Friday, December 18
Today’s horoscope: Don’t gloat.
It is last period on the Friday before Christmas break and our teachers have all but given up on us. In math class, Maddy sits on one side of me and Emma and Olivia, of the Fabulous Five, sit on the other. Since all of us have finished our class work, except of course Olivia (she is always a little slow) we are in a heated discussion about what we are going to do over the break.
“I can’t believe my parents are making me go see my relatives in Orlando,” complains Maddy.
“At least you can work on your tan and you get to go to Disneyworld,” I suggest.
“Please, you know how I feel about sunshine.” Maddy says. It’s true, she is always wearing hats and sunscreen in the summer and always sits in the shade when we go to the pool. “And I am so not a fan of life size cartoon animals.”
Maddy is a little bitter about spending Christmas break visiting Disneyworld with her young cousins. I love me some Mickey Mouse, but I am not going to argue the point.
“Well, we are going to miss you so much,” I say.
“Olivia, do you think I should bring my North Face parka or my Roxy parka to Vail?” Emma asks loud enough for us to hear. The Fab Five are all going to Vail to stay at Hannah’s parents’ ski house. We have been hearing about it all week.
“What’s the decimal value of 44%?” is Olivia’s answer.
Emma turns to us. “Do you guys ski or snowboard?” Emma asks. I went skiing once when I was like eight. My dad planned the trip practically a year ahead to get a price break on the condo and airfare and when we arrived the weather was terrible. A front had come in and created a blizzard. Since we had already purchased tickets, my dad insisted that we ski even though it was practically a whiteout on the mountain. We haven’t gone back since.
“Snowboard,” Maddy answers. As far as I know she has never been up to the mountains, but I don’t call her on it.
“Vail is absolutely the best mountain ever. The powder is so deep and all the guys who work the chair lifts are totally hot.”
“Cool,” I say. Who cares about chair lift operators when I am going to see Winston this weekend?
Maddy turns to me and says in a loud whisper, “So, are you totally excited for Ashley’s party tomorrow night?”
I know I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone, but really, can you blame me?
Emma is stopped cold. “You are going to Ashley’s party?”
“Uh, huh,” I answer smugly.
“Ashley, eighth grade Ashley?”
“Yep, Ashley Elston. I guess she is having a party tomorrow night. Alex and I are going.”
“You guys are going to have so much fun,” Maddy says to me. I know she is jealous that she wasn’t invited too, but I can tell she is having fun sticking it to Emma.
The bell rings.
“Have so much fun in Vail, you guys,” I say to Emma and Olivia.
“Yeah, have a good break, too,” Emma says back. Her enthusiasm in the Vail trip seems to have dropped significantly.
We head towards the door about to be free for two whole weeks. Just before we step outside, Bill, the janitor says to us, “Remember, this season is about giving, girls. And that urine and bleach form a toxic combination.”
Chapter 14
Saturday, December 19
Today’s horoscope: The stars align; good things are on their way.
School is out for two whole weeks, I am no longer grounded, Gilbert and I are total BFF again and Winston is meeting me at an eighth grade party. Life is good.
Gilbert is over at my house getting ready for Ashley’s party. She has her hair up in curlers while I am flat-ironing mine.
“I can’t believe Dylan is in Tahoe for all of Christmas break. Doesn’t he know what he is missing?” I ask Gilbert.
“I know, I am so bummed.” She is more than bummed, she is devastated, but what can she do?
I try to stay on topic a bit longer. “I am really sorry he won’t be around. Have you told your mom or dad about him yet?”
“No way! My mom would ground me, and you of all people know what that’s like, and my dad would go after him with his rifle. No thank you. Let’s just keep them in the dark.”
“Totally.” Okay, I can’t help myself. I have to switch the topic to me. “I am so excited to see Winston tonight. I can’t believe it has been over a month.”
I look at my arms in the mirror as I run the iron through my hair. Those strength training moves from the magazine actually seem to be working.
