I replied, A little. You could’ve texted your answer.
He had to be at Grease rehearsal, and I closed out of text messaging to continue watching for my mother. So it surprised me when he quickly responded.
Okay. Fine. But I liked seeing you in there, smiling. And laughing.
I didn’t know how to reply. Except smile at my phone and at the sparks I couldn’t stop.
I promise we’re not doing anything wrong.
Because he and Maddie were still fighting? And the trivia questions weren’t a huge deal. But our texting had turned into something more than trivia and neither of us wanted to stop.
Where did that leave us?
I slowly scrolled up to find the question he’d texted way earlier.
A classic cars quiz. What were three of the worst cars ever made?
I heard a quick honk and looked up to find my mother waiting for me in the pick-up zone.
I walked toward her car while finally answering his question.
Good quiz, Kenickie. The Pinto, Vega and Cricket.
“Why were you standing all the way over there?” she asked the second I opened the passenger-side door.
I threw my backpack on the floor, climbed in and shut the door. Pretty hard, too, since my defenses went into overdrive. “I needed to get away from all the craziness. Everyone’s excited about spring break.”
She pulled away from the curb. Her huffy silence meant I’d offended her with my tone. But why did almost everything she said to me have to be a criticism?
His reply popped up.
Thanks. But you keep surprising me. And I like it.
Oh…I really had gotten myself into so much trouble.
I slouched down in my seat behind Warren and pulled out my phone.
Because so many kids were absent the Friday before a break, a lot of teachers ran movies, including Mr. Yates. He’d put on some boring documentary about presidents and government. Other kids sitting toward the back like me had their phones out, too, and I didn’t feel bad with my choice to shoot Shane a text. I never would’ve been able to do this if Quinn were here.
I wanted to ask him something and it had nothing to do with classic cars.
So are you going anywhere for the break?
I really wanted to know if he would be around for community service. I already knew Paige would be there. And probably Theresa Flanagan who I’d seen around, but mostly the back of her frizzy head. A good thing for both of us.
Nope. We haven’t gone anywhere since my brother was a senior.
I smiled. The fact he’d texted back so fast meant he must be trapped in a classroom and “watching” something boring.
Where are you going? Somewhere cool that’ll make me jealous?
I peeked at Mr. Yates, concentrating on the documentary, then texted, Just really cool Sausalito. Staying with my grandparents since my parents will be gone.
I then started to wonder about Maddie’s plans, and my smile faded. If they…made up…he’d probably spend a lot of time with her. Unless he had to work at the shop.
They’re going somewhere without you? That seems messed up.
My choice. But it’ll be weird. First year I won’t be with them on my birthday.
I hit send, then cringed. Why I had told him such personal stuff? I’d never even brought up my parents being gone for my birthday with Ella and Quinn. But they thought I had to stay here as punishment.
They’re leaving you on your birthday, too? When is it?
It’s not a big deal. I like staying with my grandparents. The 28th.
Mr. Yates suddenly turned to scan the classroom, and I shoved my phone between my legs. I saw, from the corners of my eyes, other kids copy my actions. I then pretended to be watching the documentary.
He scanned the room once more and turned toward the Smart Board.
So does that mean you aren’t kidnapping me tomorrow?
My shoulders shook from silent laughter.
Not this week, Kenickie.
I’d caught the attention of a couple kids sitting near me, but Mr. Yates hadn’t noticed. And I went back to pretending to watch the documentary while I waited for his reply.
That sucks. I was looking forward to being kidnapped again by you.
I, smiling, shook my head at his obvious flirting.
Guess you’ll have to find someone else to kidnap you.
Again, Maddie’s face appeared in my mind. They’d spent the entire week apart and now he seemed to be really acting…single.
Wouldn’t be the same, Sunshine.
I had to ask him about Maddie. Right now. Because no matter what he said, their fighting, and how hard I tried to go around it, I felt one muscle car away from being the other girl.
