Page 47 of Taking It To Overtime

“Rocks?”

She nods. “Yup. I’m going to let the universe tell me if I should go out for the lead or leave the spotlight to Marci Anders and Britt O’Neil. I could try for the Cat, or a tree, or something.”

She looks up at him from under her lashes, waiting for him to tell her she’s definitely lead star material. Her mom tells her not to fish for compliments, but it feels really, really nice when he says pretty things about her. Why wouldn’t she hand him extra opportunities?

“The universe?”

“Yep. If the decision is fate, or destiny, or the universe, then I don’t need to be devastated if I’m not Ugly.”

“You’re never ugly.” Robbie props his hands on his hips and she ducks her eyes away. He’s still in his underwear. For almost two seconds, she forgot to be flustered.

“The main character is named Ugly.”

“Right. And the rocks fit in how?” He plucks a stone from her hand and tosses is into the air, catching it easily in his palm.

“I’m going to skip them. If it works, then I’ll try out for the part. If not, the universe is telling me no. Nicely.”

“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.” Robbie shakes his head, and Vera ducks hers.

Yes, it’s dumb. And childish. And yes, she knows things don’t actually work like this, but she’s always played these little games with herself. Find a ladybug on the mailbox? That math test will be a piece of cake. Double rainbow after a sun shower? A sign she’s going to ace the next dance comp. A lucky quarter on the ground? The boys will win the big game. She knows it’s not real, but sometimes pretend is more fun. Sometimes, pretend is exactly what everyone needs.

But if Robbie’s compliments light her up like a shaken glow stick, his judgments knock her flat. Her throat aches as she swallows, and her nose itches.

“You can’t skip rocks here, Vera,” Robbie gestures to the water. “The creek has a current. You can see little whitecaps. None of those rocks are going to bounce.”

Her head snaps up, but he isn’t looking at her. He’s glaring out at the rushing creek like her dad surveying their lawn after he mows those little lines into the grass. Robbie isn’t wrong. The water is high, rushing fast and strong over the silty bottom. Even the stepping stones everyone uses to cross to the far bank are half submerged today. Probably from those two massive thunderstorms Kimmelwick got in the last week.

“You can’t let this be your sign, Vera,” Robbie turns to her, cheeks red and eyes flashing. “Even a coin toss would be better.”

She blinks once, blinks again, watches him spin in a circle as he searches the creek bed.

“How many rocks do you have? Maybe if we can find a certain number, that can be the sign instead.” He looks from her hands to the pile of rocks she’s been steadily collecting. “Twenty? Is that too much? Twenty flat rocks that couldeasilyskip if the water conditions were right?”

“Robbie.” He keeps spinning, finally crouching down to pull one small, round rock free from the sand and mud. “Here. What number is this?”

It’s really a horrible rock. Too small, too thick, no obvious flat surfaces. It would take extreme skill to skip this one even on a glass lake. Maybe one skim before plunging to the bottom in spectacular fashion. He wipes it clean on the back of his forearm, leaving a streak of dirt and mud behind before he holds it out for her to take.

“Robbie,” she says his name quietly, her voice almost lost to the rush of the water.

“Vera.” He goes back to searching for another. “Try out for the lead. Please.”

“Robbie.”

He shoves another rock into her palm.

“I know you like these signs, symbols, messages from beyond or whatnot, but don’t sabotage yourself, please. I can be your sign. Try out for the duck. Blow everyone’s socks off, and someday I can brag about knowing you way back when.” He smiles. “Letthatbe your universe message.”

He has it backwards. Someday, she’s going to be telling everyone that she knewhim.She’ll hear his name read out during the draft and turn to the person next to her.

“I knew him,” she’ll say. “That’s my Robbie.” And they might smile and nod, thinking it’s a cool piece of information, or maybe they’ll roll their eyes because why wouldsheknowhim,but it won’t change the fact that she did. She does.

“Robbie.” He finally stops. Really looks at her. “I’m just collecting today. I’m going to take them down to the reservoir.” Where she could do thirteen skips on a good day with a good rock. Aka not the rock Robbie had found. But the bubbles still fizzed through her veins.

“Right.” He slaps a hand to the back of his neck. “So a misunderstood swan that thinks it’s a duck. If anyone can pull it off, it’s you, V. I’m going to go for a dip.”

He wades into the creek, letting the water swirl around his ankles as he shivers once. He’s too cute. Passionate but quiet, that’s what her mom said.

“That might be a dig at my freckles,” she calls after him, “but I’m choosing to take it as a compliment.”

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