I had begged my mom to let me get my hair blown out that morning but she wasn’t having any of it. She is just fine with me blow drying my hair myself. She completely doesn’t understand. I pull on my mini skirt, tall boots, and white cable knit sweater. “What do you think?” I ask Gilbert. This is going to be my first showing in public after a long hibernation, it better be good.
“Winston will be drooling,” Gilb says.
Perfect.
* * *
Gilbert and I stand outside Ashley’s door. We are so nervous we haven’t rung the doorbell yet.
“You look great,” I say to Gilbert. She really does. She is wearing the red sweater from Hollister and jeans and these kitten heels which make her absolutely tower over me, and every other boy our age.
“Thanks,” she says, “but my feet already hurt.” We made my mom drop us off down the block and walked the rest of the way. Gilbert squeezes my hand for bravery and I ring the doorbell. Ashley answers. She is standing there with her blond hair curled and pinned back and wearing a really cute floral dress. She is really pretty and totally intimidating.
“Oh,” She looks kind of annoyed that we are there.
“Hi,” we say in unison.
“Thanks for having us,” I offer.
“Whatever. Jason is in the living room,” Ashley says and lets us in. Instead of walking us in, she immediately turns and walks back to her group of girl friends. Ashley is clearly not thrilled with our presence. We stand at the doorway unsure of what to do.
The dining room has been emptied, the lights are off and there is music for dancing, but all the eighth graders are standing around the living room drinking sodas and eating potato chips. I scan the room for Ashley’s brother and Winston but they are nowhere to be found. Thankfully, we see Jason across the room and you will never guess who is there. Okay, maybe you will. Yeah, it’s Ralph.
“Hey,” I say when we reach Jason and Ralph.
“Hey,” the boys say.
“You are back from school,” I look at Ralph.
“It sure looks like it,” he says back without smiling. Right, that’s why I don’t like this guy.
“Are you going anywhere over break?” Gilbert asks Jason.
“Nah, I’m stuck here. It sucks, I even have to babysit my sister in the mornings while my mom is at work.”
“Are they paying you, at least?” I ask. “I mean, I could be talked into babysitting for the right amount.” I am fidgeting around putting my hands in my skirt pockets and taking them out. I don’t know why I get so nervous around these two. I grab a soda off the table just to have something to do with my hands.
“Not even. My mom said it’s my brotherly duty. What a load of crap!”
“That sucks,” I say. Sometimes I am so lucky to be an only child.
Now it is Gilbert’s turn to ask Ralph. “Are you going anywhere?”
“Nope,” is his only reply.
We stand around trying to make conversation. I bring up a topic and Ralph always shuts it down with his one word answers. I get bored with that and while Gilbert and Jason are talking about the last episode of some show I don’t watch, I scan the room. Everyone is still standing in their little cliques. Boys with boys and girls with girls. The music is blaring but no one is moving. Wait, okay one guy is drumming on a table with carrot sticks. The song changes and Peter Gabriel’s In Your Eyes comes on. I love this song even though it is, like, ancient.
/> Ashley stomps over to us, totally desperate.
“You guys, this party is totally sucking. No one is dancing.” I mean, she must be
distressed if she is venting to a couple of seventh graders. But I don’t know what she thinks we are going to do about it.
Ralph turns to me, “Want to dance?”
Um, excuse me? Are you kidding? I am so shocked I say, “sure” before I have time to think about it. Ralph takes my hand and leads me into the empty dining room. He puts his hands on my waist and I put my hands on his shoulders. I am glad it was dark in there as I can feel my face flush bright red and adrenaline pump through my body. Thank God all we have to do was sway back and forth to the music.
Over Ralph’s shoulder, I see Jason walk in with Gilbert behind him and they start to dance next to us. That's all it took—some of the other eighth graders pick partners and start coming in. I watch as the boys put down their sodas and make their ways in twos over to the groups of girls. Boys and girls walk out onto the dance floor together. Some place hands on each other’s shoulders or waists. Everyone sways back and forth awkwardly. When Ashley dances by with her partner she actually mouths, “Thank you.”
