by Ann Herrick
"That's great," I said. "We'll get going on more captions right away."
Janie then bounced around the room filling everyone in on our new ideas for candid’s around town.
"Take some pictures at the library," someone suggested.
"Joe's Gas Station."
"My house," someone joked.
I hurriedly wrote down all the suggestions.
We then had a short official meeting to discuss costs and revenues before we broke into small groups to work. I talked with Ruby about advertising, mainly to avoid Matt. The meeting had been scheduled to end by four o'clock. Shortly after that the room was clear--except for me and Matt.
I hoped to exit inconspicuously. But before I could get my jacket, Matt had picked it up.
"Let me help you with this," he said.
As I slipped into the jacket, Matt wrapped his arms around me. I liked the snug feeling, and for a moment was tempted to stand there and enjoy it. But I thought better of it and stepped out of the circle of his arms.
"We ought to be going." My voice seemed to be coming from far away. "The custodian said we should leave around four."
"Whatever you say." Matt's expression was serious. "How about a ride home?"
I hesitated. I wasn't sure of Matt's motives. What if he would just try to get me to change my mind about the Who's Who?
"I promise to drive you straight home." There was a glint of teasing in Matt's blue eyes now.
"I'd like a ride. Thanks." I told myself I was being practical. It would be dark soon. Matt had to drive right by my house anyway.
On the way home, he chatted easily about history class and school in general. I mostly listened and looked out the window, wondering how Matt felt about me. Did he like me? Was I only one of several girls he was interested in? Did he just want to charm me into changing my mind about the Who's Who? More pictures would mean more credit for him, after all. Or was he genuinely concerned about what was best for the yearbook? I felt some guilt because one of my motives was personal. So who was I to judge his motives?
"Here we are." Matt hopped out of the car before I could tell him he didn't need to walk me to the house.
At the door, he put his hand under my chin, turning me toward him. I knew I shouldn't let him kiss me again if I wasn't going to allow myself to be more than just friends with him.
"Hi!" Iris came tripping up the front walk. Matt dropped his arms to his sides.
My relief at being interrupted was tinged with disappointment. Even though I'd thought I shouldn't let Matt kiss me, I don't know if I would've actually resisted. I introduced Matt to Iris, and then he left.
"He's cute," Iris squealed as she closed the door behind us.
"Yes." I tried to look unconcerned.
"Are you going out with him?"
I paused. "We work together on the yearbook."
"I bet that makes the yearbook meetings fun!"
"It's a lot of work, but, yes, we do have a good time." I couldn't help smiling to myself as I thought about Matt's arms around me after the yearbook meeting.
That night I tried not to think about him as I did my homework. I reminded myself that I wasn't going to date him. I shouldn't waste my time daydreaming about him. Finally I finished my math and got up and paced around the room. The only way to get Matt out of my mind was to find someone else. I promised myself that tomorrow I would work on it. With that, I allowed myself the luxury of falling asleep with one last reflection of myself in Matt's arms.
In the cafeteria the next day, I was boring Anna with the details of my non-love life. She refrained from trying to persuade me to date Matt and listened sympathetically. I was bemoaning the fact that all the boys I would find interesting were already spoken for when Hank Coleman lumbered by carrying a tray piled high with food. His broad shoulders and muscle-laden body served him well in his position as a defensive lineman on the football team. He reminded me of a pine tree--towering and sturdy.
I'd always liked Hank. He was open and friendly, and we'd always gotten along, ever since we'd first gotten to know each other as freshmen dissecting frogs together in biology class.
Hank had been dating a sophomore cheerleader. But I remembered that they'd recently broken up. So as soon as lunch was over, I tracked him down on his way to class.
"Hi, Hank." I had to shout up to him over the din in the hallway. "Think we'll beat Madison on Friday?"
"Well, hi Laurel." Hank's broad smile spread slowly across his good-looking square face. "Madison is always tough. But I think we'll be ready for them. You going?"
