Page 18 of Ruled Out

“Phoebe, get off the damn couch,” Maisie says, fire in her tone this time as she extends her hand to me.

“Nooo,” I groan, pulling the decorative pillow from beneath my head and covering my face.

“When Coach said to rest, I’m pretty sure he didn't mean becoming a couch potato and eating an entire box of Cheez-Itz. You’re gonna regret the hell out of that at practice tomorrow.”

“Stop judging me,” I huff as she pulls the pillow from my face and tosses it to the floor.

“What’s going on with you? I can barely get you to watch an episode of Gilmore Girls with me, yet here you are, acting like you're married to that couch. Rory and Lorelai would be so disappointed,” she scoffs.

“I’m just tired,” I sulk, giving her my best pouting face.

“Well, it’s probably because you’re relying on a box of processed food to give you energy. You’re getting your ass off this couch and eating a real meal. Come on, up you go,” she says with labored breaths as she grabs my hands and pulls me to my feet.

As soon as I stand, lost Cheez-Itz fall from my baggy t-shirt and sprinkle onto the floor, a few hitting my toes on the way down.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me,” Maisie chuckles with a wide smirk as her eyes track the little orange crackers. When she brings her gaze back to me, we stare at each other for a few seconds before bursting out in loud peals of laughter.

“Okay, maybe it’s a good thing you're forcing me to get up against my will,” I admit, wiping the remaining crumbs from my shirt.

“Ya think? Go get dressed. You aren't going anywhere wearing your leftovers,” she replies, spinning me towards my room.

Twenty minutes later, I’m in the passenger seat of Maisie’s car as she drives to Sammie’s, a small sandwich shop in Coral Cove. When I was in grade school, my teacher asked us to share a fun fact about ourselves. Mine was that I loved sandwiches. I internally cringe every time I think about how I blurted that out without hesitation, but it still rings true. Ilovea good sandwich.

“I thought practice went well today. Thank God Coach decided to take it easy on us,” Maisie says, her eyes focused on the road.

“Yeah, it’s always a nice surprise to have a light day,” I nod in agreement.

“So… What’s going on with you? Usually, you can barely sit still for ten minutes, but you’ve been moping around all day,” Maisie asks, her eyes flickering to mine for a beat before landing back on the road.

“I just think my body needed a day to recover. These college workouts are no joke,” I lie.

I’m completely capable of handling our workouts, but how am I supposed to tell her I’m upset because our coach didn't respond to my impulsive text? How am I supposed to tell her I feel things for him that I shouldn't? Even worse… how would I tell her I have the slightest suspicion he feels it too?

She sighs as if she’s in deep thought. “I just feel like you’re keeping something from me. Something’s bothering you.”

Damn, she’s good.She seems to already know me so well. I mean, weareroommates and spend hours together at practice. All that set aside, Maisie is quickly becoming one of my closest friends.

“I’m good, Maisie,” I reply with a soft smile. “I just think I need time to adjust. Classes, homework, Division I level workouts, living on my own… it’s just all so new to me.”

She nods in agreement, buying my little white lie. “Yeah, I get it. It’s taken a toll on me too. Just promise me that if something were wrong, you would feel comfortable telling me. I hope you know you can come to me with anything. You’re my friend and I would never judge you. You know that, right?”

“I know,” I reply in a hushed voice that’s barely a whisper. It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her about Knox, but I just can’t bring myself to do it. It doesn't matter anyways; nothing would ever happen between us.

I didn’t have many close girlfriends growing up, so it’s nice to finally have a friend I just click with. I’ve never had a friend that looks out for me like Maisie does.

I just can’t help but feel like I’m making a mistake by not telling her what’s really bothering me. I know that if Maisie were in my situation, she would tell me. Maybe that’s where we differ; Maisie trusts with abandon, whereas I’m used to keeping things to myself. As an only child with self-absorbed parents, I’ve learned to carry things on my own. As much as I want to share, I’m just not ready. It has nothing to do with her, and everything to do with me. I have a feeling she knows I’m hiding something; I just hope to God she never finds out what.

TEN

KNOX

One month. That’s how long it’s been since Phoebe’s subtle confession.

“I can’t seem to control my emotions when it comes to you. I’m not going to spell it out, because you know what I’m trying to say.”

I fought the urge to text her back for days. I could tell my lack of response bothered her, dwindling the embers burning between us. Still, the flame is there. I can feel it simmering every time we’re in the same room.

She’s avoided speaking to me at all costs, unless I directly ask her a question at practice. Her iridescent eyes only meet mine for milliseconds at a time. Gone are the days of watching her cheeks flush with heat when I caught her staring at me like no one was watching. When I ask her to do something at practice, she does it. I’ve tried to get a rise out of her a few times, but she doesn't linger or argue. She just nods her head and walks away. God, what I would give to have her roll her ocean-blue eyes at me again, or blurt out a sarcastic comment.

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