A Fine Line (10 page)

Except there’s that whole walking normally thing…

Eh…you can worry about that later.

Speaking of worrying, isn’t there something else that should be on your mind?

What’s that supposed to mean? Let’s see. Awesome halftime show that’s totally going to kick ass? Check. Great friends? Check. College applications? Mostly check.

Uh, hello? Homecoming? It’s your senior year. Shouldn’t you be worried about that?

Lucy sighed, knowing that deep down (bottom of the Marinas Trench deep) she wanted to go to the dance and have an awesome time. For what appeared to be an unprecedented fourth year in a row, she was experiencing the Homecoming Curse. Now that she and Sam were officially 100% not together, she knew that wisdom (probably under the guise of Molly, Gina, Mandy and maybe even Tom) would tell her that she shouldn’t rush into anything too serious just yet. Since she was in an honest mood, Lucy knew she couldn’t escape the fact that she was the tiniest bit curious to see what things might be like with the British transfer student.

Where is that going to get you?

I’m not sure, but there’s just something about him.

Wes was still very much an unanswered question in her mind. Sure, part of her had been entirely flattered at his interest (or what she assumed was his interest), but another part of her was perplexed at the consistent way he was able to throw her uncharacteristically off balance. Nevada has made her nervous – in a good way. Sam had the whole element of being “wrong,” but Wes? It was a completely different feeling. Rather than figure out why Wes was causing these reactions, Lucy chose to ignore the situation entirely and keep her promise to helping find Tom find a girlfriend.

At least someone should be happy.

Even if that someone’s not me…

Once at home, with an ice pack securely in place, Lucy pulled out her journal.

Dear Diary,

So, here’s the thing. I’m on my own. For serious. But it’s not like before. I mean, I can remember not too long ago being alone and thinking how there was probably nothing in the world that was better than being with someone. Now, I don’t know, it’s different. I have great friends. I’m a Lieutenant. I’m a senior. If this isn’t enough going for me, I don’t know what is.

So, why do I feel like I have to be with anyone? Is this what a rebound is?

It’s like no matter where I go, there’s another part of me entirely saying, “Remember how great it is to be with someone?” And there’s a part of me that knows yes, it is great, but who am I even interested in? Some guy online that I’ve never met? The long standing crushlet on Mr. Class Prez? Wesley Mallinson?

Lucy chewed on her pen.

And just what if I liked Wes? I’ve been sending him a literal truck load of mixed signals. I’m sure he wants nothing to do with me, but if that’s true, then why did he stay and watch the halftime show? Was it actually to see me? Or, maybe he just really wanted to educate himself about all aspects of high school in America? Or, maybe he was fighting with the Coach? That’s the thing – I don’t know. I really don’t know that much about him. I’ve never even bothered to learn. Maybe I should try…I guess I can just keep thinking about it and maybe I’ll get some sort of sign.

Until then, just call me Cupid. If I can’t be happy, at least my friends can. Now that James and Mandy are official and Gina and Mark continue to be happy (I still have no idea how that is possible, but I digress), I’m going to focus in on Molly and Tom and their ultimate romantic happiness. I have someone in mind for Tom, but Molly…? She’s so super cool and has helped me out countless times, she deserves someone really special. I guess I’ll just have to keep my eyes open.

Oh, and then there’s Bronwyn, I need to be on the look out for that girl, too. So far, she seems to have ZERO interest in the male gender and in all honesty, it seems the only guy that can crack that shy exterior is Tony (one of our cymbal players)…and that’s not even in a romantic way. They are already being referred to as Lucy and Mark 2.0, if that gives you any clue.

Hmm, can you say keeping busy is a way to forget my own worries for a while?

Lucy

Instead of worrying about Conrad’s
Heart of Darkness
, Lucy considered Jewel Branscombe during their shared third period AP English class the following Tuesday. As the bass drummer squinted her green eyes, she recognized that Jewel was actually similar in looks to well, herself. The thing that set the varsity cheerleader apart was that she possessed the loudest, most recognizable laugh in the school. Sometimes it was difficult to believe that those sounds came out of her petite frame. Lucy also knew that on paper, geeky cute Tom and straight-A cheerleader, Jewel, didn’t look like a conventional couple, but then again, Lucy wondered if maybe all they needed was a gentle push (shove?) in the right direction.

Lucy approached Jewel after class, “How’d you do on the quiz?”

Jewel responded, “Decent. How about you?”

“Okay.”

“Hey – by the way, I wanted to tell you, that was a really great routine on Friday night!”

She watched the halftime show?

Lucy had falsely assumed that the cheerleaders didn’t really pay attention to the marching band, “Uh, thanks?”

“I’ve always wanted to learn how to swing dance. You guys made it look so easy.”

Jackpot!

Lucy turned on the charm, “Well, you know, it was mostly Tom’s idea. I mean, he took lessons this summer and came up with most of the choreography.”

“Did he?”

Lucy detected a definite note of interest, “I’m sure I could get him to teach you, I mean, if you wanted to learn.”

“Do you think it would be a big deal?”

“No, no, let me talk to him, maybe I can introduce you guys after practice some night soon?”

Jewel flushed prettily, “That could be cool. I mean, no big deal, whenever.”

Lucy winked and said, “No worries.”

