One Tough Chick

by Leslie Margolis

  “When are we going?” I asked.

  “I’m not sure, exactly,” said my mom. “We haven’t found a house yet, and even if we did tomorrow, it would take a few months.”

  “So will we be moving before or after the baby comes?” I asked.

  “Again, I don’t know. But as soon as we figure it out, you’ll be the first to know,” said my mom.

  After dinner I called Rachel to tell her the big news, but she wasn’t home. Neither was Yumi. Oliver’s mom told me he was at his painting class, but I did manage to talk to Claire and Emma.

  Emma said she was jealous. As an only child, she wished she could get a baby brother or sister, but her parents are probably too old.

  Claire was ecstatic. She said I’d make an awesome big sister, and as the youngest in her family, she’d definitely give me pointers.

  I didn’t get to tell Rachel and Yumi the news until our walk to school the next day. But as soon as the three of us were together, I blurted it out. “Guess what? My mom and Ted are having a baby!”

  “That’s awesome!” said Yumi. “You’ll love being a big sister. I love it. My baby sister, Olive, is so cute. And because my parents were so afraid I’d be jealous of all the attention she got when she was born, they got me tons of cool presents.”

  “Really?” I asked. “I didn’t realize I’d get new stuff.”

  Yumi nodded. “Totally. You’ll clean up. Start making a list. It’ll be bigger than Christmas.”

  “Cool!”

  “I wonder if that’s why Jackson is so mean to me,” said Rachel. “Because my parents never gave him presents when I was born.”

  “Hey, you’re not going to have to share a room, are you?” asked Yumi.

  “I don’t think so,” I said. “My mom says we’re moving.”

  Rachel stopped in her tracks and yelled, “What?”

  “Don’t worry,” I said. “We’re staying in the neighborhood. They’re just looking for a larger place. My mom promised I’d get to stay at Birchwood.”

  “That’s a relief. But I can’t believe you won’t live across the street.”

  “That part will stink,” I said. “But it’s a while away.”

  “I hope so,” said Rachel. “I wonder who’ll move in next.”

  “Maybe a cute boy,” said Yumi. “How cool would that be?”

  “Very,” said Rachel.

  “Hey, I’m not even gone yet,” I said.

  “So what’s the latest with Oliver?” asked Yumi.

  “Things are good, but Tobias keeps bugging us in science and that’s pretty—”

  “She means, has he kissed you yet?” asked Rachel.

  “No, but we’ve held hands.”

  “Again?” asked Yumi.

  “No, from before, when we went out for pancakes,” I reminded them.

  “Yeah, we know about that,” said Yumi.

  “And he’s coming over after school on Friday.”

  “Really?” asked Rachel. “That’s great.”

  “What are you guys going to do?” asked Yumi.

  “I don’t know. Homework.”

  “You can’t do homework on a Friday night. Not on your second date. That’s too boring,” Rachel informed me.

  “Oh,” I said, not realizing. “Then maybe we’ll play basketball, instead.”

  “You guys do that all the time,” said Rachel.

  “Because we like playing,” I reminded her.

  “You need to come up with something better,” said Rachel.

  “Like what?” I asked.

  “You’ll figure it out,” said Rachel. “And whatever it is—it’s something that should lead to kissing.”

  I hoped she was right. And also not. As much as I wanted Oliver to kiss me, I worried about it, too. Holding hands was easy. I was a very good hand holder.

  “Annabelle, is that you?” I heard someone yell. It was Didi, the girl who’d called me Arrabelle last week.

  “Hey, Didi,” I said.

  As she ran to catch up to us, her long dark braids bounced against her shoulders. “Hey, how’s it going? Do you walk this way every day?”

  “I do,” I said.

  “I can’t believe I’ve never seen you before. I usually get a ride with my big brother, but he’s sick today. He drops me off before he goes to school. He’s in high school. We can give you a ride sometime,” she said.

  This was weird. I didn’t know Didi so well, and I’d never even seen her brother before. I don’t think my mom would be excited about me accepting rides from strangers.

