+ E I G H T +

     On Melanie and I's leisure and confused walk to the west-field of Asheville, I found it hard to steer my thoughts from Noah. Why was he taking over my every second? We'd only seen each other twice, and spoken once—neither times intentionally.

But only minutes later, I looked up from my feet, only to realize that they'd carried me all the over into the west wing of the school—and to the field. Almost instantly, Melanie and Meredith ran into each other's arms, sharing a few seconds of yearning glances. I looked away to give them privacy.

     A tall, brunette woman, holding a clipboard to her chest, analyzed me from head to toe, taking deep sultry breaths when her focus shifted to my oxygen tank. "Not at all what I was expecting." She whispered to herself, pinching the bridge of her nose in worry.

     Melanie tapped her lightly on her clad shoulder, holding onto Meredith as she spoke. "Coach, this is my sister, Julianne, Meredith and I were telling you about."

Coach Lynn frowned, giving my sister a sideways look of question. "We need to have a quick talk, Hampshire. Be in my office in five." I know why coach Lynn needs to speak with my sister—alone. One look at me and my oxygen tank, and I was internally rejected.

But Melanie seemed oblivious to the fact, turning over to me with a bright smile—Meredith beside her following suit. "This is going to be awesome! You'll join, mom and dad'll be happy again—"

"I'm going to first period." I interrupt, dragging my tank along with my body off of the field. Melanie pulls at my arm, tugging fiercely. "What? No, you can't leave now. Coach and I are going to talk about you joining—"

"You and coach Lynn aren't going to discuss me joining; you're going to discuss why I can't join. So, I'm going to class. See you at lunch."

Meanie has a hurt look on her face, but she doesn't push any further. "Okay, yeah—I'll see you at lunch."

     My first and second period consist of Mrs. Meyers going on about the periodic table, and Mr. Chang mouthing off about dwarf planets. And by the time the fourth bell rings—I've lost all interest in my education.

     But as soon as I have a second alone, to think and overcompensate, my thoughts return to Noah and what had happened this morning. Would we see each other again? And if so, would we speak, or would he despise me for eavesdropping on his important conversation. Most likely, the ladder—although, I still hoped he wouldn't hate me too much.

     I may have just destroyed any of my chance to get to know him—to see him again.

There's a tap on my shoulder and I turn, my forehead creasing in confusion at Summer who's sitting behind me, a smug sort of look placed on her face. "I saw you this morning on the field, you left so soon—why?" She smirks knowingly, covering it up by feigning concern.

"I-I was late for class, had to get a move on it." My words aren't very convincing, and Summer knows this—her smirk spreading wider onto her lips.

"What a shame; I was really looking forward to it . . ." She pauses, her words stilling for a moment, as the bell rang, signaling us to our lunch. Summer stands up from her seat behind me, "well, talk soon, Julianne."

I watch her leave, totally mesmerized by her ability to belittle me in under thirty seconds; it's insulting.

     Melanie finds me once the day is over, tossing an arm over my shoulder as she sends me an apologetic smile. "How about, the two of us heading back over to coach Lynn's office in the morning, and trying to talk to her about you joining again—"

     "I really don't feel like doing that, but thanks anyway," I interrupt, maneuvering out of her grip as I spotted my mother's car parking itself in the parking lot. Melanie sucked at her teeth. "But we never know what she'll say. She could change her mind—I mean, after what she saw this morning, I'm sure—"

     "Look, coach Lynn isn't going to change her mind over night. I'm sorry, Mel, but it's just not happening."