“Michael. Michael Chase,” he interjected and then smiled that disarming smile again. “In case you forgot.”
“Right, right. Thanks, Michael. And I’m—”
“I know who you are. You’re El ie Faneuil.”
He started down the hal way toward his own class, but then turned back suddenly with a devilish grin. “Actu-al y, you’re
Chapter Five
To my surprise, Michael sought me out each day that week. I’d step out of class, and he’d be waiting nearby. I’d pop out of lunch and head to my locker, and he’d be strol ing alongside me down the hal way. His constant attendance never seemed weird. In fact, his easy manner and our effortless conversations—mostly about classes —made it feel real y natural. By Friday afternoon, my reserve about him had chipped away.
Just before two o’clock, I stood in the back of gym, waiting for Ruth to join me before I sat down for the principal’s first assembly of the school year. The space was crowded with bleachers and chairs, instead of the usual sports equipment. Students were beginning to pour in.
I spied Missy and her usual entourage approaching my spot, and I just didn’t want to interact with them. So I slid away into a darkened corner next to the bleachers. From there, I could stil see the doors to the gym and catch Ruth’s attention when she arrived, but didn’t have to deal with any of Missy’s annoying, ongoing efforts at friendship.
As I watched the clock tick closer to two and the seats fil , I wondered where Ruth was. Ever punctual and organized, it wasn’t like her to be late.
Not to something like this. I didn’t dare take one of the few remaining chairs without her; she’d be furious at having to sit alone.
Ruth. Just thinking about her reminded me that I hadn’t mentioned Michael. Our somewhat conflicting schedules meant that she hadn’t seen me with him. And I hadn’t felt like tel ing her about our conversations yet. I just didn’t want to bump up against that overprotectiveness of hers when I wasn’t even sure that there was anything between Michael and me for Ruth to protect.
The clock hit two, and the principal strode across the stage. Craning my neck, I scanned the room to be certain that I hadn’t missed Ruth. The gym was packed with students, but no Ruth. I settled back into my little nook and waited. I would give her one more minute before I snagged one of the few open seats nearby. At this point, she’d have to understand.
Without warning, I felt a presence in my dark alcove. I hadn’t seen anyone approach my little corner, so I was confused by the sensation. I looked around. But there was no one standing to my left or right.
Then I felt a hand on the smal of my back. The light pressure sent chil s up my spine, and my heart started racing. I did not need to turn around to see who it was. Somehow I knew it was Michael behind me.
Removing his hand away from my back, he inched closer. “Is this spot taken?” he whispered, as he sidled up next to me.
We’d never been so close to each other. I felt like I could hardly breathe, let alone answer. Where had this strong, physical attraction to him come from? Over the past few days, I’d grown to real y like him, but I hadn’t experienced anything like this with him. Or anyone else, for that matter.
“No,” I final y managed, with a gulp.
“Good. Maybe I’l just stay here with you instead of sitting down, if that’s okay. That way, we can scoot out early.”
“Sure,” I answered with what I prayed was a calm voice. Even though I felt anything but calm.
The lights dimmed, making our dark alcove even darker. The principal began to rustle some papers on the podium. He tapped the microphone, which let out an ear-piercing shriek. Michael and I turned to each other, covered our ears, and laughed. Then we stood next to each other in companionable silence while the principal started his speech.
I heard Principal Robbins greet the incoming class of juniors and welcome back the seniors, but I wasn’t real y listening. I heard the crowd laugh politely at some lame joke the principal told, and I smiled along with them as if I were paying attention. But al I could hear and see and feel was Michael.
Principal Robbins introduced the vice principal, and quiet fel over the crowd while he walked across the stage to the podium. In that brief silence, Michael leaned toward me. I could feel his warm breath on my cheek, and I wondered what he was going to do or say.
He nudged me in the direction of the gym doors and said, “I think someone’s looking for you.”
I looked over. In the darkness of the gym, a person stood silhouetted against the bright light streaming in from the opened doors. It was Ruth.
More than anything in the world, I wanted to stay alone in that alcove with Michael. But I knew I couldn’t. I had to signal to my friend.
Before I motioned for Ruth’s attention, I turned back to thank Michael for pointing her out. But he was already leaving.
As he walked away, I thought I heard him say, “Maybe I’l see you this weekend.”
Chapter Six
The weekend that fol owed was long and fil ed with misgivings. Michael never reached out to “see me” like I thought he had said. So I had way too much time on my hands to stare at my neglected cel phone and think about him.
I couldn’t help but wonder why Michael had been so persistent in seeking me out over the preceding week. Not that he’d declared a specific interest or anything, but he clearly went out of his way to see me during the school days—for friendship or more I couldn’t quite tel . Could it real y be that we had connected on that Guatemala trip? And why me? He seemed to have made other friends in the short time he’d been in Til inghast, the sort of guys who hung out with the most popular girls and ignored the rest of us. I couldn’t help but feel like Michael would start ignoring me, too, one day.
