Fast Forward to us

30- Saved by the Bell

Jeremy

The bell rung dismissing us from our final period which meant we were a day closer to our graduation. It was a relief to hear that bell after a long and hard day. All I wanted to do was go home and take a nap. Maybe even zone out to a little MTV. Being saved by the bell, I made my way out of the classroom and avoided any potential social interaction. Emma was nowhere to be seen. Thank goodness Melissa brought the bike to school. Did she stay at school all day? The last thing I wanted to do was take the bus.

Walking through the halls, Hailey was spotted talking to a couple of her friends. One of those friends was from our game of Spin the Bottle. That one friend spotted me and waved leaving me to wave back. Hailey turned her head and noticed me. In her response to spotting me, she let out a large grin showing all of those perfect teeth. I smiled back with a fast-pumping heart and continued walking. There was a temptation to go up and say hi, but the temptation to go home was greater. Maybe I would attempt to talk to Hailey tomorrow. Maybe I would even try calling her again.

Once outside, my way was made to the parking lot. From a distance, Ted was bothering one of Hailey's friends. It looked like he was trying to score a date. Perhaps it was to make that ex jealous? Doubt that Hailey would ever get jealous.

Eventually, I made my way to the bike. It was just sitting there in the bike rack looking like crap. Getting it out of the rack and putting my butt onto the seat, I just sat there for a moment watching all the people walk and drive by. They were all going somewhere. All I wanted to do was sit on my bike and watch everyone pass by. After a long day, my brain needed air to think. After everyone had left, I was finally ready to ride out.

How did Melissa manage to get this bike to school? The piece of junk could barely move. Some parts were starting to fall off. Getting home would be impossible. This would turn out like yesterday. Déjà vu was real in this situation. With every effort that my body didn't have, it moved the bike to the best of its abilities. It would take longer to get home. Was it too late to take the bus?

Bam! A fast-driving car crashed into the side of my bike sending the pieces scattering into the air while my body slid on the roof of the car and unto the ground. My whole life flashed right before my eyes. It took me about thirty seconds to realize what had happened. With all the pieces of the bike on the ground, the sides of my stomach were in slight pain. My arms had a few scrapes. My lungs were slowly remembering how to breathe.

Sure, my bike was completely destroyed, but from what I could gather, I was still alive and well. My backpack also landed safely on the ground. The good part of all of this was that this wasn't a hit and run. The car door quickly opened and to my surprise, it was Hailey who had been behind the wheel.

Crap, oh crap. It was Hailey. There was no way I could outrun this one. With a sore body, it was going to take time to get up. At that moment, part of me wished the accident could've killed me. As expected, the girl hopped out of the car and rushed to where I was laying in great concern. Kneeling on the ground her eyes widened once she realized it was me which led her to feel my forehead as if there were a possibility for a fever. Chills sped down my skin knowing that Hailey was actually touching me.

"Oh my gosh Jeremy, are you alright," my crasher was seconds away from hyperventilating. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry. Please tell me you are okay. Do you need CPR? Like, I'm certified and everything."

Yes, I didn't need CPR, but I certainly wouldn't mind receiving it. Not today though.

"It's alright Hailey, I'm fine. Can you help me up?"

Lifting up my arms, she used all that might to help me on my feet only to realize I may need to see a back specialist. As if there were any dirt on my clothes, Hailey brushed around me trying to get off the invisible dirt. Not only that, but she licked her thumbs and rubbed them against my hair. With all this happening, I was about to have a heart attack and my throat could barely swallow.

"I feel so terrible about crashing into your bike. Like, can I at least buy you a new bike?"

"To be honest, that bike was a piece of crap. It wasn't going to last much longer anyway. Can I buy you some ice cream instead?" My lips couldn't help but smile. Did I seriously just offer this woman to buy her ice cream? Where did this burst of confidence come from?

Hailey couldn't help but blush and bite those lips with a few giggles included. For a brief second, her eyes met the ground. "Ice cream," she continued chuckling. "Yeah, that sounds good. Ice cream. Um, like, I actually know the perfect place for ice cream. It's across town though if that's okay with you."

At that moment all I wanted to do was laugh as my body began to feel light. If I wasn't careful, I would end up floating into the sky. Without thinking, words came out of my mouth.

"Well since you crashed into my bike, it's only fair that you give me a ride across town."

With another lick of her lips, her smile widened with bushy red cheeks. It was impossible not to hear that girl swallow. "Yeah, I guess that does seem fair." Without wasting another second, she opened the front passenger door and waited for me to hop in.

Wait a minute! Hailey was actually offering me a ride in her own car. This had to be a dream. It had to. It was a dream I wouldn't want to wake up from.

"Mind if I drive? Pinky promise, I won't crash your car." Yeah, too much confidence.

Somehow, Hailey found that statement funny. Maybe I was funnier than I thought. If that was the case, it wouldn't be hard to make her laugh. Emma rarely laughed with me around.

"Yeah, in your dreams bike boy. As if I'm going to let you drive. Hop in."

Wow! Jeremy and Hailey actually spoke to each other! The tides are turning. Thanks for reading. Don't forget to comment and vote!

How do feel after this chapter?

Hailey still managed to crash into Jeremy's bike. Coincidence? 🤔