AN ADORABLE COUPLE

By Ann Herrick

“Drat!” The wind mussed my hair. I sighed.

“Don’t worry, Laurel,” said Anna Wilson as the wind ruffled her long black hair and brought a rosy glow across the high cheekbones of her attractive, intelligent-looking face. “I’ve got some hair spray in my bag. You can fix your hair when we get to school.”

She knew that it was especially important to me to look good that day because Mr. Bonine, the yearbook advisor, was going to announce the editors of the yearbook committee, and I didn’t want any last-minute bad impressions influencing his decision.

I’m glad I’m not unattractive. But at times I’ve yearned for a different look. I wish I were regal, sophisticated, the sort of person who would be taken seriously. Unfortunately, I usually have to worry about people wanting to pat my head. In fact, Anna has always said my whole family, with our wavy blond hair, big brown eyes, and turned up noses, remind her of a litter of cocker spaniels.

“I think I stand a good chance of being named editor-in-chief,” I said to myself as much as to Anna. “Partly because I was a junior class assistant last year, partly because the people I’d felt were my leading competitors have opted to run the school newspaper, and partly just because I want it so much.”

“Don’t worry,” said Anna, always one to reassure me when I was nervous. “Your writing should swing it for you.”

During the rest of our walk to school my mind was spinning with plans for the yearbook. The first thing I would do would be to eliminate the Who’s Who section, even though it was one of the most popular features. My parents had been named the Most Adorable Couple in their high school yearbook eons ago, and I didn’t want a label like that to follow me the rest of my life. Not that I was dating anyone in particular, adorable or otherwise. I just didn’t want to take any chances.

At school, Anna wished me luck before I headed off to my meeting. Just before walking into the yearbook office, I took a deep breath, held my head high, and tried to look as authoritative as possible.

“Hi, Laurel.” Mr. Bonine smiled at me over his pink paisley tie.

I could only hope he’d considered my “A” average in English instead of my not so commanding image. I’d been in clubs and on committees before, but this would be my first time as head of anything. If I was named editor. What would it be like? How would I handle it?

As soon as the rest of the committee members were seated, Mr. Bonine said, “And now, this year’s editors!” With a dramatic flourish he wrote the names on the blackboard.

Ruth Melonson, Advertising Director. She was an organized, no-nonsense sort of person. I could easily work with her.

Bob Fleet, Production Manager. Again, a serious student and hard worker. Things were shaping up.

Matt Stannard, Photo Editor. Hmmm. A new boy at school. I didn’t know much about him except that he was in my U.S. History class and had curly blond hair, big blue eyes, and a cleft in his chin that rivaled my dimples for depth. I noticed, too, that he blushed through his freckles when his name was written on the blackboard.

Well, so far it seemed like a pretty good group. If only my name would appear next, everything would be perfect.

Mr. Bonine paused, then said, “And now the editor-in-chief!” He started writing. S-A-L-L-Y. Sally? Oh, no! Sally who? I looked around frantically, totally confused. Who on earth was Sally?

Mr. Bonine chuckled and erased “Sally.” He replaced it with Laurel Blossom. Me! That was Mr. Bonine’s idea of a joke--giving me a heart attack.

Everyone laughed.

“Congratulations,” Matt said to me, and then we all started congratulating each other.

“Now to get down to business.” Mr. Bonine passed out bundles of paper. “This is an outline of the schedule we need to follow, listing all the deadlines for the year. Actually, I’m just here to advise--and censor if necessary.”

Again we all laughed.

“You’re the ones who have to do all the work.”

We went over the schedule and marked the most important deadlines. Then we sorted out who wanted to work on what--typing, advertising, writing copy, etc. Before we knew it, it was almost time for school to start, so I suggested that the editors have a quick discussion of our overall goals.

“Well, I’m new here,” said Matt. “So I’ve had only a few weeks to look over old yearbooks. Since photography is a hobby of mine, naturally I’m most interested in the photos. What stood out to me were the candids and the Who’s Who section. They’re both a great way to get everybody in the yearbook. I’d like to see them expanded.”

“Well...” I drummed my fingers on the desk. I wasn’t quite prepared to assert my new authority. “Don’t you think the Who’s Who section labels people?”

“Isn’t that the whole idea?” Matt raised an eyebrow. “Recognition for as many people as possible.”

“Recognition? You consider ‘Class Wolf’ and ‘Most Giggly’ recognition?”

“Sure. Not everyone can be a star athlete, valedictorian, or editor of the yearbook.”

Maybe Matt had a point, but I had to look as though I was in charge. “The Who’s Who categories are silly.”

“I think they’re fun,” said Matt.

“Me, too,” said Bob.

“It’s the first thing I turn to,” said Ruth.

I was afraid they would try to overrule my first decision. I had to take control. I sat up straight, making the most of my five-foot, three-inches, hoping it’d make me look more official. “Now listen...”

The bell rang. I felt a twinge of relief that I wouldn’t have to make a power play just then.

As I hurried to my P.E. class I suppressed an urge to sing for joy at being named yearbook editor-in-chief. Not only would I probably be sent to the nurse’s office for such a feverish display of emotion, but, also, that joy was tinged by anxiety over how I would use my new-found authority. I had to be firm. Still, I’d be working with those people all year, and it would be nice if we got along. Besides, I couldn’t help notice how Matt’s blue eyes had sparkled with enthusiasm, even if I hadn’t agreed with his opinion about the Who’s Who.

In the locker room, I filled Anna in on all the glorious details of being named editor.

“Congratulations!” Anna grabbed a hockey stick from the barrel by the locker-room door and handed one to me as we stepped out into the frosty air. Miss Chambers, our P.E. teacher, likes to insist that the cold autumn mornings we have in New England are merely “brisk,” even on days when there’s frost on the ground. That’s how she earned her nickname, “Chilly” Chambers. Since I am neither athletic nor the outdoorsy type, I suffer in P.E. a good deal of the time.

Miss Chambers blew her whistle, which was our signal to take our positions on the hockey field. Anna plays goalie because she likes defending the goal, and she’s good at it. I play fullback because it involves the least amount of running. Overall, I prefer pushing pencils to hockey sticks.

The game started. Our forward line drove the ball toward the opposing goal. While I blew on my hands to warm them, Anna paced around, ever ready for an attack on her goal. The wind picked up. I stamped my feet to warm my toes.

“By the way,” said Anna as she kept one eye on the game. “I know Ruth and Bob will be a big help to you on the yearbook, but who is this Matt guy?”

“Matt Stannard. He’s new this year.” When Anna stared at me, I continued. “He’s in our U. S. History class. He sits over by the pencil sharpener.”

“I just can’t picture him.”

“He--look!” I discreetly pointed to Matt, who I just spotted tearing down the soccer field in another P.E. class. “There he is.”

Anna squinted, giving him the once-over. “Hey, he’s cute. You know, he kind of looks like you. Why, you two would make an adorable couple!”

“Don’t say that!”

“Why? What’s wrong with that?”

“I don’t want to be part of an ‘adorable couple.’” Anna has never understood my aversion to being regarded as adorable. Probably because she radiates leadership without even trying, while I have yet to prove myself. “Besides,” I said, “if I dated him, it would be hard to maintain my authority at yearbook committee meetings.”

“You’re being sill--oops! Get ready,” Anna commanded. “They’re headed our way.”

I whirled around just in time to see a herd of hockey players stampeding in my direction. They thundered over and around me. Anna whacked the ball back to midfield where one of our halfbacks sent it flying to the other goal. Our team promptly scored, and by then it was time to head back to the locker room.

In the steam of the showers, Anna continued her campaign to match me up with Matt. Aside from being persistent, she’s a believer in perfect couples, probably because she’s been so happy with Stuart, now a sophomore majoring in Physics at MIT. She’d started dating him when he was a senior here in Kenilworth, and they’ve been a blissful unit ever since. The fact that I’ve had my share of dates doesn’t impress Anna. She’s worried because there hasn’t been a “special” guy in my life.

“If Matt’s been named an editor to the yearbook, he must be reasonably intelligent.” Anna grabbed a bar of soap.

“So?” I asked warily.

“Working on the yearbook also gives you something in common.”

“That’s true.” I thought that if I agreed with her she’d drop the subject.

“He’s awfully cute too.” Anna gave me a conniving smile as she rinsed off.

“I have to agree.” How could I not, since it was true.

“So why don’t you like him?”

I gave up. I hopped over the cold tile floor to my locker to dry off with a gym towel the size of a postage stamp. But there was no escape.

In a flash, Anna stood next to me, dripping as she continued her inquisition. “I said, why don’t you like Matt?”

I sighed. “I have nothing against him personally. I hardly even know him. But I don’t want to date someone just because we’d look nice together, and I don’t want to create tension in the yearbook committee. You know what they say about ‘office romances’. They don’t work, especially when one person is the, uh, boss.”

“So you want to go out with someone with whom you have nothing in common who resembles a werewolf.” Anna faced me with her hands on her hips. I might have been intimidated if she hadn’t been standing there in her underwear.

I laughed. “I give up.” Since I was already dressed, I thought I’d be able to leave and end the conversation. But as I opened the locker room door Anna called after me.

“We’re continuing this discussion after school!”

I figured by three in the afternoon Anna would have forgotten Matt and my love life, or lack of it. When we met by the drinking fountain to walk home together, she regaled me with her latest adventure with strange green gases in her advanced chemistry class, so I though she’d forgotten our conversation in the locker room. But no such luck.

“By the way,” said Anna, deftly switching subjects, “how about considering working with Matt as a little friendly cooperation?”

“I plan on cooperating,” I explained patiently. “But the final decisions are still going to be mine.”

“Okay. So make them. As long as you listen to advice first and really consider it, no one is going to fault you.” She paused. “I’ll bet Matt wouldn’t.”

“Look,” I said with an exaggerated sigh. “You date him if you think he’s so great.”

“Whoa.” Anna threw up her hands. “All I want is your happiness.”

A car horn honked. I turned and saw an old green clunker pull up to the curb. There was Matt, signaling us to hop in. Anna grabbed my arm and dragged me over to the car. I quickly opened the door for her and stood so she’d have to get in first and sit next to Matt.

“Hi,” said Anna. She was all smiles.

“H-hello,” I stammered quietly.

“Hi, Laurel. Anna.” Matt offered a warm smile.

“How’d you know my name?” Anna blurted out.

“You’re in my U.S. History class.”

“Oh.” Anna blushed. “That’s right. You must be good at remembering names.”

“I always remember intelligent, attractive girls,” Matt teased as an infectious grin spread across his face. “I know you’re our Fearless Leader, I mean class president, and you’re pinned to some genius at MIT.”

“Hmm,” said Anna. “Very observant. And what, pray tell, do you know about Laurel?”

I scrunched down in my seat, hoping to melt into the upholstery.

“Not as much as I’d like.”

I could tell it was all Anna could do to restrain herself from shouting “Hooray!” Instead, she said, “This is my house,” as she barreled over me, shouted her thanks to Matt, and closed the door behind her before I could suggest that Matt let me off, too. I only had to walk another couple of blocks.

Without Anna’s exuberant presence, the car filled with an embarrassing silence until we arrived in front of my house.

“Well,” I said. “Thanks for the ride.”

“My pleasure,” said Matt. He put his hand on my shoulder. “Say, how about going to Shaky’s with me for a soda or something? We could discuss our plans for the yearbook.”

“Uh, thanks, but...I can’t.” I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. “I-I’m swamped with homework.”

“Oh. Well. Some other time.”

“Sure. Maybe....” I licked my lips. “Thanks again for the ride.”

“Any time.”

I went into the house wondering why I sensed a twinge of disappointment mixed in with my guilt at turning down Matt’s offer. Could it be because I was starting to feel attracted to him? Hmm. Maybe the fact that he was cute and we’d make an adorable couple wasn’t really as terrible as I’d thought.

Maybe....

CHAPTER 2

The minute I stepped in the door I knew something was up. Mom and Dad were both home. Now that was not unusual, since Dad teaches sixth grade, which lets out at 2:30, and Mom owns her own gift shop, and often schedules it so she comes home early. What was unusual was my sister, Iris, bounding into the hall to greet me.

“Guess what!”

I shrugged.

“Mom and Dad are going bonkers!”

“Would you care to explain that?” I hung my coat in the hall closet.

“Look. They’re running around in the living room, acting weird.

Cautiously, I peeked in the living room. Sure enough, there was Mom, running to the mirror over the fireplace to peer at her face.

Dad pinched his sides. “Look at these love handles!

“I can’t believe it.” Mom shook her head as she picked up a letter from the coffee table, then dropped it as if it was on fire.

Now, if it’d been Iris acting like, that I wouldn’t have been concerned. Everything’s been a crisis with her since she turned twelve a few months ago. But my folks are generally calm, soft-spoken people not given to irrational acts.

“Ahem!” Loudly, I cleared my throat. “I’m home.”

“Oh! Laurel! I didn’t hear you come in,” Mom said.

“Can you imagine what came in the mail today?” Dad waved a suspicious looking letter.

“What! Are you being audited by the IRS?” I asked.

“Don’t I wish,” said Mom. “That I would be prepared for!”

“Twenty-five years!” said Dad. “It doesn’t seem possible. But it’s right here in black and white.”

This was getting us nowhere. I grabbed the letter as Dad swished it under my nose and read it. “This is what you’re so upset about? You’re twenty-fifth high school reunion is coming up?”

“Just look at me.” Dad pushed his hair back from his forehead. “I’m going bald!”

“Dad, your hair couldn’t have receded more than a quarter of an inch!” I exclaimed with exasperation.

“That much? Oh, no!”

“Dad, it’s not even noticeable....”

“Rose.” Dad turned to Mom. “Do you think I have time for a hair transplant?”

“Bud, don’t be ridiculous. Your hair is no problem. You can always comb it differently.” Mom slapped her chin with the back of her hand. “I’ve got to deal with this double chin!”

“There’s always plastic surgery,” Iris piped up.

“A facelift?” Mom pulled back the skin on her throat. “Hmmm....”

“All right, you two.” I tapped my toe. “Dad, at least half the girls in the sixth grade are in love with you. Mom you can’t do yard work out front without getting a friendly whistle or two. You both look great for your age.”

“For my age?” Dad moaned. “Don’t remind me. They say it’s all downhill after twenty-five. So we’ve had over fifteen years of going downhill.”

“A facelift?” Mom was staring dreamily into the mirror. “I wonder....”

“Mom, Dad!” My voice rose. “You are two attractive, intelligent people....”

“And remarkably well preserved,” Iris added.

“We have time,” Mom said. “The reunion isn’t for a few weeks. Maybe we can get in shape by then.”

“Yes,” said Dad. “And the next time I get a haircut, I’ll have Vinnie try a different style.”

At that point I gave up and went to my room. Maybe after Mom and Dad had time to calm down they would come to their senses.

I worked out some math problem, then took a short break to do some bust exercises. I figured the suggestion of a few curves beneath my clothes would help boost my image from cute to womanly. I wasn’t totally against self-improvement. But honestly, Mom and Dad were getting carried away! They were obviously worried about living up to their long ago label as the “Most Adorable Couple.”

Later, I went downstairs to see if I could help with supper. But Dad was on the phone with the yellow pages of the phone book open to “Health Spas.” Mom was in the corners, standing on her head.

“Er, Mom, about dinner....”

“You know,” said Mom, “I heard once that standing on your head helps relieve the pull of gravity on your body.”

“I wouldn’t know,” I said. “About dinner....”

“Oh. Yes.” Mom lowered herself from her headstand and stood up. “We’re having roast chicken, so I guess we’d better get started. Hmmm. Maybe I shouldn’t eat any chicken skin.” She patted her stomach.

At dinner, Mom and Dad picked at their food, no doubt silently totaling all the calories. Iris ate like a draft horse and knocked over her glass of milk, which was becoming par for the course. I vaguely remember Mom complaining how I almost drove her nuts for a couple years starting when I was twelve, with all the phases I went through. Though I was sure Mom exaggerated about me, I could only hope Iris’s phases would be short lived.

