by Hope, Amity
“Water would be good.” It would be better if we didn’t have to pass James and Meredith to get it, but there was no helping that.
Leo, his hand still clutching mine, led the way again.
Because I had a knack for being awkward at times, I glanced at James as we walked by. Only the glance turned into more of a stare, which he obviously felt because his gaze drifted to mine.
He nodded his chin at me. “Hey, Kylie.”
“Hey,” I said, hoping I sounded casual rather than ridiculously happy that he’d noticed me.
“So when are you going to bring me some of that candy I always see you handing out at lunch?” He smirked and Meredith frowned. “Colton said your truffles are awesome. I feel like I’m missing out.”
“You can stop by our table anytime you want.” I tried to keep my tone light, pretending that I wasn’t dying for him to do exactly that. I briefly wondered if I should offer to make something special, just for him. He seemed like a chocolate-covered cherry sort of guy. And there was a recipe on my list I hadn’t tried yet. I glanced at Meredith and lost my nerve.
She shot me a look as if to ask why I thought I had the right to stand anywhere near them, let alone ask her date to test my candy.
She yanked on his hand, demanding his attention again.
“Let’s go dance,” she said. “I love this song.” She didn’t wait for his reply. She simply took off, dragging him with her.
My gaze trailed after them, and I was hit by a mixture of emotions. I was so disappointed to see him with Meredith. But I was thrilled he wanted to try my creations.
Until tonight our conversations had all revolved around one thing: pens. He’d borrowed three of them from me—so far. So what if he hadn’t bothered to return a single one. Not that I cared. Not really. I mean, they were my supercute, sparkly purple pens that I could only find at a gift shop at the mall in Sapphire Bay. But it wasn’t like I’d given him a kidney or anything too important.
Even if I was maybe a tiny bit annoyed that he was a pen thief, knowing he had an interest in my favorite hobby kind of made up for it. If he knew I handed out candy at lunch, that had to mean he noticed me, too. Didn’t it?
Leo squeezed my hand. The gesture pulled me out of my thoughts. He nodded toward the kitchen, and we took off again.
When we walked through the door, a familiar voice shouted, “Leo, my man.”
Colton stumbled toward us, his eyes glossy and his smirk a bit lecherous. Everyone in the kitchen turned to face us thanks to Colton’s blaring voice.
His gaze swung between Leo and me as he motioned to us with his beer. “You two? You’re a thing?” He didn’t wait for an answer before raising his free hand, hoping for a high five. “Leo, it’s about time you manned up and got yourself a girl. I was starting to wonder if—”
“Later, Colton,” Leo replied, cutting him off both verbally and physically. We sidestepped Colton as Leo led me out the back door.
It was chilly. The air felt nice, especially after the heat from the crush of bodies. Leo glanced over his shoulder, as if afraid Colton might follow us. The guy was a bit of a sleaze, always flirting and acting as if his attention was some tremendous gift.
I’d also noticed that Colton enjoyed giving Leo a hard time. He was the kind of guy who found himself hilarious, even though very few people ever laughed at his mocking.
I was glad we hadn’t stopped to chat. Sober-Colton was a jerk. I had to guess that Intoxicated-Colton was so much worse.
The backyard was dark, only lit by the glow filtering through the windows of the house. Leo, still holding my hand, led me to a swing set at the edge of the lawn. He let go and we both dropped into a swing. A disappointed sigh slipped out as I pictured James and Meredith together.
“I can go back in to get you a bottle of water,” Leo said. “I kind of forgot that’s what we were doing.”
“That’s okay,” I said. “I’m fine.”
“Are you?”
The tone of his voice, the way he was studying my face, made me think he wasn’t talking about the drink.
“Of course.” I laughed self-consciously.
“Okay, it’s just…” He gave himself a push with one foot, frowning as he studied the back door. “I heard you kind of have a thing for James.”
“How did you hear that?” I said. It wasn’t as if I’d advertised it. I didn’t scribble his name in hearts on my shoe. I’d never doodled “Kylie Takata” on my notebooks.
“Francesca said something to Meg. Luke overheard.”
That made sense. What didn’t make sense was Luke telling Leo about it. And guys accuse girls of being gossipy? Guess that worked both ways.
“It’s not a big deal,” I mumbled, suddenly feeling embarrassed. “It’s a stupid crush.”
I pushed off with my toes. The swings’ chains creaked in unison as the two of us glided slowly through the air.
“I get it,” Leo said. “Sometimes you can’t help who you like. I’ve had a crush on this girl for, like, forever.”
“Really?” I tilted my head sideways so I could study his face. I couldn’t make out much in the dark.
He nodded, still staring straight ahead.
I was dying to ask who she was but knew it was none of my business. I had overheard the last bit of a conversation between him and Luke the other day in the hall, but not any details. Still, it had been clear there was a girl Leo liked.
“How did you get over her?” I asked.
He laughed lightly. “Who said I’m over her?”
“Oh.” The single word popped out of my mouth and dangled in the air between us. I didn’t know what to say. Given my own lack of dating experience, I was the last person at Laurel High who should attempt to give Leo advice.