"I plan to," I said. Actually, I hadn't thought about it. I kept track of how all the teams did, but I didn't attend every game. However, if I was going to start a romance with Hank it would make sense to go.
"Will you cheer for me?"
I thought I detected a hopeful glint in Hank's eyes. "Of course I will."
At that point we had to head off to separate classes. But I was pleased with my progress. We didn't have a date, but we had each other's attention. It was a start.
There was no yearbook meeting, but I didn't want to take any chances on Matt offering me a ride home. So I told Anna I was going to stay after school and do some research in the library. As luck, and careful planning on my part, would have it I bumped into Hank on his way to football practice. I gave him what I hoped was a captivating smile. "Hi, Hank."
"Hey, Laurel. I've, uh, been thinking," Hank said. "Want to go out after the game Friday?"
"Sounds great," I said.
"Trouble is, since the game's in Madison, I have to take the team bus." He shifted his weight. "But one of my friends is going to the game, and I'm sure he'd drive you there and back. Then I'll have my car here at school. Is that okay?"
"Sure."
"Good. I'll talk to him and let you know definitely. I've got to get to practice. Talk to you later."
"See you." Pleased with myself because everything was working out so perfectly, I hummed on my way to the library.
"Catchy tune." It was Matt!
I almost dropped my books. But I recovered in time to say hello without sputtering.
"You going to the library too?" he asked.
I nodded. "I need to do some research for a history report."
"Same here," said Matt. "Great minds think in the same vein."
"Um, yes." What was I going to do? I'd stayed at school to avoid Matt, and now here he was. Maybe I could lose him in the stacks and then sneak out. In the library, I put my books on a table. Then I slithered away to the section on the Civil War, whisked around the corner, and doubled back to my table.
"Couldn't find what you were looking for?"
I almost jumped out of my shoes. "No, Matt," I managed to say. "The book I wanted wasn't there."
"Let me help you find something." Matt grabbed my hand and led me back to the Civil War section. "There are plenty of books here. What specifically were you looking for?"
"Uh...the battle of Fair Oaks."
Matt pulled out a book and thumbed through it. "Here." He pointed to a page. "You'll find plenty about Fair Oaks."
"Thanks." I took the book and was about to leave when he thrust another one at me.
"This looks good too."
"Gee. Thanks. Again." Not only was my escape plan crumbling, so was my desire to duck out. Maybe Matt was just trying to impress me, so I'd okay keeping Who's Who. But he was being helpful. And the way his dark hair curled over his forehead made me want to run my fingers through it. I closed my eyes for a second, trying to erase that thought from my mind.
"You all right?"
I opened my eyes. "Oh. Sure. Just thinking. I should, um, start taking some notes." We went back to the table. I stared at the books and scribbled a few incoherent markings. I was trying to figure out a logical way to make my getaway when it occurred to me that football practice would be ending soon. I gathered my books and headed for the checkout desk. "Thanks for your help, Matt," I whispered. "See you tomorrow."
"
Wait. I'll go with you."
Silently, I prayed that we would run into Hank on the way out. He would probably have his car and would surely offer to drive me home.
The team was just coming in from the field as we left the school. I caught Hank's eye and waved.
"Hi." Hank puffed. Sweat dripped off his chin.
"Practice over?" I asked hopefully.
Hank shook his head. "No. Showers, then diagramming plays on the blackboard."
"Oh." The disappointment in my voice was genuine.
"Say, Matt!" Hank exclaimed. "You're just the guy I wanted to see."
"I'm so popular." Matt grinned.
Hank wiped the sweat off his chin. "I need a favor. You're going to the Madison game to take pictures. Could you drive Laurel over there and back for me? I'd sure appreciate it."
CHAPTER 5
My stomach flipped.
"You want me to drive Laurel to the game? Sure, I'd be glad to."
I wondered if Matt was just doing a favor for Hank, or if he thought it'd be a good time for him to try to change my mind about the Who's Who. After all, it would be hard to duck out on him at 50 miles per hour. Of course, there was always the chance that he really was glad to do it because he liked my company...
