The Date

by Brenda Scott Royce

  At the Admin office, she read the incident report the vice principal had written. It included a list of names—students who had witnessed the incident. She saw her own name and Aaron’s, along with a few others she recognized. But not Evan’s.

  “Can you think of anyone else who was in the hallway at that time?” the administrative assistant asked her.

  “Why?” Mari asked. “Just because someone was there doesn’t mean they had anything to do with it.”

  “Of course not,” the administrator agreed. “We just want to talk to everyone who may have seen anything. Now, think back. Do you remember anyone in particular?”

  The truth was, when she pictured the scene, the only face that came into focus was Evan’s. She remembered his slight smile as he gazed at her. A split second later, a gazillion golf balls exploded in front of her eyes—and the question that had been on the tip of her tongue instantly evaporated.

  Her mouth went dry at the memory. The first time in her life she tried to ask a boy out on a date, and it was a total disaster! She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head, hoping to erase the event from her memory.

  She opened her eyes again. Evan had nothing to do with the prank, so it shouldn’t matter if she gave them his name. Still, he might not appreciate being called down to the principal’s office on the last day of school. And Mari would die if Evan found out that she was the one who reported his presence at the scene.

  “No,” she said, as sincerely as she could manage. “No, I don’t.”

  * * *

  The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur. Teachers rarely lectured on the last day of school. Instead, kids signed each other’s yearbooks and chatted about their summer plans.

  Mari’s last period was math, a class she shared with Evan and Jenae. The teacher had put two challenge questions on the board, offering candy to whoever solved them first. A few of the straight-A kids were scribbling away, but Mari’s mind was not on math. She gazed at Evan, whose desk was diagonal to hers, and let out a soft sigh. She wondered whether they’d have any classes together next year.

  Jenae leaned over and said in a hushed tone, “Ask him.”

  Mari wrinkled her nose. She’d blown her earlier attempt at asking Evan out. She didn’t think she had the nerve to try again. She turned to Jenae and mouthed “No.”

  Jenae pointed up at the clock on the wall. The minutes were ticking down. It was now or never.

  The bell rang, and students sprang to their feet. Mari moved slowly, still sore from her earlier injury. As she lifted her backpack onto her right shoulder, Jenae darted past. She whispered in Mari’s ear, “Do it!”

  Evan was still at his desk, putting his things back into his backpack. As Mari watched from the corner of her eye, she noticed something small and colorful fall to the floor. Evan zipped up his backpack, slung it over one shoulder, and headed to the door.

  Mari crouched down and retrieved the colorful object from the floor. It was a harmonica-shaped keychain with green and yellow wooden pegs poking through each side. Glad for the excuse to speak to Evan, she caught up to him by the classroom door. Just as he was about to exit, she tapped him on the shoulder.

  He turned and flashed her a wide smile.

  5

  “I dropped this,” Mari said, holding the keychain toward Evan. “Err, I mean, you dropped it. I picked it up.” She pointed back at his desk. “Over there.” Stop talking, she told herself, but her mouth kept moving. “I saw it fall out of your backpack, and um, figured you’d probably need it.”

  As he reached out to take it, his fingertips brushed against hers briefly. The sensation was electrifying.

  “Yeah, I do. Thanks.” He pocketed the keychain and looked back at her, still smiling.

  This was the moment she’d been waiting for. She had Evan’s attention, and there were no golf balls raining down on them. A few kids lingered by the door, but the classroom was mostly empty. She’d never get a better chance to ask him to the bonfire. But when she opened her mouth to speak, all she could manage to say was, “You’re welcome.” She felt her heat rise and imagined color creeping into her cheeks. She hated the fact that her face turned bright red whenever she was nervous.

  His smile faded. “You all right?”

  She nodded quickly. “Fine. Why?” The words came out sharp and defensive. Not the tone she intended at all.

  Evan took a step back. “You fell down. After lunch?” His gaze fell to the sling that held her left arm in place across her chest. “I heard you were sent to the nurse’s office.”

