by Chris Cannon
I may have fallen ass backward into this project because of Charlie, but it seemed like a karmic gift. I dreamt about renting a Dumpster and emptying all the dusty old crap out of my house. If I couldn’t do it at home, at least I could help transform an old building into a place that would help keep things out of landfills.
I grabbed the boxes from the backseat and walked around to the patio doors because there was zero room to maneuver if I went in the front door. And I didn’t want to die in a storage box landslide.
Funny how I’d panicked for a moment when we pulled in the driveway. Almost kissing Nina hadn’t been something I’d planned. The desire to kiss her came out of nowhere. When she’d hugged me it was like everything had fallen into place—kind of like her whole universe theory, which made it funny and annoying at the same time.
I let myself in and the sight of my mom sitting at the kitchen table with two cups of coffee threw me off balance. She pushed the second cup toward the chair I normally sat in. “I was hoping you’d be home before the coffee went cold. Where were you?”
Accusation was clear in her voice, like I’d abandoned her. Maybe if she left the house every once in a while she would find some new people to talk to.
“I ran an errand after school.” I sat and picked up the cup of coffee. It wasn’t hot, but it was warm enough. “Thanks for the coffee.”
“You’re welcome. I thought about making PB&Js, but I wasn’t sure if you were having dinner next door or not.”
“Not tonight.”
“You like her, don’t you?” My mom smiled over the rim of her coffee cup.
“Nina? Yes and no.”
“That’s a strange answer,” she said.
“It’s been a strange day.”
“Tell me about her. What does she like to do?” my mom asked.
“She likes books, Harry Potter, dogs, and moldy old buildings.”
“Those are mostly good qualities.” My mom ducked her head. “I have a confession.”
Oh, hell. What did she do?
“I watch her family from my bedroom window.”
“You do?” That was odd. “I didn’t think you could get to your window.” Most of the windows in our house were hidden behind walls of boxes.
“When they moved in, I was curious, so I shifted things around so I could watch them. It’s more interesting than watching television.”
“Instead of spying on Nina’s family, you could go out and meet them, interact like you used to.”
“I might like that one day.” She sipped her coffee. “But I’d have to talk to your father first. He doesn’t like me to leave the house.”
“He doesn’t?” Was this part of her mental illness, or did my dad actually discourage her from socializing? “It’s nice outside. We could take our coffee on the back porch right now, if you want. No one else has to be involved.”
She adjusted the front of her robe, pulling it tighter “I’m not dressed. Maybe tomorrow.”
The small glimmer of hope that had been growing inside of me fizzled out. “Whenever you’re ready.” My stomach growled. Suddenly, it felt like I was starving. “What do you want for dinner?”
“Whatever you feel like cooking.” She stood. “Why don’t you call me when it’s ready. I’ll be in my room.”
“Sure, Mom.” She padded back down the hallway in her slippers. I closed my eyes and resisted the urge to lay my head on the table. For a few moments, I’d thought she might be getting better…that she was interested in the outside world again…that she might want to go outside and rejoin society or, at the very least, cook dinner, since she was supposed to be the one taking care of me. Sometimes I was amazed by my own stupidity. She wasn’t getting better, and she probably never would. I pushed up from my chair, feeling like I had a hundred-pound weight balanced on my head.
I opened the refrigerator and grabbed a package of Ball Park franks. Gourmet it was not, but I was hungry. I zapped the hotdogs in the microwave and ate three of them before I put one on the table for my mom. My dad could make his own. I headed to my room, stopping for a moment outside of my mom’s door to let her know food was on the table and I was going to do my homework.
Once I was in my room, I put my phone on the charger and pulled a book up on my tablet—the same book I’d been reading this morning when Nina had given me a ride to school. Would she still want to give me a ride to school tomorrow? Then again, it’s not like she had a choice, since she was the reason my car was in the shop.
The next morning, I waited for her in the driveway, reading on my cell just like the day before. She appeared, on time, without saying a word. After she unlocked the doors and climbed in, I joined her. She didn’t try to kick me out, so I guess we were good.
Chapter Seventeen
Nina
West read his book on the way to school. It was almost like yesterday never happened…like he’d never tried to kiss me. He had tried to kiss me, hadn’t he? Of course he had. Why else would he lean in like that? And the look in his eyes when he’d done it, like he saw something he wanted…someone he wanted. My face flushed as I replayed the scene in my head. Was West thinking about the not-quite-a-kiss, too, or was he reading his book. After a few minutes of silence I caved.
“Are you not talking to me?”
“I was waiting and saving my energy for when you launched into a we-must-keep-the-moldy-old-library open debate,” he said.
“I’m not typically a morning debater,” I said.
“I didn’t realize you had to schedule these things.”
I laughed. “Catch me around lunch and I’ll be ready to go.”
“Or you could just have your opinion, and I could have mine.”
“Yes, but yours would still be wrong. Next topic. Have you heard back about your car?”
“Nice segue, and yes, it shouldn’t take long to fix. They’re waiting on a part.”
“Good.” I prayed it wouldn’t be an expensive part. “I am really sorry about it.”
