Andrea and the 5-Day Challenge

by Cindy K. Green

  Walking beside Luke made me realize the world was bigger than my silly problems, like piano concerts and switching schools. Luke had serious things going on in his life. Divorce and all that. Yet, when he squeezed my hand, it made me start to think. For a second, I hallucinated that perhaps for just one night I could pretend we were together, that he cared about me more than any other, that I wasn’t possibly leaving Aubrey and my parents would accept him with open arms.

  If only I could make this night last forever because waking up tomorrow morning and realizing none of this could possibly be real would be a total damper on my spirits.

  Luke and I ordered coffee and took a seat at a secluded table.

  College kids and a couple other teens were scattered throughout the shop with a few older adults near the counter.

  One girl was going on and on about how we only had twenty more years to live before natural disaster would destroy everything due to our misuse of the earth’s resources. She should get together with Angie. They obviously adhered to the same branch of conspiracy.

  I set my extra chocolate-y, mocha whipped cream concoction on the table and pulled out a chair.

  Luke was smiling at me. “That’s a refined palate you have there.” He grinned.

  Yes, I suppose the whipped cream was piled awfully high and the chocolate filled the entire bottom of the cup, but he had no idea how yummy it was.

  “I mean, if you didn’t want coffee, you could have ordered something else.” He continued to tease me with a cute smile on his face.

  We both sat and quite easily started talking. It wasn’t like this afternoon when we didn’t know what to talk about and topics seemed to fizzle one by one. It was just comfortable. We flowed from one subject to another and eventually even re-approached his college plans.

  “So, where do you want to go to school next year—seriously, now?” I asked him. “No clown colleges, I assume.”

  We both couldn’t help but laugh at that.

  “Seriously? I’ve applied to a lot of places. Schools my dad doesn’t even know about. A few out West and here on the East Coast. I even applied to a couple Christian colleges. My mom said to go for it and apply all over—that there is more than UCLA in my future. So I did.”

  “It’s nice she’s supportive of you.”

  “Yes and no. It’s just another splinter between my parents, and they don’t need any help in that department.” He looked away, but I spotted pain in his brown eyes before he broke eye contact.

  I don’t know what took over me, but I just needed to console him, so I covered his hand with mine on the tabletop. “I’m sure you don’t like getting in between them.”

  He flipped my hand over and clutched it. “Yeah, and yet I always seem to have to choose between them. It’s been better the last couple months since we moved because Dad has been out of the picture. Mom and I have been much happier. I hate to say it, but it’s true.”

  I didn’t know what to say to him. The break-up of his parents’ marriage had obviously messed with his head a little bit. Amy would probably have had the exact words to say because, well, she just usually did, but also because she, too, comes from a broken home. I shuddered inside, hoping my parents would never split up. I mean, who would I choose? Besides, I just couldn’t imagine them not together. They did everything together and even though they bantered about many subjects, I knew that was just them. It’s probably what brought them together in the first place.

  “Well, I’m sure you’ll get into a great school.” I tried to sound reassuring as I slid my hand back into my lap. “It’s the only thing my dad seems to think about these days, too. And I still have another year.”

  “And what do your parents have planned for you?”

  “Oh, you know, Julliard, of course.” I rolled my head to the side in a playful gesture.

  “Wow, you really must be good with the fingers, then.”

  “Maybe. We’ll see. If my dad would just relax, then maybe I could see the point.”

  “I’m sure he just wants the best for you.”

  “So he says. Sometimes I just wished I had a sibling so all their attention would not be focused on me. I’m sure you know what I mean being an only child, too.”

  “Oh, um, I’m not an only child. I have a…a sister.” His gaze didn’t meet mine and that seemed strange.

  “You do? What’s her name? Did she stay in California with your Dad?” My curiosity was getting the best of me as I pitched questions at him.

  He glanced at me for a split second, and then raised his cup for another drink. “Yeah, she’s still in California. My older sister, Monica.” He spoke her name low and soft.

  Obviously, he was holding something back—something he wasn’t quite ready to share with me. At any rate, I’d had enough of the serious mood of our conversation. Anything was better than talking about undetermined futures.

  “I bet you miss California.”

  “Yeah, sure.”

  “Like what?” I asked. “Friends?”

  “Sometimes. And being able to do stuff like go to the mountains and the beach in the same day.”

  “Could you really?”

  He nodded at me.

  “That’s really cool.”

  “Where I lived in California the beach was a part of life. If you didn’t have anything to do, you just hung out at the beach.”

  “You mean unlike here where you have to plan a weeklong vacation.”

  “Exactly.” He sipped at his coffee. “And what’s with a barbeque versus a cookout?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, in California a barbeque is cooking out on a grill and using a red barbeque sauce.”

  “That’s a cookout here. And barbeque is the way you prepare the meat and using a vinegary sauce.”

  “Yeah, that’s weird.”

  “Weird?” My eyebrows pulled upwards.

  “Yeah, weird like red hot dogs.” He grinned.

  “Don’t tell me you like those icky brown ones.”

  We both smiled.

