All's Fair in Love and Words

by Ann Herrick

  And now Matt was heading my way. "Hi." He smiled. "How'd you and Anna like the movie Saturday night?"

  "I thought it was great." I clutched my notebook to my chest. "I laughed all the way through it." Okay, that wasn't true, but it was better than telling him I'd been staring at the back of his head most of the time. "How'd you like it?" I purposely didn't mention Janie.

  "I thought it was funny." A touch of amusement crept over his face. "How was the bird counting?"

  "Just fine." I felt myself blush. I didn't like having such transparent feelings. If only there was a cure for blushing. I wondered, how much Matt knew about my movie-watching and why he cared. Well, it wasn't the time, if ever, to discuss it, so I changed the subject. "I've got some ideas about photographs for the yearbook. You had a point about everyone getting recognition in their senior year. I don't think the Who's Who is the way to go about it," I said quickly, "but I do think we should have as many photographs of as many seniors as possible."

  "Great." Matt looked interested. "What do you have in mind?"

  "More candid’s, for one thing. Just cram then in, no borders or spaces between pictures. Get as many on a page as possible."

  "Sounds good. What else?"

  "We'll have to discuss it with Ruby, since she's handling advertising, but what about putting candid’s in with the ads?"

  "Hmmm." He showed more than a spark of interest. "Exactly what's the plan?"

  "I'll show you." I went over to the work table and sifted through a stack of candid’s Matt had taken. I picked up one showing Bill Kent sitting at a desk, looking pensive. "For instance, this one could have a caption such as, 'I'll have to get her a ring from...' and then have the ad for Wilson's Jewelry underneath."

  "I think I'm getting the picture." Matt grinned. "No pun intended."

  I pulled out another photo, one of Anna pretending to go into the boys lavatory. "This one could say, 'Is this the way to...' Shore Plumbers."

  "Great idea!" Matt grabbed a pile of photos and waved them at me. "I'll bet we can get every senior in the yearbook several times over."

  I was pleased that Matt liked my idea. I couldn't help basking in the enthusiasm shining in his blue eyes. Perhaps he would forget about the Who's Who. Then I wouldn't have to worry about how to eliminate it without causing a rift.

  "Look at this." Matt handed me a photo. His fingers were warm and smooth as they brushed mine. "We could probably think of a good caption for this."

  It was a shot of a bunch of seniors on the swings at the grade school playground.

  "You don't mind if I try to come up with a few captions, do you?" Matt grinned. "After all, I'm just a lowly photographer, not a writer."

  "Go ahead," I said. "The more ideas the better."

  "Excuse me." Janie Wright smiled uncertainly. "I heard you talking. I'd like to try writing captions too."

  "Well. Sure." I cleared my throat. I knew it wasn't fair to resent Janie's intrusion—even though I did. I added lamely, "As I said, the more ideas the better."

  "Oh, good." Janie beamed. "Working on the yearbook is totally going to be fun!" She looked right at Matt when she said that.

  I excused myself and talked to Ruby and Bret about my ideas. Bret assured me that the layout would be no problem.

  But Ruby was worried. "The advertisers might be offended," she said. "They might think we're making fun of them."

  "I think it'll entice more businesses to advertise," I said.

  "I'm not convinced, “Ruby said.

  "I really think it's a good idea," I said. I hadn't expected any opposition. I felt I had to stand firm. After all, I was editor-in-chief.

  "We have to think of future yearbooks," said Ruby. "If businesses are turned off by what we do this year, it could hurt the advertising next year."

  I thought for a minute. Maybe I should dictate the issue, to show who was boss. But that seemed like a last resort. Maybe Ruby had a point. Maybe I should be more tactful. Who would've thought editor-in-chiefing could be so hard?

  "Okay, Ruby," I said finally. "How about taking the idea to some of the businesses and see what they think? If they like it, we'll go ahead. If not, we'll reconsider."

  "Good idea," Ruby said. "Write up a few samples. I'll take them around and see what kind of response we get."

  At the end of the period, Matt came up to me. I thought he was going to say something.

  But Janie looped her arm through his. "Let's hurry," she said. "We don't want to be late for Spanish."