After dinner, just as I finished my homework, the phone rang. It was Anna.

“Well, she said. “How was the ride home with Matt?”

“He asked me out for a soda or something at Shaky’s.”

“You said yes, of course!”

“Actually...I turned him down.”

“What! Why?”

“I’ve already explained my thoughts on the subject.” I twisted the phone cord. How could I confess that I’d temporarily felt a pang of regret, only to have my original opinion reinforced by my parents’ reaction to their reunion. I need a more potent excuse. “Besides, I’m really interested in someone else.”

“You are? Tell, tell!
“It’s...um, it’s Bob. Bob Fleet.”

“Bob Fleet? I don’ think of him as your type.
“Oh?” I frowned into the phone. “Why not?”

“He’s interested in things like bird watching and rock collecting.
“What’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing. I’ve found them to be fun myself from time to time. “But I can’t picture you enjoying them.”

“Don’t be silly. I like birds. And rocks.”

“When did he ask you out, anyway?”

“Well, he hasn’t. Exactly. Yet.” I made a mental note to corner Bob first thing in the morning. “But we’re very...friendly.”

“I’m not one to stand in the way of a budding relationship,” said Anna. “But somehow I think Bob is just a decoy.”

“No. No he’s not.” I tried to sound convincing. “Look, I’ve got a ton of homework. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

The next day, I collared Bob on the pretext of discussing the yearbook layout. After some official chitchat, I batted my eyes and smiled so that my dimples deepened. I’d been above using such obvious flirting for years now, but time was short. Like it or not, relying on my cuteness was a shortcut. “I hear you like birdwatching,” I cooed.

“Oh, yes,” said Bob. “In fact, tomorrow I’m helping with the official fall bird count.”

“Really?” I titlted my head to one side, noticing as I did that Matt was watching me. I could feel myself blush. “That sounds like fun!”

“Say,” said Bob. “I could use some help. Would you like to go with me?”

“I’d love to.”

“Great.” Bob pushed a shock of his brown hair off his forehead. “I’ll have to pick you up at about five-thirty. Is that all right?”

“That’s fine.”

“I’ll pack us both some breakfast. All that hiking will make you famished. Oh, and dress warmly and wear sturdy boots.”

“Um. Is this five-thirty in the morning we’re talking about?” I was beginning to see why Anna didn’t think birdwatching would turn out to be my favorite activity.

Bob laughed. He must’ve thought I was joking around. “Yes. We’ll be up with the birds.”

“I can’t wait.”

Later, when I told Anna about my “date” with Bob, I tried to show some enthusiasm. But Anna wasn’t convinced.

“It’s going to be colder at five-thirty in the morning than it ever was in P.E.,” she said gleefully.

“I’ll be prepared.” I sniffed.

When my alarm went off at four-thirty the next morning, all I wanted to do was to turn it off, bury myself under the covers, and go back to sleep for at least another four or five hours. But Bob would be picking me up in an hour. If I didn’t go through with it, I’d never hear the end of it from Anna.

I dragged myself out of bed, dressed in so many layers that I could hardly move, and tiptoed to the kitchen to force myself to eat, even though I wasn’t yet hungry, let alone awake. I gulped down a glass of juice and a banana just so I wouldn’t starve.

Bob showed up at the dot of five-thirty. “Hi! All set?” he asked cheerfully.

“I’m ready!” I said, striving for enthusiasm.

We plunged into the darkness and drove to a woodsy area on the south side of town that was bordered by the salt meadow, the euphemistic name we New Englanders call a marsh. As the sun rose, Bob explained our mission. “Since I’m the experienced birdwatcher, I’ll spot the birds and you can write down the type and number in this.”

He pulled a little red book out of his pocket.

This sounded fine, except it meant I had to take off my gloves. It wasn’t long before my fingers were freezing.

We had to walk slowly and quietly. Every now and then Bob sucked air through his lips or noisily kissed the back of his hand to attract the birds. Bob was able to identify many of them by their songs before he even saw them.

They all sounded alike to me at first. But after a while I could tell there were different pitches, slurred notes, sharp whistles. I still couldn’t identify any of the birds, however, so I kept careful track of Bob’s count of various sparrows, chickadees, and blue jays.

I’d never realized how many varieties of sparrows there were. As my fingers started to turn numb, I occasionally wondered why anyone would care. We worked our way out of the woods to the edge of the salt meadow. Though my boots kept my feet dry, walking around in a couple inches of water still made my feet cold. Also, my stomach was beginning to growl. At one point it roared fiercely.

“Let’s take a break,” Bob suggested, taking pity on me.

We sat on a cold, slimy log.

“Ouch!” A sharp piece of bark dug into my, uh, backside.

“You okay?” Bob looked worried.

“No serious injuries.” I forced a small laugh as I rubbed the wounded area as inconspicuously as possible.

Soon it was forgotten as I warmed my fingers by wrapping them around a steaming cup of tomato soup and soothed my insides with the delicious contents. The solid food Bob offered wasn’t quite so satisfying. It was something called trail mix, and it looked and tasted a lot like birdseed with raisins.

“Isn’t this a great way to spend a morning?” Bob glowed.

“I’m learning a lot about birds,” I said. But I’d already decided that the ones that visited my back yard were good enough for me.

After a couple more hours of snagging my jacket on brambles, tromping around in the muck and accumulating at least three inches of mud on my boots, I finally actually identified a tree sparrow on my own.

“Ah, the count is over,” Bob declared. “I appreciate your record-keeping.”

That made me feel a little better but still not eager to go bird-watching again. It was not an activity for the weak-bodied. It took a lot of endurance. I, for one, was at the point of exhaustion.

As Bob dropped me off at my house, he said, “Thanks for going with me. You were a big help. I had a lot of fun.” He looked as though he still had enough energy to go out and do it all over again.

“Well, thanks for taking me,” I said, trying to not collapse in a heap, at least until I got inside. “I did learn a lot about birds.”

After Bob gave my cheek a friendly peck, I went in and dragged myself to my room. I fell onto my bed.

A mere hour later, I was roused out of a deep sleep by a call from Anna.

“Hi! How was your big date with Bob?”

“Informative but exhausting.” I yawned. “What’s up? Or did you just call a the crack of day to wake me up?”

“It’s almost noon, and I called to see if you wanted to go to the movies tonight. That new comedy is playing.”

“I could use a few laughs.” I stretched and wiggled my toes. “As long as the theater is heated, I’ll go.”

“Great. Pick you up at seven.”

“See you then.” As soon as I hung up, I scrunched back under the cover for a few minutes. I had a new appreciation for central heating.

That evening, I headed for the snack bar as soon as we bought our movie tickets. Just as I was about to order a large bucket of popcorn with extra butter, who should walk in but Matt Stannard. With a girl! I couldn’t get a good look at her. But the back of her head looked familiar. And to think I’d worried about hurting his feelings when I’d turned down his invitation to go to Shaky’s. He’d certainly wasted no time forgetting about me!

“Pssst.” Anna nudged me and whispered. “Look. There’s Matt.

I nodded.

“He’s with someone!”

I nodded again.

“Come on!” Anna grabbed me. “Lets see who the competition is.”

I veered off toward the Women’s Room, dragging Anna with me. Once inside, I dove into a stall.

“What are we doing in here?” Anna muttered. “We’ll lose track of Matt.”

“What do people usually do in bathrooms?” I banged down the toilet seat, tore off toilet paper, and generally tried to make it sound as if I was doing the necessary thing while I killed time.

“Don’t you want to see who’s with Matt?”

“Not especially.” I flushed the toilet, came out, and washed my hands thoroughly. “Why should I care?”

“Aren’t you curious?”

“There’s no reason for me to be.”

“Well,” said Anna, “I’d like to find out who she is. Let’s go.”

“I haven’t dried my hands yet.” I pulled out a couple paper towels and started drying my fingers one by one. “Also, I don’t particularly want to be caught spying.”

“That’s it!” said Anna. “You want to know who she is as much as I do. But you don’t want Matt to see you!”

“Don’t be silly. I just think spying is...juvenile. That’s all.”

“Do you mind if we go inside and find a couple seats? Or has Matt’s presence got you in such a spin that you’re going to hide in here all night?”

“I’m not worried about Matt one way or another. I just had to use the bathroom. Let’s go.”

We found seats on the side near the back. The movie started as we sat down, and, from that point on, Anna’s attention was glued to the screen. I, however, couldn’t help glancing around every now and then. Just as I’d decided that Matt was not in sight, I spotted him. He looked my way. Our eyes locked. I turned back to the screen first. I hadn’t gotten a glimpse of Matt’s date, because she was sitting on the far side of him. I was glad that the darkness hid the blush that crept into my cheeks.

When the movie was over, I pulled my coat collar up to hide my face and followed Anna out of the theater by looking down at her shoes. As we drove home, Anna yukked it up over the movie. It sounded as though it’d been pretty funny. I wished I could’ve paid more attention.

CHAPTER 3

“Excuse me.” I’d had enough of my folks debating the pros and cons of various diets and exercise programs during dinner. Plus, Iris’s fork clanged to the floor three times. So much has been written about the phases teenagers go through. What about pre-teens and the middle-aged?

I slipped out back to sprinkle some bread crumbs in the yard for the birds. I felt I owed it to them. Besides, maybe if I studied a few wrens and nuthatches I could erase the image of Matt and his mystery date from my mind.

The birds must have been lurking in the shrubbery, because, as soon as I finished spreading my bounty and sat on the back porch to wait, a flock appeared and started pecking the ground. Even with one eye on the birds and the other on the lookout for our neighbor’s cat, I wasn’t distracted enough. I kept wishing that Matt weren’t so cute. And that he wasn’t on the yearbook committee. If his nose was too wide or his ears stuck out maybe no one would think we’d make “an adorable couple." If he weren’t on the yearbook committee, I wouldn’t have to worry about maintaining authority over a guy I wanted to date.

But facts were facts. Matt was cute, and he was a yearbook editor. So I had no intention of going out with him. Not that it mattered much what my intentions were anyway. He’d already found a girlfriend!

“Hi. Iris said you were back here.” As Anna spoke, the birds flew into the trees. “What’re you up to?”

“I was just...feeding the birds.” I pushed any thoughts of Matt to the back of my mind.

“Oops. Guess I scared them off. Sorry.”

“That’s okay--they’ll come back if we go inside. Let’s go.”

In my room, Anna and I sat cross-legged on my bed. I fingered the golden palomino from my ceramic horse collection which I’d started when I was eight years old and didn’t understand why we couldn’t keep a horse in the back yard.

“How’d you like the movie?” said Anna.

“Oh, it was good. I guess.”

“I really liked that part about the guy riding the giraffe.”

“Oh. Yes. That was funny.”

“Just how much of the movie did you see, anyway?”

“I saw the whole thing!”

“You sure you didn’t miss a scene or two.”

“Well, maybe I wasn’t paying attention for a second.”

“Aha! You were watching Matt,” Anna said triumphantly. “Admit it!”

“Of course not! I wouldn’t...why would I....” My mixed up feelings were surfacing whether I liked it or not. I bit my lip. I’d always confided in Anna. “Yes. I was watching Matt. We even exchanged what you’d probably call a significant glance.”

“You’re weakening,” Anna said sympathetically. “You want to go the next time he asks you to Shaky’s or something.”

“I’d like to,” I confessed. “But I can’t.”

“Of course you can,” said Anna. “You’re seventeen years old, intelligent, and cute as a button besides. You could probably go out with whomever you want.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, however exaggerated it might be.” I sighed. “But being ‘cute’ as you say is part of the problem. You said yourself Matt and I would make an adorable couple. I can’t handle that.”

“I honestly don’t see the problem,” said Anna.

“It’s a label,” I pointed out. “A label that could follow us the rest of our lives and destroy us.”

“Whoa!” Anna raised a forefinger. “Isn’t that getting a bit melodramatic?”

“Well. Maybe. Just a bit. But you haven’t seen my parents lately.”

“Your parents? I saw them just a few minutes ago doing sit-ups in your living room. They looked reasonably indestructible to me.”

“That’s just it. They were doing sit-ups. On a Sunday afternoon. They’ve never done that before. Their twenty-fifth high school reunion is coming up. There were elected ‘Most Adorable Couple’ in the yearbook’s Who’s Who. Now they can’t cope with the fact that they may no longer be the adorable couple they once were.”

“You’re freaking out about nothing. People go on self-improvement kicks for special occasions all the time. Remember how we dieted and exercised and put all kinds of junk on our skin and hair for weeks the summer before we started high school?”

“That was different. We were only thirteen.”

“And before our junior class picnic you had your legs waxed.”

“I was just being practical.”

“Maybe your folks are just being practical,” Anna suggested.

I shook my head. “They’re going overboard, and it’s not because they just want to look nice. They’re worried that they can’t live up to their past image.”

“All right. I’ll temporarily yield this point. You said Matt being so cute was one problem. What’s the other?”

“Do I have to remind you that I’m now yearbook editor? I’m trying to become a take-charge person.” My voice was getting louder. “How can I date someone when I might have to veto one of his ideas?”

“You went out with Bob.” Leave it to Anna to think of that.
“Bob will be working on format, not content. Besides, I’m not sure that was really a date. Bob was very sweet, but I have a feeling he did just need an extra pair of hands for the bird count.”

“You could wait until the end of the year....”

“Nice try, Anna. But how would I put my feelings on hold all year? And who’s to say Matt would be available by then anyway? I’ll just have to forget him by dating guys who are completely different types.”

“I see.” Anna tried not to giggle. “You could then create an ‘Odd Couple’ category for Who’s Who.”

“This whole discussion is pointless anyway,” I said. “Matt already seems to have a girlfriend.”

“One trip to the movies does not a girlfriend make.”

“Maybe,” I said. “But I’m not going to get my hopes up.”

“I think you’re being stubborn about this whole thing.”

“Could be.” I had no intention of letting Anna change my mind. “But I have to do what I think is best for me.”

“True.” Anna patted my hand. “Just don’t rule out Matt without even giving him a chance.”

That night, I tossed and turned a lot. Much of what Anna had said made sense. But she didn’t have to live with my choices. I did. I decided I had to suppress any attraction I might feel for Matt and deal with him as just a friend.

The next day, I walked into the yearbook meeting, and there was Matt talking to the girl I’d seen him with at the movies! I could tell by the back of her head. Matt spotted me and waved hello. The girl turned around. It was Janie Wright, one of the junior class assistants. Now that I thought about it, she had decided to help with the photography. That would be cozy.

I thought I would avoid Matt and have a conference with Bob, but he was hovering around Ruth Melonson discussing the bird count. From their conversation, it became obvious that she’d been unable to go and that Bob had missed her company. Well, it was nice that Bob had considered me a good enough friend to turn to in a semi-emergency, especially since I’d practically volunteered my services. But it left me with no one handy to distract myself from Matt.

And now Matt was heading my way. “Hi.” He smiled. “How’d you and Anna like the movie Saturday night?”

“I thought it was terrific.” I clutched my notebook to my chest. “I laughed all the way through it. How did you like it?” I purposely didn’t mention Janie.

“I thought it was funny.” A touch of amusement crept over his face. “How was the bird counting?”

“Just fine.” I felt myself blush. I didn’t like having such transparent feelings. I wondered, too, how much he knew about the situation and why he cared. Well, it wasn’t the time, if ever, to discuss it, so I changed the subject. “I’ve got some ideas about photographs for the yearbook. You had a point about everyone getting recognition in their senior year. I don’t think the Who’s Who is the way to go about it,” I said quickly, “but I do think we should have as many photographs of as many seniors as possible.”

“Great.” Matt looked interested. “What do you have in mind?”

“More candids, for one thing. Just cram then in, no borders or spaces between pictures. Get as many on a page as possible.”

“Sounds good. What else?”

“We’ll have to discuss it with Ruth, since she’s handling advertising, but what about putting candids in with the ads?”

“Hmmm.” He showed more than a spark of interest. “Exactly what’s the plan?”

