Somewhere in the Middle

by Linda Palmer

  My mouth dropped open. While I’d had guys move in on me many times, I’d never had one do it so fast. “Actually I’m busy, but thanks.”

  “Roone, I guess.”

  “You guess right.”

  “I couldn’t tell if you two were just good friends or something more.”

  Obviously Roone and I needed to kick things up a notch. “We’re more. Definitely more.”

  “Then I won’t insist.” With a cocky grin, he left.

  He thought insisting would make me go out with him? As if.

  Roone, still several feet away, didn’t appear to have noticed our byplay, and I quickly decided not to report it. He had enough to worry about with Jody Rose, McAlister’s two-time Female Athlete of the Year, now sidling up, all smiles. She slipped her arm through his, a move that made me walk a little faster.

  Her flirty pink mouth began to pout when I got to them, but she didn’t move on. “Are you two really going out? You seem like such opposites.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, bristling just a little. Roone, who looked on uneasily, gently detached from her.

  “That a guy like him would be better matched to a girl like me.”

  Was she for real? “I still don’t get it.”

  “You obviously don’t give a shit about your weight or how you look.” Her gaze swept me, lingering on my skinny jeans, soft pullover sweater, and boots, none of which were designer but still looked okay.

  At least I thought they did. Didn’t they? Suddenly self-conscious, I glanced down. Was I getting fat?

  “She looks just fine. Perfect in fact. So perfect I’m gonna have to risk another D-hall.” Roone swooped in and gave me an openmouthed kiss the likes of which I’d never experienced. Lips smashed together. Tongues in a tangle. His exhale my inhale. And I got so lost in it that I stumbled forward when he finally pulled back, which was way embarrassing.

  Jody gave me a go-to-hell look before she spun away and stomped down the hall.

  My heart pounding, I looked around to see if anyone in authority had seen what just happened. Apparently we’d gotten lucky. No teacher in sight.

  I cleared my throat very nervously. “You, um, owe me big time for all the intervention I’ve run today.” Somehow I resisted fanning my face to cool my flaming cheeks.

  “You can have anything you want.”

  Including you?

  For a second I thought I said that out loud. But he simply slung a strap of my battered backpack over his shoulder and began walking to the exit that would take us to the science building and gym. Trying to catch up to his long strides, I couldn’t wait for that first burst of icy air, which would surely clear my head. “I guess our entire class is struggling to imagine us together.”

  “I don’t know why. I think we’re a perfect match.”

  I laughed out loud. “You are such a liar.”

  Roone grasped my biceps so I’d look at him. “I’m totally serious. You’re just my type, which is exactly why I—” He broke off, his eyes widening slightly as though he’d almost said something he shouldn’t.

  “What?” I asked, expecting a confession of some kind.

  “Nothing. I’ve got to go.”

  “Just tell me one thing first.”

  He waited.

  “Do I need to lose weight?”

  “Fuck no.” He frowned. “Where’s that coming from? I just said you’re perfect. Don’t you believe me?”

  “Yes, but I—”

  “That stupid girl is jealous of you, okay?”

  “Because I got the hottest guy in school, and she didn’t?”

  “No, because you’re everything she wishes she could be.”

  Aww. Though that wasn’t even close to the truth, I had to swallow a sudden lump in my throat before I talk. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome. Are we good?”

  I nodded instead of trying to speak again. Didn’t want my voice to crack.

  “Then I’ll see you later.” He left me, swiftly cutting across the trampled grass to get to the gym.

  The rest of the morning dragged by. I thought that fourth period English, which was held in one corner of the auditorium pending a new portable, would never end. But the second lunch bell finally rang, and after a stop at our lockers to deposit our books, Roone and I headed to the cafeteria.

  I got myself a baked potato today, defiantly loading it with sour cream and margarine. I’d have preferred real butter, but that wasn’t a choice. After paying, I went to the table where Dayna and Gavin already sat. Roone arrived moments after with his usual salad. Since leafy green vegetables weren’t the typical male choice, I gave him points for going with healthy, which I sure hadn’t done that day.