"Then it's settled." Hank slapped Matt on the back. "Thanks. Got to hit those showers now."
It must have been predetermined--Matt drove me home. I certainly was logging a lot of miles in his car. The mending tape on the seat and the scratches in the dashboard were becoming as familiar as the collections in my bedroom.
Friday evening, I fidgeted as I got ready for the football game. I thought dating Hank would have been a totally sure method of fending off Matt. How could I have known Hank would ask Matt to drive me to the game? And I wondered just what Matt really thought about providing escort service for me.
When Matt picked me up, I quickly babbled small talk. "Madison's tough. But Kenilworth is ready for them. Should be a good game."
It would be a twenty minute drive to the Madison school, and I wanted to avoid discussing the yearbook. I had just launched into a discussion of Hank's outstanding abilities when I noticed Matt wasn't heading toward the highway. I was about to ask where we were going, but then he pulled up in front of a house. I realized it must be Janie Wright's.
Sure enough. Matt left me in the car while he went to get her, so when he opened the car door it was easiest to just slide over to the middle seat to make room. If either of them didn't like the situation, at least no one said so.
"Hi, Janie." I tried to sound friendly. I had no reason to dislike her. I couldn't consider her a rival, since I wasn't dating Matt. I wasn't even sure what her relationship with him was. Besides, who could dislike this delicate-looking, friendly, bubbly person? Maybe I could let myself get just the tiniest bit jealous. But that was it. Unless, of course, appearances were deceiving, and she really was a sneaky seductress going all out to tempt Matt! In that case, I could work up a lather of resentment.
"Hi, Laurel! The Madison game! It should be so exciting. And helping Matt take pictures! I can't wait."
So Janie was going to help Matt. I wondered if that was the only reason she was with him. I had plenty of time to think about it. Janie carried on an enthusiastic monologue all the way to Madison, which relieved me of worrying about Matt and the Who's Who.
At the game, Janie and Matt dumped some of his camera gear with me.
"We're headed for the sidelines to take pictures," Matt said.
I looked around for Hank, spotted him at the far end of the field, and waved. The game got off to a disastrous start as Madison returned the kickoff for a touchdown. I hoped the whole evening wasn't going to be so dismal.
The first half dragged. There was no more scoring by either team. But Hank played well. He didn't miss a tackle. During half-time I hoped Matt and Janie would take a break, but they were busy taking pictures of the marching band. I blew on my hands to warm them. Then it started to sprinkle. I began to think I'd have been better off staying home curled up with a good book.
"Not much of a game, is it?" Matt was suddenly standing next to me, digging out a different camera.
"I guess if we were ahead it would seem more exciting." Feeling lonely and bored, I wished Matt would sit down next to me. As if reading my mind, he did.
"I've got a folding umbrella in there." Matt pointed to his camera bag.
"Thanks. I'll be okay as long as it doesn't get any worse," I said. "I can pull up the hood on my jacket."
"Well, it's there if you need it. I have to get back to work. See you."
"Bye." I huddled down in my seat. It was getting colder.
"Hello," said a high-pitched voice. It was Sheryl Glass, the sophomore cheerleader Hank had been going with. "You and Matt here together? You make a cute couple."
"Well, actually..."
"Oops. Got to go. They're starting a cheer." Sheryl ran off.
I wondered if she thought I was with Matt, if she wished I was with Matt, or if she was just curious. Rumors about who was dating whom usually circulated rapidly in a school the size of Kenilworth. She was probably just trying to check out her ex's current date at close range.
Things picked up in the second half. It stopped sprinkling. Kenilworth scored a touchdown to tie the game, and the offense had possession of the ball long enough to give the defense a rest. At one point, Hank nodded to me from the bench. Near the end of the fourth quarter, Madison got a field goal, so now Kenilworth needed a touchdown to win.
Then, from the field, Matt signaled me. I grabbed his camera bag and squirmed my way off the crowded bleachers.
"What's up?" I asked when I made it down to the field. I didn't see Janie anywhere.