“I know,” he said. “It was a stupid mistake.” He emphasized the word stupid, like he was baiting me.
Game on. “One you could just as easily have made,” I said.
“But I didn’t. And I thought you didn’t like to debate in the morning.”
“I might have changed my mind.”
“Okay. Well there’s no way for you to win the argument about hitting my car, so feel free to move on to the library.” He cracked his knuckles and gave off an air of self-satisfaction.
“Smug much?” I asked.
“Only when it’s called for.”
Was it wrong that I was enjoying this? I cleared my throat like I was about to make an announcement. “First off, libraries are near and dear to my heart, so the idea of gutting one and turning it into a recycling center annoys me. I Googled it last night, and the nearest library is forty minutes away. So I’d like to file a complaint that the rehab date has been set when the new library hasn’t even been built yet.”
“And who would you like to file this complaint with? Because the last time I checked, that’s not my department.”
“Right now you are the sole representative of the anti-library coalition, so I’m filing the complaint with you.”
“I refuse to accept it.”
I laughed as I pulled into the parking lot. Once I found a spot and parked, I released my seat belt and turned to him. What would he do if I leaned in and kissed him? I could do it. Just lean toward him a little bit to see how he’d react…but what if he didn’t notice or, worse yet, blew me off? For now, I’d stick with talking. “Eventually, you’ll concede that I’m right and you’re wrong.” I grabbed my backpack and scooted out of the car. Before closing the door, I added, “And you’re still taking me to the Valentine’s Dance.” Just for fun.
I headed toward the sidewalk, waiting to see how West would respond. He caught up and fell into step beside me. “Interesting debating style. Make a grand announcement and then flee. Does it normally wo
rk?”
I grinned. “I haven’t tried it before, so I guess we’ll have to wait and see.”
“You’re a fascinating girl, Nina. But I’m not taking you to the Valentine’s Dance.”
“Why not? What’s your objection?”
“It’s the principle,” he said. “Dances are ridiculous.”
I looked him up and down. “You can’t dance.”
“I can dance,” he said. “I choose not to.”
“Right.” I was having so much fun joking with West, I didn’t want to push my luck, so I let the subject drop for now.
For the rest of the week, I gave him a ride to school. We laughed and talked a lot, but he never tried to kiss me. I didn’t get it. It’s not like he was only hanging out with me because he was stuck with me. Right? I mean, sure we lived next door to each other, and I gave him a ride to school, and…I didn’t like where this line of thinking was taking me.
Friday, on the way home from school, West said, “So what are you doing tonight?”
Oh my God. Was he finally asking me on a date? Lisa and I had our Friday night bookstore plans, and I’d never cancel on her just because a guy asked me out. Maybe he’d want to do something on Saturday. “Lisa and I are going to the bookstore tonight. What are your big plans for the weekend?”
“The most exciting part of my weekend will be getting my car back, which means we won’t have to ride to school together on Monday.”
Oh. He didn’t have to sound so thrilled about it. “That’s cool.”
“You won’t have to wake up early,” he said. “I thought that would make you happy.”
“I hadn’t thought about it like that,” I said. “And I guess you can go back to arriving at school really early for no apparent reason.”
And the conversation kind of stalled out. He looked at his cell, and I tried to come up with something to say that didn’t make me sound desperate. When I parked, he didn’t look up from his phone. He just said, “See you later.” And he climbed out of the car.
Hmmm… I wish the conversation had ended on a more positive note. What’s done was done. Disappointment and doubt lapped at the corners of my mind. I did my best to ignore them. When I entered the house, Gidget ran to greet me. I sat down and hugged her. Dogs were good. Boys were confusing. And dating/not dating, or whatever it was we’d been doing, sucked.
Chapter Eighteen
West
I picked up my car Saturday afternoon and drove around town just because I could. Having my car back felt like freedom. Sure, my dad would have let me borrow the Humvee if I asked, but I also would have received an unwanted lecture. Plus, the thing burned through gas like crazy.
My Fusion didn’t go through a quarter of the gas his car did. And it looked a lot cooler doing it. I drove past restaurants that had hearts in their windows. Valentine’s Day wasn’t too far away. What was I going to do about Nina and the dance?
My cell rang and a call from Matt came through the speakers. “Hey, Matt. What’s up?”
“We’re out at Bixby’s. Come meet us.”
“Okay.” The call disconnected. Why were they at Bixby’s? The retro burger place wasn’t one of our normal hangouts because it catered to families.
When I pulled into the parking lot, I was surprised to see it was crowded. The marquee announced they were showing classic movies on a newly installed eighty-inch flat-screen television. Whenever anyone said something was a classic, I always wondered who made that distinction. My dad watched Jaws any time it was on television. A crazy old guy took a scientist and a cop, who was afraid of the water, into the middle of the ocean to track down and kill a giant man-eating shark…with a rifle. I didn’t get it.
I parked in the first open spot and then went to look for Matt and Charlie. They were seated inside at one of the chrome tables with black vinyl stools. I sat next to Matt and grabbed one of his fries. “What movie are they playing?”
“Harry Potter,” Matt said, “and get your own food.”
