I remembered the nine-year-old boy—our stepbrother—who lived in my father’s house on the beach. Tyler was one of the best reasons to visit my dad and his new wife. Last summer when I visited, Tyler and I had made a fabulous sand castle.
Saying good-bye to Daddy, I thought about the castle on the beach. Tyler and I had designed a blueprint on paper before we ever started building. It had taken three hours, but our Castle Royale was magnificent, complete with tiny toothpick flags, tinfoil windows, and Popsicle stick balconies. A true work of art!
Tyler had marched around the castle like a soldier on guard duty. He said he was in charge of his creation. That’s when I told him the story of our beginnings. Adam and Eve. It was hard to believe, but Tyler had never heard the Genesis story. Here was a kid growing up in a posh beach house on the West Coast, and he’d totally missed the creation account in the Bible! Tyler and I talked for a long time about it. It was strange discussing things like that with a kid. But Tyler wasn’t just any boy. He was very bright, and I looked forward to seeing him again.
Tyler’s mother, Saundra, was another story. There was something about her that made me want to turn and run. Maybe it was that bright red lipstick of hers—I never saw her without it the whole time I was there! Maybe it was the way things had to be absolutely perfect around her. Not just her makeup and hair, but everything, right down to the cloth napkins on the table at breakfast! I felt sorry for Daddy. Why had he chosen someone so different from Mom?
These were just a few of the many questions that continued to haunt me about Daddy and his new life. But…The Question, the one buried deep inside my heart, was so mixed up with the pain of lost years, I was sure I could never bring myself to ask it.
CALIFORNIA CRAZY
Chapter 6
It was two days before the Christmas party. I got up extra early and packed my backpack with textbooks, notebooks, and…yes, my diary. Lately I’d been taking it to school and writing in it during study hall, far away from the eyes of super snoopers.
I pulled a pen out of my bag, then tiptoed to the bathroom, letting Carrie and Stephie sleep. I felt my diary key dangling on the chain under my nightshirt. Wearing it was the only way to secure the greatest secrets of my life.
I’d changed my mind about hiding the diary in an overnight case. It was too inconvenient, for one thing, and I didn’t trust Carrie not to look in the crawl space. I was convinced she’d go to great lengths to keep up with the ongoing happenings between my friends and me. So I changed my tactics. I began sleeping with my diary.
The idea had come from a dream I had. Not only was my diary beside me in bed, it was tied to my wrist with a sound alarm cued for activation by the slightest tug on the string. It worked well in the dream, but in reality I simply tied the diary to my wrist. I wasn’t smart enough to wire it for sound.
In the bathroom I lowered the toilet lid and sat on it to write in my diary.
Wednesday, December 15. I can’t wait to see Jared’s expression when I give him my Christmas gift. It’s fabulous! I bought a cool cloth-covered book with blank pages at Explore Bookstore yesterday. (I borrowed the cash from Stan for now.)
Today I’ll transfer the poems from my diary to the new book during study hall. I’m calling it, A Heart Full of Poetry: At Christmas.
I keep wondering who Jared’s secret pal is. He’s keeping it a secret from everyone. Another big question is: What will he give me for Christmas? Even though he hasn’t mentioned it, I’m sure he’ll surprise me with something. It’s going to be so exciting when we exchange gifts at Pastor Rob’s house on Friday. There’s a huge redwood deck off the kitchen with a great view of the mountains. Maybe Jared and I can give our gifts to each other outside on the deck, by ourselves. I’d feel a little less shy that way.
I closed the diary, locked it, and put the chain around my neck. Stashing my diary in my backpack, I undressed and hopped into the shower.
At school, my best friend, Andie, was waiting at my locker. “Where have you been?” she demanded breathlessly.
I glanced at my watch. “Am I late?”
“No, but I have to talk to you.” She pulled me down the hall and into the girls’ rest room.
I leaned my backpack on the edge of the sink. “What’s going on?”