  I noticed, before he disappeared around the corner, how Matt's hips tapered into his long lean legs. He moved with an easy air of self-confidence. Then someone said Hi. I shook myself out of my reverie in time to make it to my next class before the bell rang.

  After school, Anna and I had just started walking home when Matt pulled up next to us.

  "How about a ride?" he asked.

  Before I had a chance to say a word, Anna shoved me in the door and locked it behind us. Maybe that was her secret of success of leadership--brute force!

  "H-hi, Matt." A smile found its way through my uneasiness when I realized Janie was not in the car. I relaxed and enjoyed my position in the middle seat right next to Matt, even as I was reminding myself that I was not going to get involved with him except as an editor and a friend.

  After we dropped off Anna, I stayed in the middle seat. It would've been weird to unbuckle and buckle seat belts for just a couple of blocks. At my house, I toyed with the idea of inviting Matt in. But I decided springing my folks and Iris on him in their current conditions was not a good idea. No point in scaring him off. I did have to work with him.

  "Wait." Matt put his hand over mine just as I started to undo my seat belt. "If you don't have too much homework, how about going to Shakey's? I like your ideas for the yearbook. I'd like to discuss them some more."

  "Well..." I hesitated. This was not a date. It was just a...meeting. "Sure. Let's go."

  At Shakey's, Matt steered me to a booth in the back corner. After we ordered a couple sodas he asked me about my yearbook ideas. I wanted to be careful. I wasn't going to bring up the Who's Who in any way, shape, or form. It was a nice afternoon, so far, and I didn't want to spoil it.

  "As I said, I'd like to see plenty of candid’s. The senior portraits are nice because everyone looks their best. But they're formal. Even in team or club photos everyone looks posed. The candid’s are more natural. And with candid’s, we can get shots of everyone, even kids who aren't in clubs or sports."

  Our sodas arrived. I took a few sips. Then I continued. "We'll want mostly pictures around school. But that shot you took of some kids on the swings made me think. Why not have pictures from all over town? The Mill Pond, the library, Shakey's."

  "I like your way of thinking." Matt grinned and gave me a conspiratorial wink. "We could get some great pictures."

  I liked the way he said "we." "So, you like my ideas?"

  "I love--hey!" Matt slapped the table, almost upsetting our sodas. "What about this? After we cruise around getting whatever shots we can, why not have a senior class day downtown to make sure everyone's been included?"

  "Great idea!" I practically sang my approval. "We could get everyone downtown and then just snap away."

  "This is going to be great for the yearbook." Matt reached across the table and laced his fingers through mine.

  My heart skipped a beat. Was this just a gesture of friendship, or enthusiasm, maybe? Or was it a signal of something more? Or did I just over-analyze, as usual?

  "What's going to be great for the yearbook?" It was Janie Wright.

  I wondered if her wide-eyed expression was genuine concern about the yearbook or a smoke screen to hide her interest in Matt and me.

  "Hi, Janie." Matt slipped his hand away from mine and slid over so she could sit down. "Laurel's got some great ideas for yearbook photos." He filled her in on everything.

  She oohed and aahed and generally looked pretty excited. Her smooth skin glowed
. Her rosy lips flowered into a delicate smile. I hoped it was enthusiasm for our ideas that brought the flush of excitement to her face.

  "You guys came up with some cool ideas," said Janie. "I really like the senior class day downtown. We could do a lot with that."

  "Right," Matt said. "It'll be fun to look back some day and see us all in our natural habitats."

  Janie laughed. "We'll have to start planning this soon. Pick a day, and everything."

  "Yes, we will," I said.

  "Uh, oh." Matt checked the time. "It's getting late. We'd better go. Janie, would you like a lift home?"

  "Thanks!" Janie's eyes brightened with pleasure.

  Somehow Janie maneuvered things so she sat in the middle seat on the way home. Not that it should have mattered to me. But it did. Fortunately, Matt dropped her off first, and when he did, I saw why he hadn't given her a ride home earlier. She lived on the street in back of the school and would have to walk farther to the parking lot than to her house.