I can’t look Ralph in the eye. I mean, I know he is a conceited jerk, but every time I look up at his gorgeous face my insides get all kooky and confused. So I just look over his shoulder at the other kids. I notice a group of eighth grade girls in the corner watching me with something between jealousy and amazement. The only time we speak is when Ralph says, “I love this song.” The music ends and a fast song comes on.
“Thanks,” Ralph says and walks away. I am left standing in the middle of the dance floor. I guess Ralph only dances to slow songs. Gilbert, Jason, and a handful of other kids stay on the dance floor and start jumping around shaking everything they have. I smile at them and mouth “bathroom.” Really, I just need a moment.
I close the bathroom door behind me. I sit down on the closed toilet and catch my breath. My whole body is ringing with energy. What the heck was that? Why would Ralph ask me to dance, and why do I care so much? “No, Leah, you don’t,” I tell myself. I have come here for one reason, and one reason only. Okay, not totally true, I would have come to an eighth grade party no matter what, but I am going to find Winston. I get up and splash my face with water, fix my lip gloss, and take a deep breath. I put the dance with Ralph in the back of my mind as I open the door and wander into the kitchen where Ashley’s mom and a few other chaperones are standing. Ms. Elston is emptying more chips into bowls.
“Hi, Mrs. Elston, thanks so much for having me.”
“Oh hi, Leah, my pleasure,” she says opening another bag of Doritos. Mrs. Elston is on the PTA and she is always around school putting on some fundraising event or another. Ashley’s brother, Craig, is in my grade so I know Mrs. Elston pretty well.
“Is Craig here?” I asked, knowing that where Craig was, Winston was sure to be.
Mrs. Elston laughs, “There was no way Ashley was going to let her little brother hang around for her party. Under strict orders, my husband took him and his friend out to the movies.”
Damn. Damn, damn. No Craig certainly means no Winston. This party is turning into a real downer. I walk back into the living room. Gilbert is still on the dance floor. Ralph is standing near the snack table alone. I pause a moment and consider my options. I don’t feel much like dancing and I don’t have anyone else to talk to so I walk over to him. He is eating Cheetos and his lips are stained orange. I think better of it and just grab another Coke.
“So how long are you home for?” I ask him.
“Until the Monday after New Year’s. Then I have to go back to school,” he says.
“Yeah, us too.” I am watching Jason and Gilbert on the dance floor, Jason is whispering something in Gilbert’s ear. She looks a little shocked but continues dancing.
Starting every conversation with Ralph is getting old and there isn’t really anyone else at the party I can talk to. After another long, awkward pause I turn back to Ralph, “Now it's your turn to ask me something.”
Ralph looks surprised. I am not sure if he is going to walk away, but instead he laughs.
“Alright, what do you want to talk about?”
“No, that is not the way it works. You have to think of something on your own.”
“Hmmm.” He pauses. He has a mischievous look in his eye. Why is this guy so cute? He finally asks, “So how did two seventh graders end up at an eighth grade party?”
I think for a moment before responding. “Well, Jason invited us and there was someone I was hoping would be here.”
Ralph looks suddenly pleased with himself. Wait, does he think that someone is him? No way. I can’t let him think that.
“I think you know him, in fact.” I can’t stop myself. “He was the guy on Lakeshore that day.”
Ralph’s smile disappears from his face. Before he has a chance to say anything, Gilbert runs over to me. Even in the dim light, I can see the beginning of tears in her eyes.
“What?” I ask. She grabs my hand and we run into the bathroom. I guess this is where I am going to spend most of my time. Ralph looks after us with his lips parted like he was about to speak.
I shut the bathroom door behind us.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
She breaks down. Between sobs she gets some of it out, “I asked Jason if he thought Dylan was having fun up in Tahoe.” More sniffling. I hand her some tissues. “And then…” she breaks down again. How am I going to get anything out of her? I rub her back.
“What’d he say?”
She chokes back the tears, “He said, (sniff, sniff) he is sure he is. There are some real hot girls up there.” She breaks down again.
“Gilbert, please. He is only thinking of you. I promise.” Her sniffling subsides a little bit.
“Are you sure?” she asks me desperately.
“Of course I am.”