“I’ll show you.” I went over to the work table and sifted through a stack of candids Matt had taken. I picked up one showing Bill Kent sitting at a desk, looking pensive. “For instance, this one could have a caption such as, ‘I’ll have to get her a ring from...’ and then have the ad for Wilson’s Jewelry underneath.”

“I think I’m getting the picture.” Matt grinned. “No pun intended.”

I pulled out another photo, one of Anna pretending to go into the boys lavatory. “This one could say, ‘Is this the way to...’ Shore Plumbers.”

“Great idea!” Matt grabbed a pile of photos and waved them at me. “I’ll bet we can get every senior in the yearbook several times over.”

I was pleased that Matt liked my idea. I couldn’t help basking in the enthusiasm shining in his blue eyes. Perhaps he would forget about the Who’s Who. Then I wouldn’t have to worry about how to eliminate it without causing a stir.

“Look at this.” Matt handed me a photo. His fingers were warm and smooth as they brushed mine. “We could probably think of a good caption for this.”

It was a shot of a bunch of seniors on the swings at the grade school playground.

“You don’t mind if I try to come up with a few captions, do you?” Matt asked. “After all,” I’m a photographer, not a writer.”

“Go ahead,” I said. “The more ideas the better.”

“Excuse me.” Janie Wright smiled uncertainly. “I heard you talking. I’d like to try writing captions too.”

“Well. Sure.” I cleared my throat. I knew it wasn’t fair to resent Janie’s intrusion. I added lamely, “As I said, the more ideas the better.”

“Oh, good.” Janie beamed. “Working on the yearbook is going to be fun!” She looked right at Matt when she said that.

I excused myself and talked to Ruth and Bob about my ideas. Bob assured me that the layout would be no problem.

But Ruth was worried. “The advertisers might be offended,” she said. “They might think we’re making fun of them.”

“I think it’ll entice more businesses to advertise,” I said.

“I’m not convinced,” Ruth said.

“I really think it’s a good idea,” I said. I hadn’t expected any opposition. I felt I had to stand firm. After all, I was editor-in-chief.

“We have to think of future yearbooks,” said Ruth. “If businesses are turned off by what we do this year, it could hurt the advertising next year.”

I thought for a minute. Maybe I should dictate the issue, to show who was boss. But that seemed like a last resort. Maybe Ruth had a point. Perhaps I should be more tactful.

“Tell you what, Ruth,” I said finally. “How about taking the idea to some of the businesses and see what they think? If they like it, we’ll go ahead. If not, we’ll reconsider.”

“Good idea,” said Ruth. “Write up a few samples. I’ll take them around and see what kind of response we get.”

At the end of the period, Matt came up to me. I thought he was going to say something.

But Janie looped her arm through his. “Let’s hurry,” she said. “We don’t want to be late for Spanish.”

I noticed, before he disappeared around the corner, how Matt’s hips tapered into his long lean legs. He moved with an easy air of self-confidence. Then someone said Hi. I shook myself out of my reverie in time to make it to my next class before the bell rang.

After school, Anna and I had just started walking home when Matt pulled up next to us.

“How about a ride?” he asked.

Before I had a chance to say a word, Anna shoved me in the door and locked it behind us. Maybe that was her secret of success of leadership--brute force!

“H-hi, Matt.” A smile found its way through my uneasiness when I realized Janie was not in the car. I relaxed and enjoyed my position in the middle seat right next to Matt, even as I was reminding myself that I was not going to get involved with him except as an editor and a friend.

After we dropped off Anna, I stayed in the middle seat. It would’ve been silly to unbuckle and buckle seat belts for just a couple of blocks. At my house, I toyed with the idea of inviting Matt in. But I decided springing my folks and Iris on him in their current conditions was not a good idea. No point in scaring him off. I did have to work with him.

“Wait.” Matt put his hand over mine just as I started to undo my seat belt. “If you don’t have too much homework, how about going to Shaky’s? I’m excited about your ideas for the yearbook. I’d like to discuss them some more.”

“Well....” I hesitated. This was not a date. It was just a...meeting. “Sure. Let’s go.”

At Shaky’s, Matt steered me to a booth in the back corner. After we ordered a couple sodas he asked me about my yearbook ideas. I wanted to be careful. I wasn’t going to bring up the Who’s Who in any way, shape, or form. It was a nice afternoon, so far, and I didn’t want to spoil it.

“As I said, I’d like to see plenty of candids. The senior portraits are nice because everyone looks their best. But they’re formal. Even in team or club photos everyone looks posed. The candids are more natural. And with candids, we can get shots of everyone, even kids who aren’t in clubs or sports.”

Our sodas arrived. I took a few sips. Then I continued. “We’ll want mostly pictures around school. But that shot you took of some kids on the swings made me think. Why not have pictures from all over town? The Mill Pond, the library, Shaky’s.”

“I like your way of thinking.” Matt gave me a conspiratorial wink. “We could get some great pictures.”

I liked the way he said “we.” “So, you like my ideas?”

“I love--hey!” Matt slapped the table, almost upsetting our sodas. “How about this? After we cruise around getting whatever shots we can, why not have a senior class day downtown to make sure everyone’s been included?”

“Terrific idea!” I practically sang my approval. “We could get everyone downtown and then just snap away.”

“This is going to be great for the yearbook.” Matt reached across the table and laced his fingers through mine.

My heart skipped a beat. Was this just a gesture of friendship, or enthusiasm perhaps? Or was it a signal of something more?

“What’s going to be great for the yearbook?” It was Janie Wright.

I wondered if her wide-eyed expression was genuine concern about the yearbook or a smoke screen to hide her interest in Matt and me.

“Hi, Janie.” Matt slipped his hand away from mine and slid over so she could sit down. “Laurel’s got some great ideas for yearbook photos.” He filled her in on everything.

She oohed and aahed and generally looked pretty excited. Her smooth skin glowed. Her rosy lips flowered into a delicate smile. I hoped it was enthusiasm for our ideas that brought the flush of excitement to her face.

“You guys came up with some terrific ideas,” said Janie. “I really like the senior class day downtown. We could do a lot with that.”

“You bet,” said Matt. “It’ll be fun to look back some day and see us all in our natural habitats.”

Janie laughed. “We’ll have to start planning this soon. Pick a day and everything.”

“Yes, we will,” I said.

“Uh, oh,” said Matt, looking at his watch. “It’s getting late. We’d better go. Janie, would you like a lift home?”

“Thanks!” Janie’s eyes brightened with pleasure.

Somehow Janie maneuvered things so she sat in the middle seat on the way home. Not that it should have mattered to me. But I found that it did. Fortunately, Matt dropped her off first, and when he did, I saw why he hadn’t given her a ride home earlier. She lived on the street in back of the school and would have to walk farther to the parking lot than to her house.

When I got back in the car after letting Janie out, I debated whether or not to move to the middle seat. I decided I had no good reason to. So I sat by the window and felt as if I was in exile.

“Thanks for the soda and the ride,” I said when we pulled up in front of my house. “I think we had a good brainstorming session for the yearbook.”

As I started to get out of the car, Matt said, “Wait. It’s getting dark. Let me walk you to your door.” He came around to my side of the car and took my hand. “I really like your ideas,” he said. “Maybe it’s because I have such an interest in photograph, but I really do think ‘a picture is worth a thousand words.’ And I guess it’s kind of selfish of me, but your plans do give me a chance to show what I can do.”
“I’ve seen your work,” I said, “and I think your photos will make for a terrific yearbook.”

“I think we’ll make a good team,” said Matt. The next thing I knew, his arms were around me, pulling me against him. He kissed me. His mouth was warm and gentle on mine. It ended almost before I realized what was happening. But it was enough to send my pulse rate to its upper limits.

“See you tomorrow,” Matt whispered. Then he turned and walked toward his car.

“Goodnight,” I called softly.

I went inside and sort of drifted up to my room. I kicked off my shoes and sunk down onto my bed. I began to wonder if I was falling for Matt. And, if so, what I was going to do about it.

CHAPTER 4

“Laurel, I’ve asked you twice to pass the toast.”

“Huh? Oh. Sorry, Mom. Here you are.” I’d been deep in thought, just picking at my breakfast. I felt myself blush, as, again, I remembered. It was as if my lips were still warm from Matt’s kiss. How was I going to function normally in front of him?

A crash brought me out of my trance.

“Oh! I dropped the butter.” Iris groaned. “I’ll clean it up.”

“It’s okay.” Dad picked up the butter dish and put it back on the table. “Fortunately, it landed butter-side up.”

“Speaking of butter,” said Mom. “Maybe we should cut back. It has so many calories, and it’s loaded with cholesterol.”

“Good idea.” Dad rubbed his chin. “I’ve noticed a lot of diet margarines at the store. Next time I’ll try one of those.”

I nibbled my toast. Maybe Matt’s kiss had just been friendly. No, Bob’s kiss had been friendly. I could tell the difference. Matt’s meant something. But what, exactly?

“I tried on a dress at the Camelot Shop that would be perfect for the Homecoming Dance, if I can just lose five pounds,” said Mom.

“I wonder if I can still fit into my old tux,” said Dad.

Their words began to penetrate my thoughts. “Homecoming Dance?’ I asked nervously. “What Homecoming are you talking about?”

“Kenilworth High’s Homecoming Dance, of course,” said Mom. “What did you think? It’ll be the high point of our reunion.”

“Of course.” I swallowed my toast before I choked on it. I hadn’t even thought about the Homecoming Dance. My parents were going, and I didn’t even have a date for it. It was several weeks away, but still, it wasn’t too soon to think about it.

An image of Matt and me swirling around the dance floor flitted through my mind. I had to blot it out. We couldn’t date and work together. Or could we? I was dizzy from confusion.

“Yikes,” Iris yelped. “I’ll miss my bus!” She jumped up, almost sending her chair crashing to the floor. Then she dropped her books trying to grab them off the hall table and banged her knee as she opened the front door. I remembered being clumsy at her age but not that clumsy. I wondered, briefly, if something else was wrong with Iris other than temporary clumsiness. I didn’t have time to worry in depth, however. I had to get to school myself.

I met Anna at her house, and, after holding out for about five seconds, told her about Matt’s kiss.

“Aha!” said Anna. “Didn’t I tell you that you two would make an ador..., uh, nice couple?”

“One kiss does not make us a couple.”

“But you’re starting to think that way, aren’t you,” said Anna. “I know your mind. Admit it.”

“I don’t see how you can know my mind when I don’t,” I said. “I’m so confused. I do like Matt. There’s no getting around it. I can’t help my feelings.”

“But...?”

“But, you know the rest.”

“You still don’t want to date him.” Anna’s dark eyes were gentle and understanding.

“It’s not that I don’t want to,” I said. “I just don’t think it would work.”

“Well, try taking it one step at a time,” Anna suggested. “He hasn’t asked you out on an actual date yet, has he?”

“No.” I tried to keep the annoyance out of my voice. “In fact, I think he’s interested in Janie Wright.”

“But he kissed you.”

“So? Maybe he’s kissed her too. He did take her to the movies, after all. Maybe he leaves a string of broken hearts wherever he goes.”

“Hmm. That’s possible. We don’t know his history,” said Anna. Just as we reached the front of the school we saw Matt pull into the parking lot. “Look,” said Anna, pointing at him. “He didn’t drive anyone else to school. That’s a good sign.”

“Well, it doesn’t mean much. Janie lives on the next block and can cut through right to the school.” I hoped Matt would see us and wave. But he didn’t. He was still parking his car as we went inside.

“You know more than I do,” said Anna. She pulled a book from her locker, which she keeps neater than an operating table, probably because she’s thinking of becoming a doctor.

“I forgot to tell you we gave her a ride home from Shaky’s yesterday.”

“At least he dropped her off first.”

“True.” That made me feel better, though I wasn’t sure it should. First of all, maybe it just wasn’t that important. Second of all, what right did I have to be concerned about Janie in the first place, if I had no intention of dating Matt? “You’re so lucky to have Stuart. You know exactly where you stand in that relationship and exactly what you want from it.”

“I know.” Anna fingered the fraternity pin she wore just over her heart.

The bell rang, and we headed off to class. I must have burned up extra calories trying to concentrate on school instead of worrying about Matt all day. Our yearbook meeting was scheduled for right after school . I looked forward to it and fretted over it at the same time.

I said a quick hi-bye to Anna at our lockers before I hurried to the yearbook meeting. Matt was the only one there when I arrived.

“Hi, Matt.” We looked at each other and smiled. My cheeks grew warm.

“Hi, Laurel,” Matt said softly.

“Hi, guys!” Janie bounded into the room.

That broke the spell.

“What’s new, Janie?” Matt offered a friendly smile. I told myself he was just being polite.

“I’ve got an idea for yearbook pictures,” said Janie. “How about shots of everybody at the Homecoming Dance?”

“There are always pictures of the Homecoming Dance,” I said coolly.

“Oh? I wasn’t sure,” said Janie. “Guess that means you’ll have to be there, won’t you Matt?”

“Guess so.” Matt shrugged.

I wondered if Janie was fishing for an invitation. I wondered if Matt would accommodate her.

“Speaking of pictures,” said Matt, “what about the Who’s Who? How do we decide who is who? Do the editors choose or are there elections or what?”

“I wasn’t planning on having the Who’s Who, if you recall.” My stomach was clenched tight. I wished the subject hadn’t come up. But I suppose I couldn’t avoid it forever.

“I think you should reconsider,” said Matt. “I’ve looked at a lot of the old yearbooks, and it looks like a great feature to me.”

“But....”

Matt touched his fingers to my lips. “I know your concerns. But the categories are all fun. ‘Best Dancers, Mad Scientist, Done Most for Class.’ No one is going to be offended. There’s nothing mean-spirited.”

“That’s right,” I said. “As far as it goes.” I was still savoring the touch of Matt’s fingers on my lips. I had to take a deep breath in order to concentrate. Besides having my own reason for not wanting the Who’s Who, I had to show Matt, and Janie for that matter, that I was in charge, that I wasn’t just some “cute thing” who could be easily flattered and manipulated. “The yearbook is permanent. People change. They aren’t going to want to be forever remembered as ‘The Gigglers’ or ‘Most Carefree.’ And ‘Worst Drivers’ is something they’d undoubtedly rather forget!”

“So we change or eliminate a couple categories,” said Matt.

He almost had me there. But I didn’t want to be the one to suggest getting rid of “Most Adorable Couple,” and I couldn’t count on anyone else recommending it. I stood my ground. “I just don’t think Who’s Who is necessary or appropriate.”

“Then I’ll just have to try to get you to change your mind.” Matt grinned mischievously.

At that point, Bob and Ruth arrived, followed shortly by the rest of the staff. Ruth rushed over to me.

“Laurel,” she said. “I talked to several businesses, and they all liked your idea. They think the pictures and captions will draw more attention to their ads.

“That’s great,” I said. “We’ll get going on more captions right away.”

Janie then bounced around the room filling everyone in on our new ideas for candids around town.

“Take some pictures at the library,” someone suggested.

“Joe’s Gas Station.”

“My house,” someone joked.

I hurriedly wrote down all the suggestions.

We then had a short official meeting to discuss costs and revenues before we broke into small groups to work. I talked with Ruth about advertising, mainly to avoid Matt. The meeting had been scheduled to end by four o’clock. Shortyly after that the room was clear--except for me and Matt.

I hoped to exit inconspicuously. But before I could get my jacket, Matt had fetched it.

“Let me help you with this,” he said.

As I slipped into the jacket, Matt wrapped his arms around me. I liked the snug feeling, and for a moment was tempted to stand there and enjoy it. But I thought better of it and stepped out of the circle of his arms.

“We ought to be going.” My voice seemed to be coming from far away. “The custodian said we should leave around four.”

“Whatever you say.” Matt’s expression was serious. “How about a ride home?”

I hesitated. I wasn’t sure of Matt’s motives. What if he would just try to get me to change my mind about the Who’s Who?

“I promise to drive you straight home.” There was a glint of teasing in Matt’s blue eyes now.

“I’d like a ride. Thanks.” I told myself I was being practical. It would be dark soon. Matt had to drive right by my house anyway.