  When I got back in the car after letting Janie out, I debated whether or not to move to the middle seat. I decided I had no good reason to. So I sat by the window and felt as if I was in exile.

  "Thanks for the soda and the ride," I said when we pulled up in front of my house. "I think we had a good brainstorming session for the yearbook."

  As I started to get out of the car, Matt said, "Wait. It's getting dark. Let me walk you to your door." He came around to my side of the car and took my hand. "I really like your ideas," he said. "Maybe it's because I have such an interest in photography, but I really do think 'a picture is worth a thousand words.' And I guess it's kind of selfish of me, but your plans do give me a chance to show what I can do."

  "I've seen your work," I said, "and I think your photos will make for a great yearbook."

  "We'll make a good team," Matt said. The next thing I knew, his arms were around me, pulling me against him. He kissed me. His mouth was warm and gentle on mine. It ended almost before I realized what was happening. But it was enough to send my pulse rate to its upper limits.

  "See you tomorrow," Matt whispered. Then he turned and walked toward his car.

  "Goodnight," I called softly.

  I went inside and sort of drifted up to my room. I kicked off my shoes and sunk down onto my bed. I began to wonder if I was falling for Matt. And, if so, what I was going to do about it.

  CHAPTER 4

  "Laurel, I've asked you twice to pass the toast."

  "Huh? Oh. Sorry, Mom. Here you are." I'd been deep in thought, just picking at my breakfast. I felt myself blush, as, again, I remembered. It was as if my lips were still warm from Matt's kiss. How was I going to function normally in front of him?

  A crash brought me out of my trance.

  "Oh! I dropped the butter dish." Iris groaned. "I'll clean it up."

  "It's okay, it didn't break." Dad picked up the dish and put it back on the table. "And, fortunately, it landed butter-side up."

  "Speaking of butter," said Mom. "Maybe we should cut back. It has so many calories, and it's loaded with cholesterol."

  "Good idea." Dad rubbed his chin. "I've noticed a lot of diet margarines at the store. Next time I'll try one of those."

  I nibbled my toast. Maybe Matt's kiss had just been friendly. No, Bret's kiss had been friendly. I could tell the difference. Matt's meant something. But what, exactly?

  "I tried on a dress at the Camelot Shop that would be perfect for the Homecoming Dance, if I can just lose five pounds," said Mom.

  "I wonder if I can still fit into my old tux," said Dad.

  Their words began to penetrate my thoughts. "Homecoming Dance?' I asked nervously. "What Homecoming are you talking about?"

  "Kenilworth High's Homecoming Dance, of course," said Mom. "What did you think? It'll be the high point of our reunion."

  "Of course." I swallowed my toast before I choked on it. I hadn't even thought about the Homecoming Dance. My parents were going, and I didn't even have a date for it. It was several weeks away, but still, it wasn't too soon to think about it.

  An image of Matt and I swirling around the dance floor flitted through my mind. I had to blot it out. We couldn't date and work together. Or could we? I was dizzy from confusion.

  "Yikes," Iris yelped. "I'll miss my bus!" She jumped up, almost sending her chair crashing to the floor. Then she dropped her books trying to grab them off the hall table and banged her knee as she opened the front door. I remembered being clumsy at her age but not that clumsy. I wondered, briefly, if something else was wrong with Iris other than temporary clumsiness. I didn't have time to worry in depth, however. I had to get to school myself.

  I met Anna at her house, and, after holding out for about five seconds, told her about Matt's kiss.

  "Aha!" said Anna. "Didn't I tell you that you two would make an ador..., uh, nice couple?"

  "One kiss does not make us a couple."

  "But you're starting to think that way," Anna said. "I know your mind. Admit it."

  "I don't see how you can know my mind when I don't," I said. "I'm so confused. I do like Matt. There's no getting around it. I can't help my feelings."

  "But...?"

  "But, you know the rest."

  "You still don't want to date him." Anna's dark eyes were gentle and understanding.

  "It's not that I don't want to," I said. "I just don't think it would work."

  "Well, try taking it one step at a time," Anna suggested. "He hasn't asked you out on an actual date yet, has he?"