  I must’ve weighed my splurge of a meal against his healthy one with my eyes. At any rate, Dayna, who sat to my right, sniggered and leaned close to whisper in my ear. “Oh the stress of loving a guy with muscles, even for smart-choices you.”

  “I do not love him,” I mouthed.

  “Like hell you don’t.”

  That startled me so badly I couldn’t even think of a clever retort. Did I love Roone? Yeah, I’d never been so comfortable with a guy. Yeah, being around him made me a little goofy. And yeah, that impromptu kiss in the hall that morning had knocked me on my butt. But love him? No stinkin’ way. I was wisely waiting to find my soul mate at college.

  It started snowing hard right after lunch, catching everyone but Roone by surprise since the weatherman had been so sure it would miss us. By the time he drove me home that afternoon, the ground had at least three inches of the white stuff on it, which made this winter one for the record books. We found Eli in the front yard building a snowman. The pink on his cheeks and nose told me he’d been out there a while. Since he should’ve been at daycare, I hopped out of the car and went straight to him.

  “Why are you home so early?” With the garage door down, I couldn’t tell which parent’s vehicle was parked in it.

  “Daddy’s sick.”

  “Really?” My father was never sick. As in ever. “What’s wrong with him?”

  “Puking.”

  Glancing toward the picture window, I saw Dad lying on the couch, keeping an eye on Eli and the TV. “I’d better check on him.” By then Roone was out of the car and standing next to us. “I’ll be right back.” I went into the house and headed straight for the den and my dad. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah. Just a little food poisoning, I think.”

  “Was it something I cooked?”

  “Nah. Lunch at the Corner Diner today. Never should’ve gotten the mystery-meat special. I’ll be okay once I get everything out of my system.”

  “Ew. Can I get you anything?”

  “Nope.”

  “There’s Gatorade in the fridge.”

  Dad pointed to a half-empty bottle on the side table.

  I felt of his forehead, which was clammy to the touch. “Take it easy.” Turning, I went back outside and found the guys busy with the snowman, which had been transformed during the short time I was in the house. “Wow. Nice job, Eli.”

  “Roone did it.”

  “I’m impressed. Who is this guy, anyway?” I nodded toward their snow sculpture.

  “Batman.”

  “Ah.” I narrowed my gaze. “You’re getting there. Definitely getting there.” I began to sculpt a mask on that round head.

  Roone gave me a rueful smile. “If I knew how he looked it would help.”

  Eli’s mouth fell open. “You don’t know Batman?”

  “Er…no?”

  Chapter Nine

  I couldn’t believe my ears. “Dang. Is NowhereNear on some other planet? Because Batman’s big on this one. Huge, actually.” I caught my little brother’s eye. “We really need to educate this guy on superheroes, especially since he is one, don’t you think?”

  Eli nodded eagerly.

  I gave Roone my full attention again. “You’re very good with kids, by the way.”

&nbs
p; “I have twin nephews about his size. Haven’t seen them in ages, though.”

  “Jon has kids?” He could’ve been divorced, but somehow I doubted it. I mean, he was so young.

  “Not him. My big brother Leif.”

  “You have two brothers? I had no idea.”

  “Guess there hasn’t been a reason to mention him.” Roone dusted snow off his hands. “I should go. Same time tomorrow morning?”

  “Sure.”

  Eli tugged on my jacket. “Are you gonna kiss him again?” He’d stopped what he was doing, no doubt just in case.

  Highly aware that my dad might be watching us, I shook my head and started to move away. But Roone pulled me into his arms before I got far. Bending my body way back, he kissed me with a flourish that had Eli laughing so hard I worried he’d pee his Spiderman underwear.

  “How was that?” Roone asked my brother as he set me on my feet again.

  Eli didn’t hesitate. “You’re gooder at kissing than she is.”

  “She’ll get better with practice.” Roone gave my brother a high-five and me a smug smile. Turning, he walked to his car with a decided swagger and then left.

