Grips & Rubbers

The bell rings, marking the end of physics and another grueling day at Crosshill High. Ansel promised he’d be here today, but he’s nowhere in sight.

I’m not sure if we have more classes together, but I found out we share the same homeroom this morning when Ms. Rose, our homeroom teacher, called roll.

His absence is a letdown. I was secretly hoping to see him today.

“Don’t forget to read page sixty-four, and study for next week’s quiz.”

With that, Mrs. Johnson gathers her papers and exits the classroom in a hurry. I reach down to grab my bag and start packing up my books when someone appears in front of me.

I look up to see Tate grinning at me. He’s sitting backward on the chair in front of me, his chest pressed against the backrest, his eyebrows wiggling.

“Hey, beautiful,” he smirks. “Miss me?”

His tie is loose around his neck as usual, and the top button of his shirt is undone, revealing a thin silver necklace against his tanned skin.

I can tell he hates the uniform as much as I do. Probably everyone does. No one wants to look like a grade-schooler in high school.

His question takes me back to the night of the party and, inevitably, to the image of him running naked across the street. I try to suppress a laugh.

“Mm. I did notice you were gone,” I nod, a smile tugging at my lips as I brush my hair out of my eyes. It keeps falling into my face, so I don’t know why I don’t just cut it. I probably will.

“Yeah, I had this stupid flu,” he explains, running his hand through his dark curls as if that will make his lie more convincing. “You know how bad the flu can be.”

I nod again, pretending to buy into his story while raising an eyebrow. “Yeah, you were asking for it though. Running barefoot and naked in the street isn’t good for your health.”

His face goes blank, then his eyes widen in realization. He looks like an owl, and I can’t help but chuckle as I grab my bag and start to stand.

“Shit,” he mutters under his breath, staring ahead in shock.

“Oh no, please don’t tell me you saw!” he pleads, lifting his head to meet my amused gaze, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

I smile, hoisting my backpack onto my shoulders. “Yeah, I did. And so did Riley.”

“Holy shit!” His jaw drops, and I laugh.

“See you around, Tate,” I say, shaking my head as I start to leave the classroom.

“I wasn’t hard, okay?!” he calls after me desperately, drawing amused looks from a few kids. “I really wasn’t! It’s a lot bigger than what you saw!”

I giggle my way out of the classroom.

***

The hallway is filled with noisy students stuffing their lockers and rushing to escape the school building.

My phone dings in my skirt pocket, and I pull it out after closing my locker.

Mother

Jeff will pick you up today.

I roll my eyes. Why can’t she understand that I don’t want to ride with Jeff? Why does she always have to push things like this?

I shove my phone back into my pocket and head to the girls’ restroom. I find a stall that doesn’t smell too bad and take care of business quickly.

I come out and stand in front of the mirror, my thoughts drifting back to last night and the argument between me and my mom’s boyfriend.

I knew she would take his side, but it still hurts. There’s no way I’m accepting a ride from him.

The sound of girls laughing echoes off the walls as the restroom door swings open. Olivia and Lisa walk in, chatting and giggling about someone.

~Time to go.~

Their laughter dies down and is replaced with mischievous glances as I quickly wash my hands, ready to leave.

I start to head for the exit, but Olivia steps in my way. Lisa stands behind her, smirking and chewing gum.

I sigh, looking up at the ceiling. After my mom’s text, my mood has been on a downward spiral. I really don’t need this right now.

“Can I help you?” I ask, keeping my face blank. I really don’t have the energy for this.

Olivia is wearing a smug smile, her arms crossed over her chest, while Lisa mimics her from behind.

“You think because I’ve been nice to you, you can walk all over me. Don’t mess with me, new girl.”

I tilt my head, pursing my lips as I glare at her. “I’m sorry, but I don’t remember even looking at you today.”

“Stay away from Ansel,” Lisa chimes in from behind Olivia. She blows a bubble with her gum, then pops it, chewing loudly as she looks me up and down.

“Ansel is Olivia’s. Everyone here knows that. You’re new, so maybe you don’t. Back off, newbie.”

I sigh, trying to move past them, but Olivia grabs my arm and pulls me back.

“Where do you think you’re going? We’re not done talking!”

“Don’t touch me,” I warn her, keeping my voice as calm as possible.

“I saw you. I saw you walking with Ansel yesterday. You’ve only been here three days, and you’re already moving in on both Tate and Ansel. Stay away from them. Lisa likes Tate.”

“Yes, I do.”

“So back off and stop being so desperate,” she snaps. “Just know this: if I see you walking with Ansel again—”

“Just walking together?” I cut in, my arms folded across my chest as I square up to her. “Is that all you saw? Because he also gave me a ride on his bike, and he came over to my place afterward.

