I wait for him to leave, then say, "That was strange."
"What was strange?"
"I don't think Colton's ever talked to me before. And now he just invited me to his party."
"I think we should go. It'll be fun."
"Are you kidding? All the popular people will be there. They'll be staring at me all night, wondering why I'm there. They'll think I crashed the party."
"All the better. They'll think I talked you into it."
"Why is that good?"
"They'll think you're dating a rebel, which is cool. You could get a whole new reputation after this. Do you have a leather jacket? A motorcycle? Because that would really help sell this new image of yours." He's smiling as he says it.
"This is serious, Wesley. I can't show up there on Friday. And I don't want to. I don't like those people."
"What people? You don't even know who will be there."
"Half the school will be there. Colton has huge parties."
"With all those people there, I'm sure we can find someone to hang out with."
"Trust me, they won't hang out with me."
"Maybe you need to give them a chance."
"I gave them plenty of chances, and all they did was call me names and make me an outcast."
"People can change, you know."
"Maybe, but not in high school."
"And yet Colton just invited you to his party."
"Only because of you."
"But he doesn't even know me, so why would he invite me?"
"I don't know. Maybe it's some kind of trick. Maybe he'll lure you there and then have everyone spray you with a hose or something."
Wesley moves his tray to the side. "You're making a lot of assumptions."
"I'm just saying, you have no idea what'll happen at that party. Colton could've faked being nice to you just now to get you to show up."
"I doubt it. I haven't been here long enough to be a target for bullies. And even if I was, I have ways for dealing with them."
"Which is what?"
"Not reacting the way they want me to. When someone says something to me that could be considered an insult, I turn it around. Make it a compliment, like I'm happy they said it. Colton said my briefcase was weird. I don't think he meant it as an insult, but if he did, I wouldn't have cared. My reaction would've been the same. To thank him and move on. Not make a big deal about it."
I stare at him. "You're very odd."
"Thank you!" He smiles. "See how I did that? Turned it into a compliment?"
"Yeah, and it's odd. You sure you're not some wise old man stuck in a teenager's body?"
"Damn, you found out. Back in California I was part of this secret experiment in which—"
"Okay, stop," I say, laughing. "Let's just agree you're wise beyond your years."
"Then as your wise elder, I'm telling you to go to this party with me on Friday. And tell your friend to come too. Or is she as opposed to parties as you are?"
"She's not opposed to them. She goes to them occasionally with her boyfriend. He has a lot of friends, but most of them are from work, not here."
"Where does he work?"
"At the ice rink. That's how he started dating Stella. She's there all the time."
"She's a skater?"
"Curler."
"I don't know what that is."
"It's a sport where you move this stone down the ice toward a target and someone goes in front of you with a brush."
"I've seen that on TV. It's in the Olympics, right?"
"Yeah, it's not that popular of a sport except in cold weather places like Canada or here in Wisconsin."
"Is there a team for that?"
"Not at the high school but she's part of a team here in town. It's a women's team and most of them are older but she's one of their best players."
"Maybe we could go to a game sometime. Or is it a tournament? What do they call it?"
"Tournament. But there aren't any right now. Their season hasn't started yet but she still practices."
"We should try it."
"Try what?"
"Curling. We should try it sometime. I'm sure your friend wouldn't mind teaching us the basics."
"She wouldn't, but why would you want to go curling?"
"I like trying new things and this is something I've never tried before." He reaches back to get his blazer. "We should probably get going. Lunch is almost over."
I'm sad it's over. I want to keep talking to him. I thought the same thing this morning. I really like being around him. I've never met anyone like Wesley. He's a little odd and quirky, which I love, but he's also kind of cool. It's his attitude. His confidence. It makes people like Colton take notice of him and invite him to a party.
I can't go to that party. It'll be after dark and I can't see in the dark. I don't want to tell Wesley that so I'll have to come up with an excuse for why I can't go.
By the end of the day, I'm exhausted. Even though I can see without glasses, it takes effort to do so and it's tiring. Plus the bright lights in the classroom bother me to the point that I feel the need to squint, but if I did, it'd be harder to see.
The light didn't bother me as much last year, which makes me think my eyes are getting worse. The doctors said I'd be sensitive to light, and I always have been, but not to this extent. If it stays this way, I don't know how I'll make it through the year.
"You want to go to the rink with me?" Stella asks as we meet up outside.
"No, I'm just gonna go home." My head is pounding from enduring that bright light all day and being out here in the sun isn't helping. I have sunglasses on but my eyes are still bothering me.
"You okay?" Stella asks, coming around in front of me.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Is it your eyes? Do they hurt?"
I wish she wouldn't treat me like this. So cautious. Always checking on me. I want to go back to how things used to be between us.
"I said I'm fine. I'll call you later." I notice Sam walking up behind her. "You and Sam should get to the rink."
"We could all go somewhere first, like maybe get something to eat?"
"I'm not hungry. I had a big lunch."
