Perfect Chemistry

by Simone Elkeles

Page 35

 

  "Come and fight me, geek," Sam calls out.

  I step forward, getting in the middle. "Sam, whats your problem?"

  "This pendejo took my parkin spot," Sam says, pointing past me to White Guy.

  "So what? Did you find another spot?"

  Sam stands stiffly, ready to kick White Guys ass. Sam can do it, no problem.

  "Yeah, I found another spot. "

  "Then leave the guy alone. I know him. Hes cool. "

  Sam raises an eyebrow. "You know this guy?"

  "Listen," I say, taking one look at White Guy and am glad hes wearing a blue button-down instead of his coral shirt. Its still geek city, but at least I can keep a straight face when I say, "This guys been in jail more times than me. He might look like a complete pendejo, but underneath that fucked-up hair and lame shirt hes a complete badass. "

  "Youre fuckin with me, Alex," Sam says.

  I step out of the way and shrug. "Dont say I didnt warn you. "

  White Guy steps forward, attempting to look tough. I bite my lower lip to keep from laughing and cross my arms around my chest as if waiting for the ass-kicking to start. My LB buddies also wait, ready to see Sam get his ass kicked by a white geek.

  Sam looks from Alex to White Guy and back. "If youre fuckin with me, Alex--"

  "Check his police record. Grand theft auto is his specialty. "

  Sam contemplates his next move. White Guy doesnt wait. He walks over to me, holding out his fist. "You need anything, Alex, you know whos got your back. "

  My fist connects with White Guys. Hes gone a second later and Im thankful nobody noticed his fist shaking in fear.

  I catch White Guy at his locker between first and second period. "Did you mean it? That if I needed anythin youd help?"

  "After this morning, I owe you my life," White Guy says. "I dont know why you stuck up for me, but I was scared shitless. "

  "Thats rule number one. Dont let them see you scared shitless. "

  White Guy snorts. I guess its his laugh--either that or he has a really bad sinus infection. "Ill try and remember that the next time a gang member threatens my life. " He holds out his hand for me to shake. "Im Gary Frankel. "

  I grab his hand and give it a shake. "Listen, Gary," I say. "My court date is next week and Id rather not rely on a public defender. You think your mom can help?"

  Gary smiles. "I think so. Shes really good. If its your first offense, she could probably get you a short probation. "

  "I cant afford--"

  "Dont worry about the money, Alex. Heres her card. Ill tell her youre a friend of mine and shell do it pro bono. "

  As Gary walks down the hallway, I think of how funny it is that the most unlikely person sometimes becomes your ally. And how a blond girl can make you think futures are something to look forward to.

  CHAPTER 45 Brittany

  After the game on Saturday afternoon, a game we won due to Dougs touchdown pass with four seconds to go in the game, Im talking to Sierra and the M-factors on the side of the field. Were trying to figure out where we want to go celebrate the victory.

  "How about Lou Malnatis?" Morgan calls out.

  Everyone agrees, because its the best pizza place in town. Megan is on a diet and is craving their special house salad, so its a done deal.

  As were figuring out the logistics, I look over at Isabel talking to Maria Ruiz. I walk over to them. "Hey, guys," I say. "You want to come to Lou Malnatis with us?"

  Marias eyebrows are furrowed in confusion. Isabels arent, though. "Sure," Isabel says.

  Maria looks from Isabel to me, then back. She says something to Isabel in Spanish, then says shell meet us at the restaurant.

  "What did she say?"

  "She wanted to know why youd ask us to hang with you and your friends. "

  "What did you tell her?"

  "I told her that Im one of your friends, although as a hint my friends call me Isa, not Isabel. "

  I lead her over to the rest of my friends, then look over at Sierra, who admitted to being jealous of my friendship with Isabel not too long ago. But instead of acting cold, she smiles at Isabel and asks her to show her how she does the double back flip in one of our routines. It just reinforces why shes my best friend. Madison seems as stunned as Maria was when I inform everyone that Maria and Isabel will be joining us at Lou Malnatis, but she doesnt say anything.

  Maybe, just maybe, this is a small step toward what Dr. Aguirre calls "bridging the gap. " Im not naive enough to think I can change Fairfield overnight, but over the past weeks my perceptions of certain people have changed. I hope their perceptions of me have changed, too.

  At the restaurant, Im sitting next to Isabel. A bunch of guys from the football team have come in, so the restaurant has been taken over by Fairfield High students. Darlene walks in with Colin. Hes got his arm around her as if theyre a couple.

  Sierra, on the other side of me, says, "Tell me she doesnt have her hand in his back pocket. That is so lame. "

  "I dont care," I tell her, easing any worries she might have about me being upset. "If they want to date, all the more power to them. "

  "Shes only doing it because she wants everything you had. Its a competition thing with her. First taking your position on the squad, now putting her claws into Colin. Next thing you know shell want to change her name to Brittany. "

  "Very funny. "

  "You say that now," she says, then moves in close and whispers, "it wont be so funny if she wants Alex next. "

  "Now thats not funny. "

  Doug walks in and Sierra waves him over. He cant squeeze into a chair so Sierra gives up her seat then sits on his lap. They start making out, and thats my cue to turn away and talk to Isabel.

