Ethan's Secret (James Madison Series Book 2)

by Patrick Hodges

  Girls and flirting. Sheesh. It's like a game to them, only none of the rules make sense.

  I liked talking to Kelsey. There was something different about her. I'd never been approached by a girl that way before. There was something refreshing about her personality, and the way she approached everything so directly. I don't think I'd ever met anyone quite like her.

  But her dad's a cop. How do I feel about that? She considers herself a junior detective, and she's obviously smart, but is she being genuinely nice to me or is she conducting some kind of investigation? Either way could mean trouble. She's definitely someone I'd like to get to know better, but I don't really want to be anyone's hobby project. I hadn't met many policemen in my life, but the ones that I'd met had struck me as being old and tired or well on their way there, and my recent experiences with law enforcement had not been particularly pleasant. Plus, the way I looked and dressed, I couldn't imagine any cop being cool with me having anything to do with his daughter.

  I'd never kissed a girl before. I came close once; about a year ago, Linda Owens was dared by her friends to kiss me outside the gym of my old school, but she chickened out at the last second. I didn't even like her, so I was glad she didn't end up being my first. But coming that close to my first-ever kiss planted a seed in my mind that day. After that, everything changed: from that point on, every time I looked at any of my female classmates, all I could think was: Will she be my first?

  Now I was in a new city, looking like a delinquent, in a school full of upper-middle-class kids that were probably wondering what juvie facility I'd escaped from. Any girls that might want to kiss me here would probably only do it just to get even with their parents or their ex-boyfriends. Again, not exactly the ideal circumstances for one's first kiss.

  With Mr. McCann's back to us, his attention focused on the algebraic equations he was writing on the white-board, my thoughts continuously drifted back to Kelsey. She was right in front of me, in my line of vision, as if fate had put her there. I just stared at the back of her head, wondering if any part of her brain was thinking about me.

  I liked her. She was cool. And cute. Actually, she was very cute. Maybe it's the freckles. Yeah, it definitely is. Now that I'd seen her up close and personal, that darned random thought started to flash through my mind again. Will she be my first?

  * * *

  Right after sixth period, I was walking with my head down, lost in thought, my books tucked under my arm, on my way to my locker. I heard footsteps run up behind me, and a heavy weight crashed into my left side, causing me to drop the books on the ground.

  The guy who crashed into me had definitely done it on purpose. I looked up to see a blond-haired boy, my height, wearing a white polo shirt under a leather jacket. He was quite muscular for his age, and from the condescending sneer on his face it was clear that he didn't care much for me.

  “Watch where you're going, grease monkey,” he said.

  I took a closer look at his clothes. The leather jacket looked very expensive, and so did the rest of his clothes. Yup, he's one of those. Another rich a-hole who thinks he owns the world. Perfect hair, perfect teeth and – with the exception of a small bruise just under his left eye – a perfect face. I instantly hated him.

  I picked my books back up. “Watch where you're going, douche bag,” I snarled.

  He just smiled and laughed. “Welcome to James Madison, monkey boy,” he said, and then turned around and walked away.

  So it begins. Knew it had to happen at some point. There's someone just like him in EVERY school. Maybe I could gain some popularity if I ugly up Richie Rich's face. And even if that didn't happen, it would sure make ME feel better.

  * * *

  Right after we moved into town, one of the first things we did was order pizza from a local place called Anzio's, and it was really good. The best pizza I'd ever had, in fact. Pop's cooking ability didn't extend even an inch past the “Start” button on the microwave, so it was nice to eat something that was made fresh instead of taken from the freezer and nuked. So once a week, Pop treated Logan and me to an extra-large pepperoni and sausage, cheesy bread and a two-liter bottle of Coke.

  “So how was school today?” Pop asked, tearing off a slice and putting it on his plate.

  Logan answered, “It was fun. I got to do some more drawing today during Art period.”

  Pop smiled. “That's great! Can I see it?”

  “Sure!” he said, hopping off his chair and running to his room to get his sketchbook.

  “How about you, sport?” Pop asked me.