I have to go. Movie’s over. But this was fun. Way better than trivia.
Okay. I’d try talking to him tomorrow right after community service. In person might even be better. I wanted to see his reaction to my questions. Look into his…perfect San Francisco Bay blue eyes…for the truth about his relationship with Maddie.
Chapter 15
I checked my phone again to see the time while Paige painted her side of the picnic table. She’d offered to help after I told her what happened with Theresa a week ago.
Almost 8:30 and Shane still hadn’t shown up.
I wanted to shoot him a quick text. But fear I’d seem more like an overly concerned girlfriend than just a friend stopped me. Though I couldn’t help feeling concerned. He’d never been late or not shown up. At least, not since I’d started being here. And he’d made it clear during our texting yesterday morning he’d be here today.
I glanced at the auditorium doors, for what had to be the millionth time, expecting to see him walk inside. Nothing.
“Who are you looking for?” Paige asked.
I whipped my head forward and slipped my phone back into my sweatshirt pocket. “No one. Just noticing how much has gotten done the last couple weeks.”
I felt her eyes as I picked up my brush and continued painting the table brown.
Because of the break, Mr. Lowry had half the amount of students this morning. Unfortunately, Theresa had shown up. She and her minion-friend I had no interest in knowing were working with some students on the main Rydell High backdrop. They were sketching out what would eventually be painted. No drilling today. The silence, with the exception of students talking and laughing, being a nice change. Shane’s friend worked on the scoreboard alone, and I eyed the auditorium doors. Again. I then faced the table and focused on getting it done. I officially hated brown paint.
When we were finished painting, Paige and I headed toward the girl’s dressing room to rinse off our brushes, and Theresa and her minion-friend emerged.
Theresa and I exchanged withering stares before she glanced at Paige. “Don’t forget to lick the paintbrush, sweetie.” Their cackling filled the quiet space.
Paige stared at the backstage floor like she wanted it to open beneath her feet.
I stepped toward Theresa, feeling like we’d picked up where we left off last week. Only now, I didn’t have Shane to stop me from doing or saying something nasty.
“Maybe that’s funny for people who are spawned from Satan, but it’s not funny here.”
Her creepy green eyes narrowed into slits. “It’s called a joke, princess. Do you know what that is? Or do you need me to give you the definition?”
Her condescending tone caused me to take another step closer. And, what, my family’s money meant I didn’t have a brain?
Remembering her family situation, and what she’d done and said to me last week, I couldn’t stop myself from unleashing bitchy Natalie. “Why don’t you get on your broomstick, sweetie, and go back to wherever you came from. I’m sure your evil monkeys are missing you. And no one at this school will notice you’re gone.”
Her minion-friend stared at me, mouth open, as Theresa’s eyes darkened and became round. With rage. And some fear. Which meant my last sentence had hit a sore spot.
>
“Girls, what’s the problem now?” Mr. Lowry’s exasperated voice a knife slicing through the thick tension before he appeared at my left side. He subjected all of us to a hard stare. He then pointed at Theresa and the minion. “Get back to work on the backdrop.” As they spun away, he said, “Natalie, when you’re done rinsing those brushes I want you to come talk to me.”
My shoulders drooped.
Why did I keep getting in trouble while Theresa got away with being the crazy bully?
“Thanks for that,” Paige said when we were inside the dressing room. “I really wish I could be more like you.”
“You’re welcome,” I mumbled. “But being like me isn’t great. Now I’m in trouble with Mr. Lowry. He wasn’t happy with me last week, either. Because of her.”
“Nat, he has to know Theresa’s the real problem around here. Not you.”
“Maybe.”
A few minutes later I found him off stage. He, going through some papers, stood near the center, front row seats. Then an auditorium door opened and Shane wandered in, yawning, wearing jeans, a sweatshirt and a backward baseball hat.
Had he just woken up?