An awkward silence encased us, making the squeaking of the chains seem much louder than a few seconds before.
I finally managed to ask, “Does she know?”
“No,” he said, laughing softly as if the question was ridiculous.
“Why not?” This was also none of my business, but the question tumbled from my lips anyway.
With raised eyebrows he asked, “Why doesn’t James know how you feel?”
I nodded. “Good point.”
Leo wasn’t any more willing to put himself out there than I was.
“Any girl would be lucky to have you for a boyfriend. You’re the nicest guy I know,” I said lamely.
“Listen,” he said, quickly changing the subject, “you can hear the music from here.”
He hopped off his swing and grabbed the chain holding mine. I bounced to a stop.
“Want to dance?”
I looked up at him. “What?”
He nodded toward the house. “It sounds like a slow song. We should dance.”
“Right now?” I asked skeptically.
“Sure. Why not?”
My instinct was to refuse. It seemed a little silly to dance out here in the backyard.
“Come on, Kylie,” he said lightly. “Isn’t your list about tackling things you wouldn’t normally try?”
That’s how I found myself wrapped in Leo’s arms. We swayed to a distant melody, his breath whispering across my cheek, my arms wrapped around his neck. His delicious minty scent floated around me. I didn’t know if the boy used mint shampoo, body wash, or a combination of the two, but I suddenly decided he smelled scrumptious.
I’d never had a boyfriend.
Never danced with a guy.
I’d definitely never been wrapped in anyone’s arms.
It felt…a little bit amazing. No, it felt a whole lot amazing. His skin was warm against the cool night air. I pressed a little closer, telling myself I was just trying to fight off the chill, and his arms tightened around me. Despite the party raging inside, it almost felt as if we were the only two people around.
Leo typically looked a little bit disheveled, as if he was too busy thinking about other things to put much thought into his appearance. His hair was
always a little floppy, as if in need of a trim. Tonight, he wore what looked like a new pair of jeans. Instead of some random T-shirt, he wore a two-tone gray raglan. The charcoal brought out the icy-blue color of his eyes.
When we’d met at The Green Goddess and I’d hopped into his truck, his appearance had thrown me.
He looked good. Really good. Not that he ever looked bad, but he’d never caught my attention before.
I tensed, realizing I had no business letting my thoughts wander like that. Just because Leo was being nice to me didn’t mean I had to start thinking about him that way. My sister was right. I needed a boyfriend. My hormones were definitely buzzing out of control.
“Are you cold?” he asked when I stepped away. “Do you want to go?”
I shook my head. I still had quite a bit of time before I had to pick up Allie and Margo.
“Not really,” I said. “We could go back inside if you want.”
“I’d rather not,” he admitted.
Our gazes both drifted back toward the swings. In silent agreement we slid back onto the seats. I hadn’t been on a swing set in forever.
“This is so relaxing,” I said on a sigh.
“In that case,” he said, “we can stay as long as you like.” He gave himself another shove with his shoe. “What did you think of your first party?”
”I think they are highly overrated.” I paused. “But I’m glad you talked me into coming here. No way would I ever have come on my own.”
“No problem. I told you, we’ll get your list taken care of.”
“Thanks to you, I can add something else.”
“Yeah?” he asked. “What’s that?”
“I’ve never slow danced with anyone before.” I’d never danced with anyone at all before, but I saw no need to make that clarification. “I’m going to add that to my list.”
“Isn’t that a little backwards?” he asked. “Aren’t you supposed to come up with the ideas first? Then follow through? Then cross them off?”
“It’s my list,” I said stubbornly, even though he had a point. “I can do anything I want with it.”
He laughed as he shoved off with his toes again. “Can’t argue with that logic. I won’t even try.”
Chapter Six
Leo
“Leo.”
I continued with my straight shot to the front door trajectory, hoping Mom would think I didn’t hear her. I reached for the doorknob.
“Stop right there.”
I froze.
Mentally sighed.
Twisted around to find Mom wearing her irritated face. It seemed to be her favorite accessory these days.
Her eyes dragged over me, and she gave me my daily dose of her weary sigh.
“These clothes you wear”—she flung her hand at me in a sweeping motion—“I don’t understand. Is this some sort of political statement? A protest of sorts?”
I glanced down at my faded T-shirt. “I don’t think Metallica is all that political.”
“Your jeans have holes in them,” she pointed out. “Are you trying to embarrass me?”
“Did it ever occur to you that my choices aren’t about you?”
Her shoulders hunched, and she looked deflated.
“I didn’t mean that as an insult.” I shook my head. “I meant it as the opposite of an insult.” I stopped right there instead of adding that I didn’t bother to give her a thought one way or another. Not when it came to how I dressed. I figured there was no way that would come out right, though, so I let it go.
She sighed again. “There are probably millions of kids in this country who would gladly switch places with you, who would appreciate what you have. We give you a generous allowance. I would love to take you shopping. I buy you decent clothes. Yet you choose to wear…” Her hands fluttered around in front of her, as if hoping to grab the word she was looking for out of the air. “Used clothes.”
