“Why not?”
I look curiously at him. “You’re not worried?”
He laughs. “Hey, if Brianna wants to pull her jealousy act, let her.”
“Seriously?”
But before he can answer, Brianna swoops in from out of nowhere, takes him by the arm, and in a bubbly voice begins telling him about the “funniest thing that happened in Chemistry just now.” She totally ignores me, and Asher actually tosses me an apologetic glance, which I’m thinking is a little risky considering not only Brianna but also her friends are watching. But I just smile and give a little finger wave as I get in the lunch line.
Still, as I get my tuna sandwich and soda, I’m thinking this is weird. Asher is acting pretty out of character today. I wonder if this is why I haven’t heard from him for a few days—maybe he’s been reconsidering his plan. Maybe he’s getting ready to break up with Brianna. But homecoming is still a week away, and I can’t imagine him dumping her when it’s this close. In fact, I’m not even sure I’d want him to.
As I carry my lunch to the cashier, I see Asher watching me again—and he’s watching with way too much interest. Not only that, but Brianna’s eyes are on him. It’s like he’s totally oblivious. Now I’m feeling really nervous.
“Hey, Elise,” Phillip calls out. “Want to eat outside today?”
I smile and nod. “Yeah, it’s too sunny to be stuck in here.”
I’m relieved to get away from this situation. Not that I wouldn’t want to stay with Asher. But not with Brianna acting like that. No, I’m remembering some of the warnings Asher gave me about his possessive girlfriend, and I’m thinking I’d be smart to keep a safe distance.
“I noticed you talking to Asher,” Phillip says as we sit at one of the outside tables.
“Yeah, I was kind of surprised he talked to me,” I admit.
“You mean considering Brianna.”
I nod as I peel the plastic wrap off my sandwich.
“I’ve known Brianna since grade school.” He sticks a straw in his juice bottle.
“Uh-huh?” I take a bite and wait.
“And she’s good at looking sweet and innocent on the outside . . .”
“But what about the inside?”
He shakes his head. “I’d just be careful if I were you, Elise.”
“Careful?”
“About Asher.”
“Why?” Okay, I know the answer, but I have to play like I don’t.
“Brianna and Asher have been together for a while, and she’s not going to take it lightly if you come between them. You know that.”
“So are you saying that Asher has to stay with Brianna just because she might throw a hissy fit if he breaks up with her? Like she’s holding him hostage or something?”
Phillip laughs. “It probably sounds like that. But no, that’s not what I meant. I’m just saying be careful . . . watch your back.”
“Like Brianna might stab me in the back?”
“Not literally. But yeah, she’s been known to do some pretty mean things. Sneaky things. And then she kind of glosses over them with that sweet little smile of hers.”
I consider this as I take another bite. I wonder why I always seem to fall for the guy with the mean girlfriend. Okay, not always. This is only the second time. But I ask myself again, why can’t I crush on someone like Phillip?
I glance at him. He’s attractive. He’s nice. He’s even a Christian. Why am I so obsessed with Asher instead of Phillip? Is it simply because I want what I can’t have?
“So how’s your birthday going so far?” Phillip asks as we’re finishing our lunch.
I smile at him. “It’s pretty great. Now if I can just pass the driver’s test for my license, I think I would be perfectly happy.” I reach into my bag and extract the dog-eared DMV manual. “I guess I should be studying now.”
“Want me to quiz you on some things?” he asks.
“Cool.” I hand over the booklet, and we sit there in the sunshine as he tests my knowledge. For the most part, I pass.
“I think you’re going to do fine,” he tells me as he hands back the manual.
“I hope so.” I stand and gather up my lunch debris to toss in the trash. Phillip does the same. Then he looks at me and grins. “Let me guess.”
“Huh?” I look at him. “What?”
“You’re sweet sixteen, but I’m guessing you’ve already been kissed.”
I laugh nervously.
Then, to my shock and disbelief, he puts both hands on my cheeks and pulls my face toward him. I think, Oh no, he’s going to kiss me. But he leans down and simply kisses my forehead.