  I should have taken a moment to think about my answer, but instead I just blurted out, “I met a girl today.” As soon as the words left my mouth, I wanted to snatch them from the air and shove them back in.

  Pop's eyebrows raised. “Really? What's her name?”

  I stared down at the half-eaten slice of pizza on my plate. “Kelsey,” I said, not wanting to reveal any more than I had to.

  After an awkward pause, I looked up to see Pop still looking at me expectantly. “And?”

  Before I could answer, Logan came running back to the table. He sat back down and flipped to a drawing of a girl with a ponytail and glasses. It was very detailed, as were most of his pictures. Every time I saw something he'd drawn, I swelled with pride a little. Mom had been an artist once, and it was obvious my brother had inherited that talent from her. It sure hadn't gone to me … I couldn't even draw a tree without it looking like three pipe cleaners with cotton balls stuck on top.

  “Who's this?” I asked, pointing at the drawing.

  “Well, we were told to draw someone we see every day but don't really know.” He blushed a little. “This girl's in my Math class, and during recess today, she came up and said 'hi' to me. Don't know why, though, I've never even looked at her before. I don't even know her name.”

  “So why'd you draw her, then?” Pop asked.

  “I dunno,” he said, his face reddening even further. “I guess it's because she's the first girl to be nice to me.”

  I laughed. “I thought you said girls were gross.”

  “They are!” he retorted. “She just said 'hi,' okay? I only drew her because I couldn't think of anyone else to draw.”

  I continued teasing him. “Sketch's got a girlfriend, Sketch's got a girlfriend …”

  Logan's face instantly took on a look of intense anger. I'd definitely touched a nerve. “If Pop wasn't here, I would …”

  Pop chimed in, “But Pop IS here, so you'll do nothing. Am I clear?”

  We knew better than to make Pop angrier. Logan and I looked at him, and it was clear he'd had another tough day.

  Logan returned to glaring at me. “Please … don't … call me that.”

  Pop also glared at me. “Stop teasing your brother, okay?

  I chomped another bite off my slice of pizza. “He used to love it when we called him that when he was little … what's the big deal?”

  “I used to love it when Mom called me that. Only her. Do you get it now?” The look on Logan's face had changed from anger to sadness, and his breath was quickening. He was teetering on the brink of a full-blown meltdown.

  I stared at him, and I instantly felt like a gigantic ass. I pictured him at four years old, squealing with glee at the box of crayons Mom gave him for his birthday. She had showed him how to hold them properly, and even some basic techniques that made his childish pictures much more pleasant to look at than the typical kindergarten-sloppy stick-figure pictures that most of his classmates drew.

  But Mom was gone now.

  I gently put my hand on his shoulder and looked him in the eye. “Look, I'm sorry, bro. You're right. I won't do it anymore.” I started thinking about Mom again, and suddenly, the pizza didn't taste as good as it did a few minutes ago.

  * * *

  After finishing my homework, I spent an hour playing games on the used PlayStation that Pop had managed to find at a nearby pawn shop. The games that he also bought were a few years
old, but whatever, at least it was something to do.

  Thankfully, the argument with Logan had taken Pop's mind off of my meeting with Kelsey. I had to remind myself yet again to think before I spoke. Moving to a new place had been hard on all of us. My previous life had been reduced to memories of people and places I'd probably never see again, and the only things I had in this new life that seemed to be positive were a used PlayStation and my meeting with Kelsey. Somewhat selfishly, I wasn't ready to share either one just yet.

  Chapter 7

  ~ DAY 11 (Thu.) ~

  KELSEY

  Bree apologized for her outburst at lunch today, but didn't give any explanation as to what caused it. “I was being obnoxious,” she said. “Out in the sun too long, I guess.”

  “S'okay, Bree,” I said. “Everyone freaks out sometimes.” Penny and April just nodded.

  Bree smiled. She reached over and squeezed my hand. I was touched by the gesture, but I noticed that it took her a long time to let go. Something was obviously still bothering her.

  “So … what's the next step in Operation Ethan?” asked Penny, smiling at both of us.