  "How are things progressing with you-know-who?" I ask, knowing I cant bring up Pacos name because she doesnt want Maria to know she has the hots for him.

  She sighs. "Theyre not. "

  "Why not? Didnt you have the talk with him like I told you to?"

  "No. Hes been acting like a pendejo, completely ignoring the fact that we got together that one night. Im thinking he doesnt bring it up because he doesnt want it to go farther. "

  I think of me breaking up with Colin and going for it with Alex. Every time I break out of what is expected of me and finally do what feels right, I feel stronger. "Take a risk, Isa. I guarantee its worth it. "

  "You just called me Isa. "

  "I know. Is that okay?"

  She pushes my shoulder playfully. "Yeah, Brit. Its fine. "

  Talking to Isa about Paco makes me feel adventurous, and feeling adventurous makes me think of Alex. As soon as were done eating, and everyone starts leaving, I call Alex on my cell as Im walking to my car. "Do you know where Club Mystique is?"

  "Yeah. "

  "Meet me there tonight at nine. "

  "Why? Whats up?"

  "Youll see," I say, then hang up but realize Darlene is right behind me. Did she hear me talking to Alex?

  "Hot date tonight?" she asks.

  That answers my question. "What have I done to you to make you hate me so much? Were friends one minute, and the next I feel youre plotting against me. "

  Darlene shrugs, then flips her hair back. The gesture alone is a sign I can no longer consider her my friend. "I guess Im sick of living in your shadow, Brit. Its time to give up your reign. Youve played Fairfield Highs princess for so long. Its time to give someone else a chance to be in the spotlight. "

  "You can have the spotlight. Enjoy it," I tell her. She has no clue I never wanted it in the first place. If anything, I just used the spotlight to enhance the show I put on for everyone else.

  When I get to Club Mystique at nine, Alex sneaks up behind me outside. I turn around and wrap my arms around his neck.

  "Whoa, girl," he says, taken aback. "I thought we were keepin this thing between us a secret. I hate to tell you, but a bunch of north siders from Fairfield are right over there. And theyre starin at us. "<
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  "I dont care. Not anymore. "

  "Why?"

  "You only live once. "

  He seems to like my answer, because he takes my hand in his and leads me to the back of the line. Its cold outside, so he opens his leather jacket and envelopes me in his warmth while we wait to get in.

  I look up at him, our bodies pressed together. "Are you going to dance with me tonight?" I ask.

  "Hell, yeah. "

  "Colin never wanted to dance with me. "

  "Im not Colin, querida, and never will be. "

  "Good. Ive got you, Alex. I realize its all I need and Im ready to share it with the world. "

  Inside the club, Alex immediately heads for the dance floor with me. I ignore the gawking stares from Fairfield students from my side of town as I pull Alex close to me and we move as one to the beat.

  We move together as if weve been a couple forever, every movement in sync with each other. For the first time Im not afraid of what people think of me and Alex together. Next year, in college, it wont matter who came from what side of town.

  Troy, a boy I danced with the last time I came to Club Mystique, taps me on the shoulder as the music makes the dance floor vibrate. "Whos the new stud?" he asks.

  "Troy, this is my boyfriend, Alex. Alex, this is Troy. "

  "Hey, man," Alex says as he holds out his hand and quickly shakes Troys.

  "I have a feeling this guy wont make the same mistake the other one did," Troy says to me.

  I dont answer, because I feel Alexs hands around my waist and back and it feels so right to have him here with me. I think he liked me calling him my boyfriend, and it felt so good to say it out loud. I lean my back against his chest and close my eyes, letting the rhythm of the music and the movement of our bodies mold together.

  After weve been dancing awhile and need a breather, we walk off the dance floor. I whip out my cell and say, "Pose for me. "

  The first picture I take is of him trying to pose like a cool bad boy. It makes me laugh. I take another one before he can strike a pose this time.

  "Lets take one of the both of us," he says, pulling me close. I press my cheek against his while he takes my cell and puts it as far away as he can reach, then freezes this perfect moment with a click. After the picture is taken, he pulls me into his arms and kisses me.

  Leaning against Alex, I scan the crowd. On the first floor, right by the balcony, is Colin--the last person I thought would be here. Colin hates it here; he hates to dance.

  His angry eyes meet mine, then he makes a big show of kissing the girl standing next to him. Its Darlene. And shes kissing him back with all shes got while he grabs her butt and grinds against her. She knew Id be here tonight with Alex, and she obviously planned this.

  "You want to go?" Alex asks as he catches sight of Colin and Darlene.

  I turn to face him and once again Im breathless just looking at his beautiful, strong features. "Nope. But its so hot in here. Take off your jacket. "

  He hesitates before saying, "I cant. "

  "Why not?"

  He winces.