During the seating arrangement, the five boys had picked the last two rows in which to sit together. Malcolm, Seth, and Eddie all sat in the last row. Gavin and Howard sat in front of Eddie and Seth.
“It’s sick,” Malcolm said. “Unless, of course, you can get a girl to go with you. Then it might be cool. You know? Kinda like a skate date?”
Eddie nodded and blushed. Howard rarely said a word, content to simply be one of them. When Howard did talk, spittle flew from his lips. Seth wondered if Howard wore a retainer.
“You said it,” Eddie said, quick to defend Malcolm.
Girls, Seth noticed, terrified Eddie Higglesby. Whenever the boy got close to one, he sweated, fidgeted, turned bright red, yet couldn’t keep his eyes off them.
Malcolm looked at Seth. “You got anyone in mind?”
Seth raised his eyebrows, and felt something catch in his throat. He turned in Kinsey’s direction, then quickly looked away. His cheeks burned red.
“Well well,” Malcolm said, playing along.
Seth enjoyed sitting next to Malcolm. The boy was cynical, but he was playful and liked to joke a lot.
“Let’s see,” Malcolm said, tapping his finger to his chin. “Seth’s got his eye on …” Malcolm looked at Kinsey, then at Seth.
“Are you going to the skate party with someone, Seth?” Gavin said, turning around.
“No,” Seth told him.
Where was Ben when he needed him? At the moment, he wanted to crawl under his desk.
“Come on, Seth, who is it?” Gavin said, turning slightly in his chair, but keeping his eyes on Mrs. Dunbar.
In the next second, the whole thing blew up in his face. Kinsey MacKay turned around and looked directly at Seth, smiling wide enough for everyone to see. Eddie, Howard, and Gavin gaped at Seth, their mouths hanging open. Malcolm threw back his head and laughed.
Seth sank further into his chair. “Oh, jeez,” he said.
Kinsey turned around and faced Mrs. Dunbar again, but her smile was enormous. She must’ve overheard part of the conversation was all Seth could think. She may as well have shouted across the classroom: “Hi Seth! Wink, wink! Smile! Oh, by the way, you don’t mind I’m broadcasting this live, do you?”
“Holy cow!” Gavin said. “Mother of Delilah! Empty the box of babushkas! Make it a gallon jug!”
Everyone looked at Gavin. Malcolm roared with laughter again. Howard Colorcup looked at Seth with envy. The redheaded kid held his thumbs up, mouthing, ‘You are the man!’
Gavin, however, wouldn’t let up:
“Holy cow, Seth!” he exclaimed. “Kinsey? Kinsey MacKay? You’re in love with Kinsey MacKay? Toasted giblets in a mummified town!”
Malcolm put his hand to his mouth, trying to stifle laughter. Eddie and Howard broke into giggles. It was more than Seth could take.
“Would you be quiet?” Seth said, between clenched teeth, sinking further into his chair.
“Well, hey,” Gavin said. “It’s obvious she feels the same about you. Don’t be ashamed. Man! She’s a looker. Got a disco rolling around with her name on it.”
“What?” Seth asked. Sometimes Gavin’s idioms seemed a foreign language.
“A looker!” Gavin said. “A fox. A babe. A real beauty.”
“Oh!” Seth groaned. He put his hands over his face, falling forward on his desk.
Mrs. Dunbar stopped, turned around, and gave Gavin Lolly a stern look of disapproval. “Mr. Lolly!” she said.
Every head snapped to attention. Even Seth looked up. Malcolm examined his fingernails and chewed on his thumb.
“Am I going to have to separate you from the rest of your friends?”
Gavin bowed his head. “No, ma’am,” he said.
“Perhaps you’d care to join me at the front of the classroom?” Mrs. Dunbar said. “You and I can teach the rest of the children the finer arts of sentence structure.”
Gavin took a gulp. “No thank you, ma’am, if that’s okay?”
“Hmmm,” Mrs. Dunbar said. Her eyes seemed to crawl over the frames of her glasses. She turned back to the chalkboard.
“Jeez!” Gavin whispered. “What a turd.”
Seth was too embarrassed to care. Why would Kinsey do that? Did she want him to ask her to the skate party?
