Sparkles

Chapter 8; Figures

I gasp as I show Nick the name flashing on the screen.

"What are you waiting for? Answer it!"

I quickly answer. "Hello?"

"Gracy...... me....... sorry." There's a lot of static coming from the other end.

"Ryan, where are you?" I put the phone on speaker.

"Gracy I'm sorry. I screwed up, okay."

Nick takes the phone out of my hand and steers with his left hand. "Ryan what the fuck dude."

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm just..... I'm just so fucked up."

Nick sighs. "Where can I locate your ass exactly?"

"Like he knows...." I mumble.

"I'm swimming." Ryan says simply.

"Your what?" Me and Nick say in sync.

"In the ocean."

"Why?" I ask as Nick tosses the phone on my lap and makes a U-turn.

"What are you doing?"

"I know where he is."

I grab my phone. "Ryan?"

"Grace! I like you a ton. Your my best friend but I love you."

I hold my finger over the receiver. "This is how I can definitely tell he's drunk." I say to Nick.

He shrugs. "Drunken words are sober thoughts."

I give him a confused glance.

"Ryan, we're coming for you, okay?"

"GRAAAAAAACE!" Ryan moans into the reciever. My ears start burning.

"Just.... stay put. We're coming." I then hang up and start rubbing my ears. "So where is he?" I ask Nick.

"Community pool."

I raise my eyebrow, "Oh."

I don't bother to question his theory. I'm just going to go along with it.

The car ride is quiet. When we get there Nick doesn't even park the car. He stops the car in the middle of the street and starts jogging over the the pool's fence. I hop out the car and follow him quickly.

Nick is scanning beyond the metal gate when I catch up to him. I intertwine my fingers in the gate and listen for any clues of Ryan.

Nothing.

"You hear anything?" Nick asks.

"No."

He sighs. "We need to get on the other side of this gate."

"Right..." I trail off. "How are we going to do that?"

He runs his hand through his already messy hair in wonder. I try not to stare. Honestly, I do. It's creepy to stare. But......

I can't help it.

I've liked Nick since sixth grade, and he has never even noticed. I'd never tell him.

Ever.

Yes, hello.

It's me, miss coward.

Say whatever you want.

But it's not telling him how I feel that scares me, it's what he'll say in return. I just don't want to pour my heart out to Nick and get totally rejected.

"Grace."

"Huh?" I say as Nick snaps me out of my thoughts.

"I've got a plan." He looks me up and down. "You stand on my hands and I'll left you over the gate so you can unlock it. Then we can both look for Ryan."