by Nia Stephens
During the first half of the movie Gemma pretended to be interested. Dan had warned her that the movie wasn’t dubbed into English because that took away from the experience. Initially that was okay by Gemma. She hadn’t planned on concentrating on the movie anyway. A kiss in a dimly lit movie theater was her goal. The movie was about some kung fu master that had been betrayed and murdered by his protégé. The master ends up coming back from the dead and taking revenge. Actually, it would have been pretty cool if Gemma had not had other things on her mind.
The second half of the movie, she couldn’t pay attention to anything happening on the screen. Dan had put his arm around her and even squeezed her shoulder a couple of times during the action scenes. During a funny part in the movie, he slapped her leg, and the last time he even squeezed her knee.
Then came the love scene. When the reincarnated master passionately kissed the mistress of his enemy, Dan’s arm found its way around Gemma again, but this time he pulled her closer so that their shoulders touched.
Gemma bet that if she turned her head a mere thirty degrees she would be in line to peck him softly on the cheek. In her mind, Gemma saw Dan picking up on the hint and turning his head ever so slightly to meet her gaze and then POW!—a kiss.
But as she began to get her nerve up, she remembered the museum fiasco. Even though there was nothing for her to fall into here, the damage was done, and she didn’t think she could handle any more embarrassment.
As quickly as she chickened out, Gemma felt suddenly bold again. She was so aware of Dan, his nearness. She leaned a little closer. Yes. She was going to go for it. And was it her imagination, or was he leaning slightly toward her, too?
Staring intently at his profile, Gemma barely noticed the image on the screen changing. But were those the credits? That would mean the movie was over, and the lights would—
Suddenly the movie theater lights flicked on and Gemma’s glossed lips were just inches from Dan’s cheek. Quickly, she pulled herself away.
“Great movie, huh?” Dan said, standing and stretching.
Gemma nodded, relieved that she had moved away in time. But seriously, how many more false starts could she take?
When she got home that night she almost dreaded the postdate call she always made to Maria. She knew exactly what Maria would say. That Gemma was a total fool and that Dan was gay.
“Let me meet this guy so I can see for myself,” Maria said, totally surprising Gemma. “I’ve been ragging on him and I haven’t even taken a look for myself. I guess I should give him a chance, right?”
“Yes,” Gemma said. “Right!” There was her real best friend! Gemma felt a million times better. She sat up straighter at her desk and realized she could take care of two problems at once.
“I’m going to ask him to the beach party,” she declared.
“Great idea!” Maria said.
“Yup,” Gemma said. “This way I can get both you and my mom off my case!”
Chapter 7
Advanced Impressionism
The beach party was in full swing. Everyone from J. Marshall was there, including a few of the pathetic alumni that had graduated last year but could not bring themselves to move on. Down by the surf, Gemma saw her lab buddy, Seth Cole, and a girl she didn’t recognize.
“My, my, my,” Maria said. “Did you happen to see Angela and Ethan? What happened to Kirk Collins?” She nudged Gemma’s arm.
“What are you two gossiping about now?” Manny, Maria’s boyfriend, asked.
“Oh, nothing. We’re just talking about how mucho guapo you are,” Maria said, playfully kissing his neck.
Manny rolled his eyes and stood up. “I’ll be back. Anyone want a beer or soda?” The girls shook their heads. He turned to Gemma. “Oh, and let me know when your gay, I mean guy, comes.”
Maria’s eyes popped. She smacked the back of Manny’s leg as he walked off. “Big mouth,” she yelled to his back. Then even louder she hollered, “I said he might be gay!” This got the attention of a few of the kids nearby, who all cracked up.
Maria turned back to Gemma and covered her mouth. “Sorry,” she said from behind her fingers with an apologetic look.
“Oh, please.” Gemma sighed. “We’ve been friends forever. I already know your mouth is bigger than the Grand Canyon.”
Gemma spotted Dan heading toward them. “Ooooh, there he is,” she told Maria.
“Where?”
“Right there. Walking toward us.”
