Page 6 of Part of Forever
And I’m 14. It really hasn’t been a problem before. I’ve had crushes, but nothing major.
Then I saw Tucker tonight.
I didn’t even really meet him. Gosh, I think I’m blushing just writing about it. I’m so embarrassed. WHY AM I WRITING ABOUT THIS?? It’s not even a big deal.
We didn’t even say HELLO!
After we finished making the cupcakes, I went downstairs to where a Disney movie was playing (when is onenotplaying at Grace’s house?) and listened to my competition routine music on my headphones for a while, until people started showing up.
Grace came down with the cupcakes, then Nathan came down with a few of his friends. I have the two of them, they’re my two best friends (and Nathan is my twin sooo…) but I sometimes forget that in the real world, when it’s not just us, I just have dance, but they are friends with a lot of people.
Wow, I keep going off on tangents. I am way too tired for this. Anyway. Do I say anyway a lot? Anyway (ugh), Nathan brought me a cupcake, and I’d just taken a freakishly huge bite when Tucker appeared at the bottom of the stairs.
I knew it was him immediately because he looks just like Grace’s mom, which makes sense, since she and his mom are twins… (how is it that I’m a twin and my best friend’s mom is a twin? Do most people in real life know that many twins?) (focus Rosie)
Tucker is tall, way taller than I expected. Probably close to six feet. He’s got blue eyes and I think blondish, brownish hair; it was hard to tell since he was wearing a gray baseball cap, backwards.
Grace was making the rounds with him and introducing him to everyone. Before they could get to me, her mom yelled from upstairs about a batch of cookies burning, so Grace ran up the stairs.
He sat on the couch opposite me, talking with Nathan. Then he looked up at me.
His eyes were (are) so blue, like the ocean on a clear morning. I love that color so much, and they were just looking at me.
I think I gave a sort of smile. Then, I shoved the rest of the cupcake in my mouth. WHY AM I LIKE THIS?
Once I swallowed (finally) I looked up, and Tucker was still looking at me. Super embarrassing.
But wanna know what’s even more embarrassing (whoever this imaginary person is that I’m writing to…)
When we got home, I followed him on Instagram. I mean, his account isn’t private and he doesn’t have that many followers, but I still followed him. Then I deleted the app before I could change my mind.
I have no idea why I am the way I am. I didn’t even talk to theguy and I still feel so awkward. I’m so glad tomorrow is the rehearsal for our Christmas concert in a few weeks, so I can just dance all day and not think about him.
And how blue his eyes are.
Or how he watched me stuff my face with a cupcake (why couldn’t I just take normal bites like a normal person?????)
Okay.
I’m going to bed.
I will not redownload Instagram. I will not. I will not. I will not.
Love, Rosie
3
“We’re here,”Nathan yells from the studio lobby just as I turn off the music. Now that I’m finished with my audition, I can work on my two solos for the spring concert in a few months and the few class routines I have for my pointe class. When we got back from the audition, I had Mom drop me off here, even though I knew Nathan and Grace would pick me up soon. So much for soaking in a warm bath. Adrenaline was still pumping through my body from the audition, and I couldn’t sit at home and wait for my friends to be ready. So, I came to dance.
“Just a sec,” I call to my brother. The studio is small, so I know he heard me. I slip some black leggings on over my tights and pull my blue, faux cashmere sweater over my head. I glance at myself in the mirror. My hair is in a messy bun, and my face is red from all the dancing.It’ll have to do.Tonight is just another night that I’ll look like I came from rehearsal, which is technically true.
“There you are.” I spin in surprise at the voice. Tucker is leaning against the doorway of the small room with his hands in the pockets of his worn jeans.
“Tucker,” I say, slightly breathless, and he gives me that half-smile that makes my heart do funny flips. “I didn’t know you were coming.”Lie. Nathan told me he would be here earlier.
He steps toward me. “Everyone’s waiting in the car.” His words should make me feel bad because I promised I’d be ready to go when they arrived. Grace hates to be late to things, even when they’re informal. But his easy smile makes it seem like he doesn’t have a care in the world about rushing anywhere.
“How did your audition go?” he asks.
