Radiant - By Christina Daley Page 0,17

there is no need to feel that way."

He was making it hard for Mary to sufficiently punish herself. "So, what class are you taking in place of basketball?" she asked.

"I'm not in another class," he said. "It is too late in the term. So, I will make up for it in the summer."

Crap, she thought. Not only did she take away his car and basketball, but she set him behind schedule, too.

"You're sad again," he said.

"Sorry," she said. "I just…well, that must be nice, though. To have a free class period to do nothing."

"I help at the library," he said. "If there are not books to shelve or other things to do, I work on my homework or read."

That could explain how his grades were getting better. "You like reading?" she asked.

"I like learning about humanity," he said. He paused for a moment and then added, "So yes. I like reading."

Up until that moment, Mary had never heard of a boy who liked to read.

"Your painting?" he asked.

"Oh. Right," she said.

They headed for the Art room, where they found Mr. Edwards stacking bottles of paint in a cabinet. "Hey there, Mary. And good afternoon, Carter."

"Good afternoon, sir. How are you?" Carter greeted.

"I'm well, thanks. Just tidying up a bit."

"Would you like any help?" he asked.

Mary noted the curious look on the Art teacher's face. "I only have this last box of paint to put up. That's all. But thanks for asking."

"You're welcome."

Mr. Edwards still looked puzzled. Mary explained, "Carter wanted to see my Saturn rings painting. Is that all right, sir?"

"Of course," he said. But the wrinkles in his brow didn't go away.

She went to the drawer with her name on it and took out the canvas. "Well? What do you think?"

Carter said nothing at first.

"It's all right if you don't like it," she said.

"No, that's not it," he said. "Not at all. It's…magnificent."

Mary had never heard that word used to describe her work before. "Really?"

"Maybe that isn't the right word. I can't think of a better one, though." He looked at her. "You are gifted."

"That's what I say," Mr. Edwards added. "Let's see if you can convince her to enter it into the contest. Or any of her other paintings, for that matter. I've been trying for the past three years."

Mary smiled. "No thanks."

"Why not?" Carter asked.

She replaced the canvas in the drawer. "I don't like competition."

"With that painting, I don't think there will be any," he said. "You should do it."

She shook her head.

He turned to Mr. Edwards. "I tried."

"It's all we can do," the teacher chuckled.

When Mary had stored her painting again, they said goodbye to Mr. Edwards and left the school.

"Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow," she said.

"Mary?"

"Yeah?"

"Where are you going to now?"

Why did he want to know? "To the retirement home. To visit my grandmother," she said.

"May I come with you?"

"Uh…"

"You can say no," he said. "I am sorry. I'm...still learning my boundaries of what's appropriate."

"Boundaries?" she asked. "Is that why you were ignoring me all this time?"

"Not ignoring," he said. "Avoiding. I made you uncomfortable your first day back. I didn't want to do that again."

"Oh," she said. "So, that wasn't because you were getting over Laci?"

"'Getting…over Laci?'" He thought for a moment. "Was I under her before?"

Mary snorted, barely managing the sudden fit of laughter.

His face lit up. "I said something that amused you?"

Mary took a deep breath and composed herself. "No. I mean, yeah. Never mind."

"I still don't understand your question."

"It's all right. You answered it." She cleared her throat. "Anyway. About my grandmother. She has Alzheimer's. She takes medication for it, so usually she has good days. But once in a while, she has episodes. She should be okay, but I just wanted to warn you." That might put him off, she thought.

But he answered, "Thank you. I'll be sensitive to the situation."

"Um, okay. I guess," she said. "Anyway, the bus is coming. We'd better get on it."

Carter didn't have a bus pass, so Mary dug around in her bag for change. He watched her for a moment. Then, he opened his wallet and took out a hundred-dollar bill.

"Will this cover my fare?" he asked.

Mary gasped. "Are you nuts? Why are you carrying that much money around with you!" She grabbed his wallet to shove the bill back inside it, and her hand touched his briefly. "Ouch!" she cried, dropping the wallet and the money. She felt like she had touched a car door that had been sitting in the