Chapter 5 FLOAT

Sunday, 11th of September

I didn't want to come to the homecoming meeting, but like cheer practice, I had no choice. Savannah is perched beside Arthur, glaring at me while I attempt to blend into the background.

Jane compiles a list of materials and jobs that need to be completed, and Savannah adds snarky commentary, which nobody comments on.

How can Arthur be with someone like that?

I assume they're back on since I had to catch the bus this morning, and when I got off, the pair were tangled up in the parking lot, making out.

"Christine, can you organise supplies?" Jane smiles.

My mouth drops. "Hm?"

"I'll do it."

Savannah stands up, so I race to Jane and take the supply list. I don't want to be here, but I'm not letting Savannah do this. Besides, Arthur said I should do the full American experience. Although I don't remember fighting with a mental cheerleader on the list.

It's only as I step out, I regret it. "Mr Boston" is scribbled on the first line.

"Ah fuck," I mutter.

I'm not going back, so I head to woodwork and knock on the door.

Just when I think he's not there, the door opens and a bewildered Blain stares back.

Our kiss from the party comes racing back, and I lose the ability to speak. I hold the paper up and point to the first item.

"Do you need something?"

"The seniors want me to get supplies for the float. Do you have any cardboard we can use?"

"There should be, what's the theme?"

"The beach."

Blain waves me into the room while he walks to the supply room. It's painfully silent, which only makes me nervous about our class later today.

I regret going to Arthur's party; I should have stayed home. Maybe none of this would have happened if I'd just... what am I saying?

Blain pokes his head out of the supply room and says, "I have large pieces of cardboard in the back. Do you want it now or later?"

"Can I grab it later in the week?"

"Okay." He nods. "If you need a place to work or store, let the seniors know the woodwork room is available."

"Cheers for that." I smile.

Blain returns the list, and I quickly bail. Before the next period starts, I manage to round up a few more supplies before tossing the list into my bag and heading to math.

Thankfully, I'm the first person outside for lunch. I lay on the grass and bask under the lukewarm sun.

When someone pokes my leg, I groan. I crack one eye open and find Arthur smiling.

"Sorry about Savannah, she's a raging bitch." He sighs.

"I hadn't noticed."

"Sometimes we have good moments, and it's enough to ignore the crazy ones. Doesn't help that our mothers are like sisters. We're destined to get married in their eyes. I could never marry Savannah."

"You should tell your mother that Savannah doesn't make you happy."

"If only it worked like that."

"You'll never know unless you try, Arthur. Maybe she'd stop when she realises how unhappy it makes you? Besides, you could do a lot better than her."

"If you don't see me tomorrow, know it's all your fault and that I'm probably lying in a shallow grave."

"Good luck." I laugh.

"I'm going to need it." He gulps.

Arthur jumps at Savannah's voice. She races across the grass, waving like a lunatic. When she notices me, the sweet smile turns into a scowl. My stomach knots, and I roll my eyes.

"This is my cue to leave." I scramble to the empty table.

There are fewer people here because they're working on the float, which is a nice turn of events. I like the silence and not having to pretend I'm interested. It's more time to daydream about Blain's lips on mine.

Savannah drags Arthur inside, and he has a 'help me look'. I don't know how to help, so I smile and wave.

Arthur doesn't come back, so at the end of lunch, I'm forced to walk alone. Blain waves me into the office, which is where I spend the remainder of the day. I pretend to finish the theory work for my assignment, but I stare at Blain.

He's so young, so he must have gotten lucky and landed this job after college. Blain has a playful, boyish nature, and it's surprising how well he thrives in a classroom.

Blain stands beside another kid, the short red hair from my first day, and explains something.

His arms make big movements, then he's pointing at the piece of wood the kid is holding, and then he's herding him over to a cutting machine.

The kid cuts the wood and smiles. Blain leaves and shoots a remark at Arthur before turning to me. I look at the blank page and panic.

The door swings open, and Blain's head pops in.

"Have you finished?"

"Totally." I lie.

"Do you want to start on your woodwork piece?"

"Uh, you know what, I think I missed a question."