“Paula Miller’s up to something,” she whispered, checking under all the stalls—looking for feet, no doubt. “I ran into her downtown after school yesterday.”
I peered into the mirror, checking my hair. “What’s so earthshaking about that?”
Andie continued, her dark eyes flashing. “Paula said she was buying a Christmas present for her secret pal.”
I hadn’t the faintest clue where Andie was going with this. “Get to the point,” I said, looking at my watch. Seven minutes to first period.
“Just listen,” she said. “This morning I saw Paula hiding a Christmas present in her locker. I sneaked up behind her locker, and guess what I saw?”
Andie was dying to inform me; I could tell by the pre-explosive look on her face. “So, tell me,” I said, playing along.
Andie grabbed my arm. “Holly, brace yourself. The tag on Paula’s gift said, To Jared W.” She sighed. “Do you still want to rush off to first period?”
I was burning-up mad. “Jared’s my secret pal!” I shouted. “What’s she trying to prove?”
“Beats me,” Andie muttered. “Maybe she’s faking it—like she drew his name or something. Might just be her latest attempt to win points with him.”
I shoved my hair over my shoulder. “Won’t she freak when she finds out who really drew Jared’s name?”
Andie turned and looked in the mirror, touching her dark, layered curls. “Jared’s not dense. He’ll figure it out when you give him your gift at the party.” Andie’s smile gave way to a grin. I could tell she was enjoying this strange turn of events. I, on the other hand, was dying to know why Paula Miller was launching another attention-getting campaign at Jared!
“I can’t believe she’d do that,” I said as we rushed to our lockers. “Paula’s gotta be out of her mind to mess with Jared. He won’t bite—not after the scrutiny test I put him through last month.”
Unless…Was something going on between them I didn’t know about?
My fears began to diminish when I saw Jared waiting at my locker. “Hey, you look fabulous,” he said, using my word. “Ready for the party?”
“Can’t wait.” I dropped off the books I didn’t need and slammed the locker door.
He leaned over and whispered, “Me too.” He flashed that adorable grin of his and offered to carry my books.
“You’ll be late to class,” I protested. But he reached for them anyway, walking me to science, then darted off to beat the bell.
Excited, I hurried in to find my assigned seat. None of Paula Miller’s foolish plans could change Jared’s and my friendship!
Mr. Ross stepped up to the podium, beginning his lecture on molecules. I tried to listen, but my mind kept wandering back to Andie’s latest sleuthing efforts. What was Paula thinking, buying a present for Jared and passing it off as a secret-pal gift? And why would she risk bringing it to school, when someone like Andie was sure to see?
Hurrah for Andie, the truest friend ever—always looking out for me. Maybe she would keep an eye on Paula while I was in California visiting Daddy. Who knows what that girl might pull with Jared left here all alone.
I yanked my three-ring binder out of my backpack and began to take notes, scribbling to keep up with Mr. Ross. His lectures reminded me of a hundred-yard dash. He spoke in spurts, leaning on his wooden podium. Then he took a long breath and traipsed around his desk before he began lecturing again—faster than ever. At least I didn’t have to stare at his smudged glasses anymore. Ever since he started dating Miss Wannamaker, my creative writing teacher, he’d replaced his glasses with contacts. A sure sign of love.
After science, Jared rushed over to me in the hall. “Holly-Heart, what color are you wearing
Friday night?”
“Probably pink,” I said, my cheeks growing warm.
“Your favorite color, right?” he said.
I nodded. What was Jared up to? I imagined him presenting me with a pink corsage. “Wait,” I said, changing my mind. “Maybe I’ll wear red, you know, for Christmas.”
Jared shrugged his shoulders. “Well, which is it?” he teased.
“Poinsettia pink,” I said, laughing.
“What’s that?”
“It’s sorta dusty, you know, a cross between a rose color and…”
Just then Paula Miller bumped into Jared. Her books went flying, with a little too much assistance on her part. Jared stooped down to pick them up, and as he did, Paula leaned over and asked him to meet her after lunch. Honestly, she didn’t speak her request. It was a definite purr. And right in front of me!