  "No." I tried to keep the annoyance out of my voice. "In fact, I think he's interested in Janie Wright."

  "But he kissed you."

  "So? Maybe he's kissed her too. He did take her to the movies, after all. Maybe he leaves a string of broken hearts wherever he goes."

  "Hmm. That's possible. We don't know his history," Anna said. Just as we reached the front of the school we saw Matt pull into the parking lot. "Look." Anna pointed at him. "He didn't drive anyone else to school. That's a good sign."

  "Well, it doesn't mean much. Janie lives on the next block and can cut through right to the school." I hoped Matt would see us and wave. But he didn't. He was still parking his car as we went inside.

  "You know more than I do." Anna pulled a book from her locker, which she keeps neater than an operating table, probably because she's thinking of becoming a doctor.

  "I forgot to tell you we gave her a ride home from Shakey's yesterday."

  "So…he dropped her off first?"

  "True." That made me feel better, though I wasn't sure it should. First of all, maybe it just wasn't that important. Second of all, what right did I have to be concerned about Janie in the first place, if I had no intention of dating Matt? "You're so lucky to have Stuart. You know exactly where you stand in that relationship and exactly what you want from it."

  "I know." Anna fingered the fraternity pin she wore just over her heart.

  I didn't know if college guys usually gave their girlfriends fraternity pins any more, but Stuart did. He was so completely romantic, and devoted to Anna.

  The bell rang, and we headed off to class. I must have burned up extra calories trying to concentrate on school instead of worrying about Matt all day. Our yearbook meeting was scheduled for right after school . I looked forward to it and worried about it at the same time.

  I said a quick hi-bye to Anna at our lockers before I hurried to the yearbook meeting. Matt was the only one there when I arrived.

  "Hi, Matt." We looked at each other and smiled. My cheeks grew warm.

  "Hi, Laurel," Matt said softly.

  "Hi, guys!" Janie bounded into the room.

  That broke the spell.

  "What's new, Janie?" Matt offered a friendly smile. I told myself he was just being polite.

  "I've got an idea for yearbook pictures," said Janie. "How about shots of everybody at the Homecoming Dance?"

  "There are always pictures of the Homecoming Dance," I said coolly.

&nb
sp; "Oh? I wasn't sure," said Janie. "Guess that means you'll have to be there, won't you Matt?"

  "Guess so." Matt shrugged.

  I wondered if Janie was fishing for an invitation. I wondered if Matt would accommodate her.

  "Speaking of pictures," said Matt, "what about the Who's Who? How do we decide who is who? Do the editors choose or are there elections or what?"

  "I wasn't planning on having the Who's Who, if you recall." My stomach clenched tight. I wished the subject hadn't come up. But I suppose I couldn't avoid it forever.

  "I think you should reconsider," said Matt. "I've looked at a lot of the old yearbooks, and it looks like a great feature to me."

  "But..."

  Matt touched his fingers to my lips. "I know your concerns. But the categories are all fun. 'Best Dancers, Mad Scientist, Done Most for Class.' No one is going to be offended. There's nothing mean-spirited."

  "That's right," I said. "As far as it goes." I was still savoring the touch of Matt's fingers on my lips. I had to take a deep breath in order to concentrate. Besides having my own reason for not wanting the Who's Who, I had to show Matt, and Janie for that matter, that I was in charge, that I wasn't just some "cute thing" who could be easily flattered and manipulated. "The yearbook is permanent. People change. They aren't going to want to be forever remembered as 'The Gigglers' or 'Most Carefree.' And 'Worst Drivers' is something they'd undoubtedly rather forget!"

  "So we change or eliminate a couple categories," Matt said.

  He almost had me there. But I didn't want to be the one to suggest getting rid of "Most Adorable Couple," and I couldn't count on anyone else recommending it. I stood my ground. "I just don't think Who's Who is necessary or appropriate."

  "Then I'll just have to try to get you to change your mind." Matt grinned mischievously.

  At that point, Bret and Ruby arrived, followed shortly by the rest of the staff. Ruby rushed over to me.

  "Laurel," she said. "I talked to several businesses, and they all loved your idea! They think the pictures and captions will draw way more attention to their ads."