“Just in case,” he says lightly. We both laugh and head toward the art department together.
I think Phillip is a really good friend. I just hope he’s not wanting more than that.
I consider his warning as I work on a pen-and-ink drawing in class. There are a couple of times when I see Bristol watching me with narrowed eyes, like maybe she’s warning me to back off too. I wonder if Brianna asked her to spy on me. Or maybe I’m just being totally paranoid. Whatever the case, I plan to email Asher and demand to know what’s going on. Why has he told me to be so secretive about our relationship and then suddenly he’s, like, totally in my face?
Finally my last class ends. I hurry out to the passenger pickup area, spot my adorable blue Mustang, and jog over to it. It’s all I can do not to bend over and hug this sweet ride. Instead, I climb into the passenger seat and open up my DMV manual.
“You all ready for the test?” Grandma asks as she pulls out into the street.
“I think so.” But as I skim over the words, I shoot up a silent prayer, begging God to help me with the test. Once we’re there, I feel surprisingly calm as I take the computer part of the test, but then I get nervous as I wait for the results. To my relief, I pass. Then it’s on to the actual driving test.
Grandma gives me a thumbs-up and a grin. “Go get ’em, Elise.”
The DMV guy is pretty serious and grim as I start the car. I tell him it’s my birthday, and he tells me to focus on my driving. So I do. And I actually do pretty well.
“I marked your score down for having your front tires on the line at the crosswalk,” he tells me. “Watch out for that.”
“But did I pass?” I ask.
He actually smiles. “Happy birthday.”
I control myself from jumping up and down as I thank him. I go get in line to have my picture taken, grinning as the woman snaps a shot.
“I think we should go out and celebrate,” Grandma tells me when I show her the small plastic card. “How about ice cream?”
So we go to the ice cream shop and get hot fudge sundaes, then I drive her all the way back to Renaldo.
“You’re sure you’re okay to drive back on your own?” she asks. “Because this will be your first time driving alone. You won’t be too nervous, will you?”
I just grin. “I can’t wait.”
“Now remember, no cell phone,” she warns me. “And be careful.”
I promise her I will, then I slowly pull out and drive down the street. Her words, “Be careful,” echo in my head, and I remember how Phillip said the same thing earlier today. Except he was talking about Brianna.
I make it home without any problem. I park my car in the numbered space for our apartment, and as I’m on my way upstairs, I’m met by Stacie. “Did you pass?” she asks.
I nod and grin.
“Will you take me for a ride?”
“Maybe a quick one,” I tell her as we stand midway on the stairs. “But let me use the bathroom first. And I want to be back before my mom gets home.”
She hands me a card. “Happy birthday!”
I thank her and open it to find she’s written something sweet inside. “So far this has been a really good day,” I say as I continue up the stairs.
“There’s a surprise for you at your door too,” she tells me.
“Wow!” I exclaim when I see a bouquet of r
ed roses. “Who sent these?”
She giggles. “Who do you think?”
“I don’t know.” I turn to peer at her. “Not you, right?”
She laughs. “Like I can afford sixteen long-stemmed red roses.”
“Did you see who brought them?”
“You mean the florist van?”
“Oh.” I reach for the card. “Maybe my mom.”
“Or maybe Asher,” she says in a seductive-sounding voice. “Hurry, open it, I can’t stand the suspense.”
“It was Asher!” I exclaim as I silently read the card. Happy sweet sixteen, Elise. Love, Asher. He actually wrote, “Love, Asher.” What does this mean?
“This is so romantic,” Stacie gushes. “I want your life. You get a great car. The coolest guy in school sends you red roses, and you know what that means, right? Red roses are the symbol of love. Elise, you’re so lucky you make me sick!” But she’s smiling as she says this.
“But how could Asher possibly know where I live?”
“Why wouldn’t he?”
“Because as far as he knows, I live in Arbor Estates.” I study the card closely, trying to remember what his handwriting looks like. Then I realize he could’ve called in the order, and the florist might’ve written this.