I wanted to storm off to my next class, but I stayed put beside Jared, waiting for his response.
Jared merely nodded. “I’ll see you at your locker,” he said, like it was no big deal. But it was to me, and I was determined to find out what was going on.
At lunch Jared and I sat together as usual. Danny Myers joined us later, listening as I told Jared about my Christmas plans.
“So you’re going to California for Christmas,” Danny said, like he was very interested.
I swallowed a bite of hot dog and reached for a napkin. “My dad’s flying Carrie and me out.”
He took a drink of hot tea. Probably the decaffeinated, herbal kind. “Don’t forget who your friends are,” he said seriously.
“Don’t worry.” I glanced at Jared. “It’ll be fun—at least for a little while.”
Jared leaned his shoulder next to mine. “It’ll be fun for Holly, but…” and here he broke into song, “I’ll have a blue, blue Christmas without her.”
Danny chuckled. But his beaming eyes made me a tad suspicious. Was he happy for me because Jared and I were finally getting along? Or did he miss the days when we’d been closer friends?
“Well, I hate to leave you two alone like this,” Jared kidded, “but I have to meet someone before my next class.”
I swallowed hard, wishing Jared had forgotten about his prearranged meeting with Paula.
“See you after school, Holly-Heart,” he said, winking.
My heart fluttered only slightly. Why was he running off to meet her? I was jittery inside, wishing I could hurry out and spy on Jared. It bugged me sitting here making small talk with Danny.
Finally when I could stand it no longer, I made my move. “I’ve gotta run,” I said, excusing myself.
“No problem,” Danny said with a smile. “See you Friday at the party?”
“Yep.” I waved good-bye to him.
When I had deposited my tray, I noticed Danny’s table was suddenly surrounded by Kayla Miller—Paula’s twin—and two other girls. It made me feel a little better to know I wasn’t leaving Danny by himself. Now, on to spy on Jared’s locker rendezvous with Paula.
I dashed down the hall, past the main office. Hiding behind an open classroom door, I scanned the row of lockers. There they were, in front of Paula’s locker. Jared’s back was turned to me—thank goodness! Paula smiled up at Jared, flashing her perfect white teeth. She gestured as she spoke, and fluffed her hair.
I was boiling inside. How rude! Who did she think she was?
Paula reached up and took the gift out of her locker. It was lavishly wrapped with shiny striped paper and topped with a large green-and-white bow.
No way would Jared accept her gift. Not unless she actually lied about it. Maybe she was giving it to him early to trick him into thinking she had drawn his name. Desperately I tried to secondguess her plan. This was too weird!
Along with being angry, I was secretly amused. How would Paula react if Jared refused her gift? I was dying to know. After his refusal, Jared would set Paula straight about us. What a scene that would be.
I longed to hear their conversation. Paula held up the fancy gift, playing with the ribbon on the top, chattering incessantly. Inching closer, I noticed Jared turn slightly and glance at his watch. Yes! Just as I thought. He was going to leave her standing in the dust.
Then an incredible thing happened. Paula whispered something in Jared’s ear. Then she held the gift out, and Jared actually accepted it.
Strains of Christmas music began to flutter through the hall from the school office. Someone was playing “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” Probably the school secretary. The sentimental melody washed over me as Jared waved to Paula.
I wanted to cry. Instead, I turned and fled, searching frantically for my best friend.
CALIFORNIA CRAZY
Chapter 7
I found Andie in study hall working on last-minute math homework. “I have to talk to you,” I whispered, settling into the desk in front of hers. Then I spilled out the events I had just witnessed.
She stuck her pencil in her math book and closed it. “Holly, your friendship with Jared is at stake,” she said, as if I didn’t already know. “Listen to me, and do exactly what I tell you.”
“Okay, like what?”
She twirled a strand of hair around her finger. Trouble was brewing! “Prissy Paula has had her eyes on Jared ever since she and her twin sister moved to Dressel Hills. Here’s what you do—totally ignore her.”
