeezed him tighter.
“I'll talk to Kat.” I leaned back to run a hand over his head as if he was a young child. “You should have told me. Colby too. You could've stayed with us.”
