Diary Chapter 10
Thursday, August 18
7:40am. Cade picked me up for school again. I'm not sure how long this will last, but I will certainly enjoy it while it does. I was relived that he wasn't acting strange this morning like he did after Algebra 2 yesterday.
"Would you like to eat dinner at my house Saturday evening?" He asked randomly, on the way to school.
I couldn't help but smile. "Yes, I would love that."
"I'll pick you up at six then, if that's ok? By the way, are you going to the football game tomorrow night?"
"Six is fine and of course. I wouldn't miss your first game of the season."
"Great!" He said with a smile.
The school day today was a lot similar to yesterday, except Brianna didn't stalk Cade as bad. However, she spoke to me before volleyball practice. She startled me when she came up behind me. "You're not good enough for him."
I turned to look at her, her two friends Tori and Nicole were behind her snickering.
"Excuse me." I said sternly.
"What are you deaf? I said you are not good enough for him." Brianna grinned slyly.
"Personally, I don't care what you think. I only care what Cade thinks, so you can keep your opinions to yourself." I tried not to sound very angry so that she wouldn't gloat later for getting to me, like she had planned.
"Well, he may think he likes you now, but eventually he's going to realize that you are a low-grade dweeb, and then he will want me back."
I didn't want to keep playing her game so I just rolled my eyes and walked away.
On the inside, a small part of me couldn't help, but agree with her, he may want her back some day. I know that she is just trying to get to me, and I'm sure as hell not going to let her see me upset at all.
Friday, August 19
7:40am. I didn't say much on the way to school. I kept thinking what Brianna had said at volleyball practice the day before.
"Is something wrong Jami?" Cade asked with concern.
I tried to smile. "No. Why do you ask?" Actually I'm telling the truth. Everything is perfect. At the moment!
"Because you seem distracted or something."
I lowered my head to look at my lap. "I'm sorry."
He chuckled. "There's no need to be sorry." He gently took my hand and held it. "I only want you to be happy."
I could only look at him and smile. There were so many emotions running through my body at that moment...hope, fear, joy, and doubt. The guy of my dreams is paying attention to me. I don't want to lose him.
***
2:45pm.There was a Pep rally at the end of the school day so our last class let out early. It was very exciting. Most everyone was wearing Gold for the night's color theme of 'Gold Out' since the Wolverine High Trojans colors are Red and Gold. The band played a couple of songs, the cheerleaders did a couple of cheers, and each grade did a yell contest in which the winner gets to carry around a spirit stick for a week, and of course, bragging rights. This time the senior's won the yell contest. At the end of the rally, Coach Dietz introduced my dad, and the other assistance coaches. Then he introduced the starting players including Takota as quarterback, Cade as running back and defensive safety, Connor as wide receiver, Kyle as center and defensive tackle, and Damon as middle linebacker. Coach Dietz finished the pep rally off with a spirited speech about the importance of playing as a team, and the game of football.
***
7pm. I sat with mom, Noah, Aunt Liv, and Uncle Rick at the football game. I was thrilled that football season was finally here again. I have always enjoyed watching the sport with my dad.
It's even more exciting for me this season because I'm a friend with one of the most popular guys on the team. Popularity isn't important to me at all, as long as I have a few friends that I can count on then I'm happy. Cade may be popular but it doesn't seem to be particularly important to him either. He's friendly to everyone, and he's a great person.
"Is this seat taken?" Someone asked, startling me from my stupor.
I looked up to see Logan smiling down at me.
I smiled back, and patted the spot right next to me. "Hey Logan. It's all yours."
He sat down beside me. "Great!"
I introduced Logan to my family, and then when I looked down to my right I saw Brianna, Tori, and Nicole swaggering up the bleachers.
Brianna looked up and spotted me. She rolled her eyes and shook her head. She then took a seat in a section where she could be surrounded with her followers.
Logan looked over at me. "Don't pay any attention to her. She's a superficial bitch, she treats everyone like crap."
I flashed him a quick smile, he never fails to cheer me up.
8:30pm.During half-time Logan and I walked to the concession stand with Kristin, Jenny, and Claire since that's when the cheerleaders got a break. As we got closer to the concession stand, I noticed Xander standing with Pike, Harper, and Lexi, and he noticed me about the same time. He began walking toward me, but suddenly stopped when Caylee interceded.
"Hi Jami. I hear that you're coming for dinner at my house tomorrow night." She was practically bouncing with excitement.
"Yes. I can't wait." I do want to meet their parents, but I'm exceptionally nervous, I'm worried they won't like me.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Xander flinch, and his jaw flexed. He looked angry, but I don't think he could hear us – he's standing too far away from earshot.
