by C. M. Boers
“I didn't realize how close you guys were,” he whispered to me as we stood in line to buy our lunches.
Despite what Eli had against Pete, lunch went well. I couldn’t even feel any tension radiating from him. I had been worried about how Eli would act around Pete, but now I knew that had been silly of me. What did surprise me was Pete’s apprehension about Eli. I couldn’t guess why.
“I'll walk you to class, Abby,” said Pete as we all stood up to leave.
I looked at Eli to see if he had heard Pete; of course he had. He hadn’t left my side since we met Pete at the cafeteria doorway.
“I'll walk with you guys. I am headed in that direction too,” Eli chimed in.
I knew that wasn’t true. I don’t know what his problem was; it wasn’t like it was any different than earlier in the day. Plus, when you’re walking through the halls, you aren’t really alone anyway. There were hundreds of other students walking the halls too. In that regard, I felt like he was going a little bit too far out of his way if you asked me. It was going to get old quickly. I didn't say anything though, and just made a mental note to talk to him about it later. We said goodbye to everyone else and walked out of the cafeteria together.
Suddenly there was tension, and the amount of it made me speechless. It seemed to have the same effect Pete or Eli, because it was dead silent unless you counted the chatter of other students around us engrossed in their own conversations.
The three of us stopped in front of my classroom after what seemed like the longest, most awkward walk ever. A long silence followed as we stood there, and I couldn’t make eye contact with either of them, so I made myself appear interested in the people around us. Gosh, it was painful.
Finally, Pete broke the silence. “Well, I was hoping I could get a moment alone with Abby,” he huffed, looking at Eli expectantly.
I looked at Eli and wondered what he would do. I could tell that he was annoyed.
“Alright, I should get to class anyway. I will see you after school Abby, same spot?” Eli shot Pete a smug glance.
It was some kind of pissing contest between the two and I couldn’t figure out why. What had gotten into these guys? Eli added that last part just to annoy Pete, and to me it looked like it worked. It could get really ugly if this continued.
“Yeah,” I said smiling at him.
He turned and strutted away, but I noticed he didn’t actually leave. He lingered, talking to someone I didn’t know just out of hearing range. I would have to try to make it quick with Pete so that Eli wouldn’t be late. This was stressful!
I looked back at Pete, who was staring at me. It startled me. He had caught me staring at Eli again, and I hoped that he didn’t notice the color rising in my cheeks.
“I was sort of wondering if you had any plans this weekend...” he trailed off, looking nervous and avoiding eye contact.
“I don’t know. Did you have something in mind?”
“Would you like to go to dinner, and maybe a movie with me?”
So he was interested in me. Instantly I felt butterflies in the pit of my stomach. I was so excited and nervous all at once. Then I thought of Eli, and all the excitement vanished. What could I say? If I went it would violate Eli’s rules and his trust; but if I didn't I would be deprived of something I really wanted. But what would I say now? I didn’t want to make him think that I wasn’t interested. I had to think—and it had to be quick.
My hesitation made me hope I hadn’t already taken too long to respond, so I quickly said, “I think that sounds good, but I have to check with my mom first just to make sure it’s ok with her. Which day were you thinking?” I took the easy way out and blamed it on my mom. I breathed a sigh of relief, because I knew he wouldn’t question that excuse.
“Saturday, if that works. Here’s my number,” he replied, handing me a folded up piece of paper. “You can call me to let me know or you can just tell me tomorrow, doesn’t matter.”
“Okay. I'll talk to you later.”
“Bye.” He smiled and turned to go to class.
I looked to Eli after Pete walked away. He smiled before leaving to go to class.
It was only Wednesday, but it was astonishing to see where my first week had already landed me. I had two good friends, and a whole group of people to eat lunch with. I had a date with Pete; well, that is if I could find a way around this set of rules Eli and I had established with our “mission.” I had never had so much happen in one week before and it wasn't even over yet.
Reading and history class passed slowly. I was bored and had a hard time focusing. I racked my brain trying to find a way around Eli’s rule when it hit me; a genius plan that just might work. I could ask Pete if a double date was okay. Then Eli could bring someone to double date with us. I would hate to have to cancel with Pete, especially using the mom excuse. A date is precisely what I had wanted since I met him. That could work, but who would Eli bring? I would have to ask.
I met Eli at our agreed upon spot. I failed miserably the first time I wanted to talk to him about a tricky subject, and he had to know that something was up since Pete wanted to talk to me alone. I hoped I wouldn’t put him on the spot. In the end, I would have to tell him that Pete asked me out and that I wanted to go. It seemed easy mapped out in my head, but when it came to actually formulating it in a sentence, nothing came out.
“How was your day?” he asked cheerfully.
“Good, how was yours?”
“Different...” he paused as if he were thinking. “I'm not used to being around Pete and all the people we ate lunch with. Since I’ve known what I know about him, I have tried to avoid him and that whole crowd as much as I could.”
“It wasn’t so bad, was it?”
“He’s alright,” he agreed, reluctantly. “The rest of them are pretty cool though, I have to admit.”