“Maybe he got your address at school,” Stacie tells me. “You know Bristol is an office assistant. She could’ve gotten it for him.”
“But wouldn’t Bristol tell Brianna?”
“Oh, why ask so many questions, Elise? Just enjoy the roses. Man, if I were in your shoes, I’d be dancing!”
“Yeah,” I tell her. “You’re right.” I unlock the door, and with my roses in my arms, I dance into our apartment. I set the roses on the tiny kitchen table and then dance into the bathroom.
“Hey, I want to check my email before we go,” I tell Stacie after I come out. “It’ll just take a minute.”
She follows me into my bedroom and waits as I turn on my laptop. Sure enough, there’s a post from Asher. I quickly open it.
Happy birthday, Elise! I hope you got my gift by now. Sorry for getting carried away today, but you looked so hot, I couldn’t keep my eyes off you. Even so, I have to stick to my commitment. I can’t break up with Brianna until AFTER homecoming. You’ve got to help me with that, Elise. It won’t be easy.
Right now I’m just staring at your photo and wishing you were here with me. In fact, can you send me some more photos? Please? It will help get me through this next week. And this time, please, please, send me something really sexy. Show a little more skin. Like a swimsuit shot. Or maybe something even more. Because you are so hot, babe. I can’t wait until we’re going out and everyone knows it.
Love, Asher
“Oh my gosh!” Stacie exclaims.
“Did you read that?” I demand.
“Uh, yeah, sorry. Was I not supposed to?”
“There is such a thing as privacy.”
“Wow, Asher is totally in love with you, Elise.”
I exit my email and snap my computer shut.
“You’re going to send him more photos, aren’t you?”
“I don’t know.”
“Come on,” she urges. “Asher is practically begging you.”
“Let’s go for our ride,” I say quickly.
“But you should send him another photo,” she persists. “I mean look at those roses. Read his email again. The guy is nuts in love with you. He’s like over the moon. Come on, Elise. At least a swimsuit shot. He sent you one. And you look fantastic in a swimsuit.”
I roll my eyes.
“Come on,” she says. “I’ll take it for you.”
“What about a ride in my car?”
“You can give me a ride to school tomorrow. This is more important.”
“I don’t know . . .” I frown.
“Just get your swimsuit on,” she tells me.
She finally wears me down, and I put my swimsuit on and get Mom’s camera again, posing as Stacie shoots. “Make that sultry look again.” She coaches me like she’s a photographer for the swimsuit issue of Sports Illustrated. “Come on, Elise, work with me.”
I giggle and strike some more poses until finally I tell her, “Enough!” I dash to the bathroom to get dressed, and by the time I’m back, she’s downloading the pictures onto my computer and browsing through them.
“You could probably be a model,” she says as she opens another photo and shakes her head. “Seriously, have you ever considered it?”
I just laugh. We finally settle on a pose of me sitting on the bed with one leg crossed over the other. My knee is up high and I’ve got my elbow on it, with my chin resting on my fist, and I’m making a sassy little smile. It’s actually pretty funny.
“Okay,” I tell Stacie. “If I’m going to send this, I’d like a little privacy to write Asher a note. Do you mind?”
Stacie makes a face. “Sometimes you act just like Leslie.”
“Then scram, little sister,” I tease.
After she’s gone and my door is closed, I reread Asher’s email. I have to agree with Stacie, the boy’s got it bad for me. That is so cool!
Thank you for the roses! They are so beautiful. I’m curious how you got my real address, though. I’m relieved too. I should’ve just told you the truth in the first place, but I wanted to impress you. We aren’t rich. But at least I have a cool car, huh? Anyway, here is your photo. I hope it will keep you happy for the next week. And then we’ll be together.
Love, Elise
Just as I hit send, Mom gets home and is calling out to me. I tell her the good news about getting my license, and she oohs and ahhs over my roses. Then she takes me out to dinner. Italian. All in all, it’s a perfect day.