  “Oh, that. Yeah, it was no big deal.” The fact that he was curious about her condition gave Mari hope. Maybe, just maybe, he cared about her. Before she could explore that thought further, someone shouted Evan’s name from the hall. She looked over his shoulder and saw a few of his friends. One of them hooked his arm through the doorway and called, “Come on!”

  Evan gave Mari a quick nod, and then he was gone. Along with Mari’s hopes for a date to the beach bonfire.

  * * *

  Mari flopped facedown on her bed and let out a long sigh. It was almost 7:00 p.m. Most of her classmates would be at Casker’s Cove by now, enjoying the bonfire. Jenae had urged her to go, but she just couldn’t. Not after her embarrassing exchange with Evan in math class. She was bummed, but there was no way she could face him after that.

  Instead she’d decided to stay home for a boring night with her parents. After dinner they’d started watching an alien movie Mari had seen a half dozen times before. After a little while, she grew bored and went upstairs to her bedroom.

  “You okay?” her father had asked as she trudged up the stairs. “Is your arm bothering you?”

  Over dinner she’d explained what happened and insisted she felt fine. She didn’t even need the sling any longer. But now, it seemed like a convenient excuse to get out of family time. She rubbed her shoulder. “It hurts. I think I’ll lie down.”

  Now, she rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling. She fished her phone out of her back pocket and opened a gaming app. Anything to take her mind off the bonfire.

  But it was no use. She’d spent weeks looking forward to the bonfire, and now she was missing out.

  After a few minutes she gave up on the game. She paced her room, looking for a distraction.

  The sundress she’d originally planned to wear to the bonfire was still hanging on the back of her bedroom door. Another reminder of her dashed hopes for a date with Evan. Though it was clean, she grabbed it off the hanger and tossed it into the laundry bin.

  Just then her phone pinged. She picked it up and glanced at the screen. Jenae had texted her.

  Bonfire is epic! You should come! Evan is sad and ALL ALONE.

  So what if he’s alone, Mari thought. Did she really need to embarrass herself in front of him again? Twice in one day was plenty.

  She was starting to type out a reply when a photo popped up on her screen. It showed several teens—including Aaron, Nic, and Annalise—sitting in a semicircle at a fire pit, with their backs to the lake. Some held marshmallows on sticks. Aaron was playing the guitar. Annalise leaned against Nic, a dreamy smile on her face. At the edge of the group, Mari saw Evan, sitting by himself. She zoomed in on his face, trying to read his expression. Not sad exactly, but he didn’t look like a guy enjoying an epic party.

  Ping!

  Another text from Jenae.

  Hurry! Bet he won’t be lonely for long . . .

  6

  The sun was setting by the time Mari arrived at the beach. Once she made up her mind to go, she’d dashed about her room, getting ready in record time. Her dress was slightly wrinkled from being shoved in the hamper, but she wore it anyway. She smoothed out the creases with her hands as she got out of her mom’s minivan.

  “Thanks for driving me, Mom,” she said.

  “You’re sure your arm is feeling all right?” her mom asked skeptically.

  “Yeah, it just ached a little earlier, but it’s fine
now,” Mari insisted. “And I promise I won’t stay out too late.”

  After watching the minivan pull away from the parking lot, Mari made her way toward the beach. She saw the flickering glow of flames near the south end of the cove and headed in that direction. As she grew closer she heard laughter and music.

  Aaron was playing a tune on his guitar. Several kids sang along. As Mari reached the party, she scanned the faces of the crowd. She didn’t see Evan anywhere. Jenae was stretched out on a beach blanket with a cooler full of soft drinks next to her.

  Their eyes met and Jenae waved at Mari. “Over here! I saved you a spot on my blanket.”

  Mari dropped her backpack onto the sand and sat cross-legged next to her friend. Then she reached into the cooler for a can of soda.

  Annalise elbowed Nic. “Look who’s here!”

  Nic reached over with his soda bottle, clinking it with Mari’s. “Cheers!” He pointed to a picnic table nearby. Trays were loaded with graham crackers, chocolate bars, and marshmallows. “Go make a s’more,” he said.