Maria craned her neck trying to get a glimpse of Dan. “Omigod, girl. You are kidding. You didn’t tell me he was built like a football player. No wait, I stand corrected. He’s built like three football players. Wow. That guy is so not gay.”
Gemma twisted around to see who her friend was talking about, because it didn’t sound like Dan. “Not him,” she said. “The guy behind the guy you’re salivating over. And don’t you have a boyfriend?”
“A girl can look,” Maria quipped.
“Hi,” Dan said when he walked up to them. “I didn’t realize there would be so many people out here. I was worried I wouldn’t find you.”
Gemma stood and gave him a hug. He wrapped his arms around her waist and squeezed her. Then he gave her a peck on the cheek.
“Getting a little closer,” Maria commented under her breath as she slowly stood up.
Keeping her eyes focused on Dan, and with a grin on her face, Gemma kicked Maria’s shin.
“Ow!” Maria exclaimed.
“Oh, are you all right?” Gemma asked, pretending to be concerned. Before Maria could answer she said, “Dan, this is Maria—my best friend.”
“Hey, Maria,” Dan said. “Nice to meet you.”
Gemma watched Maria check out Dan. He was dressed a little more casually in a pair of khaki shorts and a white button-down top. He wore a shell necklace that complemented his outfit flawlessly. Gemma couldn’t tell from Maria’s expression what sort of impression Dan was making. She started to regret she had invited Dan to the party. Maria was totally unpredictable.
“Have a seat,” Maria offered. Both Dan and Gemma sat down on the blanket.
“So, Dan,” Maria said. “You look nice. Most guys I know can barely dress themselves, much less match. Especially for a beach party.”
“My mom always calls this annual event the ‘beach shindig,’” Gemma interjected, trying to get Maria off the subject of Dan’s outfit. Making fun of her mom would be much more comfortable territory.
“Is that shirt Tommy?” Maria asked.
“Yeah, it is,” Dan replied.
“Nice.” Maria looked down at his feet. “Wow, and it matches your sandals perfectly. Did you do that on purpose?”
Gemma winced. Why hadn’t she seen this coming?
“I pay attention to style,” Dan said. He grinned at Gemma. “When you’re dating someone as good-looking as Gemma, you have to keep yourself up.”
Gemma smirked at Maria. Score one for Dan.
Maria shifted on the beach towel. “Did you enjoy the movie? Gemma told me you took her to something with subtitles.”
“I love foreign films,” Dan said. “American movies are so crass. Even the action films have a level of artistry you can only find in a foreign film.” He turned to Gemma. “Don’t you agree?”
“Definitely,” Gemma said, nodding. “Very artistic.” Too bad she had missed most of what was happening on screen because she’d been so focused on what wasn’t happening off-screen.
“Have you seen any?” Dan asked Maria.
Maria shook her head. “Can’t say that I have. Though Gemma and I just watched Crocodile Dundee on cable the other day.” Now she smiled at Gemma, her eyes gleaming wickedly. “That was very entertaining. Don’t you agree?”
Before Maria had a chance to embarrass her any more, Gemma popped up, spraying everyone with sand. “Sorry,” she said. “Dan, why don’t we take a walk down the beach? It’s so gorgeous this time of night.”
“Sounds nice,” Dan said. H
e stood much more gracefully than Gemma had, and took her hand. As they headed off, Gemma glanced back and saw that Manny had rejoined Maria, who was chattering a mile a minute. Gemma knew it was all about Dan, but she had no idea what Maria had decided about him.
“Your friend is a little ...” Dan’s voice trailed off.
“Yeah, I know,” Gemma replied, even though she wasn’t really sure how Dan was going to describe Maria. She had a feeling it wasn’t going to be completely positive.
“Have you been friends a long time?” Dan asked. “The two of you seem so different.”
“Do we?” She was surprised that Dan would think that. Yes, she was a lot shyer around guys than Maria, but most of the time she felt right in synch. It was Dan she felt was different. But maybe she was different around him. Was that good or bad? It’s not like she wasn’t herself around him. It was more that she was a less familiar version of herself.
