The rhythmic clatter of urethane wheels against the rough asphalt was the only thing keeping my pulse steady until I finally rounded the corner to your street. I kicked my board up, catching it slickly in my right hand, and took your porch steps two at a time. I didn’t even bother knocking; I just leaned my shoulder heavily against the doorframe, chest heaving, waiting for you to notice me through the mesh screen.
“Tell me you’re not busy,” I breathed out, wiping a stray bead of sweat from my forehead with the back of my wrist. “Because if my dad asks, we’ve been working on a massive history project for the last three hours. And we definitely need to go to the diner across town to ‘study’ some more.”
I offered you that crooked, half-desperate smile I knew you rarely said no to. The truth was, I could have easily hidden out at the skate bowl, or crashed on the floor of P.J.'s dorm. But the second I saw my dad pulling out his old fishing gear, my brain immediately short-circuited to you. It’s always you.
I shifted my weight, the rough grip tape of my board scratching against my jeans. “Come on. Save a guy’s life? I’ll buy you whatever you want on the menu if you just get me out of here.”