On the way home, he chatted easily about history class and school in general. I mostly listened and looked out the window, wondering how Matt felt about me . Did he like me? Was I only one of several girls he was interested in? Did he just want to charm me into changing my mind about the Who’s Who? More pictures would mean more credit for him, after all. Or was he genuinely concerned about what was best for the yearbook? I felt some guilt because one of my motives was personal. So who was I to judge his motives?

“Here we are.” Matt hopped out of the car before I could tell him he didn’t need to walk me to the house.

At the door, he put his hand under my chin, turning me toward him. I knew I shouldn’t let him kiss me again if I wasn’t going to allow myself to be more than just friends with him.

“Hi!” Iris came tripping up the front walk. Matt dropped his arms to his sides.

My relief at being interrupted was tinged with disappointment. Even though I’d thought I shouldn’t let Matt kiss me, I don’t know if I would’ve actually resisted. I introduced Matt to Iris, and then he left.

“He’s cute,” Iris squealed as she closed the door behind us.

“Yes.” I tried to look unconcerned.

“Are you going out with him?”

I paused. “We work together on the yearbook.”

“Boy, I bet that makes the yearbook meetings fun!”

“It’s a lot of work, but, yes, we do have a good time.” I couldn’t help smiling to myself as I thought about Matt’s arms around me after the yearbook meeting.

That night I tried to think about him as I did my homework. I reminded myself that I wasn’t going to date him. I shouldn’t waste my time daydreaming about him. Finally I finished my math and got up and paced around the room. The only way to get Matt out of my mind was to find someone else. I promised myself that tomorrow I would work on it. With that I allowed myself the luxury of falling asleep with one last reflection of myself in Matt’s arms.

In the cafeteria the next day, I was boring Anna with the details of my non-love life. She refrained from trying to persuade me to date Matt and listened sympathetically. I was bemoaning the fact that all the boys I would find interesting were already spoken for when Hank Coleman lumbered by carrying a tray piled high with food. His broad shoulders and muscle-laden body served him well in his position as a defensive lineman on the football team. He reminded me of a pine tree--towering and sturdy.

I’d always liked Hank. He was open and friendly, and we’d always gotten along, ever since we’d first gotten to know each other as freshmen dissecting frogs together in biology class.

Hank had been dating a sophomore cheerleader. But I remembered that they’d recently broken up. So as soon as lunch was over, I tracked him down on his way to class.

“Hi, Hank.” I had to shout up to him over the din in the hallway. “Think we’ll beat Madison on Friday?”

“Well, hi Laurel.” Hank’s broad smile spread slowly across his good-looking square face. “Madison is always tough. But I think we’ll be ready for them. You going?”

“I plan to,” I said. Actually, I hadn’t thought about it. I kept track of how all the teams did, but I didn’t attend every game. However, if I was going to start a romance with Hank it would make sense to go.

“Will you cheer for me?”

I thought I detected a hopeful glint in Hank’s eyes. “Of course I will.”

At that point we had to head off to separate classes. But I was pleased with my progress. We didn’t have a date, but we had each other’s attention. It was a start.

There was no yearbook meeting, but I didn’t want to take any chances on Matt offering me a ride home. So I told Anna I was going to stay after school and do some research in the library. As luck, and careful planning on my part, would have it I bumped into Hank on his way to football practice. I gave him what I hoped was a captivating smile. “Why, hello, Hank.”

“Laurel, I’m glad to see you,” said Hank. “I’ve been thinking. Want to go out after the game Friday?”
“Sounds great,” I said.

“Trouble is, since the game’s in Madison, I have to take the team bus.” He shifted his weight. “But one of my friends is going to the game, and I’m sure he’d drive you there and back. Then I’ll have my car here at school. Is that okay?”

“Sure.”

“Good. I’ll talk to him and let you know definitely. I’ve got to get to practice. Talk to you later.”

“See you.” Pleased with myself because everything was working out so perfectly, I hummed on my way to the library.

“Catchy tune.” It was Matt!

I almost dropped my books. But I recovered in time to say hello without sputtering.

“You going to the library too?” he asked.

I nodded. “I need to do some research for a history report.”

“Same here,” said Matt. “Great minds think in the same vein.”

“Um, yes.” What was I going to do? I’d stayed at school to avoid Matt, and now here he was. Maybe I could lose him in the stacks and then sneak out. In the library, I put my books on a table. Then I slithered away to the section on the Civil War, whisked around the corner, and doubled back to my table.

“Couldn’t find what you were looking for?”

I almost jumped out of my shoes. “No, Matt,” I managed to say. “The book I wanted wasn’t there.”

“Let me help you find something.” Matt grabbed my hand and led me back to the Civil War section. “There are plenty of books here. What specifically were you looking for?”

“Uh...the battle of Fair Oaks.”

Matt pulled out a book and thumbed through it. “Here.” He pointed to a page. “You’ll find plenty about Fair Oaks.”

“Thanks.” I took the book and was about to leave when he thrust another one at me.

“This looks good too.”

“Gee. Thanks again.” Not only was my escape plan crumbling, so was my desire to duck out. Maybe Matt was just buttering me up. But he was being helpful. And the way his blond hair curled over his forehead made me want to run my fingers through it. I closed my eyes for a second, trying to erase such thoughts from my mind.

“You all right?”

I opened my eyes. “Oh. Sure. Just thinking. I should start taking some notes.” We went back to the table. I stared at the books and scribbled a few incoherent markings. I was trying to figure out a logical way to make my getaway when it occurred to me that football practice would be ending soon. I gathered my books and headed for the checkout desk. “Thanks for your help, Matt,” I whispered. “See you tomorrow.”

“Wait. I’ll go with you.”

Silently, I prayed that we would run into Hank on the way out. He would probably have his car and would surely offer to drive me home.

The team was just coming in from the field as we left the school. I caught Hank’s eye and waved.

“Hi.” Hank puffed. Sweat dripped off his chin.

“Practice over?” I asked hopefully.

Hank shook his head. “No. Showers, then diagramming plays on the blackboard.”

“Oh.” The disappointment in my voice was genuine.

“Say, Matt!” Hank exclaimed. “You’re just the guy I wanted to see.”

“I’m so popular,” Matt kidded.

Hank grinned. “I need a favor. You’re going to the Madison game to take pictures. Could you drive Laurel over there and back for me? I’d sure appreciate it.”

CHAPTER 5

My stomach flipped.

“You want me to drive Laurel to the game? Sure, I’d be glad to.”

I wondered if Matt was just doing a favor for Hank, or if he thought it’d be a good time for him to try to change my mind about the Who’s Who. After all, it would be hard to duck out on him at 50 miles per hour. Of course, there was always the chance that he really was glad to do it because he liked my company....

“Then it’s settled.” Hank slapped Matt on the back. “Thanks. Got to hit those showers now.”

It must have been predetermined--Matt drove me home. I certainly was logging a lot of miles in his car. The mending tape on the seat and the scratches in the dashboard were becoming as familiar as the collections in my bedroom.

Friday evening, I fidgeted as I got ready for the football game. I’d figured dating Hank would have been a sure-fire method of fending off Matt. How could I have known Hank would ask Matt to drive me to the game? And I wondered just what Matt really thought about providing escort service for me.

When Matt picked me up, I quickly made small talk. “Madison’s tough. But Kenilworth is ready for them. Should be a good game.

It would be a twenty minute drive to the Madison school, and I wanted to avoid yearbook talk. I had just launched into a discussion of Hank’s outstanding abilities when I noticed Matt wasn’t heading toward the highway. I was about to ask where we were going, but then he pulled up in front of a house. I realized it must be Janie Wright’s.

Sure enough. Matt left me in the car while he went to get her, so when he opened the car door it was easiest to just slide over to the middle seat to make room. If either of them didn’t like the situation, at least no one said so.

“Hi, Janie.” I tried to sound friendly. I had no reason to dislike her. I couldn’t consider her a rival, since I wasn’t dating Matt. I wasn’t even sure what her relationship with him was. Besides, who could dislike this delicate-looking, friendly, bubbly person? Maybe I could let myself get just the tiniest bit jealous. But that was it. Unless, of course, appearances were deceiving, and she really was a sneaky seductress going all out to tempt Matt! In that case, I could work up a lather of resentment.

“Hi, Laurel! Boy, the Madison game! It should be so exciting. And helping Matt take pictures! I can’t wait.”

So Janie was going to help Matt. I wondered if that was the only reason she was with him. I had plenty of time to ponder the situation. Janie carried on an enthusiastic monologue all the way to Madison, which relieved me of worrying about Matt and the Who’s Who.

At the game, Janie and Matt dumped some of his camera gear with me.

“We’re headed for the sidelines to take pictures,” said Matt.

I looked around for Hank, spotted him at the far end of the field, and waved. The game got off to a disastrous start as Madison returned the kickoff for a touchdown. I hoped the whole evening wasn’t going to be so dismal.

The first half dragged. There was no more scoring by either team. But Hank played well. He didn’t miss a tackle. During half-time I hoped Matt and Janie would take a break, but they were busy taking pictures of the marching band. I blew on my hands to warm them. Then it started to sprinkle. I began to think I’d have been better off staying home curled up with a good book.

“Not much of a game, is it?” Matt was suddenly standing next to me, digging out a different camera.

“I guess if we were ahead it would seem more exciting.” Feeling lonely and bored, I wished Matt would sit down next to me. As if reading my mind, he did.

“I’ve got a folding umbrella in there.” Matt pointed to his camera bag.

“Thanks. I’ll be okay as long as it doesn’t get any worse,” I said. “I can pull up the hood on my jacket.”

“Well, it’s there if you need it. I have to get back to work. See you.”

“Bye.” I huddled down in my seat. It was getting colder.

“Hello,” said a high-pitched voice. It was Sheryl Glass, the sophomore cheerleader Hank had been going with. “You and Matt here together? You make a cute couple.”

“Well, actually....”

“Oops. Got to go. They’re starting a cheer.” Sheryl ran off.

I wondered if she thought I was with Matt, if she wished I was with Matt, or if she was just curious. Rumors about who was dating whom usually circulated rapidly in a school the size of Kenilworth. She was probably just trying to check out her ex’s current date at close range.

Things picked up in the second half. It stopped sprinkling. Kenilworth scored a touchdown to tie the game, and the offense had possession of the ball long enough to give the defense a rest. At one point, Hank nodded to me from the bench. Near the end of the fourth quarter, Madison got a field goal, so now Kenilworth needed a touchdown to win.

Then, from the field, Matt signaled me. I grabbed his camera bag and squirmed my way off the crowded bleachers.

“What’s up?” I asked when I made it down to the field. I didn’t see Janie anywhere.

“Janie’s been coughing and sneezing a lot. She went to the car to keep warm. Would you mind helping me? I know it’s not your job.”

“Anything to help the yearbook is part of my job.” Did he really think I’d be a snob about it?

“Great! Mind holding this?” Matt handed me some film.

I put it in my pocket. Then I trailed around after Matt, handing him more film when he needed it. The wind picked up, and it started to rain.

Finally, Matt said, “Let’s pack up and quit for the night.”

But then our quarterback completed a long pass. Suddenly Kenilworth was in scoring position!

“Let’s hope there’s a winning touchdown,” said Matt, “and that I can see it in all this rain.”

“The umbrella,” I said. “I can hold it over you.”

“That’d help,” said Matt. “Thanks.”

I had a hard time keeping the umbrella over Matt. The wind kept tugging at it. A couple times it almost blew out of my grasp. But the struggle was worth it. With nine seconds left on the clock, Kenilworth was third-and-goal on the eight yard line. A pass in the now pouring rain seemed risky, but running eight yards was no cinch either. Matt and I huddled in the back of the end zone. I tried to hold the umbrella steady. I didn’t want Matt to miss a shot because of me.

The ball was snapped. The quarterback scrambled, then, as time ran out, threw a pass to a receiver in the corner of the end zone. The receiver jumped. He caught the ball. He landed with both feet in bounds!

“Got it!” Matt yelled.

We didn’t have much time to cheer. Matt wanted to get shots of the Kenilworth team and fans celebrating. I ran after him, still holding the umbrella. Suddenly Hank grabbed me and lifted me up in a big hug.

“Yaa-hoo!” he whooped.

When he put me down, I exclaimed, “Great game, Hank!”

“Can’t wait to celebrate at Shaky’s,” he called as he ran off to the locker room. “See you later.”

I looked for Matt. But he’d been swallowed up by the crowd. I congratulated a couple players as they ran by. Finally things settled down, and I found Matt.

“What a game,” he said. “I think I got some great shots for the yearbook.”

“I hope so. People are going to remember this one for a long time. I won’t have any trouble thinking up captions for any of these pictures.”

“We’d better get back to the car,” said Matt, “and check on Janie. I hope she’s okay.”

We found Janie curled up in the back seat, wrapped in a blanket. “Hi.” She coughed and sneezed. “Hope you don’t mind me using this blanket.”

I wondered if she hoped Matt would have checked on her earlier--alone.

“I’m glad you found it,” said Matt. “I keep it back there because the heater isn’t very reliable. How’re you feeling?”

“Not too bad,” said Janie. “I--achoo--mostly just keep sneezing.”

“We’ll get you home right away,” Matt assured her.

The drive back was chilly. Naturally, the heater decided to conk out after the first few minutes. From Janie’s soft breathing, I could tell she’d fallen asleep.

“I hope she’s okay,” I whispered to Matt.

“Me, too.” Matt frowned. “She started sneezing as soon as we got to the sidelines. But she was so eager to help take pictures. She said several times she felt fine.”

“I’m sure it’s nothing worse than a cold.” I hoped Matt wasn’t blaming himself. Janie could certainly have stayed home if she’d felt she was really sick.

We decided to take her home before we went to the school, because we were sure she wouldn’t be up to going to Shaky’s. When we stopped to let her off, I thought Matt had been kidnapped on his way back to the car. How could it take him that long just to say goodnight to Janie?

“Where’ve you been?” I asked as casually as possible when he finally showed up.

Matt rolled his eyes. “Janie’s kid brother had to show me his card tricks--every one he knows, and he knows plenty.”

“Oh. Is Janie all right?”

“I think her nap on the way home helped. She sneezed only a couple times, and she looked better.”

“That’s good,” I said. “We ought to get to the school now. Hank’ll be wondering what happened to us.”

We drove around the block and pulled up to the school. It was almost deserted. I looked around for Hank but didn’t see him.

Chelsea Field, one of the cheerleaders, was just leaving, so I called to her. “Chelsea, have you seen Hank?”

“Hi, Laurel. Hank said to look for you. When you didn’t show up here he figured Matt must have thought he was supposed to take you to Shaky’s. So he picked up some stragglers and went on over.”

“Thanks.”

We headed for Shaky’s. After three blocks, we heard a kerthunking noise. The car started to wobble.

“Oh, no.” Matt steered carefully. “I think we’ve got a flat.”

He pulled over to the side of the road. Sure enough, the right front tire was flat.

Matt tackled the jack and the spare while I held the umbrella and flashlight. The wind blew the rain so that it whipped right under the umbrella. Puddles turned into lakes by the time Matt changed the tire. Soaked and exhausted, we continued on our way to Shaky’s.

Of course, the place was packed. It took us forever to find a parking space. I figured Hank was ready to send out a search party by the time we sloshed our way to his table.

“What happened?” Hank exclaimed when he saw me. “You look like a wet puppy.”

He looked so sympathetic that I didn’t mind being referred to as a wet puppy, especially when he took off his sweater and wrapped it around my shoulders. He pulled out the chair next to him for me. Sheryl Glass was sitting directly across from us. Matt grabbed a chair from another table and sat down next to her.

“Sorry we’re late.” I explained about Janie’s brother and the flat tire.

“Glad you’re okay,” said Hank. “We were getting worried.”

“Yes,” said Sheryl. “We were afraid you might not make it.”

“We already ordered,” said Hank. “Hope you like pepperoni.”

