Page 15 of Cross Check Christmas
"Oh look," Colette's voice drips honey-sweet poison, "time for our dance number. Everyone spread out!"
Her students flood our half of the gym, twirling and leaping with suspicious enthusiasm. Tommy has to dodge a particularly aggressive angel.
"DEFENSE!" someone cries out.
Principal Chen pokes his head in, takes one look at the mayhem, and slowly backs away.
6
HENDRIX
Through Tucker's front window, I watch Colette step into Daisy's Bakery across the street. Even bundled in her winter coat, she moves with that same graceful purpose as I remember.
"Earth to Hendrix." Tucker waves his hand in front of my face. "Your coffee's getting cold, man."
"Sorry." I tear my eyes away from the window. "Just thinking about what a jerk I was in the gym yesterday."
"Ah yes, the great Christmas pageant showdown. Word travels fast." Tucker slides into the chair across from me. "Though honestly, it sounds exactly like how you two were in high school. Why do you always turn into a twelve-year-old around her?"
I groan, slumping in my chair. "I don't know! Back in high school, I'd see her in the lunch room reading or whatever, and my brain would just... short circuit. Next thing I knew, I'd be launching spitballs.”
"Real smooth."
"I know." I groan, slumping forward. "I see her and suddenly I'm sixteen again, calling her 'Shakespeare' or 'Professor' just to get her attention."
"While she was busy making googly eyes at Liam." Tucker smirks.
"Don't remind me." The memory still stings. "Mr. Perfect Grades, Perfect Hair, Perfect Everything."
"While you were..."
"Trying to make her laugh by putting a rubber snake in her bookbag." I wince at the memory. "She screamed so loud the vice principal came running."
Tucker snorts. "Romantic."
"I thought if I could just make her notice me..." I trail off, watching her through the window again, laughing at something Daisy said. "I had such a massive crush on her back then. Still kind of do, if I'm being honest. But every time I'm around her, I turn into this... this..."
"Complete disaster?" Tucker offers helpfully.
"Thanks buddy."
"Hey, you said it yourself - you're still that sixteen-year-old kid, young and dumb and?—”
"You know what she told me once? That Liam was 'going places' while I was just going to the penalty box."
"Ouch."
"Yeah."
"You know," Tucker says, "most people just say 'hi' when they like someone."
"Yeah, well." I fidget with my coffee cup. "Clearly, I missed that lesson."
"So what are you going to do about it?" Tucker leans forward, that dangerous gleam in his eye that usually means trouble.
"About what?"
"Colette. Come on, man. You're not a pimple-faced teen anymore. You're a professional hockey player."
