Page 32 of Part of Forever
“What’s going on?” I ask him on the way to his house.
“Huh? Nothing,” he says, avoiding my gaze. It’s a good thing I’m the one with a tumor, because it looks like I’m better than he is when it comes to keeping secrets.
“Is that why you won’t look at me?” I tease and he finally looks at me when we pull up to a stoplight.
“I’m looking at you,” he says, and his eyes are as blue as the ocean today.
“Okay, but you weren’t.” I narrow my eyes. “What are you hiding?”
“Nothin’,” he says again. “Just thinking about next week and my album. That’s why I was late, I was working on a new song.”
He could be telling the truth, but I get the feeling there’s more to the story.
“Oh yeah? What’s this one about?” I ask, instead of pushing him for more.
“You.”
I shove his shoulder. “Liar.”
“No, really, it’s about you,” he says, glancing at me.
“Oh, well, can I hear it soon?” I ask him. He’s joked about writing songs about me before, but I don’t know for sure if he ever has or not.
“Maybe.”
“Oh, come on. It’s about me, after all,” I whine.
He just smiles. “Maybe.”
“You could play it for me when we get to your house since we might have to wait for Grace.”
“We’ll see.” He says it in a way that sounds more like no than yes. We pull into the driveway and Grace comes bouncing down the front walk.
“You got lucky,” I tell him, and he just gives me a small smile. “This time.”
“I’ll play it for you, at some point,” he says, and then squeezes my hand three times.
I squeeze his hand back.
Later, when Tucker drops me off at home, the house is quiet. It means Dad is still at his art show, Mom’s probably still at the studio, and Nathan is still working. I grab an apple and a granola bar before heading upstairs. I pause when I reach the landing and notice my bedroom door is shut, which is weird, because I usually leave it open.
I tentatively open the door and let out a small gasp at what I see. There are hundreds of pink, red, and purple hearts covering my bed and the floor.
The biggest heart on my bed says, “Will you go to the Valentine’s Dance with me? - Tucker.” I let out a giddy laugh and clap my hands. I send a photo to Grace.
Grace
FINALLY!!! Now we really need to get your dress ready!
Did you know he was doing this today??
Maybe. Maybe not ;)
How should I answer???
Should I give a cute answer?
Why is our school so weird? Why do we make a bigger deal out of this than prom?