With a smile on her face, Lucy walked into fifth period and knew that she was going to have to be creative about how she handled things with Tom. Her friend of so many years was a little weird when it came to the opposite sex. Like most of the drummers she knew (herself included), they tended to be a bit, well cocky and obnoxious when they were around someone they liked. Lucy didn’t want Tom to wreck any chances he had with Jewel and she knew he was only going to get one shot. She had to time things out perfectly. Figuring out her plan of attack, after class, Lucy caught up with Tom.

“S’up Luce?”

“Not much.”

“How’s your ass?”

Lucy rolled her eyes and answered, “Aww, thanks for caring. It’s currently three shades of purple, thanks to you.”

Tom smiled and said, “You’re most welcome.”

Not sure how to broach the subject, she said, “So, um, I got an interesting one for you.”

“What’s that?”

“Well, on second thought, I’m not sure you would be interested.”

Now it was Tom’s turn to roll his eyes and say, “C’mon, Luce, this isn’t second grade. What do you want to talk about?”

Without hesitation, Lucy asked, “Do you know Jewel?”

Tom’s warm brown eyes sparkled, “Branscombe? Maybe.”

“Maybe you’d like to teach her how to swing dance?”

“Maybe.”

“Maybe I should try and set that up for you?”

“Maybe I can ask a girl out on my own, Lucy Karate.”

“Fine, but sometimes that’s what friends are for.”

“And what can I do for you in return?”

“Whatever do you mean?”

“There’s not some young man I can introduce you to?”

Sure there is. He’s 6 feet plus and plays football, maybe you’ve heard of him?

“Well, maybe you could help me. I’m looking for someone to set Molly up with.”

Tom got a funny look on his face. He said slowly, “How about Wes?”

Lucy tried not to notice that Tom was looking very intently at her and asked, “What’s up, Tom?”

“Nothing, Luce. I think Wes might be a great potential boyfriend for Molly.”

“For Molly?”

Why can’t Tom see me with Wes?

“Why not? Do you think he’s not good enough for her? Is there someone else you think he’d look good with?”

“No!” Lucy said defensively.

“Then go talk to him. He’s right over there.” Tom literally pushed Lucy in Wes’s direction.

“Fine.”

Wes turned the corner to see Tom and Lucy laughing together. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, the sight of them constantly together was really getting on his nerves.

What would your blokes back home tell you to do?

Go for another girl?

Fight harder.

Mate, in case you missed it, there are about a million girls at this school that would love to have you call them. You don’t need to put an effort in for someone you have no chance of getting.

Wes looked up at Lucy and was genuinely surprised to see her coming over. He noticed small things about her that he was pretty sure this ‘Tom’ loser didn’t really care about. Her messenger bag, adorned with pins and buttons…the way she unflinchingly looked him in the eye when she was talking…the way she licked her lips when…

“What?” Wes realized Lucy had directed a question at him.

“I was wondering if I could set you up on a blind date.”

“Umm, what’s that?”

Lucy playfully punched his shoulder and asked, “Come on, surely you’ve heard of a blind date?”

“Yes, well… What does it have to do with me?”

Lucy fiddled with her bag and said, “I just figured that since, well, I haven’t been the nicest person to you, that the least I could do is find you an amazing girl at this school.”

She’s already standing right in front of me…

“That sounds nice.”

He didn’t have to say it with so much enthusiasm.

“Great then. It’s settled. I’ll be in touch.”

Lucy walked down the hall. Wes was continuing to appreciate Lucy’s other assets…her tan legs…the way they…

Wait a minute.

What?

You realize that you just agreed to have Lucy set you up with another girl, right?

Bollocks.

Lucy walked down the hall, feeling very odd and vaguely disappointed about the conversation that just took place.

Does Tom know that I…?

No. If he knew, then why would he want me to set up Wes with Molly?

Maybe he wanted you to come out and admit your feelings for Wes.

It’s too late now.

And how exactly did you picture that particular scenario turning out?

Well, there was this part where he would say that he was not interested in a blind date and I would say ‘why?’ and he would say because he really wants to go out with me and we would date and fall in love and it would be awesome.

You have been watching entirely too many teen comedies.

It was true. Lucy had practically OD’d on romantic comedies over the weekend.

Why shouldn’t my life be like that?

Because that’s fiction. This is the real thing.

Anyway, shouldn’t you be to inform Molly that she has a date with Mr. Wonderful, er, Mr. Wes?

I guess. Maybe…

Maybe I could be the person I set him up with…

* * *

CHAPTER ELEVEN: Where There’s Smoke

Trying to ignore the shouts and whistles from the football practice field, Lucy slung her bass drum on one shoulder and helped Molly wheel the massive marimba down to the field after school that day to practice.

Lucy asked, “Remember our freshman year?”

Molly burst into giggles, “And Nathan almost died?”

They laughed together, remembering how each had thought the other had control of the big instrument and how a much smaller Nathan had literally been run over.

Lucy wiped her eyes, “He never saw it coming. So, how’s the Pit these days? I mean, from what I can hear, they are sounding decent.”

Molly scanned her eyes over the Pitlets that were following behind her, “They’re doing well. I mean, Bronwyn is still this amazing percussionist, but she’s resisting coming out of that massive shell of hers.”

“I guess we were never that way.”

Since the first day of eighth grade Warm Up Week, previously strangers, Lucy and Molly had immediately connected as a team and had provided each other with unspoken and steady confidence throughout the long and crazy seasons on the Forrest Hills Drumline. Molly had taken to the oboist and what started as a necessary truce blossomed into a steady friendship over the past three years. The senior girls both looked over at Bronwyn, who was busy doing some staring of her own. Molly commented in an interested voice, “What’s this?”