“But how can I? She’s everywhere!”
Andie’s lips spread into a forced grin. “Pretend she doesn’t exist.”
“And then what?” I asked, dumbfounded at this ridiculous idea.
“If you act mature about the whole thing, Jared will be so impressed he’ll start ignoring Paula, too.”
“I, uh, don’t know about this.”
Andie nodded her head slowly. “Paula’s trying to make you mad. I think that’s part of what’s motivating her.” She crossed her arms deliberately and leaned on the desk. “She probably thinks you’ll confront Jared about this, and that could blow your relationship with him.”
“Really…you think so?”
“You betcha.” Suddenly she looked serious. “Nobody likes to be cornered, least of all Jared. It’s part of the game.” She picked up her pencil.
“Andie, you’re incredible!”
She relished the compliment. I could tell by the way she sat there grinning, her brown eyes sparkling.
Deep inside, I wondered about Jared. Why would he accept a Christmas gift from Paula unless she really did lie about getting his name? And if not, had he been fooling me all these weeks?
“For now,” Andie added quietly, “be cool and see what happens at the party.”
I rummaged through my bag and found my locked diary. It was time to transfer A Heart Full of Poetry to the red-and-greenplaid covered book—for Jared. As I copied the first poem in my best handwriting, I thought about Jared Wilkins. True, we’d had a parade of ups and downs in our friendship, but I thought things were settled between us. I wanted to trust him. And only something like this thing with Paula could make me doubt him.
I ran to catch the city bus after school. If I hurried, I could get home before the snoopers invaded my territory. I needed some privacy while I wrapped Jared’s gift.
After hopping off the bus, I heard loud hammering coming from halfway down the street. I paused to listen. It was coming from behind my house. Thanks to a lack of normally heavy snows, our two-room addition was already coming along nicely.
Inside the house, I hurried to the crawl space, my backpack still slung over my shoulder. Spotting the box overflowing with Christmas wrap and ribbons, I chose the prettiest paper I could find and a bright red bow to match. I hurried to my room.
Bam! Bam! The hammering continued.
Upstairs I found Carrie and Stephie building something out of Legos that resembled a spaceship.
“What are you two doing home?” I asked.
“Early dismissal,” Carrie said.
I looked at the Lego chaos everywhere. “This room is a massive mes
s!”
“Don’t worry, we’ll clean it up,” Carrie said absentmindedly.
“Do it now,” I said.
The girls looked up at me. “We were here first,” Stephie said.
I closed the door. Stephie was wrong again; I was here first! Her snide remark echoed in my brain to the beat of the hammering outside. “Sassy little girl,” I muttered, hurrying to the kitchen for some tape and a scissors. “I was born first, inhabited that room first, and…”
“Hey, Holly, you’re talking to yourself again,” Stan said, coming in the back door.
“Trying for some sanity,” I said, hoping he’d make himself scarce and leave me alone to wrap my present in peace.
“Hungry?” he asked. He tossed his jacket on the counter beside my Christmas wrap.
I sighed.
“Not talking to me today?” He made a beeline to the refrigerator. “How about a sandwich?”
Bam! Bam! The pounding was getting to me. Really getting to me.
“Turkey and cheese okay?” he yelled over the noise, holding the refrigerator door open, waiting for my response.
“No mustard, please,” I mumbled.
“Man, something’s really got to you.” Stan poured a glass of milk.
I didn’t dare tell him what was bugging me. He might mention it to Billy Hill, or worse, Danny Myers, and it would get back to Jared. I was determined to stick with Andie’s plan and pretend Paula and Jared had never met today at her locker.
I thanked Stan when he presented a sandwich to me on a napkin. Then he disappeared down the stairs to the family room-turned-bedroom.
Must be nice having the largest room in the house, I thought.
I was struggling with that old familiar feeling—jealousy. And I was dealing with it on more than one level these days. But Stan and his cozy retreat downstairs were easier to handle than Paula and her sneaky tactics.
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