Ch. 24: Missed You

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR:
“I’m fine! I’m outside, about to get on the bus,” I assured Sean.
“Oh thank God!” he paused, “My buddy just called me saying he saw smoke at the school. Holy sh**. I’m so glad you’re okay. I started driving back here, you weren’t answering your phone. I’m at the student lot - it’s the garden shed. That’s what caught fire. I think it must’ve spread to the other sheds, stuff is still burning, it’s in the trees on the hill too.”
The bus driver yelled at me, “Come on, we’ve got to go!”
Ally had gotten on the bus already and I was holding everyone up. People had their phones out, probably getting the fire on video.
“I - I have to go,” I said to Sean.
“Yeah, yeah of course,” he exhaled loudly. “Text me?”
“Will do Sean. Please, just please drive safely. Okay? Get out of there and text me when you’re home safe,” I said hurriedly.
“Of course, Sunshine. Talk soon, bye,” he said and ended the call.
I put my phone in my pocket and stepped on to the bus, looking for Ally. She was in a row near the front, and I walked over like a zombie. I sat down. That was a lot.
“Was that your mom?” Ally asked me.
“No - uh, Sean,” I answered, “he came back to school thinking I was still there.”
“Wow - really?” she asked, surprised.
“Yeah, I guess he was calling and wasn’t picking up. He said it was the storage sheds in the back and now some trees,” I added, pulling my phone out to see three missed calls from Sean.
I breathed out to refocus myself.
“I wonder what caused it,” Ally thought aloud. “The back? Are there even smoke alarms in those sheds?”
I shrugged and felt a hand tap my shoulder. It was Jake. He was leaning two rows ahead, one knee on the ground, steading himself by grabbing the backing of the seat across from us.
He looked worried, “Rach - you okay?”
I looked at him, he was eye level with me in this position, “Yeah. I’m okay, I wasn’t even close to it. Just shocked I guess.” I shrugged.
“EVERYONE NEEDS TO REMAIN IN THEIR SEATS!” the bus driver yelled.
“Sorry!” Jake yelled back in reply, and taking one last sad look at me he moved back into his seat.
I focused on the back of the seat in front of me. I suddenly remembered, I never got to report Vance.
The ride home was bustling with talking from everyone on the bus. Ally and I tried Googling about the fire and kept hitting ‘refresh’ but it seemed the news hadn’t picked it up yet. It was all over our social media though. Videos from the bus, videos from the street below. There were hopes and prayers sent, and many theories already buzzing about the cause. Sean had texted me that he was home after some minutes.
I was listening to some heavy rock when we pulled into our last stop. Ally had left already and promised to text me once she got confirmation from her mom that she could come over tomorrow and spend the night. Everyone was getting ready to get off the bus, and were anxiously standing in the aisle, waiting for the bus driver to open the door.
She stood up and grabbed her walkie that connected other drivers then signaled for us to lower our voices. I took out both earbuds.
“Kids, I just wanted to tell you before you leave, my dispatch office let me know that the fire has been put out. They received notice from the local PD. From what they could tell it doesn’t look like any real damage was done to the school, but do tell your parents to keep a look out for emails or phone calls in case they have to cancel school Monday. As a side note, I am just very glad that y'all are safe,” she paused then looked at the door, “Alright, that’s all. I know we all have a weekend to get to. Be safe everyone.”
She opened the doors and we started streaming out. I heard most people ahead of me thank the bus driver and I did too when I passed her. I stepped out and decided to stop by the corner store before walking home. I still felt odd from my conversation with Maxine and the whole fire, I needed something of comfort. I took off in the direction of the store, still holding my earbuds, just taking in the sounds of my shoes on the sidewalk and the cars driving by.
“Hey, Rachel - hold up,” I heard Jake’s voice behind me, and I slowed down.
He caught up quickly.
“That was some way to end the week, huh?” he asked.
I just really wanted my sweet tea. “Uh - yeah. Crazy,” I said dismissively then kept walking. He continued walking with me.
“Jake, where are you going?” I asked him, I really felt like being alone and dealing with Jake’s weirdness - I didn’t want to do it right now.
“Where are you going?” he asked right back.
“Does it matter?” I asked, pointing the conversation back to him.
“Well, yes. Doesn’t look like you’re heading home, and if you’re going to Donna’s I could use a snack too,” he said matter-of-fact.
I didn’t respond, and he didn’t seem to mind. Just kept pace with me, which must have felt terribly slow to him with my short strides. My irritation simmered down and we crossed the street in silence. We walked up a block and he opened the door for me into Donna’s, the one corner store in town. There were two other people from our bus heading out. I perused the aisles, thinking of grabbing chocolate to go with my sweet tea. I settled on a Skor bar and headed to the coolers, reaching for my iced tea.
“Hmmm… well I am in the mood for something sweet,” Jake said loudly in the cooler next to me, looking at me pointedly.
What the hell? He just stood there, staring at me. I broke eye contact, grabbed my tea and turned around. I could feel him boring into me with those big dark eyes that felt too much. I walked to the register and paid for my things and left without looking back. I headed uphill and decided to continue on straight before heading east back toward my usual route. The iced tea felt great for this warm day. Melbourne was always much warmer than Belmar.
“So I guess you weren’t going to wait for me,” Jake said, jogging up to me.
God, what did he want?
“Is there a reason for this?” I asked him, stopping and turning to him. “I don’t get it. I tell you I like you - and nothing. Silence. We haven't really talked for like two years! Even when we go to the same school! Now suddenly you’re asking me questions at every opportunity?” I was tired and didn’t know how else to handle this.
Jake stepped back, clearly not expecting this from me. “I - I guess not. I mean, there’s not a specific reason,” he answered. Rubbing his hand on the back of his head, “I just - I missed you,” he added in an exhale.
I stood still, my heart quickening. The breeze shifted and I could smell his body wash or deodorant. Whatever it was had me wanting to breathe it in again. Pine, with a little spice to it. We were standing on the sidewalk, staring at each other, weighed down by his confession. He took a step forward, then picked up his right hand and started to reach toward my face which felt like it was on fire. The realization of what he was about to do shocked me into moving. I stepped back. Hurt flashed on his face.
“I have to go,” I said abruptly, looking anywhere but at him, and I started walking quickly back uphill.
He didn’t follow me.