  Of course, it also seemed kind of rude for her to invite me in front of Rachel and Yumi without offering them rides, too. “We walk to school together every day,” I said, gesturing toward my friends, although I don’t know why I had to point them out. It’s not like they’re invisible.

  Even though Didi treated them as if they were.

  She stared at me blankly, like she couldn’t comprehend why I wouldn’t jump at the chance to ride with her and her brother.

  “It’s kind of our thing,” I went on.

  “Okay,” said Didi. “Let me know if you change your mind.”

  “I will,” I said.

  “Did I mention that my brother has a convertible? It’s super-fun in the warm weather. It kind of messes up your hair, but if you wear a hat it’s cool.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” I said.

  “And you don’t have to bring your own hat, either. My brother keeps extra ones in his glove compartment,” she said.

  “Good to know,” I said.

  “Or I’ll get you a new one if you want,” Didi said before hurrying past us.

  “That was weird,” said Yumi, once she was out of earshot.

  “Oh, that was nothing,” I told her. It was true, too. It was almost embarrassing how nice people were being to me.

  When I got to science I emptied out the contents of my backpack onto the table. Out poured five sparkly pens, an eraser shaped like a pig, a key chain with a miniature cupcake attached to it, a real cupcake with a smiley face painted on it, and one small box of saltwater taffy.

  “You’re cleaning up!” said Tobias. “That’s so not fair.”

  “I told everyone that whatever they gave me would not influence my decision,” I said. “But people insisted anyway.”

  Tobias picked up a piece of saltwater taffy, unwrapped it, and popped it into his mouth.

  “Hey,” I said. “That’s mine.”

  Tobias shrugged. “What’s the big deal? You’ve got a bunch more.”

  When Oliver walked into the room, he said, “There’s your boyfriend. If you guys need to make out, please let me know first so I can close my eyes.”

  “Cut it out,” I said kicking him under the table.

  “What? I said please.”

  I kicked him again but he wouldn’t let up.

  “I’m serious. It’s the least I could do. Hi, lover boy. Did you bring Annabelle flowers? Because she was just telling me she hoped you would.”

  “I did not,” I said through clenched teeth.

  Oliver looked away, embarrassed and angry. But was he upset with me? I didn’t do anything wrong. This was all about Tobias. I wished I could talk about it with Oliver, but I couldn’t bring it up in class. Meanwhile, Oliver wouldn’t even meet my gaze.

  When Tobias began humming “Here Comes the Bride,” I lost it.

  “We’re going out, Tobias!” I yelled. “Deal with it!”

  “You are one tough chick!” Tobias replied with a laugh.

  “And don’t call me a chick!” I screamed right as Ms. Robinson walked through the door.

  “Is there a problem here, Annabelle?” she asked.

  “I don’t know,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest. “Ask Tobias.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Don’t Say It!

  When I got to my locker after school that day I was surprised to find Oliver waiting for me.

  “Hi,” I said.


  “Hey, nice work in science,” he said. “I’d call you one tough chick, but I know how you feel about being called a chick.”

  I groaned and rolled my eyes. “Hasn’t it been driving you crazy, how Tobias keeps teasing us? The dude is seriously annoying.”

  “Yeah, but it’s only because he feels left out. Since the two of us are together, that makes him the third wheel.”

  “So he’s trying to compensate by being the squeaky wheel, too?” I asked.

  “Exactly,” said Oliver. “Isn’t it funny how many metaphors incorporate wheels? Squeaky wheel, third wheel, spare tire.”

  “Who’s got a spare tire?” asked Rachel, sneaking up behind us.

  “Me,” said Oliver, lifting up his shirt, puffing out his stomach, and pinching an inch of his flesh.

  I burst out laughing and Oliver did, too.

  “Fine, don’t tell me!” Rachel huffed, shoving me playfully on the arm. “You and your inside jokes. It’s too cute.”

  “Hey, you guys ready?” asked Yumi. She looked at Oliver. “Are you coming, too?”