“Mr. Easton,” Mr. Lowry called out, “it’s nice of you to finally join us.”
He headed down the aisle. “Sorry. I slept in.”
“Apparently.” To me, Mr. Lowry said, “I appreciate your hard work, Natalie. But for the sake of keeping peace around here, I need you to find a way to get along with Theresa.”
I crossed my arms, because this was so not fair. “Mr. Lowry, it’s not me. She—”
“I’ll be talking to her, too.” He lifted his eyes. “Shane, come here for a minute.”
He changed direction and stood next to me. And he looked terrible. His eyes were bleary and puffy from exhaustion.
What could’ve possibly happened between yesterday and this morning?
“I’m putting Natalie and Paige with you and Liam on the scoreboard until it’s finished.”
Liam. Shane’s friend. I’d make sure to remember his name. And I would’ve felt enormous relief with Mr. Lowry’s decision, even giddy. But he made me feel like a troublemaking little kid who had to be babysat by the more mature teenager.
“Okay,” Shane said. “She’s a good painter. Paige works hard, too.”
He looked at me for the first time since walking into the auditorium, and I saw humor flash through his tired eyes.
“Great. Then get to it.”
We fell into step beside one another and walked toward the stage. In silence. And I had absolutely no idea what to say, considering we’d gotten…close…through our texting this week.
“So you’re still here,” he murmured. “Must mean you haven’t knocked Theresa out. Yet.”
I smiled. “It was getting kinda ugly just now, before Mr. Lowry walked up to us.”
“What happened?”
“It’s not important.” I eyed him. “Are you okay?”
“I didn’t get much sleep last night,” he muttered. “I almost didn’t come today, but I really wanted to—be here.” He stopped when we reached the stage stairs. And gave me that smile. “It’s probably a good thing Mr. Lowry paired us up, Sunshine. I’d hate to see you get expelled.” He paused before adding, “You’d be missed around here.”
He turned and jogged up the steps. But I’d glimpsed his face turning pink, the same way it had at the shop when he’d complimented me.
I bit my lower lip, but it didn’t stop my smile. Still, I wondered if Maddie had been the reason he didn’t sleep well because they’d been on the outs all week.
My smile disappeared.
I absolutely needed to talk to him about her.
I waited for him in the auditorium for as long as I could while he helped other kids clean, but gave up. And continuing to wait for him seemed too obvious.
Grams texted they were running late, and the moment I stepped outside into the hazy sunlight I dropped to a stair step. Hopefully he’d be out soon.
He started to look better while the four of us worked on the scoreboard, but still distant. A little distracted, too. But I had found out Liam was actually Shane’s best friend, also active in theater. He’d played Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet and got Doody, another T-Bird, in Grease. He seemed really nice, too. And funny. Just like his best friend.
I rested my chin on my knees and tried to gather what I would say to Shane.
Because we were friends, I could use that approach. He and Maddie had been fighting all week. Maybe being on the outs with her had caught up with him last night?
Jealousy burned inside me. The fact I had no right to feel this way made it worse. No matter my impossible crush on him, we were just friends. Who flirted with each other too much. But I loved the Natalie who came out while we texted and when we were together.
My phone buzzed and dinged with a text message.
Are you still here?
My insides turned mushy from Shane’s simple question.
I so needed to get a grip.
Yeah. Waiting for my grandparents.
The school’s doors burst open behind me. Two boys came out, followed by Shane. His eyes lit up when he saw me, followed by a smile I returned.
The three said quick goodbyes, and the two boys walked by me down the stairs. It looked like they were trying not to stare at me. But it didn’t stop me from staring at them.
They headed left. Once they were gone, Shane sat beside me on the step. Close enough his right knee touched my left knee. And my heart beat a tad faster.
I asked what then came to mind. “Where’s your bike?”
He smiled, and I hoped he was thinking about this time last Saturday, too.
“Still has a flat tire. No time this week to get it fixed.”
Silence fell.
