by Laura Dower
“It’s a note from your admirer, isn’t it?” Aimee said, pirouetting a little. “I knew he’d do something else!”
Madison read the note aloud.
Fiona peered over at the card. “It’s pretty,” she said.
“I wonder if whoever made it is still in the hallway, waiting to see what you do when you open it,” Aimee said, looking around.
“Maybe it was that ninth grader,” Fiona joked. “He’s over there at his locker again.”
“Cut it out,” Madison said. The hallway was packed. She stared at all of the familiar faces. For some reason everyone seemed like a stranger today.
Ivy strolled by again with her drones. She cast a glance back at Madison.
Could the secret admirer be her? Madison wondered. Is this whole thing just a valentine trick?
Madison studied the note. She tried to remember some old letters Ivy had typed back when they were friends. Ivy would pick print that was very different from this. This note didn’t have the loops and curlicues Ivy had liked. The person who typed this was more formal—more boylike somehow.
Brrrrring!
When the bell rang, Aimee said good-bye. Madison and Fiona headed off to Mr. Gibbons’s English class, Madison as confused as ever about the identity of her secret admirer. She slid into her seat. Luckily, Mr. Gibbons was too busy writing an assignment on the board to notice their lateness.
“Everyone, please copy down this week’s writing assignment,” Mr. Gibbons said, pointing to the blackboard. “Instead of having you all do book reports on My Brother Sam Is Dead,” he said, naming the novel the class was currently reading, “I’ve decided to give you an independent project instead. You should find a biography or an autobiography, or some other nonfiction book on a person or subject from the American Revolution, and then write a three-page paper on that topic.”
The class groaned in unison.
“Good, I’m glad to hear that you’re all excited about the assignment,” Mr. Gibbons said. “You may work alone or in pairs. The project is due next Friday, February fourteenth. My Valentine’s Day gift to you all.”
Madison heard a cough coming from behind her. Something small and white scooted beneath her desk. After a moment, she “accidentally” knocked her pen off her desk, picked up the note along with her pen, and smoothed it open on her lap so that Mr. Gibbons wouldn’t see.
Maddie,
Let’s do a project 2gether! I’ll come over later—soccer is canceled 2day!
Fiona
Madison turned in her seat and gave Fiona a thumbs-up.
While other kids in class chose their partners, Mr. Gibbons handed out a sheet of vocabulary words. Then he led the class in a discussion of the last chapter of the book they had read.
Mr. Gibbons was in the middle of a profound thought when the classroom phone jingled. Cha-ching! He turned his back on the class to answer it.
The moment he did that, everyone started talking.
“Hey, Maddie,” Dan Ginsburg whispered. He was sitting to her right. “Guess who came into the animal clinic yesterday?”
Madison smiled at the eager look on Dan’s face. “Judging by your expression, I’m guessing it was someone good,” she whispered. “Taylor Swift?”
Dan laughed. “Ha-ha,” he said. “No. A llama named Gertrude!”
“No way!” Madison cried. Her voice squeaked so loud that a few kids turned around to look right at her, including Hart, who was sitting in the front row.
Madison’s heart flip-flopped. Hart had a big smile on his face. She couldn’t take her eyes off him.
“…so then the llama needed emergency surgery,” Dan said. “Uh … hello?”
Madison turned and realized that Dan was still talking, even though she hadn’t really been listening.
“I’ll definitely have to come by the clinic sometime to see,” Madison said.
“See what?” Dan asked.
“The llama,” Madison said. She was looking at Dan now, but her eyes kept shifting to the back of Hart’s head.
“Maddie, what are you talking about? I just told you that the llama was sent to the zoo for special care,” Dan said.
“Sure,” Madison said absently.
“Huh?” Dan said, grabbing his books and shoving them into his bag.
“Where are you going?” Madison asked.
“Class is over,” Dan said. “Didn’t you hear the bell?”
