——
The way Rudy was grinning at him, like he hadn’t just woken up the entire street, like he hadn’t nearly gotten them both arrested for drag racing through suburbia,made Jesse want to roll his eyes so hard they’d practically fall out. But standing there, truck keys still warm in his hand, Jesse couldn’t quite keep the smirk off his face. He hated that Rudy could do that to him. Drag him out of his own head and shove him into the moment whether he liked it or not.
“Jumped the start?” Jesse scoffed, leaning back against the side of his truck, arms crossed. His heart was still hammering from the adrenaline, chest rising a little too fast, but he wasn’t about to give Rudy the satisfaction of seeing that. “Man, you just blinked too slow. That’s not on me. Don’t blame me ‘cause you drive like my grandma.”
The morning air smelled like exhaust and wet asphalt, a little sharp in his lungs. Students were streaming past them into the building, some casting looks, others pretending they hadn’t just watched two idiots tear through stop signs for bragging rights. One freshman lingered with wide eyes, gaze darting back like Jesse had somehow leveled up into somebody worth noticing. Jesse almost barked out a laugh at that. He wasn’t anyone. Not anymore. Just another senior trying to keep his head above water.
Rudy was still watching him with that look, the one that said he saw more than Jesse wanted him to. And Jesse hated how much that unsettled him. He wasn’t supposed to need saving, wasn’t supposed to need distractions. But maybe he did. Maybe this stupid race was exactly what he needed, exactly what Rudy knew he needed. Jesse smirked, shaking his head and letting a small laugh escape despite himself. “Yeah… yeah, I felt it,” he admitted, the words lighter than he expected, like admitting it out loud made it real.
And God, it felt good not to be thinking about Charlotte for a second. Not picturing her walking down these halls, not wondering what she’d say if she’d seen him behind the wheel, racing like his life depended on it. The breakup had been sitting heavy in his chest, like every glance on the way was a reminder that she was there and she wasn’t his anymore. But that race, however stupid, reckless and completely illegal as it was, had cracked open a door in his mind he hadn’t realized he needed. For a few minutes, adrenaline had replaced worry, focus had replaced heartache, and for the first time since the breakup, he felt… in control. Like he could drive through life without the weight of everything else crashing down.
It reminded him of quarterback days back in the day, of that thrill under Friday night lights when the field was his and the clock didn’t matter, and the whole world was just a blur of motion he could command. That was him now, just a blur of movement, lungs full of crisp morning air, heart pounding, winning in his own way.
He slung his bag over his shoulder, giving Rudy one last shove toward the doors. “Or worse, before you start crying about ketchup packets again.”
———
Jesse pushed open the doors and stepped into the crowded chaos of the school hallway, the scent of marker, floor polish, and too many teens crammed into one space hitting him all at once. Lockers clanged, sneakers squeaked, and a hundred half-laughing voices bounced off the walls. He tugged his hoodie tighter, as if he could disappear into it, trying not to look like the half-asleep, adrenaline-drunk idiot he still was.
Rudy trailed at his shoulder, grinning like the devil. “Future legend reporting for duty,” he whispered, theatrically saluting as they weaved between clusters of students. Jesse rolled his eyes, suppressing a laugh. The adrenaline still hummed through him, making everything feel sharper, making every sideways glance feel like spotlights.
“Morning, boys,” said a familiar voice, cutting through the
Mrs. Lewis, their Science teacher, was leaning against a locker near the entrance, clipboard in hand and brow furrowed. She wasn’t smiling, she never really did, but she looked at them like she already knew the chaos they were capable of before first bell.
“Morning, mrs. Lewis,” Jesse said, casual, like they hadn’t just broken multiple traffic laws before 8:30 a.m.
“Racing trucks through the neighborhood again, I see,” she said, voice sharp, eyebrows lifted. She wasn’t even mad exactly, more like… disappointed with a side of suspicion. “Do you boys plan to injure someone before first period, or is today supposed to be safe?”
Rudy snorted, nudging Jesse. “Just a warm-up, ma’am. Nothing to worry about.”
“Warm-up, huh?” she muttered, tapping her clipboard, eyes narrowing slightly. “Good. Because you’re late, and if I catch either of you doing… whatever stunt-driving thing again, I swear…” She let it hang, glare slicing right through him before she turned away. Clipboard tapping against her side as she disappeared down the hallway.
Jesse exhaled slowly, watching her go, then caught Rudy’s grin flickering in the corner of his vision. “See that?” Rudy whispered. “She totally knows we’re trouble.”
“Yeah,” Jesse muttered, a laugh slipping out despite himself. He shook his head, voice just loud enough for Rudy to hear. “Sweetie, everyone knows you’re trouble.”
Jesse shook his head, laughing quietly, letting the sound spill into the hallway. The laughter felt heavier than it should, warm in his chest, a little reminder that he could still feel alive, still belong somewhere, even if home felt emptier than it used to.