"I can't wait either. I'm sure you will get along well with my parents." Caylee said cheerfully.
"Thanks for the reassurance." There was more woe in my tone than I had meant to express.
She tilted her head. "Your welcome, but you don't have anything to worry about Jami."
A girl called out to Caylee from a distance. "Caylee, are you coming?"
Caylee turned toward the girl. "Be right there." She turned back to me. "I'll see you tomorrow night, okay."
"Okay, see you later."
I watched as Caylee skipped over to her friends, then I looked back over to where Xander and the others were standing. They were now gone.
We all purchased our drinks from the concession stand then Logan, Kristin, and I walked back to the bleachers while Jenny and Claire chatted with some of their other friends.
I couldn't seem to shake the feeling that I was being watched, which brings up a question that I've been meaning to ask Logan.
"Whatever happened to that Jon Greffin guy?" I looked at Logan while I waited for an answer.
"I heard he moved to Detroit to live with his dad." Logan answered. "Why do you ask?"
"Just wondering. I haven't seen him since he took me home on the night of your party." I lied.
"Do you miss him or something?" Logan asked with a flash of his eyebrows.
"Nope, just curious."
The Wolverine Trojans won the game by two touchdowns! As soon as the game ended I planned to go onto the football field with some of the other Trojan fans to congratulate Cade. Mom and Noah had already gone to find dad.
I didn't even make it onto the field, Brianna got to Cade first. I stood alone on the bleachers, and watched as she jumped into his arms, he playfully swung her around as she howled with laughter. I immediately went numb.
"Hi Jami."
I turned my head to my right to see Xander standing beside of me, looking out at the field. Then he turned back to me with a sympathetic expression. "I guess some things never change huh?"
I didn't comment, but only looked back at the field. I couldn't do or say anything. I only watched Cade and Brianna.
"Would you like a ride home?"
Cade set Brianna back down on her feet as Takota tapped him on the arm with his hand, and gestured up to Xander and me.
"Yes. Which way?" I asked in a robotic tone, never taking my eyes off of Cade.
Xander gently put his hand in mine.
Cade pulled off his helmet, and our eyes met for a second.
Xander lightly tugged on my hand so that I would move with him, causing me to break the connection with Cade. Xander then lead me off the bleachers, and toward the parking lot.
We almost reached the exit gate to the parking lot when I heard "JAMI STOP!" We stopped and turned to see Cade standing about ten feet from us. "Jami, can I take you home?" He asked sincerely.
"It's okay Calahan, I can take her." Xander interceded.
Cade glared at Xander. "I don't want you to." He looked back to me. "Jami, can I please take you home?"
When I didn't answer Xander tugged on my hand again. "Let's go Jami."
"Wait!" I finally spoke as I pulled Xander back with all the strength I could muster. "Thanks for the offer Xander, but I'm going to let Cade take me home."
Xander looked down at me with such compassion. "Are you sure? Don't you remember what you just witnessed out there?"
"That was nothing!" Cade snapped.
"Xander thanks, but I'm okay. Will you let go of my hand please?"
"Fine, but don't expect me to be there for you every time he stomps on your heart." He dropped my hand and quickly exited through the gate, toward the parking lot.
I kept my eyes on Xander for a few seconds. I felt bad because he was really only trying to help me, I'm just not sure if it was mostly for my benefit or his.
Cade walked to my side, I could feel him looking at me. I slowly turned to meet his gaze. "What you saw...it was nothing. It was merely two people celebrating a win, nothing more."
I slowly nodded. "Okay."
He took my hand and kissed it. "Preston, will you and Alana wait here with Jami. I'm going to go cleanup, and change out of this uniform?"
"Sure." I heard Preston answer from behind Cade. I hadn't even noticed them standing back there. I guess I hadn't noticed anything except Cade and Xander. I was oblivious to anyone or anything else.
Fifteen minutes later, Cade walked out of the locker room. His eyes were locked with mine as he walked the few feet from the locker room to where we were standing. Without saying a word he took my hand, and led me to his Mustang.
He finally spoke when we reached the car. "I got your dads permission to take you home."
"I already texted my mom to let her know." I didn't give him time to open my door; I got in while he was putting his duffel bag in the trunk.
He slid into the driver seat, but didn't start the car right away. "Okay. I'm not going anywhere until you tell me that you believe me."
I looked into his mesmerizing blue eyes for a moment, and it was as if I could look into the window of his beautiful and amazing soul. "I believe in you." I whispered.
He smiled and started the car.
He walked me to my front door. "I'll see you tomorrow?" It was more of a question.
"I'll see you at seven."
He kissed me on my forehead, and opened the door for me.
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