him, he stands up straight. “Ronnie.” His fingertips slide along my cheek, through my hair. “I’m so sorry. I can’t believe…”
He wipes a tear from my cheek before I realize I’m crying. I don’t know who hugs who first, but I’m wrapped up in his arms in a way that makes me want to stay wrapped up in his arms forever. My chin rests on his shoulder and his rests on mine as we just hold each other. I close my eyes and squeeze tighter. This is the closeness we sort of lost with the beginning of the school year. The kind of closeness that makes me feel like I’m melting into him, into his warmth, and the way I know he loves me.
“I’m so sorry. My dad’s been extra crazy with work, and I’ve been stressed and worried…” His hands run through my hair over and over.
“It’s okay,” I whisper. “I’m fine.”
My body relaxes deeply against him, and I start to see how tense we’ve been since school started. Now that the tension is gone, I know that anything would be worth having Shawn back this way. The way Shawn and I are supposed to be.
~ 7 ~
Mindy and I sit in the dark blue theater seats in the middle of the auditorium. From here we have a view of the stage, but are still just on the edge of the dim light. I’m not generally needed for much, but I continue to come and watch. It’s part of my “thing” for the year, so it seems like I should be here.
It’s been days since Shawn and I argued, but my wrist is still mottled in black and blue, and the stiffness is still making everyday stuff like carrying my backpack a pain in the butt.
“Aren’t you hot?” She grabs at my long-sleeves.
“Nope.” I fold my arms, keeping my wrist protected. I know she won’t understand. I don’t understand. I only know how rough his life must be for something so drastic to happen between us.
“Okay.” She reaches into her pack and pulls out our notebook. She should not be bringing that to school .
“So, you and Paul.” I lean in. “It’s still pretty awesome, huh?”
“It’s still awesome.” She grins. “How are you and Shawn?”
“So, so good.” Ever since our argument he’s met me in the mornings, and changed his work schedule. He’s been at my house every evening, even though I know my dad makes him nervous. Things have been pretty perfect, and that’s what I need to focus on.
“He’s sometimes moody, that’s all.” She slouches lower in her seat, resting her head against the back.
I shrug. “I guess.” I don’t want to think of Shawn as moody—even though I already call him moody. He’s so easy and fun when he wants to be. I guess I now wish he could find a way to keep that part of him around all the time.
“Anything to add?” she asks.
To add to our list of firsts? Those words prick at me, at my heart, my conscience. It takes everything I have to not react. I should tell her. Right now. I should tell her about Shawn and I and our argument. I could write something that would make me feel better. I could say— was physically hurt by a boy for the first and last time. Ever. Instead I shake my head. Easier. Better.
“Well, crap, me either. We’re gonna have to do something craa-zee.” She laughs.
Luke jogs up. “What are we discussing way up here?” He puts his knees on a chair in front of us and leans over the back. A Phineas and Ferb t-shirt today. Only Luke.
“Girl stuff. Things Ronnie and I must be alone for.” Mindy relaxes her head onto my shoulder.
“Ronnie.” Luke’s shoulders relax and he tilts his head to the side. “It’s short for Veronica, right? I can’t believe I’ve known you for this long and never thought about it.”
Oh no. I freeze, stop breathing, and don’t answer.
Mindy laughs.
“Don’t,” I warn, as I turn and point my finger at her chest.
“Oh come on, it’s just Luke.” She pushes my finger away with a smile.
Luke rests his chin on his hands, looking like the goofy guy he can be. “Please?” He bats his long
He wipes a tear from my cheek before I realize I’m crying. I don’t know who hugs who first, but I’m wrapped up in his arms in a way that makes me want to stay wrapped up in his arms forever. My chin rests on his shoulder and his rests on mine as we just hold each other. I close my eyes and squeeze tighter. This is the closeness we sort of lost with the beginning of the school year. The kind of closeness that makes me feel like I’m melting into him, into his warmth, and the way I know he loves me.
“I’m so sorry. My dad’s been extra crazy with work, and I’ve been stressed and worried…” His hands run through my hair over and over.
“It’s okay,” I whisper. “I’m fine.”
My body relaxes deeply against him, and I start to see how tense we’ve been since school started. Now that the tension is gone, I know that anything would be worth having Shawn back this way. The way Shawn and I are supposed to be.
~ 7 ~
Mindy and I sit in the dark blue theater seats in the middle of the auditorium. From here we have a view of the stage, but are still just on the edge of the dim light. I’m not generally needed for much, but I continue to come and watch. It’s part of my “thing” for the year, so it seems like I should be here.
It’s been days since Shawn and I argued, but my wrist is still mottled in black and blue, and the stiffness is still making everyday stuff like carrying my backpack a pain in the butt.
“Aren’t you hot?” She grabs at my long-sleeves.
“Nope.” I fold my arms, keeping my wrist protected. I know she won’t understand. I don’t understand. I only know how rough his life must be for something so drastic to happen between us.
“Okay.” She reaches into her pack and pulls out our notebook. She should not be bringing that to school .
“So, you and Paul.” I lean in. “It’s still pretty awesome, huh?”
“It’s still awesome.” She grins. “How are you and Shawn?”
“So, so good.” Ever since our argument he’s met me in the mornings, and changed his work schedule. He’s been at my house every evening, even though I know my dad makes him nervous. Things have been pretty perfect, and that’s what I need to focus on.
“He’s sometimes moody, that’s all.” She slouches lower in her seat, resting her head against the back.
I shrug. “I guess.” I don’t want to think of Shawn as moody—even though I already call him moody. He’s so easy and fun when he wants to be. I guess I now wish he could find a way to keep that part of him around all the time.
“Anything to add?” she asks.
To add to our list of firsts? Those words prick at me, at my heart, my conscience. It takes everything I have to not react. I should tell her. Right now. I should tell her about Shawn and I and our argument. I could write something that would make me feel better. I could say— was physically hurt by a boy for the first and last time. Ever. Instead I shake my head. Easier. Better.
“Well, crap, me either. We’re gonna have to do something craa-zee.” She laughs.
Luke jogs up. “What are we discussing way up here?” He puts his knees on a chair in front of us and leans over the back. A Phineas and Ferb t-shirt today. Only Luke.
“Girl stuff. Things Ronnie and I must be alone for.” Mindy relaxes her head onto my shoulder.
“Ronnie.” Luke’s shoulders relax and he tilts his head to the side. “It’s short for Veronica, right? I can’t believe I’ve known you for this long and never thought about it.”
Oh no. I freeze, stop breathing, and don’t answer.
Mindy laughs.
“Don’t,” I warn, as I turn and point my finger at her chest.
“Oh come on, it’s just Luke.” She pushes my finger away with a smile.
Luke rests his chin on his hands, looking like the goofy guy he can be. “Please?” He bats his long
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