Page 13 of Rainbow Kisses

“Lists help me stay organized.” I hope that didn’t sound as prissy as it had in my head. “And not forget anything. And I made a duplicate for you, so you don’t have to take notes.”

Now he actually chuckled, and I wanted to sigh at the sound. I was pathetic.

“I appreciate it. I know there’s a lot I need to do to get Maddy settled here.”

From the corner of my eye, I saw Maddy shift in her seat, bending her head so her long hair covered her face even more.

“I’m sure moving in the middle of the school year is tough. Where were you going to school before, Maddy?”

I didn’t want to not include her in our conversation, but I also didn’t want to poke at her and make her even more uncomfortable than she already seemed. She surprised me by answering, though she didn’t look at me.

“In Allentown but I did remote for a couple months.” She shrugged. “I told Uncle Bri I could homeschool again. Not a big deal.”

I glanced at Brian to see him shake his head, just once. Got it. Not something Brian wanted to do.

“Well, I think you’ll like our school. I’m sure it’s a lot different than a big city like Allentown. My graduating class had about a hundred and fifty kids. There are a few more kids now, but it’s really not that big. I’m sure you’ll fit right in.”

Ugh, why couldn’t I stop saying stupid shit? I know I would’ve hated if anyone told me I’d “fit right in.” I’d only just met this girl. I had no idea what she was like and what her interests were.

“Sorry, that was a stupid thing to say.”

Now I had the attention of those sharp hazel eyes, so like her uncle’s. And I thought maybe I might’ve gone up a little in her estimation. Maybe.

“Did you like going to a big school?” I asked.

Maddy thought about it for a few seconds, before shrugging. “Not really. Most of the kids were stupid and didn’t really want to learn anything.”

Which implied that she had. Good to know.

“Yeah, I had some of those kinds of kids in my school but, because it’s small, they didn’t dominate. Know what I mean?”

She thought about it for a second then shrugged and looked down again. Obviously, I was going to have to do a little more work with Maddy before she opened up to me.

“If you want, I can go with you tomorrow to help you get signed up.” I glanced at Brian. “I mean with both of you. It’s really not that involved, but sometimes it helps to have someone else there to help with the forms if the office staff is busy.”

“I’d appreciate that,” Brian said. “I don’t want to screw up some form and have them send you to the elementary school.”

Maddy looked up long enough to roll her eyes at her uncle, though I thought I spied a little bit of a smile now.

“I think they’ll be able to figure out where I belong by my age.”

“I don’t know, kid. I could accidentally put the wrong birth year or something. I’m not sure I like the thought of you going to the high school.”

Her head tilted to the side. “I’ll be in the high school?”

“Actually,” I said, “you’ll be in the junior high, but they’re the same school, so…”

Now I had her attention. “Really? That’s kinda cool.”

Since I didn’t want to disabuse her of that thought, I just nodded. “It also means you get to pick what classes you want to be in, and sometimes you can choose upper-grade classes if there’s room.”

Now I saw real interest in Maddy’s eyes, and I bit back a triumphant grin, even as I wanted to pump my fist in the air. I’d discovered my first clue about Maddy. Then she shrugged and looked away again, as if she didn’t want to be excited.

“Probably all the interesting classes are full already. Doesn’t matter. I won’t be here that long anyway.”

Now I was at a loss, and I looked over at Brian, who didn’t look like he knew what to say either. From what he’d told me, it could be six weeks to two months..

“Well, I know the principal,” I said. “I can ask to talk to her tomorrow and?—”

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