What are you, some kind of dope? a voice said. She looked at you! No one else. ‘Look at me! I like you. Do you like me, too?’ How much more obvious can she get?
She’d said hello to him several times since school had started. She was even friendlier with Seth than she was with the other kids.
“Secrets out,” Malcolm said, grinning.
Seth groaned again.
“Don’t worry,” Malcolm said. “She’ll obviously say yes if you ask her.”
“Yeah!” Gavin said. “She’ll say yes! Heck yeah, she will! Pop goes the roller coaster!”
What he would give for time alone in the meadow now! Just one more day—
“Gavin Lolly!”
All heads turned. Mrs. Dunbar glared at Gavin as if he’d just committed murder. She stood by the chalkboard with her hands on her hips. Her face was red. A small piece of chalk protruded from her knuckles like the head of a turtle. Her necklace caught glimpses of light from the window. “It’s bad enough you’re parents have to discipline you when you’re not here,” she said. “But I shouldn’t have to discipline you when you are!”
Gavin winced.
“Do we need to bring your mother in here to set you straight, Mr. Lolly? Would she help you quiet down?”
Gavin’s eyes widened, and he turned pasty white.
iv
Gavin imagined Mrs. Dunbar and his mother at the local bar having cocktails.
“He never does anything. I never wanted him,” his mother was saying. She held a cigarette, her elbow on the bar. Smoke curled around her face.
Mrs. Dunbar (a bit more put together) sat next to Deirdre. Mrs. Dunbar was drinking sherry, agreeing to all the horrible things Deirdre said about her son.
“You ought to hear the way he talks to me,” Deirdre said. “It’s not funny, either. I have to put him in line, but that’s my job, right? I can’t allow him get out of hand. Wish his father would’ve taken him.”
Mrs. Dunbar took a sip of sherry. “Don’t worry about a thing, Mrs. Lolly. I’ll keep him in line, even if I have to string him up by his toes.”
Mrs. Lolly turned to Mrs. Dunbar and smiled. Her lips disappeared. Her eyes were gone, just empty black spaces. A spider crawled out of the socket, down her cheek, and into her mouth.
Back in the classroom, Gavin shuddered. He closed his eyes, trying to will the vision out of his mind. He opened them and looked at Mrs. Dunbar. “No, ma’am,” he said. “You don’t have to call my mother.”
Several kids snickered.
“Very well then, Mr. Lolly,” Mrs. Dunbar said. “But one more time, and I will not hesitate in separating you from your friends. This is your last warning. Understood?”
Gavin took a gulp and nodded.
v
Seth was worried. Gavin did not look well. From behind, Seth tapped him on the shoulder and asked him if he were okay. Gavin did not respond.
vi
When they took the break into Mrs. Higgins’ room for math and science, Seth wondered how he was going to ask Kinsey to the skate party. In the hallway, he turned toward her, and she smiled, books in hand.
He was too embarrassed to do anything about it now, however. Besides, his friends were still ribbing and teasing him. It had been bad enough in Mrs. Dunbar’s room.
Waiting to get into Mrs. Higgins class, Kinsey looked at Seth again. He blushed. She stood with her back against the wall, as if waiting for him. Certainly, he could choose a better time. This was the worst, and his friends were urging him on. It wasn’t as if he could ignore it.
Other kids stood between Seth and Kinsey, barring the way. Kinsey might never forgive him for making it so obvious, but hadn’t she done something similar?
The line shuffled along. In the melee, kids swarmed together instead of moving single file.
Seth tried to draw closer, moving ahead in the line, but too many kids congested the hallway. Making his heart pound, Kinsey looked back at him, raising her eyebrows. Seth blushed madly. Did she want him to move closer, sit next to him in Mrs. Higgins’ class?
Seth tried making his way through the other students. Malcolm, acting like a bodyguard, made a path through the throng. It wasn’t as if Seth had to ask her now. He still had all week. What was the rush?
But he was in a mob. He’d never experienced this before, caught up in the excitement of adolescent love. Everyone seemed to be cheering him on. Airplanes and pretend worlds slipped away. He wasn’t old enough to understand the feelings he had, but he couldn’t deny them, either.
