A Corner Of My Heart

A Distant Memory

Rain drizzles outside, leaving little water droplets on the car window. I look in the mirror and tuck one of my stray hairs inside my pony tail.
“Dammit, why didn’t I bring a jacket.” I mutter to myself.
I take a quick glance around the car hoping I have an extra laying around, the games going to start soon and Joeys expecting me to be in my seat. My eyes quickly find a jacket on the passenger seat, only it’s not my jacket but Joeys letterman one. I grab it and through it on, I know he won’t care if I borrow it.  I open the door and sprint inside, I quickly make my way to the gym and take a seat in the front row just before the cheerleaders make their entrance. 
I watch the game silently, making sure to watch all the players and not just my favorite one. I catch Joey looking at me every now and then, and every time he does I see the smile on his face. I shout and holler with everybody as our team earns yet another point, only one minute left of the game, all we need is one more point and we’ll have won the game. I watch as Joey continues to help block number forty-three, while Keith catches the ball and tosses it to Trevor as he makes the final shot and wins the game.  The boys head to the locker room to change, and I head outside back to the car to wait for Joey.
The rain is falling harder now, I make a dash to the car thankful that I’m parked close to the building. I don’t have to wait long before Joey opens the door and gets inside.
“That was a tough game, they really fought hard today.” I nod my head and start the car.
“ Yeah, for a minute I didn’t think we were going to win.” I say nonchalantly, trying not to notice how cute he looks after a game.
“Come on, like I’d let you down. You know when I didn’t see you I thought maybe you decided to go home.”
“Really? Have I ever missed one of your games?” I say rolling my eyes punching his shoulder. I begin pulling out of the parking lot. “Are we going to my house or yours?”
“Well my parents aren’t home, so we can go to your house if you want, mines going to be pretty quiet.”
“Okay, wait don’t we have a paper due in English tomorrow? How about we just go to yours were its quiet and hopefully we can get some work done.”
“Fine by me, and maybe after we can hit the sheets.” He teases me.

“Works for me.” I say half joking. I look over and see his stunned expression.  “I mean hasn’t your mom been telling you for weeks to wash them?” his face loosens up as he realizes what I’m getting at.
“Ha ha very fun, Ashley. How about you wash them for me and I take a nap?”
“I think I’ll have to pass on that, we need to get that paper done.”
-
“Hello? Did you hear me?” I hear a young feminine voice say.
I open my eyes and see my T.A Scarlett was talking to me.
“I’m sorry, what was that?” I say.
“I was telling you about my new poem, Hollow Walls? But I think you dazed out, what did you not get enough sleep last night?”
“Yeah, I just slept funny, Lucas was getting out of bed every two seconds to use the bathroom. I’m blaming the pills the doctor prescribed, he has to drink lots of water because of them which is causing him to pee like a pregnant lady.” I know that’s not the only reason, but she doesn’t need to know anything else.
“Oh, that’s got to suck, you should make him sleep in the tub. Then when he gets up to pee every two seconds it won’t interrupt you.”
“Good idea, I’ll tell him that when I get home.”
“You better, let him know your favorite student and can’t have you snoozing off in class when she needs your help with her poems.” I let out a small laugh as my reply, I look around the classroom and see that most of the kids were working on their essays, I glance over at the clock and see there’s only about five minutes left of school.
“Okay class, thank you for working quietly on your essays. Feel free to start packing up, and please put your chairs on the table. I don’t need the janitor nagging me about it, remember your essays are due tomorrow morning.” The bell rings signaling the end of the day.
I sit and watch as all the kids leave the room, I look at my computer screen and log into my Facebook. I scroll through my notifications then go to the search bar and type in a name I’m all too familiar with: Joey Drought. I hit enter and wait to see the same names of people and pictures who are not the Joey I’m looking for, only unlike before I notice a new photo on the top. I find myself wanting to click it but when I reach for the mouse I hear my door open, I close the screen and look up. Immediately I feel guilt run through my body, it’s not like I was doing anything bad but it still feels wrong. I give a smile as my niece Natalie takes a seat next to me, I power done my computer and out it in its bag, the last think I need is for Nat to suspect anything.
“Hey, Ash do you have any granola bars in the cupboard?” I stand up and reach into the cupboard behind me and hand Nat a bar.
“Of course, I do, how was your day?”
“Eh, it was okay. In art, we got assigned this project that’s a bit complicated but ill get it done.”
“Good, did you get your math homework turned in?” I say giving her my best disapproval look.
“No, I didn’t finish it.”
“I thought that was why you came over last night? To get some peace and quiet from your mom and brother and finish it?” I say, as I remember why she didn’t finish,
“Well I would of but somebody turned on the notebook and wanted me to watch with her, I do believe she bribed with ice cream as well.” Nat gives me a pointed look knowing that I know what she’s talking about.
“Okay, fine you’ll finish it tonight. Come on let’s go.” I grab my bag and head to the door.
“What no track practice today?” I shake my head and usher her out the door.
“Nope it was cancelled let’s go.”
“Fine by me, I guess I’ll just work on my homework when I get home.” Nat ends the conversation there putting her music in her ears and following me to the car.
We drive in silence as we leave the school parking lot and head to Nat’s house. I’m glad she’s listening to her music and not questioning me, shutting my computer like that probably makes her think I’m up to something. Which I’m not, and I Nat is my favorite person and I don’t think I’m ready to tell her yet. I make the turn into Nat’s driveway and listen to the gravel turn beneath my wheels, when pulling in I notice a car that doesn’t belong in the drive way. I tap Nat on the shoulder and nod in the direction of the car.
“Who’s car is that?” I ask
“Oh, what’s her name, Alex? Lexi? Alexis? I don’t know something like that, it’s one of the many girls Seth has recently added to his list.” Nat replies with eye roll opening the car door and getting out. “You coming?” Nat looks at me realizing I’m not following in her pursuit.
“No, I’ve got papers I have to grade if I come in I may not in leave in time to do them. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” I watch and she nods her head and puts her music in, once she reaches the steps the door swings open as a tall blonde scurry’s out the door and into the mysterious car, her face is flushed and her clothes displaced. I don’t think they were expecting anybody to be home so soon. I shake my head not wanting to know what my nephew was doing with that girl. I pull out of the driveway and head home.