Madison shook her head. She hadn’t heard much of anything except her own dreamy thoughts. Hart had smiled at her. Just when she thought that her crush on him couldn’t get any worse, it had. It was worse than ever now that Madison thought it was possible—just possible—that he was Orange Crush.
“See you later, Maddie,” Dan said as he walked out of the classroom.
“Uh-huh,” Madison said.
But she was looking at Hart when she said it.
Chapter 4
“IF MRS. QUILL MAKES US diagram one more sentence,” Aimee said, “I swear, I’m going to scream. Loudly.” She had been lying on her belly on the floor of Madison’s room, poring over her grammar book, but now she flipped the cover closed and sat up. Since Aimee had early morning ballet practice instead of her usual after-school time, she could join Madison and Fiona’s study group.
“Fiona and I have a paper to write for our English class,” Madison said.
“Who can think about homework when there’s a school dance coming up?” Aimee asked, pulling a magazine off the pile on Madison’s nightstand. “Let’s look at hairstyles,” she suggested.
“Great idea,” Fiona said, clearing a place for Aimee on the bed. “We can study later.”
Aimee giggled and plopped on the bed. Phin jumped down. It was getting crowded up there.
“I want to look good at this dance,” Aimee gushed, talking a mile a minute. “The eighth and ninth graders will be there, and I don’t want to feel like some seventh-grade baby.” She shook her silky blond hair as she flipped through page after page of smiling teen models.
“What are you going to wear?” Madison asked.
“Well, since it’s Valentine’s Day, I was thinking that I would wear my red leggings and that cool black sweater dress with the sequin hearts on it or maybe that dip-dyed red dress,” she said. “Or should I go shopping for something new?”
“Yeah,” Fiona admitted. “It’s the most romantic day of the year. I want to look good, too.”
“Hmmm. For your date?” Madison asked, smiling.
Fiona giggled. “Uh…well …”
“Well? What? Well what?” Aimee asked. “Did Egg ask you?”
“Calm down,” Fiona said with a laugh, “nobody’s asked anyone anything yet. But Walter and I did have a very interesting conversation last night online. He messaged me.” She fiddled with one of her braids.
“And?” Madison and Aimee asked at the exact same time.
“And I decided that I might as well tell him that I like him.” Fiona’s voice was matter-of-fact, but her eyes were dancing.
“Oh-em-gee! You didn’t. You did? I can’t believe it!” Aimee cried.
“Wow,” was all that Madison could say. An image of Hart flashed in her mind. There was no way that she could do what Fiona had done.
“So what did he say?” Aimee asked.
“He said that he liked me, too,” Fiona replied.
Madison and Aimee squealed. “NO WAY!”
“Get out!” Aimee shrieked. “Egg said that? I can’t believe it!”
“Wow,” Madison said. “Does this mean that you guys are a couple now?”
Madison was happy for Fiona, but she felt a teeny twinge. Would all of her friends get dates while she was the only single girl in seventh grade?
Fiona shrugged. “Well, we’re not a couple,” she admitted. “I mean, we like each other, but we haven’t said that we’re a couple. He hasn’t invited me to the dance officially or anything.”
“He’s playing it cool,” Aimee said, nodding knowingly.
“Oh, please. Since when does Egg know about cool?” Madison asked. “He probably hasn’t even thought of asking you.”
“Hmmmm. Good point,” Aimee said. “We should think of it for him!”
“What?” Fiona asked. “You’ve got a weird ‘I’m planning something crazy’ look on your face, Aimee. What are you thinking?”
“Don’t worry, I won’t do anything embarrassing,” Aimee promised Fiona. “I’ll just call Egg and casually mention the Heart to Heart dance and casually mention that Fiona said that she wanted to go and oh-so-very casually remind him that it’s cheaper for couples to buy their tickets early …”
“No!” Fiona yelled.
“Yes! Let’s do it!” Madison said eagerly. She ran to get the portable phone from Mom’s room. From his sleeping spot on the floor, Phin yawned, his long pink tongue curling like a ribbon.
Fiona giggled. “No! No! Don’t do this!”
Madison handed the phone to Aimee.