“Are you seriously lecturing me because you want me to be more wasteful?” It’s possible I was being a rotten son, but I found her frustration kind of humorous. “So I like to shop at thrift stores. I don’t understand why you care so much. It saves you money. It saves the environment. I don’t have to dress like everyone else. To me, it seems like a win-win all around.”
Something sparked in her eyes. “So it is political.”
Now I was the one emitting an exhausted sigh. I just didn’t like to throw money around. That didn’t make me a potential politician; if anything, it made me the opposite.
“This about being more…green? Is that the word?” She nodded as she scrutinized me with a different mental lens this time. “Like the hippies who used to protest or something?”
I could already see her twisting this into something that made sense to her. Next thing I knew, she’d probably have me running for a senate seat someday.
“Is that why you’re so fond of the little projects you have out in your shop? You’re trying to be green?”
I nodded, going with it for now. “Sure, Mom. That’s what it is. Gotta run. I’m going to be late.”
I was nowhere near being late. I was early, anxious to see Kylie. I’d dropped her off at her car Friday night and hadn’t talked to her since. Not that I’d expected her to call me, but that didn’t stop me from hoping.
Other than running into James, I’d had a great time. Even though I knew it wasn’t a date, Kylie had stuck to my side all night, so it had kind of felt like one.
I walked out while Mom was still preoccupied with trying to process her latest assumption.
Even though I was early, I was far from the first person to arrive at school. I spotted Kylie’s car as I pulled into a parking spot. Before I could tug my keys out of the ignition, she opened my passenger door and hopped inside.
I was surprised, but could definitely get used to Kylie searching me out every morning. I’d felt hopeful that the list would bring us closer together. It looked like it was working.
Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were slightly wide. She glanced around the parking lot, as if searching for someone. She finally turned to me and winced. My smile faded because she looked a bit frazzled.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“I have a teensy-tiny problem,” she said.
“Okay. Anything I can help with?”
“I don’t know.”
“Why don’t you tell me what the problem is,” I said, nudging her along.
She sighed. “Meg and Francesca started texting me yesterday. They heard I went to the party with you, and they want to know why.”
“What did you tell them?”
“That’s just it. I’ve been ignoring them because I don’t know what to say. I never thought it would get back to them that I was at a party. I mean, no one ever pays attention to me. It had to be Colton and his big mouth. He made a big deal out of it, drew attention to us,” Kylie said. “The fact that I went to a party is odd enough. The fact that I went with you…” She shrugged. “Well, that’s what’s confusing them.”
“They still don’t know about the list?”
“No!” she exclaimed. “It’s bad enough you know about it.”
I tried not to smile. I found her frustration humorous, rather than offensive.
“If they found out, they’d want to know why I wrote it,” she continued. “They’d want to know what I put on it, too.”
“They’re your friends. Would that really be so bad?”
She seemed to give the question some serious consideration.
“I don’t know how to explain the list without telling them I’ve been feeling bored and left out. Also, they’ll ask how you ended up helping me with it. I don’t want to admit to them that you offered because they don’t have time for me.” She cringed. “I sound like a whiner saying that. What’s worse is that knowing them, they’ll insist on helping me. I mean, not with all of it.” She blushed. “But maybe with filling in some of those blanks. That’s exactly what I don’t want. I don’t want them to
take time away from their boyfriends on my account.”
I didn’t want them to help Kylie with her list for my own selfish reasons. If Meg and Francesca got involved, if they started going on adventures of their own, she wouldn’t need me anymore.
“You’re right,” I agreed, even though I was sure Meg and Francesca wouldn’t mind. “You can tell them the truth without telling them everything.”
“How?”
“Say we ran into each other at The Green Goddess the other night. And that since neither of us had anything else going on, I asked you to go to Colton’s party with me. It’s the truth. They don’t need to know the order of how it went down.”
Still looking concerned, she said, “That’s true.”
“Are you worried about what they’re going to think because you were with me?” I asked.
“That’s not it,” she assured me. “They’re going to ask why I went to a party. That’s just not something I do.”
“Kylie.” I took her hand and gave it a squeeze. She’d allowed me to hold her hand at the party, hadn’t even so much as raised an eyebrow when I’d grabbed it, so I felt confident enough to take it now. “You’re thinking about this too much.”
“Am I?”
“You are. Keep it simple and stick to the truth. You’ll be fine. No one is going to find out about your checklist. Not if you don’t want them to.”
“Okay.” She pulled in a breath. “Stick to the truth. But be vague. I can do that.”
…
“I have to admit,” Meg said as she pulled a fry through an enormous glob of ketchup, “when I first heard the two of you were at a party together, I thought maybe you were—”
“On a date,” Francesca finished.
“No.” Kylie gave her head a firm shake. “I told you. Leo said he was going to a party and he invited me to tag along. I mean,” she said with a carefree shrug, “I didn’t have anything else to do, and a party sounded kind of fun.”
“Was it fun?” Meg asked before popping the fry in her mouth.
Kylie made a noncommittal sound. “It was about what I thought it would be. But it definitely was not a date.”
“Of course it wasn’t,” Luke said. “Leo wouldn’t take a girl to a party on a date. Especially not a party at Colton’s. Especially not on a first date. He’d take her somewhere nice. Wouldn’t you, Leo?”