"Janie's been coughing and sneezing a lot. She went to the car to keep warm. Would you mind helping me? I know it's not your job."
"Anything to help the yearbook is part of my job." Did he really think I'd be a snob about it?
"Great! Mind holding this?" Matt handed me a small camera.
I put it in my pocket. Then I trailed around after Matt, handing him the camera when he wanted to use that one instead of a larger one he would then hand to me. I didn't know what the difference in cameras was, and I didn't feel like displaying my ignorance by asking. Soon the wind picked up, and it started to rain.
Finally, Matt said, "Let's pack up and quit for the night."
But then our quarterback completed a long pass. Suddenly Kenilworth was in scoring position!
"Let's hope there's a winning touchdown," said Matt, "and that I can see it in all this rain."
"The umbrella," I said. "I can hold it over you."
"That'd help," said Matt. "Thanks."
I had a hard time keeping the umbrella over Matt. The wind kept tugging at it. A couple times it almost blew out of my grasp. But the struggle was worth it. With nine seconds left on the clock, Kenilworth was third-and-goal on the eight yard line. A pass in the now pouring rain seemed risky, but running eight yards was no cinch either. Matt and I huddled in the back of the end zone. I tried to hold the umbrella steady. I didn't want Matt to miss a shot because of me.
The ball was snapped. The quarterback scrambled, then, as time ran out, threw a pass to a receiver in the corner of the end zone. The receiver jumped. He caught the ball. He landed with both feet in bounds!
"Got it!" Matt yelled.
We didn't have much time to cheer. Matt wanted to get shots of the Kenilworth team and fans celebrating. I ran after him, still holding the umbrella. Suddenly Hank grabbed me and lifted me up in a big hug.
"Yaa-hoo!" he whooped.
When he put me down, I exclaimed, "Great game, Hank!"
"Can't wait to celebrate at Shakey's," he called as he ran off to the locker room. "See you later."
I looked for Matt. But he'd been swallowed up by the crowd. I congratulated a couple players as they ran by. Finally things settled down, and I found Matt.
"What a game," he said. "I think
I got some great shots for the yearbook."
"I hope so. People are going to remember this one for a long time. I won't have any trouble thinking up captions for any of these pictures."
"We'd better get back to the car," said Matt, "and check on Janie. I hope she's okay."
We found Janie curled up in the back seat, wrapped in a blanket. "Hi." She coughed and sneezed. "Hope you don't mind me using this blanket."
I wondered if she hoped Matt would have checked on her earlier--alone.
"I'm glad you found it," said Matt. "I keep it back there because the heater isn't very reliable. How're you feeling?"
"Not too bad," said Janie. "I--achoo--mostly just keep sneezing."
"We'll get you home right away," Matt assured her.
The drive back was chilly. Naturally, the heater decided to conk out after the first few minutes. From Janie's soft breathing, I could tell she'd fallen asleep.
"I hope she's okay," I whispered to Matt.
"Me, too." Matt frowned. "She started sneezing as soon as we got to the sidelines. But she was so ready to help take pictures. She kept saying she felt fine."
"I'm sure it's nothing worse than a cold." I hoped Matt wasn't blaming himself. Janie could certainly have stayed home if she'd felt she was really sick.
We decided to take her home before we went to the school, because we were sure she wouldn't be up to going to Shakey's. When we stopped to let her off, I thought Matt had been kidnapped on his way back to the car. How could it take him that long just to say goodnight to Janie?
"Where've you been?" I asked as casually as possible when he finally showed up.
Matt rolled his eyes. "Janie's kid brother had to show me his card tricks--every one he knows, and he knows plenty."
"Oh. Is Janie all right?"
"I think her nap on the way home helped. She sneezed only a couple times, and she looked better."
"That's good," I said. "We ought to get to the school now. Hank'll be wondering what happened to us."
We drove around the block and pulled up to the school. It was almost deserted. I looked around for Hank but didn't see him.
Chelsea Field, one of the cheerleaders, was just leaving, so I called to her. "Chelsea, have you seen Hank?"