“Why do you want to watch Harry Potter?” Neither of them had read the books, and I was pretty sure they hadn’t seen the movies.
“We’re not here for the movie.” Matt inclined his head toward the waitress who was walking toward us with a huge grin on her face.
“Not a word.” Charlie’s tone made it clear that if Matt gave him crap about this, there would be hell to pay.
“Hi, I’m Clarissa, and I’m waiting on this section. Are you ready to order?”
“Chili-cheese fries and a Coke,” I said.
Clarissa smiled at Charlie and her cheeks turned pink. “Did you need anything else?”
“No, thanks,” Charlie said, avoiding eye contact.
The girl’s smile wavered. “Okay then. I’ll be right out with those fries.”
When she was far enough away that she couldn’t hear, I said, “Is your plan to ignore her until she asks you on a date? ’Cause I don’t think that’s going to work.”
Matt snorted. “I told him to ask for her number.”
“I’m working up to it,” Charlie said.
My home life may be a mess, but I didn’t usually have trouble talking to girls.
“West, what are you doing here?” Nina’s voice came from behind me.
I turned to see her standing there with her friend. Of course, she was wearing a Harry Potter shirt, which was bookishly hot. “I’m here offering moral support to my cousin Charlie so he’ll grow some balls and ask Clarissa on a date.”
Nina smiled and glanced back and forth between my cousins. “I’m guessing you’re Charlie, since you look like you want to punch West.”
“That’s hardly a test, since he always looks like he wants to punch someone,” Matt said.
Clarissa came toward us carrying my order on a bright orange tray. Her smile faltered when she saw our group had grown by two girls.
“Here you go.” She set the tray on the table. “Anyone need anything else?”
“Clarissa, have you met Charlie?” Nina asked.
I barely suppressed a laugh at the panicked look on Charlie’s face.
“I’ve seen him around school,” Clarissa said. “Why do you ask?”
“I think he likes you, but he’s too shy to ask for your number,” Nina said.
“Well, if he ever works up the nerve, I’d probably give it to him.” Clarissa grinned and then walked off.
“See,” Nina said. “Nothing to worry about.”
Charlie leaned over and punched me on the shoulder.
“What was that for?” I asked.
“Your girlfriend is the one giving me grief,” he said.
“She’s not my girlfriend,” I said.
“Nope,” Nina said. “I’m just the girl he’s taking to the Valentine’s Day Dance.”
“We’re not going to that stupid dance,” I said.
“You could ask Clarissa to the dance,” Nina said to Charlie. “We could double, since West and I are absolutely going to the dance.”
Matt laughed. “I like her. She doesn’t take any crap, and she tries to boss you around.”
“Yes,” I said. “She’s a ray of sunshine.”
“You know you like me.” Nina sat next to me and stole one of my fries.
I did like her, but I still felt the need to give her some grief. “Well, help yourself, why don’t you?”
She grinned and snatched another fry. “Okay.”
I rolled my eyes. “I thought you were fluent in sarcasm.”
Chapter Nineteen
Nina
“I helped out your cousin, and I’m taking my due in french fries.”
“I like you.” West pulled his fries closer like he was defending his territory. “But chili-cheese fries are my favorite food on the planet.”
“Fine.” I laughed. “I’ll order my own.”
“I’ll get them,” Charlie said. “Since apparently, I’m going to talk to Clarissa, anyway.”
“Good for you.” I did a small happy dance i
n my seat.
West looked at me like I was insane.
“What? I helped and I’m happy about it.”
“No. You stuck your nose in where it didn’t belong,” West said. “And it just happened to work out. What if she didn’t like him?”
“But she did.” I pretended to reach for one of his fries.
He sighed and pushed the container toward me. “You’re lucky I like you.”
Matt pointed at Lisa. “You can sit, if you want to.”
“I was waiting to see how Nina’s meddling turned out before I committed to taking a seat. We’ve had to make some quick exits in the past.”
“Imagine my surprise,” West said.
“That was only one time,” I said. “And I had no idea the guy was dating two girls.”
Charlie came back with a container of chili-cheese fries and a smile on his face.
“Did she give you her number?” I asked.
“Yes,” he said.
Lisa sat down between Matt and me and reached for one of the fries. “I call dibs on the fries without chili.”
“They’re chili-cheese fries,” Matt said. “That’s the whole point.”
Lisa shrugged. “I prefer the cheese.”
“So you could order cheese fries,” Matt said.
“Allow me to explain,” I said. “If we share fries, then we can pretend we’re eating semi-healthy because we didn’t scarf down a whole order of fries by ourselves. It’s a girl thing.”
“Shouldn’t you be drinking diet soda while you eat the fries?” Matt said. “My sister thinks that cancels out the calories.”
“Makes sense, but no, because diet soda is gross,” I said. “If I’m going to drink the chemicals, I’d rather have the flavor, too.”
We ate our fries and made small talk until the theme song for Harry Potter blasted through the speakers and the television flickered to life. Someone dimmed the lights. “Time to relocate for a better view.”
I tossed my empty fries container. Lisa and I headed back over to the table we’d staked out with our coats.