  “In a little while,” Mari said. Her eyes scanned the crowd for Evan. She thought she was being casual about it, but as usual, her friends could tell what was on her mind.

  Annalise spoke up. “He’s around here somewhere.”

  “Who?” Mari said, her tone innocent.

  Nic answered, “Evan, of course.” The others exchanged knowing glances.

  Jenae leaned over to Mari and whispered, “I saw him walking along the beach a few minutes ago.” She pointed down the shoreline. “He went that way.”

  Mari nodded, her excitement growing. If she caught up to him on the shore, away from the crowd, it would be easier to talk. “How do I look?” she asked her best friend.

  “Great.” Jenae flashed a thumbs-up and whispered in her ear, “Go get him!”

  * * *

  Mari walked briskly down the beach, slipping her sandals off when she reached the shore. She liked the feel of sand between her toes and cool water gently lapping over her feet. Her heart skipped a beat when she caught a glimpse of Evan silhouetted against the setting sun. He was so good-looking, it was hard to believe he didn’t have a girlfriend.

  Maybe that would change tonight.

  She slowed her pace as she grew nearer. She didn’t want him to think she was chasing him. Her mind raced as she tried to think of something clever to say when they met. As the noise of the bonfire party receded, she heard a voice. Evan’s.

  Then, a high-pitched giggle. Definitely not Evan.

  Trees dotted the shore along this part of the lake, obscuring her view. Mari took cover behind a large palm and peered around it. Her heart thudded in her chest.

  Evan was standing on the shore with Chelsea—the girl who’d laughed when Mari slipped on the golf balls that morning. They were both facing the lake, tossing small objects. Skipping stones, Mari realized. Chelsea didn’t seem to be very good at it. She let out another laugh when her rock failed to make any ripples on the water’s surface.

  Mari’s chest tightened. She could barely breathe. Was this really happening? She felt foolish hiding behind the tree, but she was frozen to the spot. Afraid to make a sound and attract their attention, she stood and watched the scene play out in front of her.

  Why hadn’t Jenae told her that Chelsea was with Evan? She must not have known, Mari reassured herself. Her best friend would never have sent her down the beach if she knew Evan was with another girl.

  It wasn’t Jenae’s fault. Chelsea clearly had a crush on Evan and had probably made her move the moment he set out on a walk by himself. Could she blame the girl? That was exactly what Mari had hoped to do.

  Mari looked up at the darkening sky and wondered, What if? What if she’d asked Evan out that morning? Before the golf ball prank, or during math class? Or what if she’d arrived at the party earlier? Would she be standing in Chelsea’s place? She’d certainly had her chance. More than one. But she’d blown it.

  She blinked and refocused on the two of them. She wished she could hear what they were saying but didn’t dare move closer. Holding her breath, she strained to make out their words.

  Then, silence.

  Standing perfectly still in the shadow of the tree, Mari watched Evan loop his arm around Chelsea’s waist and pull her in for a kiss.

  7

  Mari spun on her heels and took off running down the beach. The sand between her toes no longer felt inviting. The water was cold, and the soles of her feet scraped against the rocky shore. Too late, she realized she was no longer holding her sandals. She must have dropped them somewhere along the way.

  She didn’t dare turn back. All she wanted now was to go home.

  Stars filled the night sky. As a kid, she’d made countless wishes upon those stars. Most never came true, but the instinct was still there. She focused on a particularly bright star and thought to herself, I wish I could go back in time. Before this awful day even started!

  She kept running, not slowing until she reached the edge of the bonfire party. She was out of breath, heart pounding wildly.

  Jenae was standing near the fire pit, a roasting stick in her outstretched hand. The marshmallow on its tip was golden brown.

  “Jen—” Mari sputtered as she tried to speak. She couldn’t catch her breath.

  Jenae’s eyes widened when she saw Mari. “What’s wrong? Did you find Ev—”

  Mari grabbed her friend by the arm and pulled her from the fire. “Shhh! I don’t want everyone to know.”

  When they were a few yards from the crowd, Mari let go of Jenae’s arm.

  Jenae looked at the tip of her roasting stick. It was empty. “Aww, you made me lose my marshmallow.”