Just then the pizza came. I dove in. I was starved. As I savored the sauce and cheese I noticed something just a wee bit odd. Perhaps it was my imagination, but it seemed to me as though Hank and Sheryl had eyes only for each other. Oh, every once in a while Hank turned in my direction as he described another tackle. But he wasn’t really looking at me.

I glanced over at Matt. I thought he was about to nod off in the middle of a bite of pizza. I was pretty tired myself. Or maybe it was the effect of the magnetic field that seemed to be passing between Hank and Sheryl.

“Excuse me, Hank.” I tapped him on the shoulder. “I know it’s early, but I’m beat. I don’t want to spoil your fun, so I’ll just have Matt drive me home.”

“Well, if you’re sure....” Hank tried his best to look disappointed. But he couldn’t quite hide the trace of relief stealing into his face. Sheryl had an even harder time concealing her feelings. She actually gave me a grateful smile.

Confident that I’d done the right thing, I returned Hank’s sweater, cleared my throat, and said loudly, “Guess we’ll be going.” For insurance, I gave Matt a gentle kick under the table.

“What?” Matt shot up. I think I woke him.

“Yes, we’ll be going now,” I repeated. I went over to Matt and took his hand. “Thanks for the pizza, Hank. So long, everybody.” I led Matt back to the car, explaining the situation as we walked.

“Are you awake enough to drive?” I asked as we got in the car.

“Oh, sure,” said Matt. “Nothing like a drenching rain and stiff wind to wake a guy up.”

“Maybe we should just sit here for a while,” I suggested.

“Oh?” Matt grinned as he leered. “And do what?”

I laughed. I knew he was fully awake now. “Drive home, that’s what.”

At my house, I refused to let him walk me to the door in the pouring rain. He needed to get home. In my room, as I peeled off my wet clothes, something occurred to me. I was wet and tired, yes. But I wasn’t really miserable--which was odd, since being cold and wet usually left me feeling wretched. In addition, I’d essentially been “dumped” by my official date, however unintentional that might have been.

I slipped into my nightgown and robe pondering this when I heard the doorbell. I jumped into my fuzzy slippers and dashed down to answer it.

“Matt! What on earth...?”
“I’m sorry,” Matt said sheepishly. “I ran out of gas.”

I couldn’t help laughing. The evening was getting absolutely ridiculous. “Wait. I’ll throw on a coat and drive you to a gas station.”

Just then Dad trooped down the stairs. “Nonsense,” he said. “I couldn’t help overhearing. I’ll go pick up some gas. You take Matt into the kitchen and fix him something warm.”

“Thanks, Dad.” I led Matt to the kitchen table. “How about some hot chocolate?”

“Sounds good.” He put his hand over his mouth and coughed.

When the hot chocolate was ready, I poured out a couple of mugs for us.

“I guess I’ve ruined your evening,” said Matt. “I’m sorry.”

“Ruined my evening?” I was genuinely surprised. “I had a good time. It was fun helping you take pictures, and the flat tire and all the rain was, well, sort of adventurous.”

“But what about your date with Hank?”

“Hank and I are friends,” I explained, omitting the fact that I’d only gone out with him to discourage Matt’s attention. “That’s why he asked me to the game. I think in their hearts, he and Sheryl hadn’t broken up at all. He wasn’t looking for a new romance. He just needed a friend. It’s not as though he left me high and dry. He knew I wouldn’t be stranded with you around.”

“That’s me,” said Matt. “Old reliable.”

“I didn’t mean it like that.” I stared into my hot chocolate, trying to hide my embarrassment. “What I meant was, uh,...you were like....”

“...a Knight in Shining Armor.” Matt grinned.

“Exactly.” I pretended to go along with the joke. “You came to my rescue and swept me off my feet.” I lowered my head and sipped my hot chocolate so Matt wouldn’t see me blush and guess how close to the truth that was. I realized now that the reason the rain and cold hadn’t bothered me much was because I’d been with him.

“Hi!” Dad stuck his head in the door. “I’m back with the gas.”

“Thanks. I’ll be right out,” said Matt. “I’ll have to unlock my gas cap.”

“Okay,” said Dad. “Meet you at your car.”

“Before I go,” said Matt, “I was wondering....” He hesitated a moment, then went on. “How about driving around town with me tomorrow so we can take some of those candids for the yearbook? You’re more familiar with Kenilworth than I am.”

I thought for a minute. I’d just spent the whole evening with Matt and nothing had happened to damage our working relationship. The Who’s Who was never even mentioned. Surely I could gamble on spending a day with him, especially since it would be yearbook related. “I’d like to go with you,” I said. “It’ll be fun.”

“I’ll pack some lunch,” said Matt. “Pick you up at nine?”

“See you then.”

After Matt left, I met Dad coming back in the front door.

“Matt seems like a nice young man,” said Dad.

“He is, Dad,” I said dreamily. “He is.”

CHAPTER 6

By the time Matt picked me up, I’d made up my mind to not worry about any significance of the day. It was a beautiful, crisp fall morning. Matt and I were going out to take pictures. It would probably be fun, and that was that. No worries about the Who’s Who, asserting authority, or anything. Just a good time.

“Where to first?” Matt asked as we pulled away from my house.

“How about the town library? That’s where we’d probably have the best luck at this time of day.”

“The library it is.”

We’d barely gotten out of the car at the library when Matt started snapping pictures of a cluster of seniors going in the front door. “Think we can take some pictures inside?” he asked.

“Can’t hurt to ask.”

I knew Mr. Beresen, one of the reference librarians, pretty well, so I talked to him. Once I explained that we’d be quiet and not disrupt anyone, he agreed to let us take a few shots.

I decided to act as a decoy, going up to seniors to talk while Matt sneaked up to take their pictures. That way we got real candids.

After the library, we went to the supermarket. Around back we found a few of the guys unloading crates of produce. We got some pictures of them working, and then some of them horsing around once they’d spotted the camera. Then I again did the talking to get permission to take pictures inside. Matt snapped seniors stocking shelves, wrapping meat, and working the cash register.

Next we drove around town just trying to catch kids on the street or in their front yards. We got some good shots doing that.

“How about Shaky’s next?” said Matt.

“I think we’d find more kids there in the afternoon,” I said.

“Well, where’s this Mill Pond you mentioned once? I haven’t seen that yet.”

“Head up North High Street,” I said. “It’s tucked away in the woods.”

When he turned on to the narrow woodsy road leading to the pond, Matt said, “This would have been hard to find on my own.”

We bumped along for a quarter of a mile until we came to the pond. Maple and oak trees splashed with red, yellow, and orange provided a colorful backdrop.

“You can park over there.” I pointed to a turnaround.

We stopped, and Matt gazed out the car window. He seemed to appreciate the beauty of the spot as much as I did. “This is a neat place.”

“I love it here.”

“There’s just one problem.”

“What’s that?”

“We’re the only ones here.”

For a second, I didn’t know what he meant. “Oh! That’s right. I guess this isn’t the best time of year at the pond. In the summer everyone swims here, and in the winter everyone ice skates. I like to see the leaves in the fall. But that’s not going to draw a lot of kids all at the same time. Maybe we should go to Shaky’s.”

“Not so fast,” said Matt. “I don’t know about you, but I’m getting hungry. This looks like a great place for a picnic.”

“Good idea.”

We got the picnic basket out of the trunk. Matt grabbed the blanket from the back seat.

“Let’s sit in that grassy area by the big maple tree,” I suggested.

We unloaded sandwiches, apples, cheese, nuts, cookies, and a thermos of hot chocolate. I sat cross-legged and started out nibbling delicately. But the fresh air and great food spurred my appetite. Soon I was practically wolfing down everything.

“This is terrific,” I said as I crunched an apple.

“I’m glad it didn’t rain today,” said Matt.

“Me too.” I noticed that the sun emphasized the golden color of Matt’s curly hair. “We wouldn’t have been able to find many seniors outside if it rained like it did last night.”

“And we wouldn’t have been able to sit and enjoy the scenery,” said Matt as he polished off what must have been his seventh cookie.

“Glad you like it here,” I said. It pleased me that he liked the Mill Pond, since I thought it was a special place. “By the way,” I teased, considering my own healthy appetite, “where’d you learn to pack it in like that and not get fat?”

“Ah.” Matt sat up and threw open his jacket, and joked, “Muscles rippled under his shirt. He was lean, tough, powerful.”

I giggled. “That doesn’t answer my question.”

“I moved here from Iowa. My dad’s a chemist, and my mom’s an accountant. But my grandparents are farmers. Work a few summers on a farm, and you too can have the physique of a Greek god.”

“I’m sorry I asked!” I laughed.

Matt stretched out on the blanket. “What about you? Have you always lived here?”

“Yes. Kenilworth has been my home all my life,” I said. “I’d like to see more of the world, but I think even if I move away this will always be home in my heart.”

“I know what you mean,” said Matt. “I like it here. But I miss Iowa.” He looked wistful.

I felt a stab of jealousy. What if there was a girl back in Iowa he missed? Or maybe lots of girls. I didn’t want to think about that. I gestured toward the colorful leaves. “Fall is my favorite season.”

“It is beautiful,” said Matt. “In fact, there are a lot of things about the area that I find attractive....” He was staring right at me.

I was beginning to wonder why I’d ever thought I couldn’t date Matt. The reasons seem so silly now. Still, a kernel of uncertainly nagged at me. I chewed my lip. “I-I suppose we should get going and take some more pictures.”

“Excellent idea.” Matt hopped up. “I’ll get my camera. You wait here.”

I started packing things away in the picnic basket.

Matt returned with all his camera equipment. “We can really make the most of this light.” He made a frame with his hands and held them in front of my face.

“What are you talking about?” I picked up the picnic basket and started for the car

“Hold it,” Matt said. “The basket will make a good prop.”

“What are you talking about?”

“For the pictures I’m going to take of you.”

“Of me? Don’t be silly. We’re supposed to be taking pictures of seniors for the yearbook.”

“You’re a senior.”

“Well, yes, but....”

“And as editor, there should be a picture of you.”

“But here? At the pond?”

“Why not?” said Matt. “You said it’s your favorite place. Besides, it’ll make a nice backdrop. Now, sit down and rest your elbow on the picnic basket.”

“But....”

“No ‘buts.’ Just sit.”

“Oh, all right.” We needed to kill some time anyway.

“Now look over that way and smile.”

I looked. I smiled.

“Now. Over there. Lean against that log. Look down. As if you’re in deep thought.”

“That’s easy. I do that in class all the time!”

“Ha, ha.”

I posed next to the pond, standing against a tree, sitting in the grass with my hands around my knees. “You’re going to waste all your film,” I warned.

“I’ve got plenty of film,” said Matt. “And no picture of you would be a waste. Except maybe this one.”

The next thing I knew, Matt set the camera on a rock and then ran over and sat on the grass next to me. He put his arm around me and pressed his face close to mine. “Look at the camera and smile!”

I had no trouble smiling.

The camera whirred and clicked. Matt leapt up. “Now,” he said, “over to the blanket.”

Feeling giddy, I hurried over to the blanket. “Now what?”

“Lie down on your side. Bring your top leg forward so your knee is on the blanket. Bend your right arm. Rest your head on your hand. Place your left hand in front. Perfect.”

“Isn’t this kind of racy for the yearbook?” I giggled. I was beginning to feel like a fashion model.

“Look sexy in an exaggerated way,” said Matt. “A mock pose ought to be cleared by the censors.”

I tossed my head back and flashed a toothpaste-commercial smile. “How’s this?”

“Perfect! Hold it.” Matt snapped the picture. “Okay, you can relax.”

I sat up. “That was fun. But I assume you’re going to destroy the negatives.”

“Are you kidding?” Matt wriggled his eyebrows. “These pictures are going in my portfolio.”

I laughed. “Well, don’t hold your breath waiting for The New York Times to give you an assignment based on pictures of me.”

“Now, now.” Matt shook his finger at me. “The pictures could be valuable some day when we’re both famous.”

“What we’ll be is infamous,” I said, “if we don’t have enough candids for the yearbook. Just imagine all the blank pages.”

“I can take a hint.” Matt stood up and offered me his hand. “Let’s go.”

We wound up spending an hour taking pictures at Shaky’s. They started out as genuine candids, but it didn’t take long for everyone to catch on to what was happening. Everyone started posing, but the poses could hardly be considered formal. Kids made faces, stuck straws in their ears, and posed like body-builders in a contest.

When we started packing up to leave, everyone clamored, “More.”

“Yeah, don’t stop.”

“More, more.”

“We’re out of film,” I said.

“Boo!”

“Really,” said Matt.

“We’re going to schedule a senior class day downtown, and we’d like all the seniors to show up for it,” I said. “We’ll take pictures all over the downtown area.”

A cheer went up.

“When?” someone called out.

“Soon,” I said. “We’ll put up announcements at school as soon as we’ve set a date.”

There was another cheer.

Matt and I loaded up the car with his gear, and he drove me home.

“That was a good day,” said Matt. “I’m glad I had you for my tour guide.”

“It was fun.” I didn’t want the day to end. “Um, how about...how about staying for supper. You deserve a reward for all your hard work.”

“I don’t consider it work.” Matt smiled. “But I accept your invitation.”

As we passed by the living room on our way to the kitchen, there was Iris practicing her ballet. For a moment, I panicked. I’d completely forgotten one small detail--how weird my family had been acting lately! But as Iris pirouetted around the room, she looked rather graceful. Maybe her clumsy phase was over.

In the kitchen Dad was already cooking dinner, so it was too late for me to suggest the menu or cook the meal myself. Now I had to worry about what weird dietetic concoction Dad was making and how I could explain it.

“Mom ran out to a garage sale at the old Parker house at the last minute,” said Dad. “She thought she might find an antique or two. She’ll be back soon, but it’s my turn to fix dinner anyway.”

I glanced into the skillet. Chicken, mushrooms, and peas. It smelled delicious. “I asked Matt to stay for dinner. Is that okay?”

“Sure,” said Dad. “There’s plenty. You two can set the table.”

Dinner went remarkably well. I managed to steer the conversation away from the subjects of diets and exercise, and Iris dropped her fork only once, not enough to make Matt suspicious. After dinner, Mom and Dad and Iris disappeared to various parts of the house, leaving the living room free for Matt and me.

Matt sat next to me on the sofa. As we talked, I felt as if he was photographing me with his eyes. I wanted to memorize his every feature, from the cleft in his chin to his blond curly hair. I thought I’d found the sort of special boy that Anna’d always hoped I’d find, and I realized then why she’d always been so eager for me to find him.

Every time Matt looked into my eyes, my heart turned over. I was sure I could feel affection coming from him. Then, much too soon, it was time for him to go. We lingered at the front door. I’d been waiting for this moment. Matt pulled me close. I slipped my arms around him. We kissed, slowly, tenderly.

When Matt left, I leaned against the closed door and sighed. It had been a perfect day. Just perfect. Nothing had gone wrong. Surely nothing would go wrong. Would it?

CHAPTER 7

On the way to school Monday I told Anna all about my weekend with Matt. “Everything’s going to fall into place. I just know it.” I hugged my books to my chest. “It has to work. It’s too special not to.”

“Mmmm-hmmm.” Anna nodded.

“Mmmm-hmmm? Is that all you have to say? You, who promoted a romance with Matt from the beginning.”

“Mmmm.” Anna nodded again.

“Hey!” I waved my hand in front of Anna’s face. “It’s Laurel. Your best friend. Discussing her love life.”

“Oh. Sorry.” Anna smiled apologetically. “I guess I was sort of distracted.”

“Sort of.”

“It’s just that Stuart called last night....”

“Stuart? That’s great! What did he want?”

“He’s coming home to see me this weekend.”

“That’s terrific. Usually he doesn’t come home until Thanksgiving. Why so soon? What’s up?”

“He was kind of...mysterious.” She looked worried. “Just said he wanted to talk.”

“Anna!” I clutched her arm. “I’ll bet he’s going to propose!”

“Propose?” Anna’s eyes widened. “Do you think so?”