  “Yup.” He hitched his backpack up farther on his shoulder. “Annabelle and I have plans.”

  “Cool,” said Yumi.

  The four of us walked home. Rachel and Yumi were in front of us. Oliver and I trailed behind. We didn’t hold hands but our shoulders were close, and every once in a while we brushed up against each other.

  “I pretty much have the unicycle riding and my juggling routine down,” said Rachel. “But combining the unicycle riding with the juggling continues to be my downfall, literally.”

  “Don’t injure yourself too badly before the competition,” said Yumi. “Do you have to do them at the same time? Because on its own each feat is impressive. What if you did a circus act and added one more trick. Like, I don’t know—do you know any magic? Or can you walk on your hands?”

  “Tobias is doing magic,” I said. “And his act is good, too. I saw his audition.”

  “Good thing you don’t like him, or I’d be worried about the competition,” said Rachel.

  “Except I can’t play favorites,” I said. “I’m judging the performance, not the performer. That’s what Ms. Lerner says, anyway. And I must agree.”

  I didn’t tell my friends about how all of the special favors—all the extra gum and candy and presents and cuts in line—made me uneasy. Sure, being Miss Popularity was fun, but knowing kids were only being nice to me because I was a judge made all the attention kind of fake.

  “How’s the pitching coming, Yumi?” I asked.

  “Are we allowed to talk about it with you?” she replied. “I don’t want you to get in trouble for being biased or anything.”

  “Being a judge is tough,” I said.

  “Good thing you’re tough,” said Oliver.

  I smiled. I guess I was getting that reputation, and I guess there are worse things to be called.

  “See you guys later,” said Rachel, once we got to the corner.

  “Oh, you’re going to Yumi’s?” I asked, feeling slightly jealous even though I got to hang out with my boyfriend.

  “Yup. We’re baking cookies,” said Rachel.

  “Chocolate chip,” Yumi added. “We’ll try and save you some.”

  Once Oliver and I were alone, he grabbed my hand and he held it all the way to my house.

  “What do you want to do?” I asked.

  “I don’t know,” said Oliver.

  “How about our science homework?” As soon as the question escaped from my lips, I wanted to take it back. Suggesting that we do homework together was extremely nerdy. It was Friday afternoon.

  Oliver, however, surprised me. “Yeah, let’s get it out of the way.”

  “Okay, then.”

  “Okay.”

  I let myself into the house with my key. My mom was already home. She was sitting on a lounge chair outside, sunglasses on her head, grading papers.

  “Can I get you two a snack?” she asked when I popped outside to say hi.

  “That’s okay,” I said.

  “There are carrot and apple slices in the fridge. Cheese cubes, too,” she said.

  “Mom, you’ve outdone yourself,” I joked.

  “I try,” my mom said with a sigh.

  I went inside and we had the snacks. Then we pulled out our books and did our homework.

  I liked the way Oliver looked when he concentrated. Sometimes he chewed on the end of his pencil. Sometimes he moved his mouth like he was swishing around water. Sometimes he bit his bottom lip.

  I wondered if I was staring too hard. Maybe I shouldn’t be noticing all of those things. Was that weird? Obsessive? Or was I supposed to notice things like that?

  It’s hard to know how to be. We always hung out, but now there was an extra layer of pressure. He wasn’t just Oliver and I wasn’t just Annabelle. We were Oliver and Annabelle. A couple.

  Also? I knew Oliver had had other girlfriends in the past. He went out with Jesse a couple of months ago. Their relationship didn’t last very long, yet I couldn’t help but wonder if they did their homework together, too. Or more important, if they’d ever kissed.

  I could picture it and I didn’t want to picture it. I wanted to ask him but I couldn’t ask him. I didn’t want to know and I was dying to know.

  I liked to think not, but I wasn’t going to ask him. That seemed crazy jealous, and I don’t want to act like a jealous girlfriend. (Even if I was, a little.)

  Once we finished, Oliver said, “Want to shoot some hoops?”

  “Great idea,” I said.