  In that moment, Mari was furious. Jenae cared more about a stupid marshmallow than about her best friend. It was her fault Mari was even here. If Jenae hadn’t texted her about Evan, saying he was lonely, she never would have come.

  “I thought you said he was alone,” Mari said sharply. “But he’s not. He’s with Chelsea!”

  “Chelsea Littman?” Jenae wrinkled her nose in distaste. “I didn’t even know she was here. But they’re not together, are they? Maybe they’re just friends.”

  “He kissed her!”

  “Aw, don’t cry,” Jenae said.

  Mari’s eyes were watery, and her chest was heaving from the run. But she wasn’t crying. At least, she hadn’t been. She looked at the kids circling the fire pit. They seemed mellow, carefree. Enjoying a warm night with friends and good music. She caught a few of them staring in her direction. She knew she must look terrible.

  “I’m not . . . crying!” A few more heads turned in her direction. Then the music stopped. Aaron had set his guitar down and was walking toward them. All eyes on her, Mari felt humiliated.

  Jenae stepped closer to Mari. She reached out to put her free arm around her friend’s shoulder.

  Mari pushed her away. “It’s all your fault. You told me to ask him out today, and I fell on my butt. Then you got me to rush down here. And once again, I end up looking like a total idiot!”

  “I just wanted you to have a good time.” Now Jenae looked like she was on the verge of tears. “It’s not my fault you don’t have a boyfriend!”

  Aaron stepped between the two girls and asked, “What’s going on?” When neither answered, he turned to Jenae and said, “Let’s get back to the party.”

  Jenae looked like she wanted to say something. But then she took Aaron’s hand and turned her back to Mari, strolling back to the fire pit.

  8

  Mari was glad to see her father’s pickup truck pull into the beach parking area. Her mother would have asked a million questions about the party. She would have noticed that Mari looked like she’d been crying. Mari didn’t feel like talking about it.

  Her father noticed only one thing. “Where are your shoes, Maribel?” he asked her when she climbed barefoot into the truck’s passenger seat.

  “I don’t know,” she admitted. “I took
them off to walk along the shore. Then I couldn’t find them.”

  Her father let out a bark of laughter. “That’s pretty ironic. You and your club cleaned up every scrap of trash off the beach. Then you left your shoes behind. What if they end up in the lake?”

  Mari groaned. “I’ll go back tomorrow and look for them,” she promised. “It will be easier to see in the daylight.”

  Her father nodded his approval, and they drove the rest of the way home in silence.

  When they reached the house, the living room was empty. The alien movie was paused on the TV screen. The smell of buttered popcorn filled the air.

  “Back so soon?” her mother called from the kitchen. “Why don’t you join us? I’m making popcorn.”

  Mari bypassed the kitchen on her way to the stairs. “No, thanks. I’m super tired.”

  “Wait.” Her mother emerged from the kitchen carrying a big plastic bowl. “I want to hear about the bonfire.”

  Mari yawned dramatically as she headed up the stairs. “I’ll tell you all about it in the morning. Good night.”

  * * *

  Up in her room, Mari lay on her bed and stared at her phone. She scrolled through her social media feeds, looking at photos of the bonfire. Her mood worsened with each picture. She’d worked so hard to prepare for the party and she’d basically missed the entire thing.

  She swiped her screen again and her heart stopped. A classmate had just uploaded a group photo from the party. In it, Evan was sitting by the fire pit, Chelsea at his side. His arm was draped around her shoulder. She was smiling, her face lit by the fire. They looked perfect together but all wrong at the same time.

  Mari closed her eyes and imagined herself in Chelsea’s place. The warmth of the fire on her face, the sound of her friends’ laughter. The feel of Evan’s arm around her. She opened her eyes again and stared at the photo. Why her? Why not me? she wondered.

  She logged off and set the phone facedown on her nightstand. It was too late for what ifs. She had to move on. She’d force herself to get over Evan. At least she had two whole months before she’d have to face him again. She just hoped that by the time school began again, everyone would have forgotten about her meltdown at the party.