“And you know what happened next? We worked on our math assignment on my bed, and he stayed for dinner. So ‘just walking together’ doesn’t even begin to cover it.”

Their eyes widen in perfect unison, and I can’t help but smile at their reaction. I start to head for the exit, but Olivia grabs my hair and yanks me back.

“We’re not done with you, you little twat!”

~Twat.~ That’s what Jeff called me last night. And considering I’m still pissed off from our argument that ended with me throwing salt in his eyes, that was the last word she should have used.

“What did you just call me?” I narrow my eyes at her.

“Twat,” she repeats, a smug smile on her face. “You’re a little twat, whore.”

My hand clenches into a fist. I close my eyes and try to calm down. I can’t let what happened months ago happen again. I’m trying to start over.

If I lose my temper and do something crazy, I’ll be on my way to a youth rehab center.

The counselor—the one my mom made me see for two weeks after the incident at Freetown—told me to count to ten whenever I feel like I’m about to snap.

I have to admit, the old lady’s technique works every time.

~Count to ten, Rainey. Count to ten.~

I close my eyes and count silently, then open them again and let out a sigh.

“Are you sure I’m the whore? Because I’m pretty sure I’m not the one chasing after a guy who clearly doesn’t want me.”

“You little…!” She raises her hand to slap me, but I grab her wrist, causing her to gasp in surprise.

“Let me go!”

“I have a serious anger problem,” I say, tightening my grip on her slender wrist.

She winces, her eyes wide with fear.

“I’m at Crosshill because something like this happened before. I’m sick of annoying girls who think it’s okay to hurt other people.”

“Ow! Let me go!” she whines, her face twisted in pain. Lisa grabs my other hand, pleading for her friend. “Let her go! Let go of her hand!”

“It hurts! Stop!”

“So please…this is the last time I’m going to ask you to stop messing with me,” I finish, pushing her away from me and into the arms of her shocked friend.

Olivia is on the verge of tears as she cradles her wrist. Her face is red as they both glare at me like I’m a monster.

I’ve seen that look before, and it doesn’t hurt as much as it used to. You get used to some things. I walk past them and leave the room.

***

The evening air hits me as I step out of the school building.

I see Jeff at the gate, leaning against my mom’s BMW and wearing his ridiculous outdated sunglasses. Nobody wears those anymore.

He’s engrossed in his phone, laughing to himself like a madman. I take the opportunity to walk past him as if he’s not even there.

~Thank God for technology.~

The air is cool as I walk down the street. A few dark clouds are gathering in the sky, a sign that it’s probably going to rain tonight.

My mind is full of thoughts about Ansel.

I remember that his bike tires were flat last night, and considering how far he has to ride from his part-time job to his house, I decide to buy some new tires for him.

It’s not weird, right? Just one classmate helping out another. Besides, I owe him that much after the awkward situation I put him through last night.

I head over to the hardware store in Crossview. The bell above the door rings as I push it open and step inside.

The cool air conditioning hits me, along with the smell of rubber.

I look around at the appliances on the shelves, and the guy at the front desk in a red polo shirt and jeans gives me a bright smile.

“Hi. Can I help you?”

“Yeah…” I rest my hands on the counter, squinting at the bike tires hanging behind him. “I need some tires for a bicycle.”

He nods. “Great. You’re in the right place. What size bike?”

“Um…” I scratch my forehead, realizing I don’t know the size of Ansel’s bike tires. “I’m not sure, to be honest.”

He laughs, his teeth white and friendly. “Okay, I’ll show you a few and you can pick one.”

“Yeah, that sounds good.” I smile back.

The shop guy, whose name tag says Liam, brings over a few bike tires, and I pick the one that looks most like the tires on Ansel’s bike. I hope they fit.

“That’ll be forty-eight dollars. Are you paying cash?” Liam asks as he packs up the tires.

I reach for my purse, but find only thirty dollars in cash. “Uh, do you take credit cards?”

He looks a little surprised, but quickly hides it. “Yeah, we do.”

I hand him my credit card, and he gets to work. My dad gave me this card when I was twelve, and he tops it up every month.

It doesn’t make up for him not being around, but I’m still grateful. My mom isn’t as generous with money.

Liam swipes the card, then has me enter my PIN into the machine. He prints my receipt, hands me my purchase and my card, and smiles.

“Come again.”

I nod, returning his smile. “Thanks.”

***

I don’t want to go home too early. Jeff will be the only one there, because my mom works late on Wednesdays, and I don’t want to be alone with him. Not after last night.

