Page 74 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

Now I freeze and just stare at him.

He yanks his gaze away and fumbles with his phone. I tuck some hair behind my ear as I look out the window.

Finally, our chaperone, Mr. Ortiz, takes attendance and then we’re on our way. Historic Edenbury and the museum are on the other side of town, so it’ll take some time for us to get there. The bus is full of kids chattering, but Kade and I sit in silence.

A few times, I’m about to bring up something, but I don’t know if he’d rather be left alone.

After a bit, he scoots closer to me and holds out his phone. “I’ve been stuck on this level for days.”

I lean in. “What game is that?”

“A side-scroller called, Run, Guy, Run! Your guy—or girl—runs across the screen and your mission is to jump over obstacles. Hit one and you’re out. I’ve made it to level 77.”

“How many levels are there altogether?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe 120?”

“You’re almost there,” I say.

He shakes his head. “I still have a long way to go.”

I watch as he plays the level. He does a pretty good job jumping over all the obstacles, but he gets out halfway through.

“Darn,” he mutters as he restarts the level. “I always get out in the same spot. I came close once and then totally messed up. Want a go?”

“Okay, but I bet I’ll get out on the first obstacle.”

I take his phone and start to play. All I have to do is tap on the screen whenever I want to jump over an obstacle. The board moves slowly, but it picks up speed, which makes it harder to jump over the obstacles. I don’t get very far. “Well, darn.” I try again, but I don’t make any progress. I pass the phone back to him. “You’re the expert.”

He continues playing, with me watching him. I have to say, this isn’t boring, even though I’m basically seeing the same thing over and over again. Kade finally makes it past the part he usually gets out at.

“Go!” I cheer. “Go, go, go!”

Kade’s body straightens up as he concentrates hard on the game. His guy moves closer and closer to the end of the level, jumping and jumping and jumping, faster and faster and faster. The speed the board moves at is insane.

“Almost there!” I say. “Just a little bit further!”

“I got it, I got it,” he mutters under his breath.

His guy trips on an obstacle and tumbles to the ground.

“Darn it!” we both yell, our chests heaving like we were the ones running the course.

Kade and I exchange a glance and chuckle. “I don’t think I’ve ever been that into a game before,” I say with another laugh. “I mean, not a virtual one.”

Kade laughs again, too. “My heart is going to launch out of my chest.”

“Mine, too!”

We chuckle again.

“Again?” he asks.

“Heck, yeah.”

He’s not doing so well because his hand is a little shaky due to the adrenaline from before. But it’s still fun to watch. I don’t realize my head is moving closer to his until the bus lurches and our heads knock into one another.

“Ow!” we both cry.

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