“Will you kill me if we just go home?” Gilbert asks.
“Totally, Winston isn’t even here. This party is so lame.” I call my mom and ask her to come and meet us on the corner. She is annoyed that she dropped us off less than an hour ago, but agrees anyway. We clean Gilbert up and reapply our gloss. Even if this party is totally bogus, we have to leave them wanting more.
I read somewhere that when you get to a party you should always say hello to everyone and thank the host for having you, but when it’s time to leave just slip out quietly. That way no one will know how long you were there. We head straight to the door so we don’t even notice Ralph watching us go.
* * *
As soon as we get outside, I call Winston. I get his voicemail.
“Hey Winston, it’s Leah. Where were you tonight? We just left Ashley’s party. It was totally lame without you.” I never hear back.
Chapter 15
Christmas Day
Today’s horoscope: Presents don’t just come in boxes.
Christmas day is just about my mom and me. We spend the morning eating breakfast in bed while watching the Macy’s Christmas Day Parade. In the afternoon we go to the movies. It’s tradition.
This year Gilbert and her mom are meeting us at the movie theater. I hope that Gilb’s brother will come too but the idea of seeing a movie, even on Christmas day, with all women is just too much for him. He and Gilb’s dad decide to stay home and eat pizza and watch old football games on ESPN. I can’t wait to see Gilbert and tell her about my presents.
The night before, we drove over to my aunt’s house to spend Christmas Eve with my grandma, aunt and uncle. Even my Dad and Bonnie came. It was right before Christmas when my parents got divorced. I actually was okay with the fact that they were splitting up. When they were together all they did was yell at one another. But when I found out that my dad wouldn’t be coming to Christmas Eve dinner, I lost it. We’re not really a sit-down-to-Sunday-dinner kind of family, so that was like our big night. I cried so hard that
begrudgingly my mom
called my dad and asked him to come. Even at ten, I could tell it was really awkward for the two of them, but they were both on their best behavior. Anyway, now Christmas Eve is the only night my whole family gets together. This was the first year that Bonnie came. I don’t think she appreciated the sweet potatoes with marshmallow (I get them twice a year at Thanksgiving and Christmas) and string bean casserole. She picked at the salad and had some ham. She didn’t even want her pie
a la mode. She is so lame.
This year I score on the presents. I got a totally new and exie cell phone from my dad, an outfit I will need to exchange from my grandma, an iTunes card from my aunt and uncle, a sweet new skateboard from my mom, and a gift certificate to The Bean from Santa. Christmas morning, after watching the parade with my mom, I went to try out my new skate in the driveway. I had wanted a skateboard ever since I saw Lords of Dogtown a few years back (I wasn’t supposed to see it because it is rated PG-13 but Gilbert’s brother was watching it one night and let us watch it with him). My parents were skeptical about getting one for me because they'd heard too many horror stories of kids hitting their heads on the sidewalk, but I guess I finally convinced them. The skateboard did come with a pink helmet and about 20 different protective pads. I strap my helmet on, but don’t put on any of the padding (I don’t want to look stupid) and besides, I am just going to roll back and forth. As soon as I step on the skateboard, it slips out from under my feet and sends me right onto my butt. I should have worn the pads. Luckily the only ones on the street are a dad and kid trying out a new tricycle. I stand up and rub my sore backside. I decide my career of dropping into vert ramps can wait another day and go inside to get ready for the movies.
* * *
We are standing in the lobby waiting for my mom who is using the ladies room after the movie let out. The movie was cute but I had to keep shifting in my seat because my butt hurt from where I landed on it. My mom had to ask me to settle down. Gilbert is wearing the new earrings her mom had gotten her. I keep pulling out my new phone to see if I had any messages. Not that I thought anyone will call me on Christmas day, but I want to show it off. I nudge Gilbert. Ralph, Kate, and Mr. and Mrs. Deutchman are on line to buy tickets. Apparently everyone in the suburbs celebrates Christmas day at the movie theater. Ralph sees us and heads over.
Gilbert and Louis Rule the Universe: First Impressions Page 7