  “Well, I had a chat with Eve's little sisters on the bus yesterday,” I said. “Sophie has Ethan's brother Logan in one of her classes, and she's going to try to get some information out of him. As for Ethan, I'll try talking to him after Algebra class.”

  “Are you gonna ask him out?” April asked.

  I sighed. “We've had one five-minute conversation, April, I don't think we're up to the 'asking out' phase just yet. Speaking of which, how are things going with Trey?”

  “Awesome,” she replied. “He's coming to my track meet on Saturday, and then we're going to a movie at Westridge Mall.”

  “Just the two of you?” Penny asked.

  “Yeah, and then afterwards I may go to the skateboard ramp with him at the park. His friends hang out there on the weekends.” She smiled.

  I smiled back. “So things are really moving along, huh?”

  She nodded. “I have a good feeling about him.”

  I hope you're right, April. I really do.

  * * *

  The sixth-period bell rang, and everyone in Mr. McCann's class started to file out of the classroom. “Remember, guys, study up on Chapter Three! We have a test on Friday, so make sure you hone your understanding of coefficients!” Everyone just nodded, still chuckling at the fake nose and glasses, complete with the bushy eyebrows, that Mr. McCann was wearing. The man may be silly, but he sure can teach.

  “Hey, Ethan,” I said, running to catch up as he walked to his next class.

  “Hey, Kelsey,” he said, slowing down slightly.

  He slowed down for me! Another sign of respect! Cha-ching! “I was just wondering … you doing anything for recess tomorrow?” I asked. Please say no, please say no, please say no …

  “Actually,” he said sheepishly, “I kinda am. But if you like I …”

  “No, no, it's okay,” I interjected. “Don't want to mess up your plans.” Wonder what he has going on? “How about Monday?”

  He grinned. “Well, I was going to go scuba diving, but if you like, I can postpone that until Tuesday.” He then nudged me with his shoulder.

  His nudge sent an instant tingle through my body. He touched me! Ethan touched me! And also … he made a joke? He has a sense of humor! I laughed. “I was just kinda hoping … we could sit and talk. You know, get to know each other.”

  He seemed to tense up at the suggestion. “What do you want to talk about?”

  I shrugged as nonchalantly as I could. “You know, whatever. As long as it doesn't have to do with books about lost rabbits, it'll all be news to me.”

  “That's cool. Same place as before?”

  “Actually … I have a better place in mind.”

  “Where?”

  We had reached Mr. Chambers' classroom. I looked at Ethan, and smiled. “I'll show you on Monday. Meet you on the outdoor stage?”

  “Sure thing,” he replied. “Later, Detective.”

  “Later,” I said, and he went into the classroom.

  I peered through the open doorway, watching him take his seat. I lingered for a few moments before turning to walk away, and found myself facing Penny, who had quietly walked up behind me. “You got a date!” she said.

  I smiled, in spite of myself. “I guess I do.”

  “Way to go, Kelse,” she said, smiling back at me.

  Penny really was a great friend. It occurred to me, at that moment, that even though she'd been in our group for over a year, I still didn't know that much about her. I'd never been over to her house, and I'd never met her parents. She almost never talked about herself, as she always seemed more willing to talk about other people's lives.

  Hmm. Is she really that introverted? Or is there something else? Another mystery to be solved, Sherlock?

  I shook my head. Stop it, Kelsey. For the love of God, you're going to give yourself brain cramps!

  “Well, we'll see how it goes,” I said after a pause.

  She nodded. “Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on him, make sure Ashley or Tawny doesn't steal him away from you.”

  “Heaven forbid,” I said, laughing. “What would I do without you, Pen?”

  “Talk to you later,” She gave me a playful wink, and went into the classroom.

  * * *

  “So how's it going with Logan?” I asked Sophie on the bus home.

  Sophie smiled. “Not bad, I guess. I said 'hi' to him a couple of times this week, and today, for the first time, he said 'hi' back.”

  “That's great! Has he said anything else?”

