Chapter 22 Things Aren’t the Same
-Drew-
***
Today’s game isn’t much different, with Annie racing down the field.
I’m always impressed that she can run that fast with a ball between her feet and not fall on her face.
The athlete in me can acknowledge that it looks difficult.
I’ll confess to anyone who asks that there is no way in hell I could do that.
Ask me to sprint to a base, make the double play, or slide home, I’ve got you covered, but don’t ask my feet to do anything besides run.
I’m all hand-eye coordination. Annie does some fancy footwork with the ball, gets by the girl, and kicks the ball towards the opposite side of the goal.
“Goal Rams” is announced over the speakers.
Craig, Luke, Meg, and I jump up to cheer and chant to celebrate the goal.
It is Luke’s turn to pick the chant, and we shout, “Annie, Annie, if she can’t score, no one can.
” Annie gets a hug from her teammates and then gives our group a wave in acknowledgment.
We all sound ridiculous, but it’s nice to know that Annie is enjoying it.
The Rams get a win tonight, and we all agree while waiting for Annie after the game that we should go to the cafe Meg works at to grab dinner.
Meg and I are standing next to each other, but we aren’t touching.
It’s been weird over the last month. We haven’t had a lot of opportunities to hang out alone.
Most of the time, we see each other at school or one of these group events.
We still text all the time and talk on the phone at night, but it’s not feeling the same for me.
We have been talking about prom and making deposits on the tux and the limo, but I never really asked her to go with me; we both just assumed we would be going together.
Meg had started planning it with Annie before she planned it with me.
I’ve seen a few guys do the epic prom-proposal, but when I pointed one out the other day at lunch, Meg had rolled her eyes and told us all about how she thought they were lame.
I did ask her what color I needed to match, and she’d been impressed that I asked before she could organize it.
Now, I bring my thoughts back to the present and wrap my arm over Meg's shoulder.
She returns the gesture and wraps an arm around my waist. Why does she still feel so far away?
***
Annie appears, her damp hair pulled back and no makeup on.
When we suggest the cafe, she says she’s game.
Craig asks her to ride with him, and as they walk away, I hear him asking Annie about what he needs to order for prom.
I hear her say, “Just don’t buzz off the curls, and I’ll take care of the rest.” That dude is so far behind…
At least he has Annie to help him. “Do you want to drive together or meet at the cafe?” I ask Meg.
We both have cars now, so this is a standard conversation for us these days.
“Let’s drive separately. I have to go home after dinner to study for that test,” she replies.
I don’t think I should read more into this, but just a few months ago, I feel like we would have driven together to give us both a few minutes alone to sit in the parking lot and make out before going home.