So, I gather my courage and decide to deliver the tires to Ansel myself. I’m hoping he’ll be at the café, even though he wasn’t at school today.

The walk to the café is easy, and before I know it, I’m there. My grip on the beige bag tightens, and I start to question my decision to come here.

I shake off the fear. I’m not one to back down.

I head toward the café but freeze when I see Ansel through the clear café windows.

He’s sitting at a table, but he’s not alone. A girl is with him, and I recognize her from the party the other night.

She’s the girl Riley thinks is his girlfriend, and judging by the way Ansel is smiling at her, I’m starting to believe it too.

She must be his girlfriend.

Suddenly, the bag with the two tires feels silly in my hand. I can’t give this to him now. Actually, I can’t give this to him ever. He might get the wrong idea.

I chew on the inside of my cheek, watching her smile brightly as she talks to him. I’m about to leave when I hear a voice next to me.

“Rainey?”

I turn to see Tim. He’s grinning from ear to ear as he approaches me.

~Great. Just my luck.~

I glance back at Ansel, then at Tim. “Uh, hi.” I manage a small smile.

He cocks his head, his eyes narrowing in curiosity. “What are you doing out here?”

I shrug a little. “I was…just going to get some coffee and realized I left my purse at home.”

He laughs. “Really? Come on, I’ll give you a coffee on the house.” He starts to move away, but I quickly shake my head, stopping him.

“Actually, it’s okay. I have a ton of homework to do, so I’ll take you up on that another time.”

He turns back to me, his hands in the pockets of his khaki pants.

“I’ll hold you to that…no pun intended.”

He chuckles. “Okay, but you promised.”

I nod. “Okay, sure.”

“See you, pretty girl.” He smiles, then heads into the café.

I watch him for a moment before my gaze drifts back to Ansel, who, to my surprise, is now looking at me through the glass with a puzzled expression.

I swallow, feeling like a deer in headlights as I meet his gaze.

~Well, this is awkward.~

I blink—a bad habit—and quickly turn to leave. It’s like my brain finally kicks in as I hurry away. I suddenly realize how strange my actions must seem.

What was I thinking? Buying him tires is so weird.

“Rain!”

His voice stops me in my tracks, and I close my eyes, taking a deep breath before turning around, ignoring the voice in my head telling me how awkward this is.

“Hey.” He gives me a half-smile, revealing one of his perfect dimples. He’s wearing a light blue dress shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and his name tag hanging on his shirt.

“What are you doing here?”

“Um…” I rub my eye nervously, trying to come up with a believable answer. “Uh, I was just, um…passing by.” I bite my lip to keep the embarrassment from showing on my face.

His smile widens, and I can tell he doesn’t believe me. His eyes drop to the bag in my hand, the tires sticking out because the hardware store didn’t have a bigger bag.

“What’s that?”

I hide the bag behind me. “Just some stuff. I bought. At the hardware store down the street…”

“Oh.” He nods, lifting his chin as he smiles. “Tires. You ride now?”

“Um…yeah.” I shrug, shifting my weight. “I’ve been messing around with it.”

~I don’t even own a bike!~

He probably knows this too. He bites his lip to keep from laughing.

“Is that it?” he asks, his eyes searching mine.

I almost look away from the intensity in his gaze, and I can tell he knows I’m lying. Why pretend when he seems to see right through me?

I sigh, deciding there’s no point in lying. “No, that’s not it. I—I actually bought them for you.”

I look down, not wanting to see his reaction. There’s a moment of silence, and I peek up to see his smile hasn’t changed.

He steps closer to me, and I look up at him. His body radiates warmth, and his scent is intoxicating.

He reaches around me, his arm brushing against mine as he takes the bag from me.

“Thank you. You didn’t have to, but I appreciate it.”

I blush. If I don’t leave now, I’ll turn into a tomato right in front of him.

I step back, pointing behind me. “S-so…um, I’ll see you around.” I start to walk away, but he gently grabs my arm.

“Rain, wait.”

The touch sends a strange sensation through my body. I turn to look at him. “Yeah?”

He lets go of me, a hopeful look in his eyes. “Would you like something to drink?”

I glance back at the girl still sitting inside, waiting for him. She checks her watch, then looks at us.

I shake my head, my hands echoing the motion. “It’s okay. I wouldn’t want to intrude.”

“What?” he laughs. “You wouldn’t be intruding. I’d be happy if you’d say yes.”

I think about it for a second. I don’t want to be home alone with Jeff.

I give a nod. “Okay… I suppose that’s fine.”

His smile widens as he tilts his head towards the café, guiding us inside.