“Of course! What else would drag the ever-dedicated Stuart away from his studies? He...he can’t live without you, and he wants to get married this summer so you can be together at MIT next fall.”

“Hmmm. In that case I’d better get accepted at MIT.”

“How can you joke about it?” I exclaimed.

“Stuart isn’t even in town yet,” Anna said matter-of-factly. “He’s probably just homesick. Your imagination is working overtime because you’re in the early stages of a romance with Matt.”

“Well....” I blushed. “That’s possible.”

“Tell you what. Come with me on Friday afternoon when I meet Stuart at the train station. We can find out together what he’s up to.”

“Sure,” I said. “Though I doubt he’ll propose right there with me hanging around.”

I could hardly keep from skipping in the halls that day at school. My feelings of romance in the air colored the usually drab school interior with hues as bright as the autumn leaves. In history class I barely heard what was going on as Matt and I exchanged meaningful glances all period. I couldn’t wait until the yearbook meeting after school. The thought of a ride home with Matt was almost intoxicating.

Finally, after what seemed an eternity, the last bell rang. I rushed to the yearbook meeting after a pit stop in the lavatory to comb my hair and touch up my lipstick. I wanted to look nice for Matt. He was there, waiting for me, when I arrived at the meeting.

“Hi, Laurel.” Matt beckoned to me. “I spent all day yesterday developing pictures. Come see.”

“The candids? Already?” I shuffled through a stack of photographs. “These are terrific! Everyone looks so...so natural.”

“You make it sound as if they’re dead!” Matt feigned horror.

“You know what I mean.” I elbowed him in the ribs. “You did a great job.”

“We did a great job,” Matt corrected. “I couldn’t have done it without your help.”

I smiled, pleased that he was so willing to give me credit. “Well, they inspirational. I’m almost dizzy spinning captions in my head already.”

Others started arriving. I couldn’t wait for them to see the pictures. “Look.” I waved around a bunch of photos. “Aren’t these great?”

Everyone clustered around, passing pictures back and forth.

They laughed at the silly poses, nodded approvingly over the ones that captured people perfectly, and suggested ideas on how to use them. I jotted down as much as I could. But everyone was talking at once.

“Hold it.” I shouted over the mild roar. “Let’s get organized. We can divide these up into categories. Pure candids, pictures we’ll use for advertising, that sort of thing.”

“Good idea,” said Matt. His eyes met mine.

I felt warm all over. Excited as I was about the yearbook plans, I almost couldn’t wait for the meeting to be over so I could be alone with him. But first things first.

Mr. Bonine stopped by to check on our progress and drop off some sample cover material the printer had sent. He thumbed through a few of the candids, and the next think I knew he was going through each pile, murmuring, “Good, good. Oh, that one’s great.”

He came to see what I was working on. I showed him a couple of captions I’d come up with for the ads.

“Those are good,” he said. “The idea itself is great. Drawing attention to the ads is good business and good public relations. It shows you’re concerned with the whole community.” He looked at his watch. “I’ve got to go. You probably should wrap things up now too.”

After everyone else had left and Matt and I were gathering up the photographs, a thought came to me. “Say, Matt. I was talking to Mr. Bonine, and he sort of gave me an idea. What do you think about taking candids of the teachers? They can’t always afford to have new pictures taken each year, so some of their photos are fairly old. There’s even one of Mr. Robinson when he still had hair!”

Matt laughed.

“It should be easy to catch them in class or in the halls or at school activities.”

“Good idea,” said Matt. “The only drawback is that I won’t need you to guide me around the school.”

“I’m sure I could come up with some excuse to escort you.”

“Good.” Matt took my hands in his. “I like working with you. You inspire me.”

“Hmmm. I’ll have to think of more ways for us to work together.”

“I can think of one.” Matt gave me a smile that sent my pulse racing.

“Oh? What’s that?” Anything that gave us more time together would be perfect.

“We could start planning shots for the Who’s Who.”

Anything but that. I withdrew my hands from Matt’s and walked over to the window. It was still light out, but long shadows crossed the courtyard. I swallowed a lump in my throat. Maybe Matt was just teasing. We’d had such a good time together this past weekend. The football game, the pizza at Shaky’s, taking pictures, the Mill Pond. The goodnight kiss.

Surely it had all meant something. Would Matt have spent all that time with me, laughed with me, kissed me just to get his way about the Who’s Who? I turned and faced him. I searched his eyes, those gorgeous blue eyes that made me want to melt. What was he really thinking?

“You know I don’t want to include the Who’s Who.” I tried to keep my voice steady.

“I know.” Matt grinned. “But I thought I could change your mind.”

“Well, you can’t.” I had to hold my ground. It was more than just a matter of what I wanted or didn’t want. I had to show Matt who was editor-in-chief. I couldn’t be swayed by what I was now sure was his phony interest in me.
“Come on. I’ve got lot of good reasons that should convince you.” He came over to the window. “First of all....”

“Forget it!” I brushed him aside and grabbed my coat. “It’s my decision and I’ve decided no Who’s Who.”

“But....”

“No buts. It’s final. Don’t bring it up again.” I thought I saw a hurt look in Matt eyes. For a second, I almost weakened. But the dull ache in my stomach reminded me that he’d already fooled me once. I started to leave.

“Laurel, wait.” Matt reached out and caught my arm. “I don’t know why you’re so upset about this, but can’t we talk about it? We could drive to....”

“I can’t.” I had to cut it off completely. No more rides. “I-I have to go to the...drug store.”

“I’ll give you a lift.”

“No.” I waved him off. “It’s out of your way.”

“But it’s getting dark.”

“So? I’m a big girl. I can find my way home in the dark.”

“All right,” Matt said evenly. “Have it your way.”

I shivered all the way home. Not just from the chill in the air but from the cold gripping my heart. I blinked back tears. Why hadn’t I listened to my own voice of reason in the first place? I knew it would be trouble if I got involved with Matt.

At home, I barely picked at my dinner. I hardly reacted when Iris knocked her glass of milk over on to my plate. “It’s all right,” I said. I mopped up the milk with my napkin. “I wasn’t very hungry anyway.”

“You feeling okay?” Dad asked.

“Not coming down with something, are you?” Mom had that look of concern on her face.

“I’m, uh, just tired. May I be excused? I’ve...got a lot of homework.”

“Sure, Laurel.” Dad exchanged a worried glance with Mom.

“Really,” I assured them. “I just had a long day at school.”

In my room, I laid down on my bed and stared at the ceiling. I noticed a tiny cobweb in the corner. A bug was heading right for it. That’s me, I thought. I walked right into Matt’s web of deception.

There was a knock on the door. Iris stuck her head inside. “Hi. Can I see you minute?”
“Well....”

“I just need you to check this math problem for me.”

“Okay. Come on in.” I sat up and motioned Iris to sit next to me. “What is it?”

“I’m sure I’m doing this problem correctly, but the answer I keep getting doesn’t match the one on the answer page.” She handed me her homework paper.

I looked it over. “The math is correct,” I said. “Let me see the book.” I read over the problem. “Ah, here. You copied this number down wrong. It should be fifty three miles per hour, not fifty eight.”

Iris took a close look at the book and then at her paper. “So that’s all it was. I was going nuts trying to solve it. Thanks.”

“Sure,” I said. “No trouble.” I expected Iris to leave. But she sat there with a questioning look on her face. “Is there something else?”
“Well....” Iris had the family tendency to blush easily. “I was just wondering, that is, um, how’s Matt?”

“Matt?” My turn to blush. “He’s fine. Why do you ask?”
“Is he your...your boyfriend now?”

“My boyfriend? Why, no. Whatever gave you that idea?”

“Well, gee. You sure were kissing long enough the other night!” She clapped her hand over her mouth. “I mean, gosh...I wasn’t spying or anything. I started to go downstairs and I just saw you.”

“You could have cleared your throat or something.” I scowled. “How long were you standing there, anyway?”
“Long enough to see that you kissed for nineteen seconds!” Iris bit her lip. “Er, I think. It was kind of hard to read my watch in that dim light.”

“You timed us?” I waved my arms in the air. Then I forced myself to calm down. I didn’t want Iris to think it was a big deal. She would if I protested too much. “It’s not really any of your business, but I will tell you that kiss didn’t mean anything. Matt and I work on the yearbook together. That’s all.
“Boy, when I’m in high school I hope I can work on the yearbook.” Iris giggled. “It sure looks like fun!”

“Out!” I handed Iris her math book and pointed to the door.

She left, trying unsuccessfully not to laugh. I flopped back down on my bed. A wave of uneasiness swept over me as I realized that Iris wasn’t the only one I’d have to explain to about Matt. I had to tell Anna. I turned over on my stomach. Well, maybe that wouldn’t be so difficult. She’d been so distracted thinking about Stuart when I’d told her how I felt about Matt. It was possible she hadn’t paid much attention to what I’d said.

The phone rang. It was Anna.

I shoved a pillow under my head, wondering if this was as good a time as any to fill her in on my latest situation.

“You know,” said Anna. “I was so wrapped up about Stuart that it didn’t really sink in until just a while ago what you were telling me about Matt. That’s so great! I’d always hoped you’d find someone special.”

“Sorry,” I said, hoping to sound casual. “False alarm.”

“But you said....”

“Forget what I said.” I sighed. “It was all a big mistake.” I filled her in on all the gory details.

“Are you sure your imagination isn’t working overtime?” said Anna. “Matt seems too nice to be so insincere.”

“I’m sure. Everything he said and did was carefully geared to butter me up so I’d change my mind about the Who’s Who.”

“Well, I think you could be wrong,” said Anna. “But you know him better than I do.”

“Yes, I do. Look, I’ve got to go. See you tomorrow, okay?” I was afraid that if I talked about it much longer, I’d cry.

The rest of the week I avoided Matt as much as possible. It wasn’t hard, since he really didn’t try to talk to me. In fact, it seemed that every time I turned around he was with Janie Wright. It hurt when I saw the two of them together taking pictures of teachers. But what did I expect? I decided I would let them worry about yearbook pictures, and I would concentrate on writing copy.

I threw myself into the work. It helped take my mind off Matt. Evenings at home, I tackled writing a paragraph for each senior. It wasn’t easy trying to capture a whole personality in just a couple short paragraphs. I started jotting down whatever came to mind when I saw a name.

Hank Coleman...Three-letter athlete...tall...likes a certain sophomore...happy-go-lucky, but serious deep down...look out NFL.

Anna Wilson...long black hair...tough goalie...class president...our fearless leader.

I started to scratch out that last phrase because I remembered that Matt had used it. But I changed my mind. The phrase fit. I wouldn’t let myself worry about Matt’s influence one way or the other. I finished off with ...future doctor.

I worked on some more. Lance Jennings...Chevy...bowler...”What can I say?”...future in the business world.

Ruth Melonson...organized...quiet...purple sweater...pet peeve--Trig....want to travel and teach.

Delores Davis...athletic...many true loves...hearty laugh...essay winner...hopes to live and work in New York City.

After a while, what had started out as a difficult task became fun. I knew I’d have to have others on the staff help, since I didn’t know each and every member of the class that well. But a plan evolved.

At the next yearbook meeting, I announced, “Let’s not write formal paragraphs for senior write-ups. We’ll list their activities and club associations, but then we’ll just use a few words and phrases to capture the essence of each person. We could pass out forms to each senior too, so they could list pet peeves, special memories, favorite phrases, and that sort of thing that they might want included.”

My suggestion was greeted with silence. I toyed with a pencil. I paced around a desk. Facing a room full of people was a lot different than dealing one on one. I could see Matt watching me out of the corner of his eyes. He was probably wondering if I’d be as bossy with the committee about this as I’d been with him about the Who’s Who.

Finally, I said, “Let me give you some examples.” On the blackboard I wrote out the characterizations I’d done of Ruth and Hank and Anna. I stepped back and let everyone read them and waited.

The room buzzed. Everyone started calling out catch phrases and special events and characterizations of various seniors.

“Write everything down,” I said. “We can sort it all out later.”

Matt, for the first time in days, approached me. “I like your idea,” he said. “In a way, it’s like verbal candids.”

More phony flattery? All I said was, “Thank you.”

“Speaking of candids,” said Janie, “everyone’s been asking when we’re going to have the Senior Class Day downtown. How about if we set a date, Laurel, and get things going?”

I’d almost forgotten Senior Class Day. “Good idea. It should be on a weekend. How about a week from Saturday?” I looked to Matt for his approval. After all, he was the photographer.

“Fine with me,” said Matt. Then he said something that surprised me. “You’ll be there, won’t you Laurel?”

For a moment, I was speechless. But then it occurred to me that he might have decided he couldn’t influence me if he didn’t see me. “Oh...I don’t know.”

“You have to be there,” said Janie. “You’re editor-in-chief.”

“Yes, but....”

“You once said anything to do with the yearbook was part of your job,” said Matt. “You have to be there.”

I knew when someone was mocking me. “I’ll be there!”

“Oh, good,” said Janie. “You always come up with such good ideas. With the three of us working together, it should be great.”

“I’m sure,” I said. For a second, Matt and I looked at each other. I hoped that for the sake of the yearbook we could work together for one day.

“You know,” said Janie, “we should start on the Who’s Who soon too if it’s going to be included.”

That threw me off balance. Had Matt put Janie up to saying that? Or had he said nothing, and Janie was just innocently bringing it up, not knowing I’d definitely shelved the Who’s Who?

“We have a lot of things to do,” I said carefully. “The write-ups for the seniors, the Senior Class Day downtown. I’d like to take it one step at a time for now. In fact, if you get started on some posters for the Senior Class Day, I’d really appreciate it.”

“Oh, sure!” Janie went off to work on the posters. At least temporarily I’d diverted her attention away from the Who’s Who.

I cast a sideways glance at Matt.

“I didn’t put her up to that,” said Matt. “No one knows you’ve already vetoed the Who’s Who. Unless you’ve told them.”

Matt’s insinuation made me squirm. I kept my voice low, so no one would hear us. “I’ve been too busy with a lot of other things to worry about the Who’s Who.”

“You’ll have to let everyone know about your decision sooner or later.” Matt stepped closer to me. “They may be distracted by other stuff for now, but eventually they’ll have to know.”

Was Matt making a veiled threat? Was he trying to intimidate me into changing my mind? Was he implying that if I was too much of a coward to say anything, that he would?

He could be just hoping that I’d change my mind. Maybe he thought everyone would be against me and demand that I reinstate the Who’s Who, if only they knew about it. Still, I thought he was telling the truth about not telling anyone. I wished I knew exactly what he was up to.

I folded my arms in front of me. “Don’t worry. I’ll deal with it.”

Matt stuffed his hands into his pockets. “I only want what’s best for the yearbook.”

“Me, too.” I gulped down a trace of quilt as I said it.

CHAPTER 8

Anna met me at school after the yearbook meeting. Her father had let her borrow his prized Volkswagen Bug in order to pick up Staurt. The train didn’t stop in Kenilworth, so we had to drive to the New Have Station to pick him up. He was due in at five-fifteen.

I wondered now why Ann had asked me to go with her. She and Stuart couldn’t talk privately with me around. Surely he had something special to say to her to make a trip home before vacation.

I wondered, too, why I had agreed to go. I guess I wasn’t thinking straight when I was temporarily blinded by love, or whatever it was I’d thought I’d felt for Matt. Now I was going to feel like a fifth wheel. Seeing Anna and Stuart together and happy would only make me feel depressed.

“So,” said Anna. “How’s it going with the yearbook these days?”

I hesitated, then said, “I guess it’s going okay, except for Matt. With everyone else I’ve managed to keep my cool and not act like a dictator, although that always seems to be my first instinct. But, somehow, with Matt I do get...high-handed. It seems to be the only way I can deal with him.”

“Hmmm.” Anna tapped the steering wheel. “Maybe that’s because deep down you know he’s right about the Who’s Who.”

“I’ve explained why I want to cut the Who’s Who,” I snapped. “It’s childish, it label....”

“Hold it,” said Anna. “I’ve figured out why you’re against it. You’re afraid you’ll be chosen as half of an ‘Adorable Couple.’ You think your parents are haunted by it, and you don’t want to follow in their footsteps.”