  Eli watched until he was out of sight. “I like him even if he doesn’t know Batman.”

  So do I. As in too freakin’ much to be the un-girlfriend anymore. Did that make Dayna right about my feelings? Had I gone and fallen in love?

  The big news on Wednesday was a new portable building that had somehow appeared during a very snowy night. The other news was our semester test schedule the following week, which would consist of only four days because of the Christmas holiday. At McAlister, tests were spread over what was called “finals week” so no student would be loaded down. That still meant studying every night, but at least we didn’t have to study everything every night.

  I noticed right away that Roone’s stint as school hero seemed to be winding down, which made him a two-day wonder. From what I could tell, Teo had taken over his reign. I wasn’t sure why until I overhead some girls whispering during astronomy and found out that he’d had a run-in after hours with one of the school’s wrestlers, a territorial athlete noted for challenging anyone he thought he could beat. Apparently slender Teo had martial arts moves that had gotten him but good, a shocker, and was now the current chick magnet. Since that let Roone off the hook on a couple of levels, I was nothing but thrilled.

  Other than that, it was just another McAlister High Wednesday—aside from the snow on the school grounds, of course—until English. As Roone and I filed into our shiny new classroom, Teo caught up. “Hey, you two.”

  I looked at him in surprise. Though he’d already come on to me, he’d never been particularly friendly towards Roone, at least that I knew of.

  “Hey,” I said. Roone didn’t answer.

  That didn’t faze Teo. “Heard you’re the man to beat at dodge ball, Thorsen. Some guys say the ball’s like a seeker missile when you throw it, and you’re always one step ahead when they try to nail you back.”

  Roone still ignored him. I, on the other hand, panicked a little. Was this another reference to Roone’s secret abilities?

  Teo didn’t give up. “Guess you’re pissed because I asked your girl out, huh? Sorry about that. I didn’t know for sure that she was yours.”

  Roone’s gaze instantly clashed with mine. Crap! And I thought JR had a big mouth.

  “She didn’t tell you?” Teo smirked. “Wonder what other secrets she’s keeping?”

  Roone turned on him. “Beat it, asshole.”

  “Damn. Must’ve hit a nerve.” With a chortle, Teo held up both hands in surrender, backed up a step, and coolly went around us.

  But the harm had been done.

  Roone shuffled us away from the line of students entering the building. “That jerk asked you out?”

  “Yes, but it was nothing.”

  “That why you didn’t tell me?”

  “I forgot it as soon as he did it. Besides, when I saw you again, Jody Rose was asking you out.”

  His expression remained stony.

  “Geez, Roone. You’re acting like you’re jealous or something. Have you forgotten we’re just faking this?”

  He winced and then hung his head. “Guess I did.”

  “Well, don’t. You and I aren’t real. There’s no reason for jealousy.” Did I mean that? Of course not. But it was what I had to say if I didn’t want Roone to figure out that my feelings for him seemed to be evolving into something more than friendship.

  “Sorry.”

  “No problem. And just so you know, if you find a girl you’d actually like to date, all you have to do is say so. We’ll break up.” I walked into the classroom. He silently followed.

  While Mrs. Collins showed us a video on Pre-Raphaelite art—the paintings were nothing short of incredible in their beauty and detail—Roone sat on his side of the room with his eyes downcast. Teo, however, did the opposite, blatantly staring at me until I squirmed. The one time I risked a peek at him, he grinned, which made me blush. Naturally that was the moment Roone glanced over. I smiled to clear the air between us. He didn’t smile back.

  It wasn’t until study hall that I had a chance to confront him. I did it with a note that said: Why are you still pissed?

  I’m not.

  You’re acting like it.

  I’m still not.

  Hm. Worried about your physics test? I was considering helping him study after school as a way to mend the fences he claimed weren’t broken.

  Yeah.

  I can help you after school. Kitchen table, my place.

  Okay. Thanks.

  “Sayers! Thorsen!” Coach yelled from the back of the auditorium.

  Roone groaned. Caught again.