They passed the beach volleyball game, and Gemma noticed Ethan was about to serve. “Hey, Williams,” he called. “Come on over and get in the game. We need an actual athlete over here.”
She glanced up at Dan. “Do you want to play?”
Dan frowned down at his outfit. “I’m not really dressed for it. When you said beach party, I thought more of barbecue on the beach, and sitting, listening to the surf.”
“No problem,” Gemma said, though she felt a little disappointed. The game looked fun.
“Tell you what,” Dan said, taking her hand. “For our next date we’ll do something more sporty. In fact, I have a great idea.”
“Yes?” Gemma asked, thrilled that he was already planning their next date.
“Let’s go downtown to that indoor skating rink.”
Gemma stared at him. “Ice-skating?”
“Unless you don’t want to,” Dan said.
“It’s not that. I-I have to check with my parents first.”
A strange series of chimes went off. Dan pulled his cell out of his pocket and glanced at the number. “Oh, sorry, I really have to take this.”
“Sure thing,” Gemma said.
“Thanks,” Dan said. “Yes?” he said into the phone. “What do you mean there’s something wrong with the frames? But the auction is next week. I made those especially for this exhibit!”
Gemma watched his expression go from surprised, to angry, to resigned as he listened to the caller. “Let me come down and take a look. I’d rather not have to start from scratch at this late date. Right. See you in a few.” He clicked off and looked apologetically at Gemma.
“I’m so sorry,” he said. “But I have to get to the gallery. There’s a problem with the frames and the show is coming up.”
“Go ahead,” Gemma said. “I know it’s important to you.”
“Wanna come with me?” Dan asked.
“No, that’s okay. I’ll stay here. I can get a ride with Maria and Manny.”
“If you’re sure.”
Gemma nodded. “Go.”
He gave her a quick hug and a peck on the cheek and took off. “Call me and let me know about skating,” he called over his shoulder.
Gemma watched him head back to the parking lot, shaking her head.
So, she thought, turning back toward the volleyball game, I can go ice-skating with a guy who walks along a moonlit beach and never once makes a move, who will probably never get along with my best friend, but who is seriously fine, seems to like me, and is pretty fascinating. Or I can end this all right now.
SHOULD GEMMA GIVE DAN YET ANOTHER CHANCE? IF YOU THINK SO,
turn to page 119.
SHOULD GEMMA SAY, “ENOUGH ALREADY”? IF SO,
turn to page 127.
So you think Dan might turn out to be the one? Keep reading!
Chapter 8
Going for the Gold
“Where’s your partner in crime?” Gemma’s father asked a few nights later as he peeked into her room. “By now you two would have had this room littered with tons of clothes bought with my hard-earned money,” he joked.
Gemma pulled out a short denim skirt and held it up. Maria had ditched her for Manny today, so Gemma had to choose an outfit by herself. Normally that wasn’t an issue, but Dan was so put-together she was super insecure. Maybe her dad could help. After all, he was a guy. “How does this look?” she asked.
Her dad scrunched up his face like he just ate a rotten egg. “Where’s the rest of it? Is that what you kids are wearing today—headbands disguised as skirts?”
“Daaaad,” Gemma complained. “It’s not that short.”
“If you say so,” her father commented. “But there are stripes on the American flag thicker than that skirt.”
“Ha-ha.” She was in no mood for her dad’s jokes today. This outfit presented challenges. Since Dan was taking her ice-skating, it had to be cute but practical. Now that she looked at it in the mirror, though, she realized her short skirt was hardly practical. How cute would she be if she fell back into Dan’s arms on her skates and her hooha was on display? She threw the skirt back into the closet.
“What about these?” Her father picked up a pair of jeans she hadn’t worn since the tenth grade. Comfortable they were, stylish they were not. She only wore those things when she volunteered to wash her dad’s Mercedes.
“I don’t wear those anymore,” Gemma said, regretting she had bothered to ask for his advice. Her dad peered down at the clothes strewn over her bed, picked through the pile, and pulled out a pair of jeans and a top that didn’t look half bad. Actually, it looked pretty good.
