Between You & Me - By Marisa Calin Page 0,28
me by surprise. Part of my plan was the emerald halter top I’m wearing but the day is not as warm as it looked. Sitting still for half an hour can make even a warm day feel cold and this sun is misleading. My bare shoulders still have their summer tan but goose bumps ruin the effect. I tuck up my knee, trying to look warm and relaxed, and focus on the play. So far, I’ve read the same paragraph eight times and I still don’t know what it says. I can hear the words in my head but they have no meaning. My peripheral vision is working far too hard to allow for concentration. I am making an arc in the grass with my foot, and pluck a buttercup between my toes when I see Mia at the start of the path. I return self-consciously to the script and only look up again when I think she will be nearer. She has cut across the far side of the lawn and smiles when she sees me looking. She waves and keeps on walking. I paste on a smile. She is too far away to see that it’s a glassy attempt to hide mortification. Maybe I looked too studious to be disturbed. I stare at the same paragraph, now not only cold but also without the will to warm up. When I find the energy to move, I pick up my bag and start back toward school to get ready for class.
HALLWAY. SOON AFTER.
You’re heading toward me with a smile.
YOU
Hey. You look cold.
ME
That’s because I am.
YOU
Where were you?
ME
Reading.
You peer at me quizzically as if you’d like to know more but can tell you shouldn’t ask.
YOU
Mia was looking for you.
I stop in my tracks.
ME
What? But I just saw her. Kind of. She didn’t say anything.
YOU
Oh. She ended up talking to Kate, I think. Don’t worry, it was just about needing someone to post the rehearsal schedule or something.
I almost laugh, overcome with the urge to slam something against a locker.
ME
That’s just great! I’m waiting for her and she was looking for me.
YOU
You were waiting for her? I’m confused.
ME
At what point in the twisty-turny plot did I lose you?!
My exasperation escaped too fast. Here I am taking it out on you again. We’re paused in the hallway on that knife-edge: where everything is aggravating me but I should just let it go. I rest my forehead on your shoulder with a groan.
ME
Sorry. Never mind. I was just hoping to see her, that’s all.
You seem to be trying to understand but your forehead is still creased. We start toward class and I seize a fleeting moment of resolve.
ME
I don’t know if I want to be her or kiss her but I know my heart is ready to explode.
We’re still walking. Everything looks the same. We’re both still here. The world didn’t go up in a puff of smoke. I can’t bring myself to look at you for a second but when I turn—
YOU
Bang!
I grab your arm, pressed warmly against mine, and laugh and laugh.
HOMEROOM. THE NEXT WEEK.
People are taking their seats as I come into homeroom and cross to my chair. There on my desk is something waiting for me! Not even taking the time to wave in your direction, I tuck my chair in behind me and pick up what looks like a book. I run my fingertips over the textured cover, examining the clasp keeping the pages together. It says nothing on the front so I release the clasp and open it to the first page. There, in calligraphy, in the top corner: Lily Price. 1950. It really is for me! I look more closely. It’s like something from the fifties, the creamy pages blank, but each edged with a curly pattern. I look up, a smile spread across my face, and you’re smiling back. We have a minute before first bell and I hold it up, beckoning you over. You look excited as you come toward me and I haven’t even shown it to you yet! I present it, gleeful.
ME
I think it must be from Mia. It was right here on my desk!
Everything’s falling into place.
Remember, she said we should write a journal in character. Its perfect, isn’t it? Look how beautiful!
Struck by her kindness, I’m filled with a feeling of closeness to her. I hold it up to let you see. You look blankly over the cover.
YOU
No … Yeah, it’s great. I mean, I hope it’s helpful.
I nod my