“See,” I gloated. “Well, I kind of have a dilemma.” I waited for him to ask what it was to be certain he was listening.
“What is your dilemma? Should I be worried?” His smile faded quickly.
“Depends on how you look at it.” I paused. “Pete asked me out.” I waited for his response or reaction, because I wanted to hear what he had to say about that part first.
He didn’t answer right away, so I stole a glance at him. I expected him to look a little upset, maybe stressed, but he didn’t. He looked like he was contemplating something.
“What are you thinking?” I asked. I couldn’t sit there wondering what was on his mind any longer.
“I am trying to figure out what the dilemma is.”
“I want to go,” I stated bluntly, kicking myself almost immediately for not having any tact. I sounded like a child having a tantrum.
“You can’t, it is against the rules that you agreed to,” he stated.
“I know. I was sort of hoping you would double with us so I could go.” I waited for his outburst. It never came. We were stopped in front of my house now. I turned to look at him, but he was staring straight ahead again. Neither of us made a move to get out.
“And who did you think I would be taking on this ‘double date’?” He put his fingers up and did air quotes.
“I don’t know, isn’t there someone that you’re interested in?”
“Maybe, but who said I was planning on doing anything about it?”
“Nobody, but I was hoping you would,” I replied timidly.
He laughed, but it wasn’t out of happiness; it was a laugh of disbelief. He was taking it exactly how I expected him to. I had hoped it would go better than I expected, but at least it didn’t take me completely off guard. I was asking a lot, and I knew it. I’m not sure I would feel different if I were in his shoes.
“You don’t have to do anything, but I just thought maybe you would do it for me, as a friend,” I said, feeling guilty that I pulled the friend card. After all, he owed me nothing. We hadn’t even been friends for a week. I figured it might take some time for him to decide, so I got out of the car to gi
ve him the space he needed.
“You’re welcome to come inside and hang out if you want. Thanks for the ride if not.”
“I think I will go home. I have some homework I need to work on.”
I guessed that wasn’t the only reason he wanted to go home. A little time alone did wonders the last time, so maybe this time would be the same result.
“Okay.” I didn’t want to put any more pressure on him than I already had. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I walked up to the house quickly, knowing he wouldn’t drive away until I was safely inside.
I turned and waved as he drove away. I wondered who Eli had a crush on and for how long it had been a crush, but I probably wouldn’t find out until he was good and ready, if ever.
When I walked through the door I was surprised to hear mom in the kitchen.
“Hey, Mom,” I said.
“Hey, Abby.”
I shuffled into the kitchen, but my mom wasn’t there.
“Where are you?” I called.
“In the dining room, I have a surprise!” She sounded very excited.
I walked in to see her placing a three-candle centerpiece on a beautiful, cherry hardwood dining room table. The table was rectangle and big enough for six people. The chairs were entirely made of wood, except for the thick white cushions.
“I hope you don’t mind that I picked it out without you.”
“Are you kidding? It’s gorgeous!” I exclaimed.
The table was truly more than I would have expected mom to buy. It was exquisite and must have cost a fortune.
“I'm glad you like it.” She beamed.
“How come you’re off work so early?” I asked.
“They didn’t need me this afternoon. My boss was off early for a last minute doctor’s appointment. I figured I would go buy us a table so we could stop eating at the breakfast bar for every meal, and I was also thinking we could go out for dinner to catch up. What do you think?”
“I would love that,” I answered.
Due to our hectic and unpredictable schedule, it had been a long time since we had gone to a sit-down restaurant. It would be really nice to have some time with my mom.
We went to an Italian restaurant that we saw the day we moved in. It looked small and authentic. The inside was larger than it looked from the outside, and the environment was just how I’d imagine a restaurant in Italy. We ordered our usual favorites soon after sitting down.
“How is school going?” asked my mom.
“Good so far, I have tests on Friday in history and math that I’m sort of dreading,” I shrugged.
“Oh.” My mom made a face.
“Yeah...” I said sticking out my tongue. “I've have made a few friends, too. They all seem nice. I made more friends than I thought I would already. It’s weird. My first week has been so... productive I guess you could say as far as making friends goes,” I gushed happily.
“Really? I’m so glad to hear that, but I sure hope you don’t let it affect your grades.”
“I'm sure you do,” I said sarcastically with a smirk on my face. “How's work?”
“It’s alright. I’ve been busier than I expected, but that’s a good thing. I’d rather be busy than bored, other than the fact that I don’t get to see you as much as I’d like.” She frowned. “Unfortunately, I think I will have to go in early almost every morning from now on, so I won’t be able to give you rides to school in the morning anymore. Sorry kiddo.”
“Oh, that's alright Mom. I forgot to mention that my friend Eli offered to pick me up in the mornings and drop me off in the afternoons. I guess it’s on his way home.”
I felt my stomach grumble as the waitress came and brought us our salad. It was huge. It came out in a large bowl, with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, croutons and Italian dressing already on it. The salad was tasty and I ate almost half of it on my own, but I wanted to save room for my alfredo so I stopped myself from having more.