"Hey, Luna," Sam says, putting his arm around Stella. He's average height and not really fat, but thick. He grew up helping on his family's farm which made him really strong. He has reddish-brown hair and fair skin, which Stella loves. He's not the best looking guy but he has an outgoing personality that keeps him from being picked on. He'd have more friends at school if he did more school activities, but instead he's always at work. He's trying to get money for a better car. The one he has is always breaking down.
"Hey, Sam. First day of your last year. That's exciting."
"Yeah, feels good to be a senior. Can't wait to be out of this place, although I'll miss my girl." He gives Stella a kiss.
"I was just telling Luna we should go get something to eat before we go to the ice rink."
"Sure. I've got time before work."
"I can't," I say. "I'm really tired. Maybe tomorrow."
"Luna!" a voice calls out.
I turn back and see Wesley walking with a group of guys. Is he friends with them already? He made friends that fast? While wearing that plaid tie and blazer and carrying that briefcase? How is that possible? If I were him, people would be avoiding me while making fun of me behind my back.
Wesley waves his new friends to continue on without him as he comes over to us, smiling. He smiles a lot, way more than most people.
"Stella and Sam?" he asks, standing next to me.
"Yeah." Stella eyes me, then looks back at Wesley. "And you are?"
"Wesley, but most people call me Wes."
"They do?" I ask. "Why didn't you tell me that?"
"Hey, Wes," Sam says, smiling back. He also smiles a lot.
"You two know each other?" Stella asks me.
"We're friends," Wesley answers. Or Wes, which apparently is the name he goes by.
"We
just met," I explain. "We have our first two classes together and we're partners in chem."
"We also had lunch together," Wes adds.
I shoot him a look. If he gives Stella too much info, she'll follow me home wanting details about this new guy who's standing so close to me our arms keep touching. I've noticed that about him. He doesn't seem to know the appropriate amount of personal space to give a person, especially one you just met.
"Lunch," Stella repeats, her lips turning up. "Luna didn't tell me she had lunch with you."
"I'm surprised she didn't mention it," Wes says, "given the scintillating conversation we had."
Sam leans over to Stella and quietly says, "Scintillating. Is that—"
"It's not dirty," she whispers, poking his chest with her elbow. "It means...well, I don't exactly know, but it's not what you're thinking."
"Clever. Exciting. Captivating," Wes explains. "In addition to our scintillating conversation, we also got an invite to a party this weekend. Did you tell them about it?" he asks me.
"No, because I'm not—"
"It's at Colton's house. Friday night. Luna and I were hoping you guys could join us."
"You're going to a party?" Stella asks me.
"No!" I say emphatically. "Wes is going. I'm not. But if you guys want to go, you're invited."
"We should go," Sam says to Stella. "Colton has great parties. He has them out back in the field. He does a big bonfire. It'll be fun."
Stella's eyes go to me. She knows I can't see in the dark. Sam doesn't.
"Um, actually Luna and I already have plans for Friday night. But you and Wes could go."
"I can't be without you at a party," he says. "C'mon. You and Luna can change your plans, can't you?"
She looks at me and I can tell she really wants to go to the party with Sam.
"Go ahead and go," I tell her. "I don't mind."
"Great!" Wes says. "So we're going!" He checks his watch. "I need to catch the bus but I'll talk to you guys later. Good meeting you!"
He takes off.
Stella points to the bus. "Don't you need to get on? Or do you want us to give you a ride?"
I forgot about the bus. Last year my mom picked me up, but this year she has after school activities that would make her an hour late getting here, which means I have to take the bus. I could take Stella up on her offer but my house is the opposite of where she and Sam are going.
"I'll just take the bus. See you guys later."
Racing off, I get to the bus just as the driver's about to close the door. Wes is in the back, talking to someone out the window. Should I sit by him or sit somewhere else? We've already spent half the day together so I should probably give him some space and sit somewhere else.
Everyone's eyeing me and the driver yells at me to sit down. I walk to the very back and sit next to Wes. He doesn't notice, still engaged in conversation with whoever's on the sidewalk.
"Yeah, man. See you tomorrow," he says.
"The bus is for losers!" some girl yells.
He faces front, laughing to himself. Why does he find people insulting him to be funny and not hurtful? I know he gave me that speech about not letting people or words have power over you, but how can you not? Everyone has feelings and it's hard for those feelings not to be hurt when other people are being mean.
"Luna," he says, turning to me. "We meet again."
"Yeah." I pretend to mess with the zipper on my backpack, now feeling embarrassed I sat by him. The bus is only half full. I could've sat somewhere else.
"Interesting you chose this seat, given that you're a front rower."
"I guess." I focus out the window.
"Is it possible you've adopted my rule?"
"Which is what?"
"To sit by the person you're most attracted to?"
I whip my head back to him. "No! That is not why I sat here."
"Then why'd you sit here?"
"Forget it." I shake my head. "I'll just move."
"You can't move when the bus is moving. It's not safe. And it'll piss off the driver."
I sigh. "Fine. Then I'll stay here but it's not for the reason you think."
That goofy smile of his appears and he looks straight ahead. He says nothing for several long minutes. My house is the first stop and we're almost there, which is good because this interaction has been painfully awkward.