“What about this?” he asked.
“I think that will work, Dad,” Gemma said. “Thanks.”
“This makes the third time that he’s looked better than me,” Gemma mumbled as she scuttled across the ice, clinging to the railing. What was she thinking, allowing her dad to make a fashion decision? She must have been rendered temporarily insane due to the pressure of living up to Dan’s standards. Though he seemed to always like how she looked, she reminded herself. She was the one making all the fuss. But then, she wasn’t as naturally stylish as Dan seemed to be.
She made it another few inches before she stopped, sighed and considered giving up. “I’m athletic. I’m fit. Why can’t I get the hang of this?” she muttered, watching Dan glide like a pro across the ice. Today he wore yet another pair of perfectly pressed khakis and a wool sweater with a knitted scarf and cap to match. “Laguna Beach or not, what black guy wears that?” she said. He must have quite a clothing allowance.
“Who are you talking to, lady?” a little kid asked as he whizzed by. He was half her size but totally owned the ice. He darted, he wove, and then he executed a perfect spin, finishing up by skating right at her. She clutched the handrail and tried to back up. He came to a sharp sudden stop in a spray of ice.
Okay, kid, we get that you had a million lessons, she thought. And if I could let go of this rail I’d strangle you. She glanced toward Dan, who was now on the opposite side of the rink waving at her.
Gemma gritted her teeth and waved back. Dan seemed to be great at everything—including skating. Sports was supposed to be her specialty. Maybe she should have suggested a game of basketball instead of this stupid skating idea of his. Well, she was here now, and she wasn’t going to be shown up by an obnoxious show-off kid. She was determined to get the hang of this.
Slowly she lifted her hand from the railing and pushed off with one foot. She was doing it! She was actually skating! Okay, she wasn’t going very fast, but at least she was doing it. Slowly, in a teetery-tottery way, she found herself in the center of the rink.
This isn’t so bad, she thought. She was going to skate across to Dan. She focused on him and pushed with her right foot. This time her left foot planted itself right where it was, refusing to cooperate. She hobbled a bit, wildly flailing her arms about as she tried to contain the fall. When she finally steadied herself the little pro skater brat zipped around her. Splat! She was down. Hard.
“Hey, you al
l right?” Dan asked, skating up to her. He held his hand out to help her up. She had to work really hard not to flop down again, or bring him down with her. She was completely embarrassed that a prepubescent little know-it-all had floored her.
When she was upright, she said, “Yeah. I’m fine. I guess that’s what I get for not taking those lessons my mother offered when I was eight.”
Dan’s arms rested on her hips and for a moment their eyes remained locked. Gemma could feel her heart beating faster. Was this the moment? He smiled at her and she held her face up to his when—wham! Speedy Gonzales on skates whizzed by and she lost her balance again.
“Maybe you want to take a break?” Dan suggested, helping her back up.
“Sounds good.” She figured snuggling together off the ice over cups of hot chocolate would be a sweet thing to do.
“I’ve been taking lessons since I was five,” Dan explained. “So don’t feel bad. It takes time to get used to it. Why don’t I show you? Just watch me.” He skated off, leaving Gemma open-mouthed and wobbling in the middle of the rink.
She’d had enough.
“Hey, kid, come here,” she called, flagging down Speedy. “I’ll give you a dollar if you can get me off the ice.”
“Make it two,” the kid haggled.
“Criminal,” Gemma muttered. But she had no choice. It was either pay the little hustler or risk getting knocked on her butt again. “For two, you take me all the way over to the lounge,” she negotiated.
The kid nodded in agreement. She reached into her back pocket and pulled out two crisp one-dollar bills and waved them over his head. “All the way to the lounge,” she reminded him.
The kid snatched the money, inspected it and then grabbed her hand and helped her make it across the ice. Gemma looked back at Dan, who was still smiling at her, demonstrating a slow, steady gliding technique.
When the kid dropped her off at a bench, Gemma took one last look at Dan, who was now practicing a fancy spin. Did he remember she was even here? He must have gotten bored showing her how to skate back and forth.