“Well, I’m glad you have someone to take you to school. I was a little worried about you walking every day.”
“You worry too much, Mom.”
“I know, I know, I have to though, you know,” she laughed.
A few minutes after we finished our salads, the main course came. My alfredo had Romano cheese on top with garlic bread on the side. It tasted fabulous!
“How’s your dinner, mom?” I asked curiously.
“It’s great. How’s yours?”
“Very good,” I replied with a full mouth. I laughed when I looked up and saw mom giving me a dirty look. People who talked with their mouth full was a huge pet peeve of hers, so instead of finishing the bite in my mouth discreetly, I smiled at her with food laced through my teeth. I couldn’t help but laugh when the look on her face turned from a scowl to a grin that she tried to hide.
“You are lucky that I love you!” she giggled.
We ate the rest of our meal silently. We had been so hungry that it didn’t take us long to finish eating and pay. The food had been excellent, and as we walked out we both agreed that we would be back. We trudged out to the car with our stomachs feeling as though they might burst.
“Have you talked to your dad since Sunday?” asked my mom.
“Yeah, I talked to him yesterday, but not for long. I planned on calling him and having a good conversation this weekend.”
“That’s good to hear, I'm sure he is worried sick.”
“That’s one thing you guys always had in common, both of you always worry too much!” I knew instantly I had said too much. The divorce had been bad and hurt them both, as it should. Sometimes I didn’t stop to think about it being too soon for me to say things like that.
It was silent the rest of the way home. I felt bad that I stuck my foot in my mouth and turned our night around so quickly; it seemed I was always saying the wrong things. Mom wouldn’t hold it against me, but that thought didn’t make me feel any better.
I checked the answering machine when we got home. There were two messages: one from my dad, and one from Eli. I decided my dad could wait until later. I couldn’t believe that I missed Eli’s call. Thankfully, he left his number for me to call him back. I ran upstairs to call, but unfortunately he wasn't home so I left a message with his mom.
I was concentrating so hard on my homework that I jumped, startled, when my mom called towards my room. “Abby, someone is here to see you.”
Who could be here to see me? I ran downstairs as fast as I could and was happy to see Eli standing there with my mom.
“I called you, no wonder you weren’t home.”
My mom stood behind Eli and made sure she mouthed “he’s cute” before leaving the room. I tried to hide my giggle.
“I see you’ve met my mom,” I observed.
“Yep,” he smiled.
“Come on, let’s go in the living room.”
He followed me and sat down on the couch, and then fiddled with his hands like he didn’t know quite what to do with them.
“I came over because I wanted to talk about the double-date you suggested.”
“I hoped that’s what you wanted to talk about. What do you think?” I asked, trying to sound lighthearted.
“Well, there is someone that I am interested in, but I can’t ask her to go out.”
“Why not?”
“I just can’t” His tone was suddenly aggravated.
“Oh,” I said.
Why couldn’t he ask her? I got the feeling that he did not want me to know anything about it, but I couldn’t help but feel even more curious about the identity of this mystery girl. For now I had to let it go; I didn’t want to make him mad again by pushing him to tell me something he clearly didn't want to.
“I don’t mind going with you but... will you help me get a date?” he looked away shyly, and any hint of his aggression was gone in the blink of an eye.
I hadn’t seen that side of him before. He was always so confident and sure of himself—or at least he seemed that way. I
usually felt like the awkward one, so it was nice to know that I wasn’t alone.
“I don’t—” he paused. “Really have much experience with girls.”
He’s shy? I couldn't believe it! He didn’t seem to have a hard time approaching me or being around girls for that matter. Not to mention he had a great personality and was a blast to be around. How could he be self-conscious?
“Of course I will help you. What do you want me to do?” I asked. I couldn’t think of how he would want me to help him, but I would do whatever I could. Not just because of the date, but because he was my friend.
“I don’t know. I don’t even know where to start,” he said nervously. “Every time I try to ask a girl out, I end up talking to them about something else and then we wind up being just friends. I think a lot of it has to do with not knowing how to bring up that I like them, and then by the time I have broken the ice, it feels like it’s too late and it would be awkward asking.”
“I’m not sure what I can teach you, but there’s really not much to it. You take a deep breath and ask.” I looked at him to make sure he was listening. He was, more so than I had expected. I almost jumped at the sight of his eyes staring at me so intently. “Like when Pete asked me out for this weekend, he started by asking me what I was doing this weekend. Then he suggested going to dinner with him and maybe a movie,” I said, shrugging. “There’s nothing really to it. It just takes a little bit of courage.”
He contemplated quietly for a few minutes.
“I don't know if I have the nerve to do that...” he finally admitted.
“I think you do; you approached me didn't you?”
“Well, that was different.”
“No it wasn’t. Approaching a girl you like is exactly the same. You have to just stop thinking of it as such a daunting task. Maybe you could start with a girl you may not necessarily like so you can see how easy it can be. This weekend’s date can be practice. What do you think?”
He seemed to be thinking really hard. “Who would I ask?”
