The Speed of Sound

I completely spaced out until the bell rang. I completely forgot about leaving early, and apparently, so did Chance. I started putting away my things, waiting for the classroom to empty before gathering my strength to be trampled in the hallway. I looked up to see, Chance standing in front of me with a sad, almost guilty look on his face.

¨I’m really sorry, we had this huge test and I--¨ He started stammering.

I put a hand up and stopped him while closing my bag. ¨Don’t sweat it, I was spacey like all of class. I didn’t even hear the bell ring.¨ I smiled at him, while he helped my out of my chair.

¨Okay.¨ He said, half breathless. ¨Do you need to go to your locker or anything?¨

¨Uh, nope actually I’m good whenever you are.” I said.

We walked out into the hallway, what still had a few too many people in it. He walked cautiously next to me, almost like he was ready to pounce if someone so much as brushed against me. I looked around the almost empty halls, people were starting, and not just a glance here and they’re they were almost starting us down.

¨Do people always stare at you like that in the hallway?” I asked once we reached the elevator.

¨Like what?” He asked.

¨Like they’re all going to jump on you at any given second?¨

¨Hm, I’ve never noticed. They’re probably only doing it because I’m walking with a really cute girl.¨ He said as the elevator doors opened.
I was completely stunned for a moment, before I realized the elevator doors would shut of I didn’t move. I shuffled out of the elevator and started down at my feet, Chance hadn’t said a word. I was like he never even said anything. Although, I could see a small smirk on his face. I followed him to his car, the parking lot was more than half empty but the few people in it were staring at us like we were animals.

He came around to the passenger side and opened the door for me, waiting until I was in a comfortable position in the car to shut the door and run over to the drivers side. He smiled at me and started the car.

¨So, any big plans for the weekend?” He asked.

¨Probably not, just gonna sit around, and you know be broken.¨ I laughed.

¨Why? You could be out having the time of your life!¨ He said.

¨Or I could stay in and watch netflix. Take a left here.” I said.

He turned on his turn signal, and waited for the cars to pass. He leaned over, his face just inches from mine. ¨Well, Autumn, if you decide you want to have some fun, you know, get some pizza or something just give me a call.¨ He said, flashing his beautiful pearly white teeth.

I cleared my throat, and tried to calm myself down. My face was probably tomato red. ¨Yeah. Sure. Absolutely.¨ I said.

He smiled, but stared straight ahead at the road. ¨I can’t believe you walk this far.¨ He said.

¨It’s actually not that far at all, that’s my house right there.” I said, he turned into my driveway and put the car in park.

¨No way, this is way too far. I’m driving you to school from now on.¨ He said.

¨Chance, no--¨ He took my face in his hands and started deep into my eyes, making me melt like chocolate in the sun.

¨Autumn, I’m driving you to school.¨ He said, his gaze lingering until I nodded.

“Yeah, okay.” I stammered, his face was still inches from mine. I bit my bottom lip and he pulled away, getting out of the car and walking over to the passenger side and opening the door. He helped me out of the car and grabbed my bag while I crutched to the door.

He followed close behind me while I fumbled for my keys to unlock the door. I turned to him and smiled. “Thanks for, you know all your help and stuff today, it was really great.” I said.
“No problem, Autumn, really.” He said. “Can I walk you to your room at least? I mean you said you fell down the stairs and I just want to make sure you make it up there okay.”

I scrunched up my nose to try to keep myself from grinning like an idiot. “Sure. Yeah, sure.” I said opening the door. I walked through the front door with Chance in tow and crutched as fast as I could to the stairs, running into the one person I prayed I wouldn’t run into.

“Autumn, you’re hope!” She cheered as if I’d been missing for twenty-five years. She’s been acting like this since the accident. She peered behind me and gave Chance a good long stare, he gave her a heartfelt smile. If I had a child who brought home someone with a smile like his, I couldn’t help but instantly approve.

My mom smiled at him. “Who’s your friend, Aut?” She asked walking over to him.

“Mom, this is Chance, Chance this is my mom, Summer.” I said.

“Summer and Autumn. Those are really beautiful names.” He said, extending his hand to her. “I just wanted to make sure Autumn makes it home okay, I hope you don’t mind I gave her a ride here.”

“Oh, no, no, not at all!” She said before leaning over to him. “You know, it’s been awhile since Autumn brought a boy home.”

“Mom!” I shouted. I looked over at Chance, whose face was cherry red. I shook my head and started limping up the stairs, gripping the railing.

“I’m going to make snacks.” My mom said. “I hope you like brownie bites!”

“No need, mom.” I grumbled. “Chance isn’t going to be here long.”

She grabbed my shoulder. “Nonsense! I make the best brownie bites!”

“Mom. Stop, okay?” I said. Chance stood next to the stairs.

I shook my mom off and continued my journey up the stairs. “It’s the second door on the right.” I said to Chance.

He skipped ahead of me and extended a hand to help me up the stairs. I rolled my eyes and limped down the hall to my room. Chance opened the door for me and threw my crutches on the bed, groaning.

Chance sat my bag down on the floor. “You’re mom seems...Enthusiastic.” He said.

“Yeah, try putting up with that on a day to day basis.” I said.

“Are you okay? Do you want me to-” I stopped him.

“No, I don’t want you to do anything. Why are you being so nice to me? What are you getting out of this?” I yelled.

He stepped back stunned. “Why wouldn’t I be? You’re kind, smart, funny,” He said taking a step toward me with every word. “Beautiful, easy going, need I say more?”

At this point he was so close I could feel the heat radiating from his body. My heart was pounding, and his forrest green eyes were locked on mine. My leg was aching, so I tried to balance my weight on both feet and nearly toppled over. His hands snaked around my waist, he was so warm and strong, but also gentle and inviting.

“Let me help you with that.” He smiled. He lifted a hand to my cheek and caressed my jawbone before pulling leaning in, our eyes closed, I could almost feel the softness of his lips.

“I’ve got brownie batter!” My mom cheered, bursting into my room. My heart was pounding and my face was completely flushed.

“Chance was just leaving.” I blurted out. He looked over at me and nodded.

“Yeah.” He said quietly. “Just leaving, it was nice meeting you Summer.”

“Wonderful, meeting you dear!” My mom said. “Come back any time you like!”

“I’ll, uh, see you later then, Autumn.” He said, trying to make eye contact with me. I stared down at my feet and nodded.

“Yeah, later.” I stammered. I could feel his gaze on me until he turned and left the room, then there was a whole new set of eyes on me.

She stared at me until we heard the front door close. I plopped down on my bed, not even daring to look up at her.

“Well, from the look of things here, I’d say someone has a boyfriend.” My mom said, quietly.

I snapped my head up, and stared her down. “What? Mom, no.” I said. “Chance is a friend, he’s just helping me out until I get this stupid cast off.”

She sat down next to me. “Honey, he is no friend. I’ve been here. I see the way he looks at you, and he was only here for ten minutes!” She said before leaning over to me and whispering. “And for the record, baby, friends don’t almost kiss other friends.”

She smiled to herself and walked out of my room. “Brownie bites in twenty minutes!” She sang walking down the hall. I closed my eyes and let out a long sigh. My heart slowed to a steady pace but my face was still blood red. As hard as I tried, as much as I wanted to, I couldn’t get Chance out of my head for a second. This was definitely going to be a problem. ‘