Seth forced his way along the hallway, but the kids coming out of Mrs. Higgins class were in the way. Someone elbowed him in the ribs. Another kid’s books dug into his back. Kinsey stepped out of line and waited by the door of Mrs. Higgins’ room.
“Come on, kids!” Mrs. Higgins called. “Come on! Single file now! Get to your seats!”
Malcolm continued to escort Seth like a boxer making his way to the ring.
Something happened, though. A girl grabbed Kinsey’s arm and pulled her into Mrs. Higgins room. Kinsey frowned and looked back at Seth in disappointment.
The strength went out of his legs. Malcolm witnessed the entire episode. “Damn,” he muttered.
The lines dispersed. Seth took a seat next to Malcolm in Mrs. Higgins room. Asking Kinsey would have to wait until later.
Kinsey looked his way, however, shrugged, and held her palms up. Seth smiled.
Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad year, he thought.
Kinsey pulled a protractor and pencil out of her bag, but not before looking Seth’s way. Malcolm and the others noticed.
“Go get her, tiger,” Malcolm said, and nudged Seth with his elbow.
Kinsey laughed.
Apparently, Malcolm said it loud enough for everyone to hear.
vii
Seth Auburn’s first taste of love had been Jeanie Masterson. Experiencing the gambol with Kinsey, however, was what he’d later call a young, crush-filled infatuation.
Something about continents. They move deep inside you, too. You are more than you believe.
Ben? he thought. Are you making all this happen?
He didn’t want to get carried away, but he couldn’t help it. With everything in Ellishome, it was a pleasant change. Seth savored the seconds with Kinsey, even if she were on the other side of the classroom.
The weird thing was its similarity to how he felt about Ben.
Hopeful whisper. Magic touch…
You will fall in love a thousand times, something told him. It will happen from now until high school and beyond. Be realistic. You’re going to fall in love with someone new everyday.
Seth wasn’t thinking about the rest of his life or high school, however. He was thinking about this moment.
The opportunity to talk to Kinsey happened at the end of the day after the last bell had rung. Everyone crammed their books and papers into their desks. Few lingering students remained, talking to Mrs. Dunbar. Malcolm smiled secretively on his way out the door, and the other boys followed. Gavin made naughty-naughty gestures with his fingers. Mrs. Dunbar was busy with Judy Krausse, helping her with the fundamentals of punctuation. Neither of them paid attention to Seth.
If this was what it took to approach the opposite sex, he wasn’t sure it was worth it. His heart hammered. His mouth was parched, and he needed a glass of water. He thought about how he and Kinsey had exchanged pleasantries throughout the week, bordering on flirtation. The whole experience had been electrifying!
Seth took a deep breath, trying to calm down. If only he could’ve gotten this over with earlier!
He put his pencil and books in his desk, trying to look casual. He looked at the coat hooks along the wall to the right of the classroom (empty now with the still-pervading warmth of summer). A Peanuts poster—with Peppermint Patty looking like a smartly-dressed teacher, and Snoopy, wearing sunglasses—read, You’re Joe Cool When You Get Good Grades. Snoopy was smiling, holding a piece of paper with a big letter A on the front.
Did all guys go through this? Was it the same agony for them as well? Why did girls have this kind of power?
Not just a girl, he thought. Kinsey MacKay.
Seth couldn’t wait any longer. He’d have to do this with Mrs. Dunbar in earshot, whether he liked it or not.
He turned and looked at Kinsey. She smiled and blushed.
It was harder than he realized. He had no strength in his legs. Good Lord, he was dizzy with love already!
Stop it, for crying out loud! It’s not rocket science! It’s a simple question, and you already know the answer, so why are you making this so painful?
He grabbed the back of his chair to steady himself.
Fainting, he thought. Oh, that would be perfect. Real manly. Right here in Mrs. Dunbar’s room.
Kinsey waited for him, looking at the ceiling. She checked her desk for some random item. Finally, Kinsey looked up and smiled again. “Hi, Seth.”
Her voice could’ve melted butter!
“Hi,” he said.
Move feet! Move! Come on! Get going!
