“Huh?” she asked, arching a brow.
“You have other things you're busy with, like your mom, Mattie, figuring out what you want to do after high school,” he said.
“True, but I miss it,” she sighed, “I miss being part of them.”
“What's to miss?” he asked, “They sound like a bunch of diva wannabes.”
Alyssa sighed and was quiet for a moment. He didn't understand. Maybe boys were unable to understand what she meant, but that wasn't fair, because Mattie didn't understand either.
“Why would you want to be part of that?” he asked.
“Because I don't have anywhere else to belong,” Alyssa said turning away.
She didn't know why, but she feared she was going to breakdown into tears right on the grass. She hadn't been thinking about the squad on the way over, and she hadn't planned to bring it up at all. She was here because Jake's father had upset him again. Alyssa was shocked at how comfortable she felt around Jake. She had told him the truth, and she hadn't even told Mattie that much.
“No one belongs at high school,” Jake said, “I mean it's only four years and it's not supposed to last forever. I don't think we find out where we belong until we realize that and leave the silly notions behind.”
“Silly notions?” she asked and turned to face him.
His words stung more than Alyssa would have liked to admit.
“I don't mean you're silly,” he sighed, “I mean that school spirit is everything. The notions like if you're not popular in high school you won't get anywhere in the real world either.”
“Oh, yea,” she nodded.
She didn't tell Jake, but sometimes she did believe those things. When she watched the adults around her in social situations it was always the same. The popular people and then the others.
“Even adults have a social order,” she added.
“Maybe, but you have to remember we're not wolves, nor hunters and gathers any more,” Jake said, “We can survive without the tribe.”
“That sounds lonely,” Alyssa frowned.
“Nah, it sounds freeing to me,” he chuckled, “I mean if we listened to the others we wouldn't be hanging out at all.”
“Truth,” she laughed.
The rest of the night passed quickly and soon they were watching the sunrise.
“The sun should have stayed down,” Alyssa laughed.
“Why?” Jake asked.
“Because it means we have to get going,” Alyssa said.
“Oh, yea, school,” he nodded.
“Yea, back to our own tribes,” she laughed.
Chapter 12: Jake
Thursday night came and went. Jake fell into bed ecstatic his team had won the game and he had hung out with Alyssa afterward. He couldn't believe she had shown up in the green colors of his team and cheered him on. He could hear her voice urging him on again and again.
Jake couldn't remember the last time he had felt this good. He had talked to his dad before falling exhausted into bed and he had agreed to meet Alyssa. Jake was terrified that his dad might make another scene, but was hopeful that he could survive dinner without being a butthead.
Shockingly his father had shown up to his game and apparently was impressed by Alyssa's show of enthusiasm.
The next day he met Alyssa at her school and they drove back to his house.