My sweet, sweet Mickey D seized the opening in the conversation. “I like my classes,” he said. “It hasn’t been as difficult as I expected, adapting to a structured school environment. In fact, I like the pace of things. It’s much more predictable than I’m used to.”
I could tell by the perplexed looks on my parents’ faces that neither of them had a clue what Mick was talking about.
“He was home-schooled before,” I clarified. “This is his first year in regular school. And he’s doing great,” I said, turning to Mick. “Right?”
“I think so,” he agreed, with trademark humility. “All A’s and B’s so far.”
My mother beamed with satisfaction. “That’s an impressive feat,” she said, “for anyone. But especially for someone in your situation.”
Okay, so maybe my mother hadn’t done a complete one-eighty. I mean, considering the backhanded compliment, I’d put her at about a one-twenty. But it was still much better than I’d expected given her history of hating the love of my life.
Under the table, Mick squeezed my knee. Not in the creepy, lecherous way Lars had, but in the cute, reassuring, we’re in this together way. And secretly, I tangled my fingers around his, which, all at once, righted my universe. I guess sometimes you don’t know what you’re missing until you find it. And if you’re lucky enough to find it in the first place, do yourself a favor and learn from my mistakes: Don’t let go.
ALSO BY MAGGIE BLOOM
Good Luck, Fatty?!
Spunky North Carolina teen Bobbi-Jo Cotton is overweight, oversexed, underloved and misunderstood. When Dr. Harvey Lassiter, her former high school principal turned bicycle shop owner—with the help of Lex Arlington, a hometown celebrity—sponsors a charity bike race, Bobbi sees an opportunity to test her Schwinn and her fortitude. And when Tom Cantwell, her best (and only) friend, reveals he’s crushing on her, Bobbi figures it’s time to quit passing out screws like they’re dentists’ office suckers.
What Bobbi is having a harder time letting go of is the resentment she feels toward her missionary parents, who, after abandoning her in the night, have flitted back into her life with a surprise: she’s about to be a big sister.
Will Bobbi win the race (and maybe even lose the weight)? Can she overcome her promiscuous past and earn the trust of the boy she just may love? Will her parents care enough about her—or her new baby brother—to stick around (and if they don’t, will she be tough enough to survive another of their betrayals)?
The only way to find out is to come along for the ride. The way Bobbi sees it, all of life’s questions can be answered from the seat of a bicycle. And if they can’t, at least your hair will look great fluttering in the breeze.
A NOTE TO READERS:
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
MAGGIE BLOOM grew up in the ’80s, under the influence of acid-washed jeans, hair bands, leg warmers, and John Hughes films. She currently resides in coastal Maine with her family (and the world’s smartest cat, Twinkle).
Film at Eleven Page 18