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CHAPTER NINETEEN
Natalie
Why?
Why is it that all I can think about is our run tonight?
This isn’t me. I normally think about Brandy or what needs to be done for FFA, but here I am, sitting in sixth period—which is my favorite class, by the way—just waiting for my day to be over.
It all makes no sense!
But it’s my truth.
Every step I’ve taken this morning I’ve taken in agony. My legs are so sore; I didn’t even know this kind of feeling could live within me. I dig my thumb into my thigh, where I feel a crazy knot that seems to just be getting worse, but it still doesn’t make me want to not go tonight.
I don’t like to run. I’ve never liked running. I would do everything in my power to not have to run the mile in PE, yet here I am, running for fun. Who does that?
Dalton.
That’s who.
This morning, in English, as he walked past my desk, he brushed my arm with his finger.
It was the simplest of touches and something I thought I was mistaken by, but when I looked up in question, his smooth reply of, “Morning,” sent chills down my spine.
Then, in Econ, he tapped my shoulder and asked, “You won’t flake on me tonight, will you?”
This rush of excitement raced through me so fast that I couldn’t respond. Instead, I just shook my head as the bell rang, starting the class.
I’ve never been so thankful to turn around and pay attention to the teacher since I could just feel my face getting redder by the second and I didn’t want him to see.
After class is over, I head out to my locker, where Ashley and Susie meet me.
“Finally, the day is over,” Susie says as she falls back on the bank of lockers.
“Tough day?” I ask at her overdramatics.
“The worst.” She stands up quickly, like the best idea just popped into her head. “Let’s go to Fosters tonight.You know they do that milkshake deal on Tuesdays, and I could really go for a chocolate milkshake.”
Marcus walks up behind Ashley, wrapping his arms around her waist.
“Sorry,” Ashley says as she rests her head on Marcus’s chest. “Marcus and I have plans after his practice.”
“Boo.” Susie motions to Ashley dismissively, then turns to me. “You’ll go with me.”
I bite the inside of my lip, trying to think of an excuse for why I can’t go. “Sorry. I have to help my dad tonight.”
One thing about owning the ranch is, none of my friends truly understand what all goes on there, so I could tell them a long list of chores, and they would believe any one on any given day. Thankfully, she doesn’t pry about what I have to help him with tonight.
“You all suck.” She stands up straight and holds her head high. “I’ll just get milkshakes by myself.”
“Ask Dalton to go with you,” Marcus speaks up, making my head turn to him so fast that I think it causes whiplash. “He’s addicted to those damn milkshakes.”
“Hmm. Then, maybe I will.”
“No,” I blurt out and instantly want to slap myself for it. “We have the project we have to work on.”
“Damn. How many times have you guys had to work on that?” Ashley asks.