  We talked for another fifteen minutes, with Luke filling me in on life in Cali and the friends and church he left behind, his youth group and the mission trips they’d taken to Mexico. The odd thing about it was that he didn’t seem all that upset about moving here. As if he’d been looking forward to the change.

  I asked where he’d been going to church since he moved.

  “My mom and I are trying different places, but nothing seems right so far.”

  “Well, come visit our church.”

  “I’ll ask my mom.”

  Luke placed his empty coffee mug on the table. While watching his smile set into place, I realized I’d love to just stare at him all day. Of course, I wouldn’t be able to stand it if he stared back. That would just be too embarrassing. I hate it when people stare at me. Amy says it’s because I feel inferior and believe that others are just picking out all my flaws. I suppose it’s true, but really, I just don’t like it. I’ve never been one for being the center of attention, which is odd because that’s exactly what happens when I perform on the piano.

  “So, tell me, what’s behind the curtain there?” he pointed to the far right corner of the shop.

  “Oh, well, that’s a secret for the regulars here at the Coffee Cup.” I raised my eyebrows at him, hoping I was displaying plenty of mystique.

  He leaned in closer with a teasing look. “Try me. I’ve already proved trustworthy in the secrets department.”

  “It’s just the arcade,” I answered simply while resting all the way back in my chair. “When they put in the Coffee Cup, the owner’s son was in middle school and since he had to spend all his free time here they put in an arcade. But not just anyone can use the arcade.”

  “Oh, really.”

  “You see, that is the essence of the curtain. To keep out the undesirables.”

  “Ah, like me, right?”

  “Exactly.” This time I grinned. “Actually, you have to have
a card to gain access to the arcade.”

  “Wow, this town is pretty posh. A kid can’t even get his kicks at the local arcade.”

  “Well, we do have an indoor putt-putt course with an arcade off highway 57. This just keeps the undesirables from hanging out at the Coffee Cup and making trouble.”

  “So, do you have one of these magical cards or do I have to jump one of the other locals?” Would he really do such a thing?

  No, I guess not, but it would be really great if he’d wrestle dark-glasses-guy who always spends hours at the one and only game I like to play, Galaxy Safari.

  “As a matter of fact, I just might.”

  I led Luke to the arcade, and we played a couple games together. I totally destroyed him at my favorite game, and while I was at it, I broke my highest score. I was so in high form tonight. It was fun. Too much fun. I was learning to enjoy Luke’s company far too much. It was like eating your favorite chips. Once you start, you can’t stop. You just want more and keep eating until you’ve eaten the whole bag and weigh like five pounds more than when you sat down. And yet that hunger starts up again before you know it.

  While laughing at one of Luke’s jokes about the American addiction to caffeine, I reached for the handle to open the door to leave the coffee house except I didn’t get a chance because that’s when the door flew open and almost took off my nose. Thinking fast, Luke pulled me back just in time. Must be his sportsman instincts. I suppose he didn’t want to explain to my parents (whom he had never met, yet, mind you) the reason why their daughter was knocked unconscious in his presence.

  With Luke’s hand around my waist, I faced Stephanie Ruiz, accompanied by three of her cronies. For some reason, they didn’t seem as surprised as I was to see them. It had been a long time since I’d seen Stephanie at the Coffee Cup. She typically spent more time at the mall in nearby Oxford—her usual stomping grounds. Could she have noticed Luke’s car in the parking lot while trolling around town?

  “Oh, hey, Luke.”

  “Hi, Stephanie. How’s it going?”

  “Fine, just fine.” She turned her head to show off the lovely lines of her neck, which led to a deep, v-neck sweater. And she had plenty to exhibit. Yes, the endowment fairies had been kind to her, too.

  “We missed you at Bible study tonight,” I said to her.

  A slight look of disgust came over her face as she glanced at me.

  “Well, I guess we’ll see you.” Luke pulled the door open, and we escaped whatever other horrible looks she gave us.

  Well, I suppose I should say “me” because I couldn’t imagine Stephanie giving Luke anything but the come-hither stare. I’m sure she was trying to see if she could start a fire in the back of my head. It was kind of exciting though—being at a coffee house at this time of night in the presence of Stephanie with Luke at my side.

  Luke opened the car door for me, being the perfect gentleman that he is. Before entering inside, I stopped and held onto the door. “You know, I had a lot of fun tonight.”

  “Me, too.”

  “I have to ask you a favor, though, before we go any further.”

  “Sure. Anything.”

  “You can’t drive me home.”

  His face scrunched up with confusion, and his eyes moved back and forth as he examined my face. “Why? Is something wrong?”

  “No, it’s just my parents think I’m at Amy’s and that I’m walking home. They would not respond well to a strange guy bringing me home.”

  “You should have told me. I wouldn’t have asked you to break any of your parents’ rules.”

  “I know, but you seemed like you needed a friend tonight.”

  A soft smile eased onto his face. “Well, can’t you just tell them we left Amy’s to get some coffee, and then I drove you home? Wouldn’t they prefer that you came home in the safety of a car rather than walking down a dark street alone?”

  He imagined I had cool parents, I see. “Remember where you are. The streets are pretty safe.”

  “Oh, right. That explains it. So…uh, does this mean they don’t really let you date much?”