Just before the driver turns onto my street, I hear Wes again.
"You know what?"
"What?" I ask, picking my backpack off the seat.
"I think you like me." His eyes remain facing forward, a slight grin on his face. "As more than a friend."
I stare at him, shocked he would make such an assumption. He knows almost nothing about me, including my taste in guys.
As I get up, I hear him say, "I like you too. As more than a friend. But you already knew that."
Shocked again and having no idea how to respond, I swing my backpack over my shoulder and hurry off the bus. I don't look back. I continue on, racing up to my house, then unlocking the door and going inside. Dropping my backpack, I collapse against the door, sliding down until I'm sitting on the floor.
I take a long, deep breath. I made it through the first day. Only 179 more to go. But after today, I don't know if I can make it that long. And not because of my eyes, although they are beyond tired right now. What I mean is that I don't know if I can survive 179 more days with Wes. Being around him today my heart was racing, I was sweating more than normal, and my stomach was doing flip-flops. And when he wasn't around, my mind kept getting distracted by thoughts of him and the things he said.
Maybe he's right. Maybe I do like him...as more than a friend.
Chapter Five
My phone rings and I fish it out of my backpack. It's my mom calling.
"Hey, Mom."
"Hi, honey. How was your first day?"
"Good. How was yours?"
"Tiring. The kids haven't adjusted from summer yet. They couldn't sit still. It was a little crazy but things will get better by the end of the week."
She's teaching second grade this year. I don't know how she does it. When I used to babysit, I could barely handle two or three kids at a time so I don't know how she deals with a whole classroom full of them.
"So tell me about school," she says. "Did you like your teachers?"
"Yeah, they're fine."
"How about your classes?"
"Also fine."
She laughs. "Teenagers. Masters at answering questions using the fewest number of words."
"Sorry. I just don't have much to say."
I have all kinds of things to say but not to my mom. I don't like telling her about boys because when I do, she gets all excited. She wants me to date and go to dances and do all the other stuff girls my age do. And I'd probably be doing those things if I were a normal teenager. But I'm not a normal teenager. Normal teens can drive. They can go out in the dark. And they don't have to turn their heads to see what's beside them.
"Do you like the new building?"
"It's okay. But it's huge. Takes forever to get anywhere."
"And during class...you were able to see?" she asks cautiously. She knows this is a touchy subject. I tend to get angry whenever it comes up, which I know isn't fair to my mom. She's just being a mom, and I'm not angry at her. I'm angry that I have this condition, and talking about it just makes it worse. I like to pretend I don't have it.
"I could see okay," I tell her.
"Are you telling me the truth?"
I'm not ready to tell her how much the light bothered me so I say, "Yeah. Everything was fine."
"You had a long day. Why don't you go lay down and rest your eyes?"
"I will."
"I'll be home in an hour. We'll go out for dinner. I'm too tired to make anything."
"Sounds good. See ya soon."
"Love you, honey."
"Love you too."
I end the call and my phone rings again. It's Stella.
"Hey," I answer. "I just got home. Can I call you later?"
"No, you can't call me later! I need to know what's going on! Who was that guy you were with today and why didn't you tell me you had lunch with him?"
"He's my partner in chem class. He moved here last summer so he doesn't know anyone. That's why we had lunch."
"Uh, no. I'm pretty sure it was about more than that. I saw how he looked at you and how close he was standing. He's totally into you. Why didn't you tell me this?" she asks in a high-pitched voice.
"I didn't have time. I barely talked to you today."
"We have time now, so tell me, how did this happen?"
"How did what happen?"
"How'd you get this guy to fall for you so fast? And by the way, he's really cute."
"He is, isn't he?"
"Totally. I mean, I, myself, prefer big burly redheads but as for tall, thin, intellectual types? Wes is definitely the cutest I've seen. And he definitely likes you."
"I know, but why? He barely knows me."
"He likes you, okay? Don't question it. And don't sell yourself short. You're smart, nice, approachable, funny. A lot of guys would want to date you if they took the chance to get to know you. And Wes is that guy. He totally wants to date you. He's so into you, Luna. Even Sam noticed, and he doesn't notice anything!"
I'd planned to downplay what happened today, but hearing Stella talk about Wes and me is making my excitement too hard to contain. I have to tell her.
"He gave me a note," I say.
"And? What did it say?"
"That I'm beautiful."
"Oh my God, are you serious? That's so sweet!"
"I know, but at first, I wasn't sure if it was real. I thought it might be a joke."
"Why would it be a joke? You are beautiful."
"Are you kidding? I'm not beautiful. I'm average at best, and my hair is a disaster. It won't stop clinging to my face."
"There's nothing wrong with your hair. You know how many girls would kill to have naturally straight hair like yours? The thing is, we all have stuff we don't like about ourselves but if someone really likes you, they don't see that. And Wes really likes you. So what else did he say? Tell me everything!"
"Why don't you just come over later? Or did you have plans with Sam?"
"I'll come over. I'll be there around seven."
The Geek and The Goddess Page 4