Free Discovering April by Sheena Hutchinson Page B

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    “Looks like your ride is here…” Ro winks at me.
    “Yup, there’s my carpool !” I shrug back as I walk down the pathway to the parking lot. Jared’s eyes lock on me making my way to him and I watch as a small smile begins to crown his cheeks. It’s then that he turns forward and straps his helmet back on. I turn my head, trying to hide my disappointment. A group of jocks have tried to look nonchalant hanging out in front of the Hall, probably taking notes, getting ready to report to gossip central. Let’s make it good. Picking up confidence from somewhere deep down, I saunter out past the crew of football jerks, one foot in front of the other as my hips emphasize every step I take.
    “Ow! Work it, gurl!” I hear yelled from the hill where Ro is sitting with the catch of the day. I spin, flipping my hair, and wave at her. I’m almost by the bike when Jared turns his head back and watches me walk the last few steps.
    “You’re late,” I tell him, taking the extra helmet from his hands.
    “Well, I didn’t want to miss your little runway show over there.” He nods past me.
    Hiding a smile, I shrug strapping on my helmet. “Yeah, ya know, I get my Tyra on once and a while.” I grab his shoulder as I swing my leg over and hop in behind him, letting my hand strategically slide down his arm to his waist as he kicks up the stand. He guns it and roars through the parking lot. If people weren’t staring at us before, we’ve got their attention now. Rounding the corner and stopping at the red light, I take the time to scoot myself close to him again, just close enough to smell his soap. Only, I can’t seem to smell it through the leather jacket he’s wearing. I pull my face closer until I’m practically touching him. The light turns green and the force of him hitting the gas makes me lean away from him again. He’s driving strangely, almost like he’s mad. It’s not a serene ride like this morning; it’s harsh and fast, almost like the ride home from the orchard. I try to peek my face around to gauge his expression, only every time I get close to him he seems to put the pedal to the metal and I’m forced back again. After the second longest ride of my life, he finally pulls into his driveway and rips himself from my grasp. Leaving me to put the kickstand down, I steady the bike against it and slip off.
    “I know what that was, you know.” He flings his helmet over the railing to the porch.
    “What was what?”
    “That show you put on. You’re not fooling anyone!” He spins on his heels and glares at me.
    “It wasn’t like that—”
    “Save it!” he interrupts, putting his hand up to stop me before leaving me staring after him.
    His work boots stomp up the porch steps and through his front door. Closing my mouth, I turn and hop over the flowerbed. Before I shoulder my way through my front door, I turn back to the ‘scene of the crime,’ trying to figure out what just happened. Shaking my head, I slip inside. Maybe I’ll never know.
    An hour or so later, I’m sitting at my desk, trying to get a hold on my math homework when I find myself daydreaming about riding the motorcycle with Jared this morning. There’s something about it that calms me. I lean back slightly, risking a glance out my window into Jared’s. My shoulders slump when I notice his blinds are closed. Still insistent that I catch a glimpse of him, I sit up on my knees and he finally comes into view below me, packing away some tools into a bag. My math homework is the last thing on my mind as I watch him throw the bag over his shoulder and saunter towards the garage. I only have to wait a few more seconds before he comes back out and hops into his truck. The exhaust flares as he zips down the street and around the corner.
    I sigh, reluctant to get back to my homework. I wonder what Jared’s mood swings are about… is it something I did?
    “Ugh! Get a grip, April!” I scold myself, collapsing back into my chair. My mind