Page 14 of Right in Front of You

CARTER, AGE 16

Feeling like the biggest dumbass, I kicked a loose stone toward the forest. It was our senior high school camping trip, which I’d been looking forward to since the beginning of the year, and I’d managed to screw up on day one. What was I thinking, trying to kiss my best friend Jo? I’d known she had a thing for Nick since the day she was born; but still, I’d made a move. It was a mistake that could have cost me our friendship, but luckily, Jo was smart enough to recognize my moment of weakness: a moment caused by Daisy’s rejection. Why would you make out with a guy and not want to go out with him?

Honestly, I’d just wanted to show Jo how much she belonged with Nick. I wanted to prove to her that she shouldn’t have been wasting their time in the friend zone.

I picked up a dried branch and pulled it across the forest floor. I might as well have tattooed loser on my forehead, the way I was feeling. My mood remained sour until Molly waved me to come over. I threw the branch aside, and with my hands deep in my pockets and a slouched back, I walked over to where she was layering rows of wood, prepping it for the camp fire.

“What’s the matter with you?” she asked. “You look like you’ve just lost your best friend.”

“I think I might have.”

“Well, that’s impossible because I’m still standing here.” She grinned.

It figured that the only other girl that I would have been truly interested in – who was also my best friend, trying to cheer me up – didn’t want to date either.

“How do you stay so sweet, Molly? How do you not care about make-up, clothes, or the latest gossip?”

“I don’t have time to care about those things.”

“Right; you watch your baby brother.”

“I don’t only watch him. I mean, I have time to myself as well, but I’d rather do other stuff.”

“Like what? What do you like to do?”

“There’s a set of Earth DVDs at the library, for example. I like to watch those. Oh, and medical mysteries, I love those!”

“You don’t get grossed out?” I asked. “I saw a guy who came in with his eyes popped out. Like this.” I took a lungful of air and popped out my cheeks, hoping that it would somehow make my eyes look like two large balls in tiny sockets.

“I saw that one too. And stop it. That looks gross, and it was way worse than what you’re trying to do.” She pointed to my face.

I sat down on the log that had been rolled over for the evening’s campfire. Molly joined me but kept quiet. She was one of those intuitive girls who knew when silence meant more than words.

“Thanks for lifting my mood.”

“You’re welcome.”

“So can I tell you something stupid I did today?”

“It wouldn't be the first time, would it?” She laughed.

No, it wouldn’t.

“I kissed Jo.”

“You didn’t!”

“Yup, and then she slapped me.”

She covered the chuckle that semi-escaped from her mouth, and I wanted to fall over and play dead. Maybe that way I’d be able to kill the shame I was feeling.

“What were you thinking? Did Nick walk in on you guys?”

“I wasn't thinking; and no, he didn’t. We were picking kindling in the forest. But it’s not like they’re dating.”

“Don’t you know that it doesn’t matter with those two?”

“Yeah, I should have known better. Hey, at least I told Jo that she should go after Nick.”

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