  All of a sudden, I felt like a fifth grader. Yeah, ten years old. I mean, how many sixteen almost seventeen-year-old girls have to get everything approved before they can go out, and instead have to hide the fact that a perfectly great guy like Luke, who would never try anything on them, is taking them home after an innocent cup of coffee? OK, I guess there are probably more than I want to admit and their parents are just thinking of their daughters. However, at the moment, I just felt ridiculous. “Yeah, my dad is pretty strict in that capacity, especially if he hasn’t met the guy.”

  “So introduce us.”

  He grinned the grin that made me feel all swoony, which is totally preposterous, as Angie would remind me if she could read my mind. However, this time I just felt anxiety in my chest. Oh, help! That heart attack might be coming on sooner than I feared.

  “Uh, I will at some point. For tonight, if you could just let me out a couple houses down from my house that would be great.”

  “OK, this time, but next time I demand to be properly introduced.” Luke shut me into the car and jogged back to the driver’s side.

  What was I doing falling into the trap of all Luke’s wonderfulness again? I’d tried to follow Amy’s advice, but reality hit me when the car door slammed.

  My parents wouldn’t be thrilled over the idea of Luke and how he made me lose focus from the goal. I mean, we have fun together. He’s a great friend and all that. I guess I should just be satisfied with friendship and not overly consumed with thoughts of anything more. Having a good friend and one who does love the Lord is more precious than some senseless affair of the heart…right?

  But right now, I just needed to get home before I missed curfew!

  12

  We arrived three houses down from my own with only eight minutes to spare before I broke curfew.

  I really had to talk with Mom about making some changes to the house rules. It’s true that I hadn’t really pushed the dating thing before because except for the time of the incident, I hadn’t really cared. But I had a feeling if Luke asked me out again, I would not be able to turn him down. And I’d feel like a ten-year-old all over again if I had to tell him my regular curfew was 9:30. I mean, I don’t think Alisha has a curfew at all anymore, but then her Dad really lets her do whatever she wants these days.

  I peered over at Luke and started to open my mouth to thank him for graciously allowing me to spend time with him. I thought that might sound a little groveling so I re-thought my words and grabbed the car door handle, but before I’d settled on what to say, Luke started speaking.

  “Andrea, hold on.” He jumped out of the car to open my door.

  I’d never in my life had a guy open a car door for me. I really didn’t think they did that anymore. I fully believe it’s the fault of women these days that men are not as gallant as they once were. In my opinion, feminism has really played with their minds and they’re afraid to make the wrong move.

  Angie would totally disagree with me and say feminism hasn’t gone far enough. I hope she doesn’t turn into one of those man-hating liberal feminists who discard their male children.

  After I stepped out of the car, Luke shut the door and leaned against it, completely blocking my path. Did he not understand that I had like seven minutes to be inside the house? I guess not because, well, I hadn’t told him. And there was no way I was going to tell him unless torture was involved.

  “Thanks for tonight…for today,” said Luke. “I had a fun time.”

  “Yeah, me, too.” I tried not to smile, but we had just had this exact conversation in the Coffee Cup parking lot. Too cute.

  “I mean it. You’ve been a real friend to me, Andrea, when I’ve really needed one.”

  I loved the way he said my name. Luke had a deep voice—not like lumberjack deep—but more like feel-it-down-to-your-toes deep—especially when he said my name. I tried to lift the ha
ze I’d allowed myself to fall into. Sure, he said my name so it sounded like the most wonderful thing in the whole world, but I had to get back to reality once again.

  I used to think of myself as a practical person. I did not get distracted by boys. I did not get lost in their dark-brown gazes. And I definitely did not fantasize about kissing them. Clearly, spending time around Luke had done a number on my head. It was high time I got it screwed back on the way it was supposed to be.

  My goal before this week had always been my piano. It’s the only thing I’m good at. Why would I want to give that up? Just because this boy was attractive and fun and laughed at my jokes? That wasn’t enough. I couldn’t get distracted and lose…focus.

  Ah, and there it was—my dad’s favorite word. But he was right. After tonight, I had to get back on track. I had to wow the performing arts school representatives on Saturday. I had to do well enough to eventually get into a place like Julliard. Luke Ryan did not fit into that scenario. He was far too distracting.

  “I’m glad, Luke. I’ve enjoyed spending time with you, too. We should really do it again sometime. Goodnight.” I sounded like a robot. I started to pass by him when he reached out and took my hand. All my intrepid determination vanished at that touch.

  He looked deep into my eyes and the street light lit up the confusion in his face. “Goodnight…Andrea.” There he went again—saying my name in that low, knee-trembling tone. It’s as if he knew my weakness.

  My hands grew weak, and I ended up dropping my house keys on the grass. I got down on my knees to grope in the dark searching for them. Before I knew it, Luke came down beside me.

  “Here they are,” he said almost in a whisper as our heads came very close together. It was one those eye-to-eye moments with our faces nearly touching.

  I accepted the keys. We both came back to our feet. We were still standing so close that my heart started beating rapidly. I had to get home. Time was ticking away. “I have to go.”

  Luke opened his eyes wide. “What’s wrong?”