I didn’t say anything.

So Anna continued. “You pull rank on Matt because your know your arguments aren’t valid. You know that you’re the one who’s being selfish, not him.”

“It’s my decision, if I want to make it. It’s the principle of the....”

“Phooey! You’re just being stubborn.”

“I’m not stubborn!” I shot back. “I’m...I’m resolute.”

We’d reached the turnpike exit for New Haven. Anna pulled off, then headed south toward the railroad station. “Well, I think you should think about it. Consider your credibility.”

“Hmmmph.” I turned and stared out the window. If anyone other than Anna had said those things to me I’d probably explode. Not that I wasn’t pretty upset. But Anna and I had been friends for too long for me to not realize she had my best interests at heart--even if I didn’t agree with her. I was glad we’d reached the city, and she let the subject drop. Maybe seeing Stuart would make her forget about the entire Who’s Who business, and I would be spared any more lectures.

We arrived just as Stuart’s train pulled into the station. Anna wrung her hands as we watched the passengers getting off and heading our way on the platform. She must have been excited at the prospect of seeing Stuart.

Within a couple of minutes everyone had gotten off and the train had pulled out of the station. But no Stuart. Then, at the same time, Anna and I noticed a guy with a red beard standing on the other side of the track, holding a green duffel bag.

“It’s Stuart,” said Anna in a voice choked with emotion.

I never would have recognized him with the beard, but, sure enough, he smiled and waved. Next thing I knew he was giving Anna quick hug and a kiss on the cheek. It seemed like a low-key greeting to me. But then I guess he wasn’t going to demonstrate his passion with me standing there.

Stuart didn’t say much on the way home and when he did he sounded tired. The train ride probably did him in.

That night I conjured up all sorts of scenes depicting Stuart proposing to Anna. He would take her to a fancy restaurant and she’d find an engagement ring in her shrimp cocktail. Or he’d drive her to the Mill Pond and, with moonlight sparkling on the water, he’d slip a ring on her finger. Or maybe he’d be really old-fashioned and get down on one knee.

Such romantic thoughts distracted me from my own misery of my relationship, or lack thereof, with Matt. The next morning I could hardly wait to call Anna and find out exactly what happened. It was probably even better than anything I’d imagined.

Finally, at ten o’clock, I couldn’t wait any longer. I called. “Hi, Anna. It’s me.”

“Oh Laurel. I’m so glad it’s you. I need to talk. Can I come over?”

“Sure!” She wanted to see me in person. She wanted to show me her ring! Well, I wouldn’t spoil the surprise by guessing ahead of time. “Come on over.”

In a couple minutes Iris called up the stairs. “Anna’s here.”

I practiced one more surprised look in the mirror, then opened the door for Anna.

“Hi,” I said, trying not to sound too excited. “What’d you and Stuart do last night?”

Anna slumped onto my bed, her head bowed. She covered her face with her hands.

For a second I thought she was joking around. Then I heard her muffled sob. I put my arms around her. “Anna, what’s wrong? What happened?”

“Oh, Laurel!” Ann looked up at me with reddened eyes. “Stuart broke up with me.”

First thing, I checked for his fraternity pin. It was gone. I’d always thought Anna and Stuart were indestructible, like bricks and mortar. I felt helpless. I hardly knew what to say. “I-I’m so sorry.”

“I couldn’t believe it. At first...at first I though he’d at least suggest that we date other people, but still see each other.” Anna wiped a tear from her cheek. “But he broke it off completely. He-he’s been dating another girl.”

“Stuart’s been seeing someone else?” My illusions were shattered.

Anna nodded. “You know what’s funny?” She sniffled. “Here my heart is breaking, but all I can think is, ‘how could he do this to me just before the Homecoming Dance?’ All I can picture is me, senior class president, going alone to a stupid dance that won’t even matter in the long run! I’m a fool for worrying about something so unimportant.”

“It’s not unimportant.” I pounded the mattress. “Not if it matters to you. If Stuart’s been seeing someone else, he should have told you before now. It wasn’t fair. You could have been dating all the time too. Guys!” I was thinking of Matt now. I pounded the pillow. “They’re impossible!”

Anna let out a half-laugh, half-sniffle. “I’ve never seen you so worked up.”

“Well, I can’t stand to see you hurt.”

“You know,” said Anna, giving me a little hug. “With a friend like you to help me through it, maybe it won’t hurt so much.”

“Look,” I said, patting her hand. “As of now we both needs dates for the Homecoming Dance. I don’t want to go alone either, especially since my parents are going. What we need to do is round up a couple of guys. They don’t have to be the loves of our lives.”

Anna thought for a minute. “You’re right. There must be a couple of guys who are just as anxious as we are to have dates for the dance without making a permanent commitment out of it.”

“Definitely.” I didn’t want to discourage Anna by saying how hard it might be with the dance only a couple weeks away, since I’d brought up the idea in the first place.

“It’ll be kind of weird after not worrying about dates for the past two years.” The corners of Anna’s mouth twitched. “But it might be fun. Remember the ‘manhunts’ we used to go on in junior high?”

“Oh, boy.” I rolled my eyes. “Lurking around the boys’ locker room, hanging around during baseball practice, walking back and forth in front of Jimmy Nelson’s house fifteen times a day! What were we thinking?”

“I don’t know.” Anna stifled a giggle. “I don’t think I’ll resort to those tactics.”

“We can be more subtle than that.” I couldn’t keep from laughing. It was good to see Anna acting silly.

“Oh.” Anna sighed. “I’m glad I came over to see you. I feel better already.”

“Good,” I said. “Say, let’s get out and do something today. We can think about guys tomorrow.”

“It’s a nice day to be outside,” said Anna. “Let’s go for a walk.”

“Good idea.”

We bumped into Iris in the hall. A feeling of female camaraderie swept through me. “Iris, we’re going for a walk. We’ll probably head downtown. Want to come?”

“Me?” Iris blinked. “Sure!”

Though there was a definite chill in the air, the sun was bright and the walk was invigorating. Soon our cheeks were glowing pink. We didn’t say much. We just enjoyed the lift we got from fresh air and sunshine.

We did go downtown and poked around in the drug store and Mario’s Department Store. Then we were about to cross Main Street, when Iris started to step out in front of an oncoming car.

I grabbed her and pulled her back to the curb. “Iris!” My heart pounded. “That was close. Why did you step out in traffic like that?”

Iris was shaking. “The-the sign said ‘Walk,’ didn’t it?”

“No,” said Anna. “It said ‘Don’t Walk.’”

“That’s right,” I said. “Couldn’t you see--” Suddenly it hit me. The spilled milk. The dropped forks. Bumping into things and misreading her math homework. “That’s it, isn’t it? You’re having trouble seeing.”

“No. Not really. Well...sort of.” Iris stared down at the sidewalk.

“Why didn’t you say something?” I exclaimed. “You probably just need glasses.”

Iris didn’t say anything.

“Oh. You don’t want to wear glasses.”

“It’d be terrible,” Iris wailed. “With glasses I wouldn’t be...I wouldn’t look...”

“You’d still be your same adorable self,” Anna tried to assure her.

“Oh. Right. Sure.” Iris wrinkled her nose. “How many models wear glasses? How many actresses?”

I could see talking wasn’t going to convince Iris of anything. “Look,” I said. “We’re only a couple blocks from Bright Eyewear. Let’s go in and you can try on frames. Just for fun. Just to see how you’d look.”

“Come on,” said Anna. “We can all try on frames. There are tons of styles. It’d be like trying on sunglasses.”

“Let’s do it,” I said. “After all, some of the most popular girls at school wear glasses.”

“Well...” Iris hesitated. “If you both promise to try them on too.”

“Promise,” said Anna.

“Cross my heart.”

“Oh, all right,” said Iris. She didn’t look too enthusiastic.

We ended up half dragging her into Bright Eyewear and nudging her over toward the frames.

“May I help you?” the receptionist asked.

“We’re just looking,” Anna said.

The receptionist nodded and left us alone.

Iris fingered a couple of frames, but wouldn’t try any on. So Anna and I started trying some. I slipped on a pair of large, round purple frames and modeled them for Iris.

“How about these?” Anna asked. She had on a square, tortoiseshell frame. “Think they’d impress them in admissions at Brown University?”
“I’d accept you,” I said.

Eventually our fooling around enticed Iris to start trying on some frames. After a couple minutes she really got into it. “What about these?” she asked. “Do you like these?”

Then she tried on a pair of oval wire frames that just seemed to suit her.

“Those look great,” I said.

“Mmmm. I don’t know.” Iris wrinkled her nose.

“You look scholarly,” said Anna, no doubt thinking that was a sure-fire compliment.

“Hi, Iris.” The voice took me by surprise. It was Matt. “Those glasses look great on you.”

“They-they do?” Iris stammered.

“Yes.” Matt came over for a better look. “They give your face a certain...mystery.”

“Really?” Iris checked herself in the mirror. She tilted her head to one side.

“They give you a ‘woman-of-the-world’ look,” said Matt.

Iris gave the mirror a sultry glance. “You know,” she said, “if I really need glasses, I think I would like a pair like this.”

“They are nice,” I said.

“I like them too,” said Anna. “But just for fun, let’s look at those over there with all the rhinestones.” She took Iris by the arm and practically dragged her across the room.

Anna probably meant well by giving me a moment alone with Matt. But I didn’t know what to say to him. After a bit, I finally said, “Um. Thanks. I think you told Iris just what she needed to hear.”

“Don’t give me too much credit for originality.” Matt grinned. “It’s what my father told my sister when she needed glasses. Funny thing is, though, it’s true. Glasses do seem to give Iris a mysterious look.”

I nodded. I wondered why Matt was being nice. There’d been no reason for him to convince Iris the glasses looked good on her. Unless, of course, it was just another subtle way of trying to get on my good side so he could change my mind about the Who’s Who. I was tongue-tied and confused. If only I could read Matt’s mind.

“Well...” Matt ran his finger along the edge of the mirror. “Guess this time next week we’ll be in the middle of our Senior Class Day downtown.”

“I can’t wait,” I said, a bit too eagerly. What was wrong with me? My resolve to be cool toward Matt was weakening.

“Same here,” said Matt.

“Excuse me.” The receptionist seemed to be addressing Matt. “Are you here to pick up the glasses that Mr. Stannard left to be repaired?”

“Yes.” Matt excused himself with a nod and walked over to the receptionist’s desk. As he was writing out a check Anna and Iris came back.

“I have to be getting home soon,” said Iris. “I’m supposed to baby-sit for Mrs. Wagner in a while.”

“All right,” I said reluctantly. Matt was still busy at the desk. I’d half hoped if we hung around he might offer us a ride home. I would have been tempted to accept. Maybe ignoring Matt wasn’t the best policy. How could I figure him out if I didn’t spend any time with him? But then, so often he was with Janie. It probably didn’t matter now how he’d really felt about me. Any change of heart on my part would probably be too late.

On the way home the wind picked up. Iris complained about being cold. Then, “Look!” she shouted. “Snow!”

“It’s only flurries,” said Anna.

“But so early in November,” said Iris. “Maybe it’ll snow all weekend and we won’t have school on Monday! What do you think, Laurel?”

“Hmmm?”

“The snow,” said Iris. “Do you think we’ll get much snow?”

I looked up at the fluffy flakes drifting down toward me. Until then, I’d hardly noticed the cold. My thoughts had been focused on private memories of Matt. “I don’t know. Probably not.”

“Well, I hope we do get lots of snow.” Iris caught a flake on her tongue. “It would be fun!”

Snow. No snow. It didn’t matter much to me. Right then I felt empty.

In front of my house, Anna drew me over and whispered, “Guys. Monday.”

I hoped my enthusiasm would return by then.

That evening I made sure Iris talked to Mom and Dad about possibly needing glasses. At least something positive had occurred that day.

By lunch time Monday Anna greeted me with what appeared to be a smile of success. Could she possibly have gotten a date for the Homecoming Dance already? I’d been too distracted thinking about Matt, wondering if I’d been too hasty in my judgment of him, to even contemplate the effort.

Anna set her lunch tray on the table and sat down. She wasn’t one to beat around the bush. “Guess who asked me to the Homecoming Dance?”

I thought for a couple of seconds. “I give up. Who?”

“Jimmy Nelson! Can you believe it?”

“Good job. You work fast.”

“I didn’t do anything,” said Anna. “We’d just sat down at the lab bench to start working on our titrations in chemistry, and he noticed right away that I wasn’t wearing Stuart’s fraternity pin.”

“Sounds as if he’s been lying in wait for you!”

“I can hardly believe it.” Anna lowered her voice. “He told me he used to see me walking in front of his house all the time when we were in junior high. But he was too shy then to know what to say or do. By the time he got enough confidence to ask girls out I was already going with Stuart.”

“He told you all this?”

“Yes.” Anna’s dark eyes brimmed with tenderness. “He said he’d better catch me before I got another steady boyfriend. That’s when he asked me to the dance.”

“I take it you said yes.”

“He was so sweet. How could I say no?” Anna lowered her thick black lashes. “I really want to go out with him. I know I’ll need time to get over Stuart, but I think seeing Jimmy will help. A lot.”

“I’m happy for you.”

“What about you?” Anna grinned mischievously. “What’s the progress report on your front?”

I thought about telling Anna the truth, that I couldn’t concentrate on anyone but Matt, that he invaded my thoughts in spite of the fact that I did try to not think about him. But I didn’t want Anna worrying about me. “Oh,” I said. “I think I have a couple of promising prospects.”

“Good! We’ll have a great time at the dance.”

“Um...yes.” I tried to swallow my doubt. “I guess so.”

CHAPTER 9

The rest of that week I made a couple feeble attempts to find a date for the Homecoming Dance, but my heart wasn’t in it. Even my parents’ exuberance didn’t pique my interest.

“Semi-formal,” Dad was saying one night. “Rose, what exactly is semi-formal?”

“Your blue suit will do nicely, Bud,” said Mom. She held up the knee-length dusty- rose chiffon dress she planned to wear, and swirled around the room. She spotted me watching her. “Laurel.” She smiled tentatively. “Have you decided what to wear yet?”

She hadn’t asked me if I was going. I wasn’t sure if she assumed I was or merely hoped I was. I still had a little over a week to get a date--if I ever got around to really trying. So I went along with her tiptoe-around-the-subject approach. “I don’t know, Mom. I’ve got that yellow dress, but I might want to look at new ones. I’ve got time to think about it.”

“Of course,” said Mom, tactfully dropping the subject. “Tell me, do you think my thighs look slimmer? I’ve been doing leg lifts for weeks.” She stuck out her jean-clad leg.

“Mom, your legs look terrific,” I assured her. “Besides, who’s going to see them unless you trade in that dress for a bathing suit?”

“You’re right.” Mom laughed. “I don’t know what I’m worrying about. This is just a friendly reunion, not a contest.”

“Right!” Maybe she and Dad were coming to their senses. I knew I should do the same and forget about Matt and find some nice guy to go to the dance with me. Well, I still had time. I could worry about it another day.

At school the next morning the main topic of conversation was not next week’s dance, but Saturday’s Class Day downtown. It sounded as if every one of the ninety-seven seniors planned to attend.

After school we had a short yearbook meeting scheduled. Just me, Matt and Janie Wright. Matt and Janie were waiting when I arrived.

“Hi,” I said as nonchalantly as possible, trying not to stare at Matt’s blue eyes. “I think we’re about set for tomorrow.”

“I can’t wait,” said Janie. “Absolutely everyone I talked to is coming!”

“Everybody’s agreed to meet in the parking lot in back of the drug store,” said Matt. “How about if we all get there a few minutes early. I can drive the three of us.”
It was just a practical offer, but it gave me a flicker of hope. Besides, Anna was getting a ride with Jimmy Nelson, and I didn’t want to go alone. “Fine with me.”

“Well, we’re set then,” said Matt. “Meeting over?”

I tried to stall, to think of another topic. I wished I could talk to Matt privately. But not a single subject about the yearbook sprang to mind. I sighed. “Meeting over.”