  Coach didn’t give us detention this time in the spirit of the holiday season. But he warned that come January first he wouldn’t go so easy on us.

  Only when we got to my house that afternoon, did I realize that we’d be there alone for a bit. I wondered briefly if I should’ve called one of my parents and wound up sneaking in a text to Dad, who’d get home before Mom did. He okayed the invitation.

  After grabbing a couple of soft drinks from the fridge, I joined Roone at the table in our kitchen. I caught him looking around, a slight smile on his face.

  “What?” I asked, trying to see the area from his perspective. Counters cluttered with small appliances—toaster, mixer, microwave, Keurig. Fridge door filled with preschool artwork held up by handmade magnets. Sink full of dirty dishes that really should’ve been loaded into a dishwasher full of clean ones.

  “I like this room.”

  “So do I.”

  “Does that make coffee?” He pointed to the Keurig.

  “Yeah…want some?”

  He nodded.

  So he liked coffee. Good to know. I got the box of assorted K-cups and began to read off the flavors: extra bold, breakfast blend, caramel vanilla, butter toffee. Roone’s eyes grew wider by the second. “And there’s always good ol’ Swiss chocolate, which really isn’t coffee at all.”

  “That one.”

  “The chocolate?”

  He nodded again.

  Since making a hot drink was a matter of two minutes, I soon handed him a cup of hot chocolate, but not before I added some marshmallows to the steaming mug. Roone wound up sipping while it was still too hot, but he didn’t seem to mind. Watching him lick melted marshmallow off his top lip was way more fun than it should’ve been.

  To say Roone wasn’t getting physics didn’t begin to describe the depth of his confusion. So I did the only thing I could do, start at the beginning and review the basics with him. We did that for a little over an hour before he signaled that he’d had enough.

  I walked him to his car. “When are you going to pay up?”

  Roone opened his door, but didn’t get into the vehicle. “For what?”

  “Me tutoring. Me keeping your secrets. Me fighting off sex-crazed girls. Take your pick. You owe me for all
of them.”

  He heaved a dramatic sigh. “What do you want?”

  “Dinner. Here. Saturday night.”

  “Is that okay? I mean, we’re just pretend, you know.”

  “Pretend love match. Real friends…right?”

  He slowly grinned. “Yeah. That’s definitely real. I’ll be here.”

  Thursday and Friday were fairly routine days with semester reviews in almost every class. Teo kept his distance. Since he had a female posse to distract him now, I assumed that was the reason.

  Roone and I got along fine, though he seemed to have taken a step back, which was totally my fault. At any rate, there were no more kisses or anything else that normal friends wouldn’t do together. And when he dropped me off on Friday afternoon, I didn’t look back as I negotiated what remained of the snow on our lawn under the watchful eye of Eli’s half-melted Batman snowpiece.

  At dinner that night—for once we were all there—we talked about Christmas trees. “So I can pick it out?” I asked.

  “Only if you promise to stay under seven feet,” Mom told me. “We can’t get Mimi’s star on it if you don’t.”

  I turned to Cory. “Help me?” Dad and Mom were way too busy, and I didn’t think I could handle a big tree by myself.

  “Can’t until next week.” Cory had a social life that wouldn’t quit, starting with a longtime girlfriend who lived in town. “It’ll be fresher if you wait until then, anyway.”

  “Good idea,” said my mother. “Go with spruce or fir, okay? They seem to hold up better, and I hate big ol’ pine needles in the carpet.” A frustrated neat freak, she couldn’t stand stuff like that, just one of the reasons I tried to keep everything picked up. Eli made it very hard to do.

  “Oh all right.”

  “Maybe your boyfriend could help you?” Dad gave me a sneaky smile.

  “He’s just a friend that’s a boy, remember?”

  “Didn’t look that way when he kissed you out front.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Both our kisses have been Eli’s fault.”

  Eli nodded, glad to take credit.

  “Well, Roone clearly doesn’t mind.”

  I ignored that. “Did I mention he’s coming for dinner tomorrow night?” Since I was doing the cooking, I’d known no one would mind.