Why couldn’t I talk to him all of a sudden?
He seemed to be searching for something to say, which told me he felt the same way. Or maybe he had to give me bad news. Like tell me we had to stop the texting because of Maddie.
We needed to talk about her and better to beat him to the topic. I took a deep breath, released the air and asked, “What are you and Maddie up to over the break?” Not exactly to the point, but at least it got the conversation started.
He, not surprisingly, became tense, but I couldn’t let this go. So I waited. And waited.
“Nothing,” he finally said. “We broke up Monday night.”
Wait…what did he say?
My mouth opened. I glanced sharply at him, but he wouldn’t look at me. In fact, he looked pretty guilty as he stared down at the step.
Okay. So that’s why they hadn’t been sitting together at lunch. This also explained his carefree attitude about our texting and his “I promise we’re not going anything wrong” message.
Though a big part of me wanted to release a sigh of relief and excitement that we could keep texting each other, another part of me ached for him since he looked so guilty. And break-ups never stayed a secret at Pacifica Academy. Especially a week. So I asked, “But…how?” This earned me a confused frown from him, and I shook my head. “Break-ups are usually all over school within a day. You know that.”
“Because a lot of kids around here post it on social media as soon as it happens.” His frown deepened. “I don’t do that and neither do my friends. That’s messed up shit. Maddie and I were friends before we started going out, and she’s not like that, either.”
I gave him a soft smile as my insides became hot and mushy.
I guess there were some boys who genuinely respected girls.
He looked back down at the step. “Maddie’s great, but we…didn’t work as a couple. And it’s not like that was a big secret,” he added under his breath.
I watched him while I wrapped my brain around the fact those two hadn’t been a couple for most of the week. Wow. I guess if any of our classmates had noticed them being apart, they must’ve—like me—figured they were fighting. Or maybe kids had been too cau
ght up in spring break fever this week. And it seemed pretty obvious why they broke up, but I sensed he’d been the one who’d done the breaking. Still, their break-up Monday couldn’t be the reason he looked guilty and hadn’t slept well last night. Especially when I remembered his flirty texts from yesterday morning. But I didn’t feel right asking him about that, either.
As I continued to watch him, though, my surprise and curiosity changed into a strong desire to lean closer, put my arms around him and squeeze. Hug his breath out of him. But I kept my arms tightly at my side and said, “I know what happened is none of my business, but…do you feel like talking about it?”
It took him several seconds to raise his head, and our eyes met. “Not really. But thanks for asking.” I nodded, his answer fair enough, and he added, “I know I probably should’ve told you, but I…didn’t want you to think—”
“It’s fine. We’re just friends.” But even I didn’t quite believe me as our eyes stayed locked and something like…surprise?…flashed through his eyes.
“Right...” he agreed. “Just friends.” He dragged his eyes from mine to reach out and playfully tug my ponytail. “I like your hair like this. It’s casual. And fits you.”
“Thanks,” I murmured, so grateful for his subject changing.
“I would’ve texted you pics of your Camaro yesterday, but it’s still a chassis. For now.” He tried smiling. “So what are you up to next week?”
“Um…not much. Rehearsing the routine with the club.” Which reminded me of us wanting to keep it a secret. “You can’t say a word about us being in the competition. Okay?”
He seemed confused, but then held out his right hand and extended his pinky.
I hooked my left pinky with his.
“Sealed with a pinky swear. But why do you want to keep it a secret from everyone?”
Our fingers stayed hooked a few seconds longer than necessary before I unhooked mine. “There are two people who can’t know right now.”
“Ella and Quinn?”
I nodded. “They don’t understand me being in the club. Especially Ella. I’m putting off that conversation for as long as I can. Especially since I was supposed to be in a routine with them for Ella’s campaign.” And I cringed at sounding like the worst friend on this planet.
The '68 Camaro Between Kenickie and Me (Pacifica Academy Drama Book 2) Page 10