3

The smell of brewed coffee and maple syrup on chocolate pancakes woke me up. There was also a foreign smell around, some soup I guess. I felt calloused fingers tracing my nose, cheek, lip, and chin. It was Jake’s warm hands.

I snuggled deeper into my duvet and smiled before opening my eyes. Jake’s tawny eyes met mine, and he gave me a megawatt smile.

“Good morning, beautiful,” he kissed the top of my head.

“Good morning, handsome,” I pulled him closer to me, burying my face in the crook of his neck.

“Where do you want your breakfast, Bee?” He pulled away from me but still close enough for me to peck his lips.

“Can we just stay in for today?” my puppy eyes were at work now.

Jake chuckled and pecked my lips. “Don’t.” He raised his forefinger but continued to laugh. “We need to be at school. Our coaches will give the details of the boot camp today.”

The football team, soccer team, and cheer team always had a two-week boot camp since the three coaches were close friends. The principal has nothing against the setup. It will lessen the expenses with the three teams going into one place.

Jake must’ve seen the sulking in my mood, so he straightened his seat. I rubbed my eyes while he tucked my hair behind my ears. “Something you want to tell me?”

I nod my head. “Coach wanted me to take some time off. At least for this season.”

He was now mirroring my frown. “You sure? We’ve been looking forward to this season, Baby. The team will not be the same without you.”

Funny how those words were mimicking Coach’s mini monologue. “I love cheering Jake, but yesterday, it felt odd. Sacrificing the team’s effort because of my personal problems is wrong. I’ll only pull the team’s effort-"

My rant out was cut off when Jake placed his finger on my lips. “I know Baby. You don’t have to explain yourself to me.” He let out a breath. “I guess Chuck will have to step up for me.”

“What?!” I burst out shaking my head, holding his hand in mine. “You can’t abandon the team, Jake. They need you more this season.”

“I can’t leave you, Baby. You’re more important to me than winning any game.”

“How did I become so lucky to have the sweetest boyfriend in the world?” I pulled Jake into a hug, burying my face in his chest. “Go with the team. I’ll be fine.”

It was hard persuading Jake that I’ll be okay. I know where he was coming from, but he can’t sacrifice what he loves for me. I know how hard he worked for this and I can’t pull him down with me.

The team didn’t take Coach’s news well that’s why Melissa and Candice were pacing back and forth in my room right now. Our supposed to be fun slumber is turning into an action-packed grilling from both of them.

Jake is staying in the guest room for the night, and I hoped that he wouldn't hear my friends burst out.

“This is a disaster.” Melissa was pulling her blond hair roughly while she gave her opinion. “Do you know that the team will suffer losing you, Bobbie?”

“This is not a disaster, it’s an abomination. We’re completely doomed.” Candice butted in.

I was supposed to be offended and hurt by their flare-up, but all I can do is stop my laughter from erupting. Both of my friends were blond and they look cute in our matching pajamas. Mine is Bubble, Melissa’s is Buttercup, and Candice was Blossom.

“Guys,” it was taking all my strength not to laugh. “I know you will take care of the team. We trained for this and I hope that you give it your all.”

“Stop!” Candice raised her hand to stop me as she continued to pace in my room. “We…” She motioned to the three of us. “It’s not just me and Mel. You’re included in that we.”

Melissa stopped pacing my room and gaped at me. Oh, no. “You’re stifling your smile. Oh my God, Barbara! Do you think this is funny?”

That only made me laugh, loudly, and both of them launched towards my pillow, hitting me simultaneously, and soon, all three of us were giggling like children.

“I love both of you and I’m sorry for letting you guys down.” I pulled the two of them for a hug.

Melissa hit my shoulder when she pulled away. “You’ll own both of us for this.”

“Yeah,” Candice second. “Coach will have both of our asses work twice as hard without her favorite ‘bee’.”

“Hey,” I slapped their shoulders. We are now sitting on my bed. Not only did they use Jake’s nickname for me, but it sounded like an insult. “Coach loves the team. Everyone in it.”

Melissa rolled her eyes. “Yeah, but you're different.”

I know what they are implying. Coach and my mother have been best friends since high school, and they both joined the team. Coach is like my mother’s twin, at least that’s what Nonna said. She treated me like I was her little sister. Being captain didn’t happen in one night, I worked hours in sweat and blood to claim the title. Literally. I even broke a few bones along the way.

“Well, you two need to step up. This is our last chance to prove that our batch is the best in the history of cheerleading.”

They both snuggled closer to me after fighting for the movie that we should be watching. Candice ended up winning in a staring contest against Melissa and we watched Train to Busan for the nth time. Mel almost vomited her breakfast and lunch in my bathroom before the movie credits played. She hated suspense and gory films, but Candice loved it.

The two were already snoring at 10 pm and I read a few chapters on Love & Friendship by Jane Austen before I drifted to a dreamless sleep.

~

Monday morning came, I’m seeing off my friends and Jake towards their buses for boot camp. Jake was holding me in his arms for about ten minutes now and Coach Russel called his name for the fifth time, but he was far from letting me go.