  “Not yet, but I think he's starting to like me. Before long, he'll be speaking in complete sentences. And then he'll be completely under my spell.”

  Kirsten giggled and rolled her eyes. “Sophie, you're hopeless, you know that?”

  Sophie grinned. “You're just jealous because you're not irresistible like me.”

  I chuckled. “Yeah, that's totally your superpower.”

  Kirsten made a face at me. “Don't encourage her!”

  “Just … be careful, Sophie,” I said, my face becoming serious.

  Her smile faded. “What do you mean?”

  “I'm getting a feeling like something … bad happened to them. Just don't push him too far, if you know what I mean.”

  She nodded. “I won't.”

  I smiled again. “Say hi to Mrs. H for me.”

  “Sure thing.”

  * * *

  Later that night, I stared at the notebook on my desk, which was turned to Ethan's page. I truly hoped that I'd have a lot more stuff to write on it soon.

  Chapter 8

  ~ DAY 11 (Thu.) ~

  ETHAN

  I entered the cafeteria, tray in hand, prepared to sit at what had already become my “usual” table, when I heard a familiar voice call my name. “Yo, Ethan!”

  I turned my head and saw Baz, who was waving at me from the center of the boys' section. He was sitting with a bunch of other guys I'd seen around, but hadn't talked to yet. As I approached, he slid to one side, giving me room to sit down.

  “Hey, Baz,” I said, sitting down next to him.

  “Welcome to the cool kids' table,” Baz said, smiling. He pointed to his friends, identifying them one at a time. “This is Dean, Tim, and Bailey.” They silently nodded hello before resuming their lunch.

  Baz's friends seemed to be a lot like him; cool in that artistic kind of way, with the modern haircuts and the trendy clothes and a moderate amount of bling. It surprised me to see that one of them, Tim, was sporting an eyebrow ring. I almost felt underdressed, clad in my usual black hoodie and an AC/DC T-shirt.

  “So, where'd you come from, dude?” said Bailey, a stocky kid with brown hair.

  “Portland,” I said.

  “Oregon or Maine?” said Dean, peeking at me over his tinted eyeglasses.

  “Uh, Oregon.”

  “Well, welcome to JMMS,” said Tim with a go
ofy grin. Tim definitely struck me as the 'class clown' type.

  “Ya more at home now, boss?” asked Baz, biting into his sandwich.

  I shoveled a forkful of cafeteria mac-n-cheese into my mouth. It was lukewarm, but still good. “Getting there, Baz,” I said. “It's not too bad.”

  Baz smiled, punching me gently in the arm. “Told ya, bud, nothin' to it. It's just middle school, it's not rocket surgery. And oh, by the way, Sean told me to ask you to bring your brother along with if you come over tomorrow.”

  I nodded, remembering Logan's conversation about meeting Sean on the first day of school. “I'm sure he'd love to come. Is Sean in the band with you?”

  He laughed. “Oh, God, no. All he does is play video games.”

  “Well then, he and Logan should get along great,” I said, grinning. “You mentioned something about cool girls?”

  Baz's friends all looked at each other and let out a chorus of “Oooooooh.”

  Tim held out his fist, which I bumped. “Got an eye for the ladies, do ya?”

  I smiled, hoping I wasn't the guy at the table with the least amount of experience with girls. I probably was, but I didn't want them to know that. “Well, maybe one, I guess.”

  Baz chuckled. “Man, you don't waste time, do ya? Who is it?”

  “Kelsey Callahan,” I said matter-of-factly.

  Bailey and Tim snorted in response, while Dean just whistled. I turned to Baz, who was staring at me. “What?” I asked, wondering if Kelsey was like an unexploded land-mine that I was about to step on.

  “Dozens of girls to choose from, and ya pick her?” Baz asked. “Ya got guts, pal, I'll give ya that.”

  I frowned at him. “What's that supposed to mean? Is she taken or something?”

  He shook his head. “No, she's just … a lot to handle, is what I've heard.”

  I tried to decipher his vague statement, but failed. Putting my fork down, I said, “All right, you lost me.”