Page 90 of Rules for Rule Breaking
Kai ran straight for the stage and took the mic over from Archie, one of Mrs. Fowler’s kids, who often volunteered for the senior center events. Archie didn’t know what to make of Kai, but he moved over and handed him the microphone. Kai turned the handle on the ball spinner and pulled the next number. “Gluten-free, G fifty-three!” he called, and a few seniors moved their plastic pieces onto their bingo boards.
Emmy leaned into Winter, her eyes fixated on Kai. “I’m going to miss this place.”
Winter was distracted by Bobby. She was aware of him whereverhe went in his deep burgundy suit and tie. He was sitting at a table a short distance away.
“What are you staring at?” Emmy asked, waving a hand in front of Winter.
Heat rose in Winter’s cheeks despite herself. “Nothing. Not Bobby and his stupid haircut.”
“You don’t mind if I shoot my shot? Technically I had a crush on Bobby first.” Emmy’s red lips split into a crazed smile when Winter grimaced. “So you do care! Did you guys kiss?” Winter again said absolutely nothing. “I knew it! How was it? I used to dream about it... a lot. He seems like he’d make you do something weird like slap him in the face.”
Winter hid her fiery cheeks in her hands. “You’re disturbed.”
Emmy flipped her ponytail behind her shoulder. “Maybe, but the fact that you’re dodging my question makes me feel like I’m right.”
“I mean, he did do this one thing.”
“I knew it! I always knew he was the type of guy who didthings.”
Winter thought of Bobby’s thumb brushing her lips open, and she shivered.
“Oh, so it was like that,” Emmy said with a devilish smile.
Winter didn’t see the sense in trying to hide what was going on with her anymore. She clearly wasn’t fooling a single person, including herself. She put her hand on Emmy’s shoulder. “It’s bad, Em. I thought it would go away, but it’s worse than ever,” she said, biting her lip.
“How bad?”
“I had a dream where all I did was watch him refill fountain pens.”
Emmy was dying laughing. “That’s hot.”
“I shouldn’t be dreaming about boys who make ten-page itineraries in military time.”
“What, you don’t support the troops?” Emmy snorted. “I’m so glad you have your first crush.”
Winter’s immediate impulse was to deny that she had a crush, but it’d been long enough. She did. She loved that he collected pens and obsessed over milk even though he couldn’t drink it. She liked that he cried. He didn’t have them anymore, but she even liked his stupidly long bangs and the way he used to toss his head back to get them out of his eyes. She liked that he ordered waffles at pancake houses and that he cared about absolutely everything and everyone, sometimes more than he cared about himself.
Admitting it felt good.
When Bobby noticed Winter looking at him, he stood up and started walking over.
“You know when guys in suits unbutton their jackets as they sit down so they don’t, like, split it in half?” Winter asked Emmy, and she laughed. “I like when they stand up again and rebutton it.”
“Congratulations. You’ve unlocked one new kink,” Emmy said, clutching her sides.
“Shut up.”
They were sitting with Mr. Graham, Miss Evelyn, and Miss Sue. Bobby sat down between Winter and Miss Sue. He took Winter’s gaze hostage with his own and said, “Hey,” quietly so only she could hear.
“Hi,” she replied, pushing some of her fallen hair behind her ears.
“Is this your boyfriend, Winter?” Miss Sue asked.
Winter snapped her head around. “No, no. He’s not.”
“Are you dating anyone, sweetheart? Do kids these days still date?” Miss Evelyn asked.
“No, I mean, yes, people date, but I’m not dating anyone.”