She had to see how nervous he was, how terrible this was for him!
Yeah, it’s not as if I have a lot of practice at this.
Pools of sweat gathered in his palms. His mouth was so dry, he was afraid he couldn’t speak.
Kinsey rocked back and forth on her heels, waiting for him to say something.
His legs were going out from under him, but he made his feet to start moving now!
But not just move. Move with the accuracy and precision of a daunting soldier.
Ben?
Mrs. Dunbar said something to Judy Krausse, and the girl nodded.
Seth stopped short of Kinsey’s desk. “Hi,” he said.
“Hi, again,” Kinsey said, and smiled wide.
His mind went blank. He swooned. Seth looked at the ground, kicking an imaginary pebble with his shoe.
“Umm,” he mumbled. He looked at the Peanuts poster, trying to act like Joe Cool. “I was just wondering…”
Kinsey raised her eyebrows, urging him on. She was a fan. Seth could see her cheering him on. Give me an ‘S.’ Give me an ‘E.’ Give me—
Don’t stop now, for God’s sake! Keep going!
“I was just wondering if…” He paused, nodding, hoping she would jump in and just say, yes-yes-yes! “…well…you know…if…you might…” He looked down, swinging his foot over the carpet. “Go to the…” he coughed into his hand. “…skate party with me on Friday. With me. Uh…yeah.”
Oh, dear Lord did I just say the same thing twice? he thought.
Seth looked at her, kicking another imaginary pebble. Kinsey’s eyes said it all. He didn’t realize eyes could smile. She nodded, blushed, and blinded him with how beautiful she was.
“Yes,” she said, nodding. “Yes. I would like that. I would like that very much.”
If he were going to faint, now would be the time. The warm jelly feeling returned to his legs. The relief went out of him, as though someone had plucked him from the air and put him on solid ground.
He swooned and grabbed the back of someone’s chair.
She said yes!
Of course, she said yes! What did you expect? Jeez! Don’t lose control! You still have a skate party to go to.
But Seth couldn’t help it. He was brimming with joy!
“We can walk down together,” Kinsey said. “That way you don’t have to carry me on your handlebars.” She waited for him to say something, but Seth didn’t catch the joke.
“But I don’t ride my bike to—”
Then he caught it…
“Oh!” Seth said, quickly, and laughed. “Sorry. I didn’t—”
Kinsey giggled, and S
eth turned bright red.
“You can walk me down after class,” she said.
“Okay.”
Seth’s thoughts fumbled against one another. “Do you want to walk home together?” he said. “Or do you have a ride?”
“My mom’s picking me up,” Kinsey said. “She’s probably outside waiting for me right now. I’d better go. But I knew you wanted to ask me to the skate party, so I hung around.” Kinsey smiled and touched his arm. The contact was like a bolt of lightning.
Seth raised his eyebrows. “Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Okay,” Kinsey said. She looked like she wanted to say something else and glanced at Mrs. Dunbar, who was just finishing up with Judy. “Well, bye,” Kinsey said, grabbing her notebook, and turned to go.
Seth stood awestruck. He mouthed the word ‘Bye,’ but she was already gone.
His armpits were damp, palms clammy. His neck and cheeks were warm. His heart finally slowed, and he let out a deep breath. The anxiety had gone right to his legs, and he was suddenly exhausted.
Judy had left as well. Seth and Mrs. Dunbar were alone together in the classroom.
She eyed him over her glasses. “Is there something I can help you with, Mr. Auburn?”
His cheeks flushed. “Uh…” he said. “No. I…forgot my pencil.”
Mrs. Dunbar peered at him.
Seth reached into a random desk and pulled out a green, mechanical pencil.
“That’s not your desk, Mr. Auburn,” she said.
Seth put the pencil back. He walked over to his own desk, feeling as though the Hounds of Hell were at his heels, and grabbed a #2 pencil. Seth showed it to Mrs. Dunbar as if to prove his point, and smiled. Mrs. Dunbar frowned and put her hands on her hips.
Seth shrugged and got the hell out of there.
viii
“What are you so happy about?” Masie asked.
Snapdragon Book I: My Enemy Page 24
