26: Spit It Out, Woman!

They're dating now. Congratulations.

I go to my locker only to be met with a giddy Emma jumping up and down. I can only imagine what's got her looking like the candy store just opened. So, I look at her instead of grabbing my English book from my locker.

"You will not believe it!"

I stare at her, my eyes going up and down, following her movement. This better be the news of the century. I could use it right now. We have finals in a week, which means it's two weeks before Christmas, but never mind that, I haven't even cracked open a book. I'm going to fail everything.

"Spit it out, woman!"

"Levi asked me to be his girlfriend!"

Her voice gets higher as she speaks, ending with her in a high-pitched squeal that earned us some glares. I smile at the overly excited nerd in front of me.

"Emma, that's awesome!"

"I'm literally shaking, Hazel."

"Yeah, I can see that," I tell her as I grab onto her shoulders to settle her down a little.

"When did it happen?" I ask her as we start making our way to class.

Emma is never late, I doubt a boy would make her change that. Especially Levi, who hates missing school even if it's for a soccer game or the flu. He's gotten me sick because of his determination more times than I can count. Oh, they're so perfect for each other.

We go out separate ways as the bell rings. Levi was already sitting at his usually spot with a giant grin on his face. Let me guess, he's happy he got a girlfriend. I sit beside him, my usual spot, and give him a nudge.

"Word around town is you got a girlfriend."

He smiles at me and nods, "I got a girlfriend."

His smile falters for a second, replaced with a look of confusion, "Wait, who told you?"

"Emma did. She looked like she was about to burst."

He laughs at my statement, his giddy smile quickly returning to his face. I, however, can't help but frown at the lack of Oliver Grey in the room. His shadow that usually covers me during class left a cold feeling. I tried to ignore it, but curiosity killed the cat.

"Where's Oliver?"

"Coach wanted a football practice before the break."

"The break is two weeks from now."

Levi shrugs, he has a curious face but doesn't as anything if he wants to, instead he says, "You know how Coach Miller is."

"You boys need to get into shape, you look like grandma's out there," I try to do my best impression of our football coach.

Levi starts laughing at me, nodding in agreement, "He does sound like that, doesn't he?"

We fall into silence, waiting for the teacher to begin the class, but she just gets up and says free day before slumping back in her chair. I roll my eyes at her obvious hangover. Half the class just gets up and leaves, uninterested in spending the next hour inside a stuffy classroom.

"Wanna go to the bleachers and tell me about your girlfriend?"

"Let's go."

I feel a little guilty about telling Levi to go to the bleachers. It might have been for my own benefit. The bleachers gave a perfect excuse to watch Oliver, and the rest of the football team, practice. They were a pretty good team if you ask me, someone that doesn't know anything about football.

"Smooth, Hazel," Levi shakes his head at me, but sits on the bleachers anyway.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Mhmm, sure you don't."

I ignore him and sit down beside him. My gaze going towards the field where the team is practicing some plays. They mainly look like they're teaching the freshman some of the more complicated plays they have. Guess the coach wants them sharp for next season.

"So, Emma and Levi. Levi and Emma."

I force myself to look at Levi, his blush quickly turning his cheeks a light pink. He nods his head, looking off into the distance as if remembering the good old days.

"I took her to that cute ice cream shop," he tries to think of the name but comes up short.

"Ice Cream, You Cream," I offer, remembering from when Oliver and I went there after the big game.

"Yeah, that one. Anyway, she orders her mint chip and goes to the bathroom. When she comes back, I'm on one knee holding her ice cream cone in my hands. That's when I asked her."

I gush at his cute story. Wow, if only all high school romance was like that.

"Who knew you were a romantic, Levi?"

He smiles and shakes his head, "I'm really not."

I roll my eyes at him, "Says the guy that got down on one knee to ask a girl to date him."

"I thought she'd like it," He blushes a little more than he already was.

"Oh, she liked it alright."

I can't help but feel a little jealous of Levi and Emma. They were the perfect couple. Same morals, same goals, want the same number of kids, want to move to Chicago. It felt like the stars were aligned for them. Sure, we're seniors in high school, but Levi and Emma are the two most mature seniors I know. They do have their moments, but no one is more dedicated than them. Basically, I'm jealous of how perfectly happy they seem to be.

I look out to the field again, watching as number 15 runs across the field to the end zone. When he stops running he takes his helmet off and shakes his head, letting his sweaty hair stick to his forehead. I smile at him even though he's not even looking at the bleacher.

Grayson runs up to him and they do a chest bump before walking together to the locker rooms. They look like they're laughing about something, probably planning on a way to mess with Coach Miller. The two of them were a force to be reckoned with, on and off the field.

"So, what about you?" Levi shakes me out of my thought, my head turning to him.

"What do you mean, 'what about me'? I'm good."

Levi shakes his head, "I meant if you'd met anybody noteworthy," he emphasizes that last word, "Maybe someone that could explain why we're outside in December?"

I knew what he'd meant form the beginning, but I was trying to act dumb in hopes of not having to answer any love life based questions.

I look out to the field again and catch Oliver's eyes. He gives me a salute when he sees me watching. He then breaks eye contact to make his way to the locker room before Coach Miller makes him clean the gear. I'm only quick enough to smile lightly.

"Not really," I shake my head, trying to hide the smile.

"You truly are a terrible liar."

"Am not!" I turn to Levi and smack his shoulder with the back of my hand.

"Oh, Hazel, you so are!" He chuckles a little but keeps talking, "Your face is red, you never make eye contact, even if it's not on purpose, and you always touch that chain when you lie."

When I'm uncomfortable, I remember the words Oliver used to describe my giveaway habit of touching the silver necklace I always wear. I look down and see my hand twisting the silver chain. It's so natural I don't even notice it anymore.

"I'm gonna tell Emma you're being mean," I whine and threaten at the same time.

"Go ahead," He smirks, "She's just gonna agree with me."

"I hate how you're so confident now."

He shrugs and laughs, "It's part of the honeymoon phase."

He calms down and looks at me all serious, "Come on, honest, how is it living with the Oliver the Great?"

"I don't get enough sleep."

"That's it?"

I nod my head, turning my head to face him, "Yeah," I smile, "We can go inside now."

"Hazel," He begins, but he's cut off.

The bell rings. I get up and start making my way back to the school, glad I evaded Levi grilling me. It's true what they say, saved by the bell.