8
______
I can’t believe how cool it feels to drive my own car to school on Friday. I’m very careful, and I keep my cell phone turned off. I even tell Stacie she has to be quiet so she doesn’t distract me. Then I park slightly away from the other cars. I don’t want someone opening the door and smacking Bonnie Blue. Yes, I named my car. I’ve always loved Gone with the Wind, and Bonnie Blue is Scarlett’s little girl. Unfortunately, Bonnie Blue dies, but this Bonnie Blue is alive and well. Okay, she’s as alive as a car can be.
I pat the car on the hood. “Be good, Bonnie Blue,” I say, and Stacie laughs so loudly that she snorts.
“Maybe you should cover her with a blankie,” she teases.
“Maybe so.”
Today I’m going to be on my best behavior, I’ve already decided. I will not smile or flirt or anything with Asher. In fact, I will simply give him the cold shoulder like I’ve been doing in the past. Later he’ll thank me for it.
It’s not easy since I keep getting the feeling he wants to talk to me. I try to send him subtle clues with my eyes. But he isn’t getting it. I think Stacie is right, the guy is totally in love with me. I can’t help but feel powerful as I continue to chill him out. This is so not like my life.
Finally the day ends, and Phillip walks me out to the parking lot to get a glimpse of Bonnie Blue. Stacie and a friend are staying after school to try out for a part in No, No, Nanette.
“Wow.” Phillip runs his hand over the shiny rooftop. “Sweet.”
I’m all smiles. “I know. I can still hardly believe it myself.”
“I’ll bet she can really go too.”
“Not that I’ll be testing that out anytime soon—or ever,” I say. “No way will I take any chances with this baby.”
“Do I get a ride?” Phillip asks hopefully.
“Sure,” I tell him. “Just promise not to distract me. My mom wasn’t too sure about me giving rides to anyone. She thinks our state should change the law so that minors aren’t allowed to transport minors. But I promised her I’d be really careful.”
He holds up his hand like he’s making a pledge. “I solemnly swear not to distract you in any way, shape, or form.”
I’m just unlocking the door when I notice Asher coming my w
ay. “Is that your new car?” he calls out.
Now I don’t know what to do. I try to send him a signal with my eyes because there are a lot of students still hanging in the parking lot. Maybe not Brianna or her friends, but he’s got to know that someone is going to see him talking to me. Someone will relay this news back to Brianna. Why risk it now?
“Hey, this is nice.” Asher casually comes over like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “Lucky girl.” He eyes Phillip. “You guys going for a little joy ride?”
“Not a joy ride,” I say in a chilly voice.
“I talked her into taking me for a spin,” Phillip says lightly.
“I’d like to take a spin too.” Asher smiles at me. “But maybe another time.”
“Or not,” I say in a flippant tone. As in, What are you doing? I wonder if he’s gotten my latest email with the swimsuit photo. Just the thought of that makes me blush. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea. I can’t believe I let a fourteen-year-old talk me into something like that. It’s so middle school.
Asher frowns at me, almost like he’s hurt or maybe even angry that I’m with Phillip. But I suspect it’s just an act. At least he seems to be remembering our plan.
“Well, be careful,” he warns me. “A car like that can probably get a girl into some serious trouble.”
I just laugh and shake my head as I get into the car. But I’m relieved to get away from him. How am I supposed to keep up my side of this drama if he keeps breaking the rules? What is wrong with that boy?
“I think he’s into you,” Phillip says.
I toss a worried glance his way. Did I actually just say that out loud?
“Seriously, Elise. I think Asher is crushing on you.”
I wave my hand then slip the key into the ignition. “You’re imagining things. Now don’t forget you swore not to distract me.”
He nods and looks straight ahead. “Right.”
But I do feel distracted as I drive away. I can feel Asher watching us—and that gives me a mixture of pleasure and fear. I’m thinking there is no way he’s going to make it through one more week of pretending to still be with Brianna. Really, what’s the point?
After dropping Phillip back at school, I drive home and go straight to my computer, hoping that Asher’s written. But he hasn’t. That worries me, so I decide to initiate this particular communication myself.
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