Someone screams, so Blain runs to the redhead who's managed to hurt himself. He's hysterically crying, which gives me some time to put words on paper.

Blain is still busy at the end of class, so I slide out before he notices. I take the sports bag from my locker and wander to the gym. It's been weeks since I've done a proper workout, and since I can't get Blain off my mind, it's a great time to start again.

I enter the change room and re-dress in a pair of yoga pants and a loose t-shirt. When I enter the gym, the football team has occupied most of the machinery.

Perhaps today isn't the perfect day to start.

I take a deep breath and go to the warm-up section. Arthur and Savannah are on the bikes, and I bet from his facial expiration, these bikes would go somewhere.

Twenty minutes pass and it's only then I the weights free up.

I remove the heavier weights from the bar and replace them with my own. I feel intimidated working out in a gym filled with athletic men, but I trooper on.

On the third push-up, Blain's face appears above me. I almost drop the bar, but Blain grabs it and sets it onto the hooks.

"You know it's dangerous not to have a spotter?"

Despite the fact that the room is filled with athletes, I just nod my head.

"Okay."

"I'll be your spotter today, but you shouldn't work out alone." He frowns.

"I won't do it again."

"Good." He nods.

I wish I were on a bike riding away from here, but I focus on my breathing and not Blain.

At the end of my sets, the treadmill is free. I press some buttons until it works, and I briskly walk.

"Christine," Arthur shouts.

When I look over, Arthur is waving, and Savannah is scowling. Rolling my eyes, I turn back and increase the pace.

There's a fan in front of me, so when I close my eyes, it sort of feels like I'm running in the breeze along the beach.

It's a little farfetched, but a girl can dream.

My eyes spring open when something powerful hits my leg. I buckle forward, and I hit my face on the dashboard. My legs shoot back, and I fly off.

With a thud, I land on my wrist and inches away from the mirror. Pain explodes through my wrist, which has me wincing.

Arthur lifts me off the floor, and a few others gather around. Savannah is smirking, so I know it wasn't an accident.

"How's your hand?"

Arthur tries to grab my wrist, but I flinch.

"Move out of the way." Blain battles the crowd, then kneels beside me.

I inhale a sharp breath and flutter my eyelids to keep the tears at bay. There's no way I'm crying in front of Savannah.

"Let's go to the first aid room."

"Okay." I nod.

We shuffle into a small room, and Blain closes the door so we're alone from prying eyes. His fingers delicately press different places, and each time, a soft whimper escapes my lips.

"There's some swelling, but nothing is broken."

"Alright."

"Would you like me to wrap it?"

"Yes, thanks."

Blain grabs the first aid kit from the cupboard and shuffles through the messy contents. He finds a blue bandage and wraps it around my wrist.

Now, Arthur can explain to his parents that Savannah isn't just crazy, she's psychotic as well.

Blain snaps a travel ice pack, which starts to cool. He places it on my wrist and holds it there.

"How does that feel?"

"Better, thank you."

My feeble attempt at avoiding his gaze goes terribly because I look up and get lost in his olive gaze. Then my breath comes out staggered and I'm a lost freaking cause.

Our lips inch dangerously close, and I just wait. My eyes flutter closed, and I inhale his scent, peppermint and chamomile.

Excitement bubbles as his soft lips move against mine. Our kiss is sweet, and I melt against him. Blain cups my face, and his thumb strokes my cheek. I grab his waist and hiss as pain explodes through my wrist.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just smacked my wrist." I sigh.

"I'm –"

I leap forward and kiss him. Blain jolts under my kiss, but he doesn't move away.

"Please don't say you're sorry," I whisper.

I take the cold press from his hand and shuffle out of the room. Every part of my body is telling me to go back and kiss him, but I stay strong, which is ironic.

Arthur notices my arm and frowns. I see him mouth "sorry," but I just shrug. What can he do? Dumping his girlfriend would be a good start.

I avoid talking to Arthur and walk to the change room to grab my things. I take a seat on the bench and rest my head against the wall, and smile.

I can't believe I kissed him again.