At school, I quickly made my way to Miss Heather's office.
"Today is test day." She smiled. "And you won't know how you did until Monday."
As I worked, I tried to keep Tom out of my thoughts. But it was hard. At lunch, he sat alone. I was ready to march over, to tell him to stop. But I wasn't going to make a move with Felix there. But an opportunity was coming.
It was creative class. And Miss Wendy was speaking.
"Alright. So, this project is going to take some time out from your weekend. You and your partner are going to read an entire ghost story from the library. And it has to be finished before the end of this month."
She started paring everyone together. And then she said it.
"LeAnna and Tom."
It was crystal clear. And when he heard his name, he glanced at me.
"I want you all to pick a book that's at least two-hundred pages long. Each partner should at least read half the book himself."
When school was over, I had to meet with Tom in the library to pick out a book. And it was crazy. More than crazy. But I didn't mind. In fact, I was glad. Because during this time I was going to put an end to what was going on. And this was the time I needed to do so. I felt we could come to an understanding and learn how to be friends. Well, he could learn. I had no problem being a friend. He had the issue. And if nothing at all, I wanted to break his depression.
When I entered the library, Tom was sitting at one of the tables. Waiting. Anticipating.
I ambled over the glossy floor and sat in front of him. He hardly seemed to notice. That was shocking.
"Tom?"
He looked up. "LeAnna, I – I'm sorry about the other day. I didn't mean what I said. I really didn't."
Studying him, he had dark circles under his eyes. They made him look sick.
"I didn't mean what I said either."
"Hey, I have something for you." He pulled something from his pocket and held it up.
Seeing it, made my heart flutter. "My necklace!"
"I found it at church the day you fell from the tree. I meant to give it to you sooner." He stood. "May I put it on you?"
I pulled my hair over my shoulder. And he snapped it on, gently. Looking at the thick rolls of bookshelves, he said, "We better pick out a book before all the good ones are gone." He lowered his hand and helped me. I loosened my hand quickly, once we were standing.
We entered between an aisle and he read of titles. "Bloody ever after?"
"Uh, no." I laughed.
He laughed, too. "Vampires and campfires? Sounds too juvenile, huh?"
"I guess so."
"The ghost of Carrie Wash?"
"Boring," I said.
"Thirteen short story ghost stories. Maybe we can go back and forth reading each story."
"I think that's a great idea."
He flipped open the book and read the beginning. "Sure, this will work."
He checked out the book at the desk and then we followed a group of girls out of the library and into the parking lot where the bus was waiting.
"Hey, uh, will you get off the bus with me? That way we can read together."
"Well. I – okay."
"Great." He smiled but it was short-lived. Felix called me from the crowd ahead and started our way.
He nudged me. "Hey, think we can switch reading partners?" I think Felix was pared with Tina. Or some other girl.
Before I could respond, Tom cut in dully. "No, I don’t think so."
"I didn't ask you, Tom." Felix laughed but there was a lack of amusement in his face. He didn't find it funny. I was afraid of this. I needed to talk to Sarah. It could be that Felix was catching on!
Chapter 22
Time Together
I sat next to Sarah on the bus and she was first to speak.
"Wow, I can already tell a difference in my brother. This is the first time he's half smiled all week."
"Yeah, he wants me to wait and get off the bus with him. Will you stay with us?"
She frowned. "Sorry, I would but I'm going to Nancy's to read with her."
I groaned. "Then I don't think I want to go."
"Please don't say that. I actually like seeing Tom happy again. Or at least somewhat happy. Sides, I'm sure he will behave himself and if he doesn't just kick him or something."
I disapproved of her approval of me going. "It's not that easy, Sarah."
"Well, it's up to you." Her desperation was evident, loud, standing out. Of course, she wanted her brother happy, I couldn’t blame her for that. But at the expense of me?
"Fine. I'll go. It's worth seeing the dimple in his chin again anyway."
She looked at me strangely. "You like his dimple chin?"
I stiffened. That's not what I meant. At all. I was referring to his smile. It was worth seeing him smile again and it just so happened that when he smiled the dimple in his chin was more prominent. That's all I meant. But it didn't come out that way.
"I – I guess I do. But that's not what I meant."
She giggled. "Yes, I know."
Our house was next, and I needed to inform Felix of the plans, so I switched to the seat beside him. There was only one way to do this.
"Felix, I'm going to my reading partner's house so we can read together. I'll get a ride back home when we're done. Tell that to Ella when you see her."
"You mean you're going to Tom's house. Just say it."
"I did say it."
"No, you said 'reading partner'."
"Either way, it has the same meaning."
"I'll tell Moma where you are when I see her."