He had given me instructions about my phone’s GPS and he installed a tracker into my car. Crazy, I know. But if that will give him peace of mind while he’s away, I gladly agreed.

“West!” Coach Russel called again, but Jake ignored him.

He tucked a loose strand of my raven hair behind my ears. “Are you sure you want me to go? I can still back out.”

I nod my head. “I am.”

“Can you at least not look for a part-time job while I’m away? Just wait until I get back.” We talked about it last night and he still brings it up.

“I need to keep my mind busy. I promise I’ll text you every detail.”

He heaved a sigh. “Fine. I’ll miss you, Baby.” He pulled the back of my neck and planted a wet kiss on my mouth. I know what Jake was doing, and I used all my strength not to make out with him in front of everyone.

“Go now, Handsome.” I pulled away from him as I heard Coach Russel curse all the curses in the world.

Jake pulled me again to his arms. “I love you, Bee.” He pecked my lips before taking his duffel back from the ground and walked towards their bus.

Coach Russel was ranting on him but his eyes were locked on me. He looks like a kid on his first day in school. I never said I love him back because if I do, he will surely not leave for the boot camp.

Candice and Melissa hugged me like they were going overseas for years and I can’t help but giggle at my boyfriend and friends’ antics. Coach Audrey also gave me a tight hug before climbing onto their bus. They pushed me to get their numbers on the speed dial.

I watch as their buses disappear into the street before walking into my class. I had to put my phone on silent mode because I was flooded with text from Jake since they left, plus ten missed the calls. Sending him a text that I will drive to the city now for part-time job hunting, he replied immediately with instructions on what to do if I get lost.

He treats me like a child, but I’m okay with that. I know he’s just worried about me and he’s overreacting. I grew up in this town, so I practically know all the local families because of my Grandad. He also said that his big brother Jack is in town from Iraq. His brother is a lieutenant in the Marines now, and I will visit them after my job hunting.

I’ve been to five coffee shops, but still no luck. They’re not hiring at the moment, this is their synonymous response to me. It’s almost five in the afternoon and I plan to continue my job hunting tomorrow. I bought Jack’s favorite pizza, pepperoni with lots and lots of olives, before sending Jake a text that I’m on my way to his parents’ house.

The drive to Jake’s place is only a fifteen-minute drive, and I saw a car shop on my way. There was lots of signage and I had to hop out of my Land Rover to see if they were hiring any staff. A cashier would be nice. When I saw the sign saying Hiring, I hurried inside, checking no more details because it’s near their closing time.

There was a man in his late fifties behind the counter talking to a girl, probably a few years older than me. The resemblance in their looks tells me they are related. Probably father and daughter. Brown curly hair, glassy eyes, but their complexion was a little different. The girl has creamy white skin while the older man has tanned skin.

“How can we help you?” the girl asked me in a professional tone. Their studying gaze was also the same, and I can’t help but feel intimidated. I was wearing my loose nirvana sweatshirt, black jeans, and Vans.

“Uhm... I saw the hiring sign, I was wondering if it’s still vacant.”

The girl’s perfectly plucked brows raised and confusion was clear in the old man’s face. “We’re hiring for a mechanic, Sweetie.”

“Oh.” yup. I am a girl and with my small features, I probably look like I can’t change tires. “Is it still vacant?”

The girl with the creamy skin’s lips twisted into a mocking grin. “Yeah. Right, Dad?” Oh, I like her already. Her intriguing eyes were now challenging me.

The old guy scratched the back of his neck before studying my looks intently. “Look, Sweetie, don’t be offended but we have no time to teach someone to change tires here.”

“None taken. Is that all that needs to be done? Changing tires?” I’m getting this job, no matter how much mockery they give me.

“Do you know what a Dead Cat Hole is?”

I stifled a giggle when he asked that question. “It’s the hole between the tire and fender.” The glimmer of the old man’s green eyes says that it’s a bullseye.

The girl with the curly locks burst out laughing, and I smiled at her antics. “Is there really such a thing called Dead Cat Hole?”

The old man placed his arm around the laughing girl’s shoulder while shaking his head. “My daughter needs to study car parts.” He poked her nose.

This scene unfolding in front of me makes me nostalgic. My eyes were stinging with tears, but I bit back my bottom lip to stop myself. They remind me of Grandad and me when I was ten, when I used to sneak up on his garage while he fixed his car. Nonno loves cars, and so did I. It became our bonding time since then.

“Got a name, kid?” the old man turned into me.

“Bobbie, sir.” The girl looked at me confused. “Barbara St. Clair, but I’d like to be called Bobbie.”

The looks on their face says it all. They know about the accident, and I want to wipe that look on their face. Pity.

The man cleared his throat before speaking. “I’m Chris and this is my daughter Tina.”

“Nice to meet you, Bobbie.” Tina’s voice is now a little softer than earlier.

“You too, Tina. I hope I passed your test, Sir.”

Chris smiled. “You will if you stop calling me Sir, Sweetie.”

I giggled lightly before shaking both their hands.