Toe to Toe (On Pointe Book 1) by Penelope Freed (comprehension books txt) 📗

in a tight hug, her arms wrapping all the way around me. I lean against her for a minute, eyes closed, letting my body go boneless against hers, relaxing for the first time in what feels like months. I feel her press a kiss to the top of my head. “How I feel about Olivia, or how I felt about her mom, doesn’t have anything to do with you. I loved Jenny like a sister and I miss her every day. I worry about Olivia, she’s like a niece to me.” I look up, worried I will see disappointment in her eyes. “But that’s my relationship with her. You have your own relationship with each other.”

“I would be worried if your relationship never changed. You aren’t six anymore, we can’t fix a fight between you with a time out and a shared peanut butter and jelly sandwich.” She smiles sadly at me, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. “Olivia’s life and yours are very different, and that’s okay. If you need to step away from each other in order to find friends that understand you better, that’s okay. It’s good.”

“She said she can’t stand seeing us together, cause it makes her miss her mom too much.” My mom just nods. “I would probably feel the same way if it was me. I guess I remind her of everything she doesn’t have anymore.”

“Maybe it’s time for you girls to move on. I’m sorry if I made you feel like you had to stay friends with her.” I squeeze my mom again, drawing just a little more of her strength.

“You didn’t, not really. It just feels like, that’s how it’s supposed to be? I don’t know, I’m so confused. I want to be her friend because I care about her, but I don’t want to be her friend because I don’t really like her very much right now.” I shake my head, not sure how to describe what I’m feeling. “I’m so worried about her. But I’ve been mad at her for so long now, it’s like I don’t know how to like her anymore. I don’t think I can be her friend right now.”

My mom doesn’t say anything, just holds me tight, stroking my hair like she used to do when I was little. After a minute, I drag myself to my feet. “I’m going to go to bed. Love you Mom.”

“Love you too, sweetie. Do you want me to let you know if I hear anything?”

“No, that’s okay. I’m sure I’ll hear about it one way or the other.” I make my way back to my room, exhausted and ready to sleep.

Sleep doesn’t come.

11:47pm. I hope Olivia is okay. Should I text her and check on her?

11:55pm. Don’t text Olivia. She’s not going to respond anyway.

12:01am. I hope they don’t drink and drive. I should just make sure she’s okay.

I can’t take it any longer and I quickly send her a text. Not knowing is killing me.

Me: Are you home yet?

I don’t expect a reply, but I feel better for asking.

12:17am. She isn’t answering. What if they got in a car accident on the way home?

12:29am. Stupid Tyler. Stupid Olivia. Why can’t I let it go? I need to let it go.

Chapter 20 Olivia

I think I’m going to throw up.

“Hey babe, you okay?” Tyler reaches out a hand to gently rub my thigh, never taking his eyes off the curving highway ahead of us. He decided to drive home on PCH and my stomach is not happy about all the winding curves along the coast. I’m curled up in the passenger seat, Tyler’s jacket wrapped around me, my head resting against the window sipping from a bottle of water. I can’t remember the last time I felt so carsick.

“Yeah, I’ll be fine. S’mores, hots dogs and excessive quantities of soda are probably not a good combination.” I smile weakly, taking another sip of water. “Distract me?” There’s sand in my hair and my feet are dry and itchy inside my shoes from the salt water.

Tyler’s hand on my thigh is comforting. “Did I tell you about what Drew did in class yesterday?” I shake my head, keeping my eyes on the road and willing the churning in my stomach to settle and my skin to stop itching. “So we were sitting in English and Allyson was doodling in her notes, you know she’s always doing that?”

“Yeah, she’s really good actually. Did you know she drew all the stuff on her backpack?”

“Seriously? I thought she bought it like that. Anyway, she was doodling and Drew, being Drew, was trying to flirt by copying her notes.”

“I bet she got pissed.” I chuckle to myself, imagining it. I heard Allyson’s side of this story earlier at the beach. “Did you see what she was drawing?”

“No, she started yelling at Drew, then Mr. Garcia yelled at them both before we could see it.” Puffing up his chest Tyler does his best impression of Mr. Garcia. “Andrew. Allyson. Flirt on your own time, not mine.” I laugh at his terrible impression, my car sickness fading.

“She was drawing Andrew’s face. That’s why she got so pissed, she didn’t want him to see it.” I happened to know that Allyson has a whole collection of portraits scattered through her notes. It’s what she does when she’s bored in class, but since she has a crush on Andrew “Drew” Park, I’m not surprised she didn’t want him to see it.

I smile to myself as we drive home. Since we started dating, Tyler has turned out to be more than just my “cute boyfriend.” We make a great team, sticking together in our friend group and the school in general. Plus, he encourages me to stay on top of my homework. Our coaches both insist that we keep our GPAs up to stay on the team and the squad.

The varsity football and cheer teams un-official party down at the Santa Monica Pier had been just what