More Than A Gut Feeling

It was more than a gut feeling. 

Something was wrong, Jordan said he would help her with studying on Friday night; he didn’t.

He was supposed to be her knight aglow in pleather. Yet another study-date had turned into a weekend wondering what had captivated him so thoroughly that he forgot or worse purposefully ignored her for. Miranda rummaged through her book bag for gum so she could chew away her stress. Watermelon or strawberry the taste didn’t even register across her taste buds, two sticks of gum and Bryson Tiller’s music and she was almost serene. She pulled on her leggings and jacket before looking to the clock, calling him once more before school, with no answer just a ringing echoing in her brain.

Her gum had become tough, so she threw it away as she walked into school. Jordan walked into class right behind her. She nearly leapt out of her skin, at his breath on her neck, his voice soothing her as he said, ”Hi Miranda wassup buttercup?”. She blushed, until she remembered she was angry. Her reply“Just another lonely weekend.” dripped with hurt as she attempted being sarcastic. If he noticed he didn’t give it away.

He said playfully, “Aw you missed me.”. His tone was seemingly light and casual.

She turned to face him and retorted “I did not! I never miss you, I was busy, I don’t like you.”

He hid his smirk as he pulled her close, stroking her hair. “You’re adorable when you miss me. I’m here now.” As she calmed down the classroom slowly filled with their peers. She hid her face against his chest. The bell rang signally teachers to begin lectures and students to start conversations of their own.

Once no one had learned anything and the bell had rung everyone left for the assembly and Miranda spent it in a daze not hearing about the dress code only ever focusing on Jordan, or what she could do with Jordan, or the lunch period she would have with Jordan, at least once they stopped warning her about the danger of seeing a girl’s shoulder.

The internal doubts pacified for now by the white noise of the assembly and the eye contact they made from across the room.

                                                        ******

Jordan slammed his locker shut; he was 17 muscled like Hercules, since bodybuilding was his favorite hobby, he stood at 6'3 feet tall. He was angry at his father; no he was frustrated with himself, or was he? He considered telling Miranda but he knew it would break her heart. He had been spending every weekend training for the  days that would take him away. He wanted to hit the wall, but spending lunch with Miranda would save the wall, for now at least.

He strutted down the hall, well you would think so if you didn't notice the squared shoulders and set jaw. Jordan snuck up behind her kissing her cheek, as she tried not to jump up his lips shocking her with static electricity. Miranda giggled, there was the boy she knew the spontaneous love of her life. While she snacked on cookies he gored on chips.

He was the first to speak, they loved the silence just staring into each other's eyes, oblivious to the lunchroom where silence was consumed by the crowds of clashing conversations. He said "I'm sorry." The two words she wanted to hear to know he missed her, the two words she didn't need, because she didn't want to shroud his mind in guilt.

She shook her head saying, "I love you.", a way of indicating no apology was needed. Her head leaning against his biceps, he kissed her forehead and whispered "I love you." He held her tight their world a safe place, just to enjoy the company they had to offer.

Reality struck like a cartoon piano crashing just inches from them, lunch was over but Miranda clung tighter. Trying to unlatch her fingers from around him, he said,"I don't have show and tell babygirl, you have to let go. I'll see you at the park tonight, then I'm all yours, I promise munchkin." His reference to her 5'0 stature made her blush saying,"Fine, if I have to." She let go slowly and stared at him, her eyes a strong defiant . His were an iridescent green, but always shifting from turquoise to glaciers to a consoling hazel.  

They parted, her gut feeling and his guilty conscience.

 Her head was as heavy as his heart. 

Her thoughts all questions, his mind holds a resolution.

****************

Miranda gathered her long chestnut brown hair into a ponytail and tossed her book bag over her shoulder. Another bell, another class, another lonely hour passing by like eternity. She sighed to herself but she consoled herself with confirmations of his love. 

Wyborne, a friend of hers popped up by sauntering into the room and when setting sights on her screaming. However this was not enough of an entrance; she had brand new box braids and thigh high boots with cutoff shorts and a sparkly, bedazzled, rhinestone, holo top. She wasn’t over the top that was too basic for her. She was the flavour of the week, chocolate swirl. Her skin was a deep glowy brown that she loved to flaunt, which led to her 13 dress code violations this year alone. Miranda rolled her eyes.

“Do you think I would know if he was cheating?”  Miranda asked not knowing whether she wanted the truth or a lie. 

Wyborne looked at her paused and responded “I don’t think that’s what he is doing.”

She held Miranda and swore to herself to figure out Jordan’s mistake. They headed home 

Across town Jordan entered the ROTC building out of uniform and without even his gear. His dad's eyes lit up with anger but Jordan spoke first.

“I’m not going to live your dreams any longer, I won’t abandon the love of my life to be  someone else’s ideal.” In his heart he quivered and shook but his voice was strong and he wasted no time. He couldn't let that man in anymore. He heard yelling but steadily walked back out the door. 

He ran to her house three miles into the dark as the sun set. His knees sore from training and his heart pounding in his blood.  He rang the bell and looked into her soft eyes which widened as the door opened. A small gasp, before she turned angrily asking in a hurt voice, "Well are you going to tell me her name?"

Jordan smiled mischievously and said proudly “The United States Army, but she was never my dream just you are Miranda”

Miranda squealed and embraced him. She knew he was back.