“No! NO!” Fiona continued to protest, giggling the whole time.
“Shhhh! Fiona, you have to be quiet, or Egg will get suspicious,” Aimee said as she started punching in Egg’s home phone number.
Fiona put both hands over her mouth to stop her giggles. Madison put her head next to the receiver so that she could hear as well as Aimee.
After the third ring, someone picked up. “Hello?” said a voice.
Madison made a face. Aimee’s jaw dropped and she immediately slammed down the phone.
“What are you doing?” Fiona asked.
“That wasn’t Egg. That was Senora Diaz!” Aimee shrieked. Egg’s mom was a Spanish teacher at Far Hills Junior High.
“Oh no,” Fiona grimaced.
“I hope she doesn’t have caller ID,” Madison said. Everyone cracked up.
“Okay, that totally didn’t work,” Aimee said. “Let’s call someone else!”
“And say what?” Madison asked, unable to control her laughing.
“Let’s find out who the other guys are asking to the dance,” Aimee suggested. “It’ll be fun! Maybe they know if Egg is asking Fiona …”
Fiona huddled toward Aimee eagerly. “Let’s do it,” she said.
“Who should we call next?” Aimee asked.
“Drew,” Fiona suggested.
Madison nodded. Drew was Egg’s best friend. “If Drew is asking someone to the dance, Egg probably will be, too,” she said.
This time, Madison punched in the number. She had it listed inside her orange address book.
The phone rang twice before Drew picked up. “Helleeeww?” he said in a goofier than goofy voice. Madison felt snickering rise up in her chest—she couldn’t control it. Quickly, she clicked off the phone.
“Maddie! I can’t believe you just did that!” Aimee said, laughing.
“He—he—he said—” Madison could hardly speak, she was laughing so hard. “Helleeeww?” she imitated Drew’s silly voice.
Aimee and Fiona hooted. Fiona laughed so hard that she actually snorted, which sent Aimee and Madison into even bigger hysterics. All of the laughter put Phin into hyperdrive. He woke up, ran around in circles, and started yapping at his own tail.
“Stop!” Madison gasped. “I have to stop laughing.”
“My face hurts,” Aimee said, tears streaming down her face. “But I can’t stop!”
“THAT was funny,” Fiona said.
“Oh, please,” Aimee said, calming down. “We can’t ask them who they want to go to the dance with. Like they’d tell us!”
“Yeah, no one we know is romantic,” Fiona shrugged. “Except for Madison’s mystery man.”
“Yes,” Aimee said, looking at Madison. “I wonder who Mr. Romance is?”
“Take a look at the suspects,” Fiona said in an official voice. “Who would have access to red construction paper?”
Aimee and Madison looked at each other for a moment, then dissolved into more giggles.
“Good one, Fiona!” Madison said. “That really narrows it down.”
“Who would you really like to go to the dance with, Madison?” Fiona asked. “I mean it. For real.”
“Yeah, Maddie,” Aimee joined in. “Who would you go with?”
Madison pressed her lips together. Part of her really wanted to tell her friends about her crush on Hart, but she couldn’t risk it.
Thankfully, she didn’t have to answer. She was saved by Mom.
“Hey, girls,” Mom said from the doorway. “Studying hard?” She eyed the books that had been shoved off the bed in a heap.
“We’re taking a short break,” Madison explained.
“Yeah, really short,” Aimee added, laughing again.
“Mmmnuh-huh. Well, I’m about to order Chinese food,” Mom said. “So who’s staying for dinner?”
Aimee checked her watch. “Yikes!” she said. “I didn’t realize it was so late. I should get going. I was supposed to walk Blossom tonight.”
“I have to go, too,” Fiona said. “This is my aunt Brenda’s last night in town and Mom is making a big dinner.” She jumped off the bed to gather her books.
Madison drew in a deep breath, relief flooding her body. “Oh, you have to go? Okay,” she said, trying to keep her voice even. “I guess I’ll see you guys tomorrow then.”
