In the Middle of Nowhere (Willow's Journey #1)

by Julie Ann Knudsen

  Before I knew it, I was waking up on a cold, but sunny Saturday morning. The birds were chirping softly outside my window. They were probably happy to be basking in the warmth of the sun within the leafless trees, despite the frigid temperature. The weatherman said it was supposed to warm above freezing in the afternoon. James and I would just need to bundle up.

  Because I was so excited for the weekend and hopeful that I’d be seeing Michael, the week flew right by. I couldn’t wait to go into Portland and get together with him. We decided to meet at noon at the sandwich shop called Gina’s. We didn’t have any definite plans other than lunch. We’d walk around and shop and make sure to go to the gaming store for James.

  I had waited until Friday night to tempt my brother with a video game. I wanted to wait until my mom and Brian left because I didn’t want James to spill the beans by mistake. Luckily he jumped at the chance for me to buy him the newest Zombie game. I figured he would. Now I just needed to figure out how to increase the funds in my rapidly depleting bank account. The only solution was for me to start looking for a job … and soon.

  I climbed out from the comforts of my warm bed and headed for the bathroom. I wanted to get showered so I could take my time getting ready. I already knew which outfit I was going to wear; my favorite LE jeans, UGG boots and a cute, green sweater under my North Face. I would also straighten my hair and wear some pretty blue eyeliner and mascara to show off my eyes.

  I was afraid this day would not happen. I was so nervous during the week that my mom would somehow find out about my stupidity on Saturday night. Brian had assured me she wouldn’t unless he felt the need to tell her, of course. Who died and made him God, I wanted to know?

  Either way, she never did confront me and I forced myself to be extra sweet whenever I was with her. I even gave her a big, long hug before she and Brian took off on Friday night.

  “Now remember, Willow, there’s dinner in the fridge for tomorrow night and money for take out, too.”

  “I know. Thanks, Mom.”

  Brian walked out and carried her suitcase to his car. “No friends here and no going over to your friend’s houses.” She looked at me sternly. “Understand?”

  I nodded obediently. “Yes, Mom.”

  “Okay. We’ll be home around dinner time on Sunday, but call me if you need anything.”

  “I will.”

  We kissed and hugged each other. And, just like that, my mother turned and drove off with her fiancé so his eager family could meet the blushing bride-to-be.

  • • •

  James woke up while I was in the shower, headed downstairs and got himself some breakfast. I wasn’t sure how to explain to my brother who Michael Cooper was once we met up with him; a friend, a schoolmate, a pen pal or a boyfriend. A boyfriend? I couldn’t believe I actually considered that for one moment. Michael wasn’t my boyfriend. Not even close. We hardly saw each other, only held hands a couple of times and never even shared a kiss.

  I decided to wait and just pretend that we ran into Michael once we got to the sandwich shop. Hopefully James wouldn’t be able to see through my lie. I’d have to put on the best theatrical performance of my life.

  Once I was ready, James and I walked to the dock to board the ferry. It was really cold outside, but I stopped James from complaining by telling him how lucky he was to be the first of his friends to have the cool, new game.

  The ferry ride seemed to take longer than usual. I think it was because I was so excited, yet anxious at the same time, to see Michael. I had imagined our rendezvous all week long, daydreaming during classes and choosing to eat in the lunchroom all by myself so no one would have the chance to interrupt my reverie.

  I avoided Tessa and even refused her invitation to sit at the jock table with Connor and Rocky. Somehow she got past being mad at Connor, even though she was not able to see him outside of school. It seemed as though Tessa was going stir crazy since Rocky and Connor got grounded. They were her connection to all the wild parties on the island and now she was cut off from each and every one of them.

  On Friday night, Tessa called and asked me if I wanted to hang out with her on Saturday night, just the two of us at her house. I told her I couldn’t because my mom was out of town and I would be doubly screwed if I slipped up even a bit. I didn’t tell her that I was meeting up with Michael. Even though I knew it was wrong, I didn’t feel like I was really betraying my mom. She told me not to have friends over and not to go over to a friend’s house. She didn’t say that I couldn’t go somewhere to meet them.

  “Does your mom know what happened?” Tessa had asked.

  “Not yet,” I had said.

  “Then what’s the big deal? She won’t find out if she hasn’t by now.”

  “That’s the point. If I mess up at all, she will find out for sure.”

  “How?”

  “Never mind how,” I had said before making up an excuse so I could quickly hang up. I didn’t want to tell her about Brian and his threat. “Gotta use the bathroom. Bye!”

  The boat pulled into the harbor with time to spare. It was only 11:30. I took out my cell phone and read the directions to the restaurant. I needed to know which way to head once we got off. James was completely engrossed in his Nintendo DS and unaware that we were in Portland. I stood up and tapped him on the shoulder.

  “Let’s go.”

  “Awww. Come on, Willow. I can’t stop now. I almost got all my superpowers back.”

  I grabbed the DS from his hand and turned it off.

  “Hey!” he screamed. People turned to stare.

  I bent down and warned him through clenched teeth. “If you give me a hard time, James, you’re not getting any game today or even your DS back.” As an afterthought I added, “And I won’t buy you any food either.”

  James huffed and stomped, but quickly followed me off the ferry as we made our way toward the delicious sandwich shop where a boy, who was too sick to come and see me, was hopefully waiting.

  • • •

  I checked the street address once again, #65. I realized we were close by and saw a big sign up ahead written in bold, red letters, Gina’s Deli.