  We went out through the garage so we could grab my basketball.

  The thing about Oliver is that he’s not a great basketball player. At least he’s not better than I am. It was almost too easy to steal the ball from him, since he didn’t crouch down low when he dribbled. He let the ball bounce high, almost out of control, giving me the perfect opportunity to go in and grab it.

  When the score was eight to three in my favor, he said he’d had enough. “I don’t mean to be a bad loser or anything, but I’m getting tired.”

  “It’s okay,” I said, retying my ponytail. “Me, too.”

  I tossed the ball on the lawn and flopped down on the grass next to it.

  Oliver sat down next to me. We were so close I could feel the heat off his body. So close our arms almost touched. And then he did it. He grabbed my hand.

  We were holding hands again, but this time on my front lawn.

  My boyfriend and I were holding hands on my front lawn!

  This would be the perfect moment for Oliver to kiss me.

  And look—here he was staring at me. Smiling and leaning closer like he wanted to kiss me. I could tell because he licked his lips. He even squeezed my hand tighter. I wondered if I should move closer to make things easier.

  And would he peck me on the cheek or go right for my lips?

  Would he cradle my face in his hands? I saw that in a movie once and it seemed cool, but maybe it would feel weird. Plus, we were both sweaty from the basketball game.

  I should probably lean in so he could kiss me on the lips.

  And as I had that thought, he leaned even closer.

  Our lips were inches apart. I could feel his warm breath on my face and see each of his long eyelashes. Then suddenly I heard a loud rumbling and an all-too-familiar voice.

  “Spazabelle and Oliver, sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g. First comes love. Then comes marriage. Then comes the baby in the baby carriage.”

  No no no! This is not how it’s supposed to go.

  Oliver pulled away and looked up.

  Jackson was on the sidewalk, making out with his hand.

  “Go away!” I shouted, pulling up some grass and throwing it at him.

  Jackson laughed and continued on down the street.

  I shook my head. “That dude is annoying!”

  “I should probably go.” Oliver stood up and brushed the grass off the bottom of his jeans.

  “S
o soon?” I asked.

  “I promised I’d help my mom in her garden,” said Oliver. “She bought a bunch of new tulip bulbs for spring. We usually plant together.”

  “That’s sweet.” I blinked up at him and tried to tell him silently that this would be the perfect moment to kiss me.

  But instead of leaning closer he took a step back and waved. “See you later,” he called, and then jogged off down the street.

  Later that night, Rachel called me. “I saw you outside the window. Looked like you and Oliver were pretty serious.”

  “Were you spying on me?” I asked.

  “Of course not,” said Rachel, seemingly insulted.

  “Then why were you looking out the window?” I asked.

  “I was looking for you and Oliver, since I figured you two would be saying good-bye and I wanted to see if, you know, if he’d finally kissed you.”

  “That’s kind of the definition of spying,” I pointed out.

  “Okay, fine, I was spying, but I didn’t see anything good. So tell me what happened,” said Rachel.

  “Nothing happened, thanks to your brother!” I said.

  After I explained the entire Jackson-on-a-skateboard incident, Rachel sighed. “Oh man, that stinks! I’m so sorry. I should keep my brother locked up!”

  “Is that an option?” I wondered, only half joking.

  Suddenly my phone beeped. “Call waiting,” I told Rachel. “I’d better get it.”

  “Okay, bye,” she said.

  “Hello?” I asked.

  “So, did he kiss you?” Emma asked.

  “No! But will you try and be a little more discreet? What if my mom had answered the phone?”

  “You sound nothing like your mom,” said Emma. “And why not?”

  “Why don’t I sound like my mom?” I asked.

  “Very funny!” said Emma. “Why didn’t he kiss you?”

  I told her the whole awful story, and then I had to repeat it twice more when Claire and Yumi called to check in. I’m glad my friends are enthusiastic about my relationship, but it was hard having to relay the same news—or the same nonnews—four times in one night.

  Once I finished, I fed Pepper dinner and then headed back upstairs to finish my homework.