SHE'S NOT AFRAID! - G. PORTER

two!

Gina parked her white Jeep outside of the Caswell's old-style colonial house.

Something was up with E.J. and it had everything to do with Jaden Tucker almost losing a leg out on the field.

Gina wasn't really sure what to do or what to say, no one close to her has ever passed away before— at least not it recent memory, let alone suffered a traumatic injury. On top of it all, she had never even had a boyfriend, and not that E.J. was her boyfriend, but he was a boy and he was her friend and not in the same way that Ricky and Red were her friends. She debated calling Ricky, asking him for advice on what to say, but ultimately decided not to.

She got out of her car and rubbed her hands together, she was still wearing her cheer uniform because she didn't have time after the game to change back into her street clothes. Her eyes were fixated on his front door. She was nervous, but she wasn't afraid.

When E.J. opened the door to see Gina standing there, he wished he was home alone.

"Hey." Gina smiled and greeted when she realized E.J. wasn't going to say anything. "Can I come in?"

"Yeah, of course, hey." E.J. stepped aside to let her in and shut the door behind her. Gina had been here a few times for parties, and once by herself. She found his home to be quite comfy for the rather large size, and she admired the closeness of his family, something that was foreign to the Porter household. "What're you doing here?" He asked warily.

"I came to check on, you seemed pretty shook up after the game." Gina replied as she followed E.J. into the living space. He sat down where he had been before she had gotten there and he motioned for her to sit down as well. She tucked her skirt under her as she sat, sitting at the edge of the sofa.

"I mean, yeah, I'm okay. Or at least I think I am? I'm not sure, it's hard to watch your best friend get mauled by some guy and not be able to do anything about it."

"Is he okay, have you talked to him or anything?" Gina pressed.

"I called his mom and she said that despite that fact that his leg basically snapped in half, he's doing ok." Every word that left E.J. mouth sounded sadder than the next.

Gina took a deep breath in, "God that must be terrible. Is he even gonna be able to play?" She dreaded hearing the answer to this.

E.J. just shrugged and that meant the answer was no. "I'm sorry." Gina said, once the silence had gone on for too long.

E.J. shrugged again, "It's not your fault. But I appreciate the sentiment."

"Of course." The girl nodded.

"I was thinking that maybe you and I could go visit tomorrow, if that works for you." E.J. suggested.

"That actually sounds like an ok idea. How about you call me around noon-ish and we can go?" E.J. nodded in agreement. Gina didn't know what else to say, and she thought maybe it was time for E.J. To be alone, and get some rest. She didn't want to sound overprotected and she had already shown that she cared by even coming here, so she abruptly said "Okay, I've gotta head out because Allison and Katie are going to be at my house soon but—" Gina started, and E.J. stood up to show her out, and she couldn't help but notice how this lighting really gave a good definition to his cheekbones. "I-" she started, but instead decided on a while to stand on her tip-toes and plant a small kiss on the boys lips.

His face lit up, and she couldn't help but smirk when she pulled away. "Goodnight Ethan." She said smugly before racing out the front door.

"Hey!" He called out after her as she ran down the pathway to his front door, he could hear her giggling and she ran and he waited for her to drive off before closing the door.