Terrified of Love

Chapter 3

[Track Practice]

We just finished our run, I'm ahead of everyone as I see Jeremy in the stands, watching me. I give him a wave before my friends walk over, "Shit, Cam. That's a grown ass man right there. Are you guys banging, or are you still in handy land?" JJ asks

"Yeah, right, Cam's a total prude. She's never even kissed a boy" Tanya says

They start laughing, "You didn't mention boyfriend. You could you not tell me you have a boyfriend?" Sharice asks
"He's not my boyfriend. We're just hanging out" I tell them

"Hanging out with his dick" Tanya says before they start laughing and walk away

"Are you?" I look at Sharice, "Hanging out with his dick?" She whispers

"No, Sharice. Go away" I say laughing

[Next Day: Home]

I walk into the kitchen, "Cancel card!" My mom yells

"What's going on?" Dad asks
"Ugh! I have to cancel the Visa. I left it at that bar after dance class" My mom looks at me, "That's what you're wearing? Your wearing that sweatshirt?" She asks
"What's wrong with it?" I ask
"Nothing. I just—I don't understand why you do all that working out, if you're not gonna flaunt your cute figure" She says

I scoff, "Oh, my god. Mom, you want me to dress sluttier" I ask before I walk out

I open the door, "Sweetie, it was a compliment. You're adorable under all that bulk" She says

"Bye!" I yell before I shut the door

[Newton High School]

I knock on the door to Coach Briggs office before I open the door and shut it, "Coach Briggs. You wanted to see me" I say
"Yep, come in, sit" He says

"Okay" I say as I sit in the chair across from him

"We need to powwow" He says

"If this is about my suspension, I'm so sorry. I really—This team is very important to me and I would never do anything to mess that up" I tell him

"Gardner, look at this office" I look around, "My life is not awesome. Do you know the one thing that brings me joy? Other than the failures of my brother?" I shake my head, "It is girls with actual talent. Like you! I took a risk brining you onto varsity so young. Don't make me regret it" He tells me

"I won't. And if there's anything that I can do to make it up to you—" He cuts me off, "There is. Turns out the girl you went gangster on was our biggest booster's daughter. Every year, her parents charter us a bus to get us to semis, but this year they won't do it until you apologize to their kid" He says
"Apologize? Well shouldn't she for what she did to Abigail?" I ask
"It's up to you. I expect your teammates won't be thrilled when they find out they lost their bus, but you're probably fine. People always talk about how nice and humane teenage girls are to each other" He says

Afterwards I find Bailey by her locker and start apologizing, "Anyway, I shouldn't have punched you in the face, no matter how shitty you were being and I am sorry. Your eyes looking better. It's almost normal" I say

"Wow, you suck at apologies" She says

"Yeah, I know that about myself. So are we cool?" I ask
"Look, I know your brother has major problems. You must have a lot of anger about that. You should get a stress ball" I tense a bit, "Look, I know you're only apologizing to me to get your bus back. I accept that, bus is yours. No number twos in the bathroom" She shuts her locker, "Oh and, um...I heard you're seeing Jeremy Griffin. That is so brave. Most people would be scared to go there, but not you. Bye!" She says before she leaves