Living in Sin (On Hold)

53 - Strings

Everyone who's still sticking around with Living in Sin, thank you so much. I'm very sorry for the long periods between updates. I'd been editing the entire story from the start and then I went and broke my laptop so there's that. Anyway, I don't know if I need to say this, but I'm not going to leave this story hanging. I'll finish it and will do so in the way I'd intended to from the beginning without rushing the story line. I will try to update more often from now on.

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--- Rina ---

I slowed my pace a little before rounding the corner, where I figured Jen would be waiting. She was, as I found out.

"Hey, what took you so long? I was just going to call you." She said in a worried voice, putting the phone back in her purse, then asked the obvious question. "And why haven't you changed?"

"I did, ... ... then I changed back into this."

"What? What do you mean?" She took a gentle hold of my arm while her other hand came to my forehead. "Are you feeling okay?"

"No, I'm okay. I'm just not feeling like it."

"The training?"

"Yes. I mean, I wanna be on the team, I really do. It's just ... ... ... they're all waiting for me out there right now, right?"

She drew out a small sigh and shook her head, smiling.

"Baby, you know, ... I've actually witnessed girls your age try to be the centre of attention. It's almost like a normal thing to do."

"It's not that I don't want that."

"Yeah, right."

"It's different this time. Really. 'cause—" I paused, when I suddenly realized she was leading me back into the building. "Umm, where're we going?"

"Well, back to the parking lot. I thought you wanted to skip it today."

"Well, I was kind of expecting a little bit of resistance. Maybe a lecture. Besides I thought you already talked to the assistant coach."

"I'll call him. Look," she stopped walking and held me at arm's length. "I know you just love to delay things."

She paused, as if waiting for me to weigh in on the matter. I knew better, though. She let out a smug smile and continued.

"You and I both know I don't encourage that attitude, but honestly, I was being inconsiderate talking you into this after the day you've had, so I'll let you get away with this one time. ... But you have to start this thing come Monday, alright?"

I nodded, and she smiled before leaning in to kiss my forehead.

"Come on, we'll drop you off at home, where you'll stay till Nicole gets back. I think Edward and I won't be home till midnight." She said as we resumed walking. "Speaking of whom, Nicole's not gonna be happy about this."

"What do you mean?"

"She gave this whole speech, or death threats, to her teammates about what happens to whoever touches you." I smiled imagining that scene, and Jen caught it. "You know, I've been wondering. You two have bonded really well. How'd that happen?"

"We just did." I muttered, and not really wanting to get into it, I changed the subject. "So, did you tell Liz to just go home?"

"Yeah, that. Please, tell Elizabeth I'm really sorry. I sent her home because I figured they'd pester you the moment you were out the door after the hearing and I wanted you to have some alone time. ... ... ... And then I end up setting you up for football. It's even more silly when you say it out loud."