  I felt myself getting more and more nervous with each step as we approached the front entrance. What if Michael wasn’t inside? How long should I stick around and wait for him?

  Just as I was about to open the door, a man barged out of it and whacked me in the foot. I screamed out in pain and tried to shake it off. Everyone inside turned and stared at me. The man apologized profusely. I was so embarrassed. I told him I was all right and forced James to walk inside before me.

  I looked around, but didn’t see Michael. James tugged on my coat. “Can we get something to eat now?”

  I scanned the deli again before answering. Still no sign of him. “Sure,” I said. I figured we might as well grab lunch and warmth while we could.

  The sandwich shop was small, but quaint and smelled delicious. Italy’s flag dangled in one corner, while Italian music played overhead. James and I stood in line and read the menu, which was written on a giant chalkboard that hung above the deli counter.

  “What are you gonna get?” I asked my brother.

  “I dunno. Everything sounds so good.”

  “Well you gotta decide. Fast.”

  “Next!” the chubby man behind the counter yelled. It was our turn to order.

  “James! What do you want?” I needed his answer immediately.

  “Umm …”

  I spoke up. “I’ll have a ham and Swiss on a hard roll with lettuce and mayo and my brother will have …”

  I poked James. “I’ll have the meatball grinder, please.”

  He wrote down our order. “Anything else?”

  I was just about to say, “No thanks,” but only managed to squeak out a “No,” when someone interrupted me.

  “Yeah. I’ll have an Italian combo sub, hold the onions and a roast beef sandwich with mustard on a hard roll, please.” I turned to find Michael st
anding next to me. He finished ordering as he casually slipped his hand around my waist.

  “That it?” the man asked slightly annoyed.

  Michael looked at me. I nodded. “That’s all, sir,” he said.

  I was stunned to see Michael and when I looked up at him, again, he grinned from ear to ear.

  “Where’d you come from?”

  He pointed to the front door. “From over there.”

  I smiled. “I didn’t realize you ate so much.”

  “It’s not all for me,” he said.

  “Huh?” I was confused.

  Michael turned and yelled, “Kevin!”

  A little blonde boy, who stood against a wall near the front door playing a Nintendo DS, stopped and looked up at Michael. “What?”

  “Grab us a table, buddy.”

  “Okay,” the boy smiled and said as he rushed to an open spot next to the big picture window.

  “Who’s that?”

  “My brother, Kevin.”

  Michael could tell I was surprised. “He’s only a year younger than James and I figured I might as well bring him along so he could entertain him.”

  He leaned in and whispered into my ear. “Keeps them out of our hair,” Michael paused and looked back at me.

  “Well, at least your pretty tresses,” he said as ran his fingers through the ends of mine.

  I felt shaky and weak in the knees and at that very moment, forgot that anyone else was in the little deli. The sandwich maker thought otherwise.

  “Hey, you!” he yelled to the two of us. “Your order’s up!”

  Michael turned from me and grabbed the tray of sandwiches with one hand and took my hand with the other. Caught up in his game, once again, James followed us to the table while I tried to decide what I was going to tell my little brother about the boy who made me tingle from the top of my head to the tips of my toes whenever I was near him.

  • • •

  Michael treated us to lunch, insisting that he was the one who had invited me. That made it seem like a real date to me. I wondered if Michael thought so, too.

  My brother and I devoured our sandwiches as if we hadn’t eaten in days. I noticed that Michael only picked at his food. James and Kevin were shy at first with one another, but soon opened up when they discovered they brought the same Mario DS game with them. After that, we couldn’t have gotten them to stop talking even if we had wanted to.

  After we cleared the table, Michael and I sat and relaxed while the boys sat, side-by-side, hunched over their handheld entertainment devices.

  Michael looked good and healthy, even better than when he had shown up at school. He turned to cough.

  “How you feeling?” I asked.

  “Pretty good,” he said.

  I trusted that he did because he looked cuter than ever. His hair was still short and his cheeks were nice and pink. And unlike his normally all-black attire, Michael wore a maroon, long-sleeved polo shirt, a nice pair of jeans and preppy boat shoes. I smiled to myself when I realized he got all dressed up for me.

  “What’s so funny?” he wanted to know.

  I tried to be serious. “Nothing.” I couldn’t fault him. I had taken extra time and care to look good for him, too. Michael read my mind.

  “You look very pretty today, Willow,” he said as he grabbed my hand across the table and held it. “Actually, you always look pretty.”

  Michael always complimented me. I smiled at him and looked over at our brothers. Thankfully they were oblivious and completely absorbed in their games.

  “Do you have anything special you want to get today?” I asked.

  “Just your love,” he whispered as he locked eyes with mine and caressed my hand.

  I felt uncomfortable and stared out the picture window onto the hustle and bustle beyond. Snow fell lightly on the sidewalks as pedestrians scurried past us.

  Abruptly, I pulled my hand back and stood up. “Let’s go.”

  “Where to?” Michael asked.

  “I gotta buy James the game and I want to go to that boutique where I bought my jeans,” I answered nervously.

  “Sounds good,” Michael said as he, too, stood up. “Come on, guys. We’re leaving.”

  James and Kevin rose, but continued to chat and play their games. I zipped up my jacket, made a beeline for the door and left the others in my wake, hoping to forget what Michael had just said and wondering what in the world would have possessed him to utter the “L” word to me.

  CHAPTER

  THIRTY-SIX