This is a piece I'm writing for a book. This scene is where our protagonist Carla is texting Jaxxon, and is a bit disappointed when he doesn't text back, not realizing that he's actually just showed up at her house to hang for a bit. I hope you enjoy! __________________________________ My eyes were glued to the bubbles, willing them to disappear and reveal a message. It didn't take long for me to realize that I really enjoy talking to Jaxxon. He may be a pain in my side. And also the reason that my reputation at school took a trip downhill. But worst comes to worst, Jaxxon is probably the best friend I have. And maybe losing a bit of face is worth that. I realized that his message just wasn't coming. While I was thinking, the dots had disappeared, but a message didn't replace them like I'd hoped. Disappointment lingered, and I tried to pretend it wasn't anything to dwell on. "Carla?" I heard from outside my window, and I startled, nearly falling out of my bed. I gripped the sheets tighter, pulling them over my head, hoping the intruder that knows my name goes by the rules, 'If-I-Can't-See-You-You-Can't-See-Me!' I heard a laugh come from the window that just made me more afraid. They knew I was defenseless, and was laughing at my poor excuse to hide. 'Oh God, if you're there, I'm sorry for not going to church every Wednesday, but I'm really busy with rehearsals. I still go nearly every Sunday. Please, please, please give me the courage to run out of this room and not, uhm die. Please? Okay, thank you. I hope that worked.' I slipped out of the sheets and crawled toward my door, attempting the most heroic escape anyone has never seen. I took one last glance at my window and realized....that was NOT an intruder. That was Jaxxon. The breath of relief that left my body was so embarrassing, I was glad nobody heard it. Yet Jaxxon definitely saw everything that just happened. Mortification flickered through me, and I could feel the heat flood my cheeks. Just great, my face was broadcasting my humiliation in HD. My stupid face refuses to cooperate at my worst moments. I stood up, dusted off my pink pajama shorts, and walked toward the window where Jaxxon was cooly smirking at me. I placed my fingers on the window, and pulled up. "Uh, hi." I tried, lamely. It was the best thing I could come up with that didn't include me yelling at him and crying out, "THATWASNOTFUNNYYOUJERK!" "Uh, hi," he repeated, seeming to enjoy every bit of my terrifiedness, "You seemed to have quite a scare. Am I really that ugly?" "Please. You know you're not, you jerk." I rolled my eyes, and crossed my arms, knowing fully well I sounded like the child, I so apparently am. He laughed and just gestured at me to step out of the window. I did what he asked, and wobbled a little bit until I caught my balance. "How did you even get on my roof?" I asked him, as I sat down, careful not to seat myself on any loose tiles. My roof was completely brown, and shimmered in the sun, so it would definitely be noticable to my mom if one of the tiles was missing on the side of the house. Even my vegetable loving blind neighbor would notice that. "I balanced onto the rims of the swimming pool, hopped over the tree branch next to the house, and climbed on." He must've noticed me gawking at him, because he smiled, "Kidding. There was a ladder on the other side." "Ah. Perfect for breaking and entering." "You know it. Especially when the victim is hiding under her sheets and unaware of what you look like." I punched him in the shoulder and he feigned hurt, "Ow. Watch where you're throwing those fists, Jane." "Aww do I need to kiss it better, Jaxxon?" I teased. He rolled his eyes and shot me that dazzling smile that he seemed to use as a weapon. I refused to look into why it sent butterflies tingling through my stomach. It's just a really nice smile. At least that's what I'm telling myself.
We both sat on my roof, looking at the night sky, our feet hanging off. I swung mine a little, to let my thoughts linger a little bit. It's always easier to think when you're in movement. Always. I didn't even notice Jaxxon looking at me until I tried looking at him. Totally busted. I could feel my cheeks heating up, but he just smiled at me. Believe me, the stars had nothing on his smile. It was everything. God, what is wrong with me? Instead of mentioning any of THAT thought process out loud, I smiled back. "If we were a song," He started, breaking the silence, and looking at me with a question and a purpose in his eyes, "What song would we be?" Huh. Not what I would've expected our ice breakers to end up turning into. But a thoughtful question anyways. I turned to the stars again, and swung my feet even more. What song would we be? We have a good friendship--the best. The kind that should be cherished. The kind that everybody wants. I tucked my feet into my chest, and hugged my knees. "Style by Taylor Swift," I came up with, and I knew that in my mind to be correct. It was the song that started everything. For me at least. We would never go out of style, the two of us. No matter how annoyingly infuriating he was, I know it to be true. "You see that's where you're wrong, Carla," He removed his gaze from me, realizing it had been there for a lot longer than appropriate, "We wouldn't be just one song." I finished his train of thought for him, my heart beating faster, "We would be a soundtrack." To think that he remembered what I said about me and Leah made me feel something. Something I desperately want to go away, but something I also want to breathe in deeply. Something scary, but something good. Great even. "That's right Carla. We would."