“E me later though?” Fiona said as she and Aimee headed out the door. “We still need to talk about the project for English class that we didn’t talk about. This wasn’t exactly a study group, was it?”
“I’ll write or call,” Madison promised.
“Let me know if Orange Crush e-mails you again tonight,” Aimee whispered.
Madison smiled. “I will, I will! Good-bye.”
Mom followed the girls into the hall and waved good-bye.
After everyone had gone and the house felt a little quieter, Madison picked up her pillow and squeezed it against her chest. Was she being disloyal by still keeping Hart a secret from her friends? She had come so close to blurting out her feelings. But if Hart wasn’t the orange crusher, Madison thought, how humiliating would that have been?
Since she still had a few minutes before the takeout dinner arrived, Madison booted up her computer and started a new file.
Signs
If only my Magic 8 Ball were here instead of at Dad’s house! Then I could shake it, and find out whether Hart is really my mystery guy. Do the signs really point to yes? Or is that just what I want to believe?
Gramma Helen always says that when things are meant to be, I’ll see little signs along the way. But DBEYH! All of the signs I see around me don’t seem to apply to my life. I’m looking for a clear sign that says STOP or GO or at least HANG IN THERE.
Rude Awakening: My zodiac sign is Pisces, but my life sign is: ROAD CLOSED.
It seems like anytime I like a boy, he likes somebody else. Or else he ignores me. The “good” thing always seems to happen for girls like Ivy.
When will the good thing happen for me?
Madison was just about to save the file to her hard drive when a message popped up on her screen. Her mouth fell open.
This was a sign.
Madison’s fingers flew across the keyboard. This was her big chance! She had to find out if Orange Crush was who she thought—hoped—it was.
Madison stared at her keyboard, sighing. “Where did he go?” Madison thought. “I want to know who you are. I need to know!”
But the messenger was gone.
Disheartened, Madison reread the chat. Why did he have to leave so suddenly? Was “secret admirer” really just someone playing a joke—or was Orange Crush the real deal?
Madison wonder
ed why she couldn’t trust the signs when they pointed in one, positive direction: someone really DID like her.
It was only a matter of time before she found out who it was.
Chapter 5
“OUCH! PHINNIE, STOP!” Madison said groggily.
Phin ignored her. He marched across Madison’s comforter, paws prodding and poking into Madison’s tummy the entire time. He finally settled on a spot just south of her chin and north of her ribs.
“Don’t get too comfortable there,” Madison grumbled, nudging him off to the side. He yelped as she got out of bed, staring at Madison as she slid her feet into her fuzzy monkey slippers and stood up. A light rain tapped gently against the window glass. It was a perfect mall day.
What else was there to do on a dreary February Saturday but shop—or go online? Madison would do both. She collapsed onto her desk chair and booted up her laptop.
The Dance
I feel like time is just racing by. Thursday and Friday were so busy. I helped out at the animal clinic, Mom had a business dinner, and now it’s the weekend already. I wonder if my secret admirer will send me another message soon? I haven’t gotten anything the last two days.
There’s way too much to do before the Heart to Heart dance—my mind is spinning.
Buy new dress (+ shoes??)
Decide on hairstyle (up, down, or braids?)
Nails? (Or no, cuz I will just bite off the polish?)
Figure out ID of Orange Crush—VERY IMPORTANT
Get Dad to teach me his “cool dance moves” (ha-ha)
I can hardly wait till later to pick out something cool @ the mall. Boop-Dee-Doop just opened up a new outlet store and I am psyched. They e-mailed me a 20% off coupon a couple of days ago, and I’ve been dying to use it ever since I downloaded it. Here’s the deal: Mom and Dad have each given me $30 for a dress, so if I use my coupon, I can probably afford to get some hair clips or tights, too. I need to look perfect. Luckily, Aimee and Fiona are meeting me so they can help me with my look. :-lK-
Rude Awakening: When in doubt, shop.
Can a new outfit make the pre-dance jitters vanish?
It better.
The clock in the corner of Madison’s monitor flashed.
