Invisible String - Jake Kiszka

If I Can Learn To Do It

The heat rose to my face and I felt my eyes well with tears. I blinked rapidly to make them go back into my face, refusing to let them fall. Mr. Davis always hated Josh and I for no reason, and it was his personal conviction to remind me on the daily that Josh wasn't with me anymore.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked over at James. He studied my eyes knowingly. Breathing in deep, I nodded my head. "I'll go."

His face lit up. "You'll go with me?" He asked hopefully. "Yeah, I'll go with you." I smiled softly.

"As friends or..." His tone laced in anticipation. "No." I simply said and he only blinked at me in return. I giggled at his confusion. "Not as friends, James."

"So..." he drew out. "As dates?"

"Yes, James. As dates."

He beamed at me and a blush shamelessly rose to his face. "Well, if we're going as dates... maybe I should take you on a date before the dance."

I nodded and grinned at him. "I'd like that actually."

"How about tomorrow then?" He said and turned his body to face me more. I could tell he was excited and I thought it was adorable. "Yeah, tomorrow would work just fine."

"Where do you wanna go?" His smile never once dropping.

"We could get lunch at Martha's?" I asked knowing it was within bearable walking distance from my house.

"Perfect!" He laughed quietly. "I'm excited..." He confessed. "Me too." I whispered back, smiling widely. I realized I was giving into the 'giddy lovey' crush feeling and bit my lip to suppress it from showing.

"Alex!" Mr. Davis called. "Alex!" He looked around at the students, who looked around at each other.

"Alex is still in the hospital, Mr. Davis." One of the students spoke up. "He broke both his legs." A collective whisper made it's way around the room. "Oh, what a shame." Mr. Davis muttered. If we're being honest, Mr. Davis hates everyone. He probably hates life, and if he doesn't, he sure acts like it.

"Wasn't he a lead in the musical too?" He asked looking up from his clipboard. "Yeah, he was the male lead." Another student commented. "But I heard he can't do it anymore, and they might even have to cancel the whole play."

Mr. David nodded his head and looked in my direction. "My my, Gigi, it must be nice having life going exactly the way you want it to, huh?" His voice oozing sarcasm, and my mouth opened slightly. "First your boyfriend, now this? That's quite the bummer."

All at once, rage filled my body. I stood up, knocking my chair backwards. After I yanked my backpack from underneath it, I threw it over my shoulder. Making a b-line for the door, Mr. Davis yelled at me. "You aren't allowed to leave without permission, Greta!"

"My name is Gigi!" I shouted over my shoulder, to see him running towards me. Throwing open the door, I sprinted as fast as I could down the hallway, leaving a frustrated Mr. Davis looking after me.

I glanced at the clock on the wall as I ran around the corner. 2:48. There was only 45 minutes of school left, which wasn't too long to sit in the bathroom for.

I reached the door and yanked it open, then pulled it closed quietly to make sure no one in the other rooms heard me.

~

I glanced down at the little watch on my wrist. 8:24. Josh still wasn't here yet. I bounced my leg as I sat criss cross in the red velvet auditorium seat. Ms. Mintz was up on the stage with 15 or so other kids, running through a dance number.