Matt helped Janie with her coat, then turned to me as sort of an afterthought. “Need a ride home, Laurel?”

I felt a rush of pink to my cheeks. “Y-yes. Thanks. I’d like one.” My pulse quickened. A few minutes alone with Matt wasn’t much, but it could be all I’d need.

Unfortunately, it turned out he was giving Janie a ride somewhere--not home. I half hoped he’d ask me along too, wherever they were going. But he stopped in front of my house. As I turned to thank Matt for the ride, a sense of loss passed through me.

I still didn’t know Matt’s true motives concerning me and the Who’s Who. I could have taken the trouble to find out. But, oh no, I had to be stubborn and pull rank, ever fearful of losing my authority. Now it didn’t make any difference what Matt’s intentions had been.

Saturday morning I woke up to find a slate gray sky. I hoped it wouldn’t rain and put a damper on Senior Class Day.

Then I noticed a big, fat snowflake waft past my bedroom window. Then another and another. I hoped it wouldn’t snow too much, or we might have to postpone everything.

As I ate, showered and dressed, I kept peering out windows, hoping the snow would stop. But it came down harder. The flakes were big and wet. They rapidly piled up.

Just as I was starting to panic I head a scraping sound. I ran to the window. A snow plow and sanding truck were going down the street. Hooray for the town crew!

The snow let up a bit by the time Matt and Janie picked me up. The only change in plans I had to make was to dress for snow. I dug out boots and a hand-knit red wool stocking cap with matching mittens. A touch of color for the yearbook pictures.

“Hope the snow doesn’t keep anyone away,” said Matt.

“Are you kidding?” I said. “This won’t keep anyone away. We’re tough!”

Sure enough, shortly after we parked in the back of the drug store, others started arriving. Soon almost the whole senior class was there.

“What a mob scene,” said Matt as he snapped pictures of everyone as they arrived. “Do you have any specific plan in mind for this crowd, oh exalted leader?”

For a second I worried that Matt was being sarcastic. But then I saw the twinkle in his eye. Over the mounting clamor I said, “I’d like a shot of everyone in the Post Office Square.”

“Post Office Square!” Matt shouted. Janie and I helped pass the word, and in a few minutes everyone was herded into the square. By then the snow had stopped falling.

Janie followed Matt, watching his every move and handing him film or a different camera whenever he needed it. They worked well together. Even though I felt a stab of jealousy, I couldn’t allow myself to work up any real resentment. I’d blown my chance with Matt. I was determined to keep my feelings in check. After all, this was Senior Class Day.

“Laurel,” I heard Matt say to me. “What I really need is to take a picture from higher up, so I can get everyone in one shot. Any ideas?”

“Hmmm.” I surveyed the Square. “That second story window over the drug store would give you a great viewpoint. Let’s ask Mr. Tole if he’d mind if you went up there.”

“Good idea,” said Matt. He turned to Janie. “Think you can control this unruly mob of seniors for a few minutes?”

“Of course.” Janie laughed. “They don’t intimidate me.”

I caught a glimpse of Anna and Jimmy holding hands, and Bob and Ruth arm-in-arm. Maybe some day they’d look back at these pictures and remember how they first met. Or maybe they’d look back and hardly remember who they were with. But at least they had someone special to share special moments.

I swallowed a lump in my throat. Well, I had the yearbook editorship, I reminded myself. I’d wanted it a lot and it meant a lot to me. Sharing the joy, not to mention the sweat, of it with Matt would have been fun. But it was going to be memorable no matter what. I refused to feel sorry for myself.

Mr. Tole was delighted to let us go upstairs to take pictures from his window. As he led the way he said, “I graduated from Kenilworth High myself, you know. Of course, there were only forty-six in my senior class. Sure wish someone had thought of taking pictures downtown then. The town has changed almost as much as I have.” He chuckled as he patted his protruding stomach. “Nothing stays the same. But it’s nice to remember how things once were.”

Matt clicked away. “I’m getting some great shots from up here. I’ll get everyone in one picture in this next shot.”

“Could I get a copy,” asked Mr. Tole.

“Sure,” said Matt. “Thanks for letting us up here.”

“Glad I could be of help.” Mr. Tole slapped us both on the back so heartily that I almost lost my balance.

Matt held the door open for me as we left the store. I drank in his enthusiastic smile, committing it to memory, even though I knew it was due to his excitement about taking pictures rather than for me.

“What next?” Matt asked as we stepped outside into the frosty air.

“You’re asking me?” I said. “This Senior Class Day was actually your idea, you know.”

“I only thought of it after you suggested taking pictures around town,” said Matt. “Besides, every idea you’ve come up with has been a good one.”

“You give me too much credit.” I was glad my cheeks were already pink from the cold because I could feel myself blush. “But in order to justify your faith in me, let me think a minute.” Thinking on my feet was not my specialty, but I came up with something. “Let’s have everyone out on the sidewalk of Main Street. You can take pictures of them lined up in groups of nine or ten. They could hook their arms together. You know, ‘all for one and one for all.’ That sort of thing.”

“Yet another good idea.” Matt grinned.

We quickly explained the idea. It didn’t take long for everyone to form groups and line up. As Matt took the pictures, I noticed that the groups were a real mix. Some of the people had hardly spoken to each other since junior high. Not that they were enemies or anything. They’d just drifted apart over the years. But doing something as a unit, as seniors, seemed to bring out a spirit of solidarity. I guess subconsciously we all realized that this was the last year we’d be together as a class and we might as well make the most of it.

As the pictures were being taken, some of the kids fooled around tossing snowballs and jumping on piles of snow. It gave me another idea. “Why waste all this snow? Let’s go down to the Town Green and build a giant snowman!”

I barely had the words out of my mouth when the whole senior class galloped toward Liberty Street and the triangle-shaped park with the statue of a Revolutionary War soldier at its center.

“Disorganized” would probably best describe the scene that followed. There were at least six groups rolling up huge balls of snow. Each group was “assisted” by kibitzers whose main function seemed to be to torment those truly working by throwing snowballs, sticking snow down someone’s back and snatching hats and gloves. While the setting may not have been orderly, it certainly gave Matt and Janie some good oportunities for picture taking. Those photos would be nothing if not “candid.”

After a while things got kind of unruly. Everyone went in a different direction. Giant snowballs were on a collision course.

“Hold it!” I yelled.

Everyone skidded to a halt and looked at me.

“We have enough snowballs here for two snowmen. It’s time to starting stacking them before they’re too heavy to lift. “ I saw people nodding in agreement. “To be fair, we should have a snowman and a snowwoman. How about some scarves and hats, just long enough for pictures?”

Matt grabbed my hat. “Here’s one for the snowwoman!”

There was a yell of approval, followed by a flurry of scarves, gloves and even a pair of suspenders contributed to the cause. The snowpeople went up side by side. It was kind of inspiriring to see the ten-foot high figures dominating the Town Green.

“Okay,” said Matt. “Since this is your hat, Laurel, you’ve been selected to officially crown the snowwoman.”

Before I knew what was happending, I was hoisted up the side of the snowwoman. I clung precariously with one arm around her neck as I carefully placed my hat on her head. Just as I let go of the hat I lost my grip and started to slide down.

Matt caught me. I held my breath. His arms held me firmly. His gaze searched my eyes. I was sure he could feel my heart pounding. Just as I thought his lips were about to touch mine, the crowd hooted and whistled. I snapped out of my trance and pulled myself out of his embrace. Janie stood a couple feet away, holding the camera.

“Thanks for catching me, Matt,” I said quickly. I didn’t look him in the eye. I turned away before I could see the embarrassed look he must have had on his face. He got carried away for a second. Kissing a girl who’d sailed into his arms would have been nothing more than a spontaneous response. It wouldn’t have mattered who she was.

The crowning of the snowpersons seemed to signal an end to Senior Class Day. People drifted away. Matt packed up his cameras. I followed the crowd back to the drug store parking lot wondering if I should try to hitch a ride with Anna and Jimmy.

Someone tapped me on the shoulder. It was Janie. If she was upset about Matt almost kissing me, she didn’t show it.

“Hi,” she said. “Matt’ll be along any minute. He went back to get your hat. I’ve got the key. Let’s wait in the car. I need to thaw out my fingers.”

“Uh...sure.” I hadn’t seen Anna and Jimmy, and my hands were cold too--not to mention my head. Maybe the almost-kiss had been just in my imagination. Maybe being in Matt’s arms just made me wish that he’d almost kissed me.

In the car Janie said, “There are going to be some great pictures. Wait until you see the expression on your face when you landed in Matt’s arms!”

I was dying to ask exactly what kind of expression was on my face, but at that point Matt hopped in the car and handed me my hat.

“I don’t know how you climbed that snowwoman so easily,” he said. “I had two guys helping me--football players!--but I kept sliding off before I could reach the top. I finally got smart and knocked off your hat with a well-aimed snowball.”

“My hero!” I said it jokingly, but I meant it as a compliment. I wasn’t sure Matt took it the right way, so I added, “Thanks a lot.”

On the way home, Matt asked me something that surprised me. “Laurel, Janie and I are going to develop pictures at my house this afternoon. Want to help?”

“It’ll be fun.” Janie’s rosy lips curved into a smile. “Matt’s taught me a lot about photography.”

I pictured the two of them working side by side, hands touching. Maybe Matt wanted me to see how close he and Janie had become. Then I suddenly remembered the pictures he’d taken of me at the Mill Pond! Maybe he planned to use them to embarrass me. Or blackmail me! I knew my imagination was running wild. But I couldn’t handle it. “Thanks for the offer,” I said carefully. “But I, uh, already promised I’d do something with Iris this afternoon.”

“Too bad,” said Matt.

“Yes,” said Janie. “Matt makes everything about photography exciting. I can’t wait until next week when we go to the Homecoming Dance and take pictures.”

My heart sank. So Matt was taking Janie to the Homecoming Dance.

“Are you going?” Matt asked.

“Yes,” I said quickly. I didn’t want him to think I’d been pining away waiting for him. I’d go, date or no date.

“Great,” said Matt. “We’ll see you there.”

“Yes.” I tried to sound as matter-of-fact as he did. “See you at Homecoming.”

CHAPTER 10

The week leading up to Homecoming I hemmed and hawed over what to do--or not do--about a date. I didn’t really want to go by myself. But I didn’t really want to go with anyone either. Like it or not, my heart was stuck on Matt. I knew I wouldn’t be very good company for anybody else. It wouldn’t be fair to ask some guy and then act depressed all evening.

I toyed with the idea of not going at all. In fact, I was standing in front of a poster advertising the dance, contemplating how I’d feel if I stayed home, when Bob Fleet came up to me.

“Hi, Laurel. Going to the dance?”

“Um, well...” Oh, why not the truth. “I don’t know yet.”

“I was going to take Ruth.” Bob sighed. “But she came down with chicken pox!”

“Oh, no. Poor Ruth.”

“Yes, she’ll be out of school for two weeks.”

“That’s terrible.” I felt bad for Ruth, but then, on impulse, I made a proposition to Bob. “If you want to go to the dance on a just-friends basis, I’m available.”

“Hey!” Bob snapped his fingers. “Good idea. Ruth wouldn’t mind. In fact, she said she wanted me to go. It’d be fun. We could make the rounds, but still have someone to touch base with.”

“Exactly.” Bob and I sorted out the details. I went to my next class feeling optimistic for the first time all week. As Bob said, we could make the rounds. And I knew just with whom I wanted to circulate. What harm could there be, after all, in one little dance with Matt? I could...could get him out of my system. Sure. We’d dance, he’d hold me stiffly and act formal and it’d confirm that we were nothing more than co-workers on the yearbook.

After school I told Anna about going to the dance with Bob. The first thing she did was suggest going downtown to look at dresses.

“I figured I’d just wear my yellow--”

“Oh, come on,” said Anna. “It’ll be fun to look. Besides, you’re a senior, you should wear something special, and, well, Matt will be there.

“Oh, I know,” I said matter-of-factly. “He’s taking Janie Wright.”

“So? That doesn’t mean you can’t dance with him.”

I’d thought after her breakup with Stuart, Anna wouldn’t be urging me to get involved. But the light in her eyes told me she was either a hopeless romantic or was developing feelings for Jimmy that prompted her to fan even the tiniest spark she thought she saw still existing in me. Casually I said, “I guess there’d be no harm in one dance.”

“I knew you’d see it my way.” Anna grinned. “Now let’s go shopping.”

She didn’t have to twist my arm. We headed straight for the Camelot Shoppe, located in the front rooms of a two hundred year old brick house on Main Street. I loved the historical atmosphere. The store carried only one dress of any style because in the small towns it served the owner felt it was important not to have a bunch of duplicates running around.

The only drawback was finding a great dress--but in the wrong size, especially when you waited until only a couple days before you needed to wear it. I crossed my fingers as we stepped inside the shop. We were greeted with the fragrance of branches of witch-hazel sitting in a pitcher on the mantel of the working fireplace.

We bypassed the hand-knit sweaters and wool slacks and headed for the dresses. There were plenty of floor-length formals, but the pickings were slim for semi-formals. I started to search through the rack, when I spotted a peach satin dress with satin appliqués bordering a scalloped hem. Not only was it in my size, it was on sale.

I rushed into a dressing room to try it on. When I stepped out to see it in the three-way mirror, Anna gushed, “Ooooh, it’s perfect for you!”

Modesty kept me from agreeing, out loud anyway. “I do like it. And it is half-price.”

“That’s a sign,” said Anna. “The dress is meant for you.”

I’d already made up my mind to get it. But I let Anna spend a few more minutes convincing me. She was having such a good time doing it.

That night in my bedroom I again tried on the dress. Though I kept reminding myself that I was going to the dance with Bob, I pictured myself dancing with Matt and imagining what a, well, adorable couple we’d make. But Matt was going with Janie. If I did dance with Matt it would be strictly platonic.

The night of the dance I was as nervous as if it was the first time I’d ever been on a date. I couldn’t even pick at the pizza that Iris had ordered because Mom and Dad had gone out to dinner.

But I calmed down when Bob picked me up. He looked terrific in his dark suit, and, amazingly enough, his father had lent him his Mercedes. So we were going in grand style.

Bob kept up a running commentary on everything from his latest bird-watching adventure to the number of pox covering poor Ruth’s face. By the time we got to the dance he had me in a good enough mood to look forward to enjoying my last Homecoming Dance as a student at Kenilworth.

We danced a couple dances. Bob was a smooth dancer and it was fun to check out the other girls’ dresses and hair. Anna looked terrific in a red dress with ruffled neckline, her dark hair sparkling with a few strategically place sequins.

Bob and I had some punch and cookies and then he suggested we make the rounds. “I’m going to dance with every senior girl tonight,” Bob vowed. “Or collapse trying.”

“Good idea,” I said, trying to share his positive attitude. “Except I’ll concentrate on the boys!”

We parted with a promise to touch base now and then during the evening. I took a deep breath and scanned the room for a potential partner. Anna and Jimmy drifted into view. I tapped Anna’s shoulder. “Hi. Mind if I cut in?”
“Be my guest.” Anna did an exaggerated curtsy.

“I really ought to thank you,” said Jimmy as we whirled around.

“Thank me? For what?”

“Anna says it was your idea to walk back and forth in front of my house all the time back in junior high.”

“Oh, she did, did she?” I laughed.

“I never would have had the nerve to ask her out, especially after sweating out two years of her dating Stuart, if I hadn’t thought she had some interest in me.”

“Well, I’m glad I could be of service, however indirectly.”

After Jimmy, I danced with Hank, then Lance, Peter, Tommy, Chris and Ron. I took a short break, then danced with Alan, John, Donald, Russ and Mike. I was nearing the half-way point as I danced with Mark, when I was practically blinded by a flashbulb going off. It was Matt. As I blinked, the music ended but not before I stumbled on Mark’s foot.

“You okay?” Mark helped me maintain my balance.

“Yes,” I said, once Matt was gone. “That...flash just caught me off guard.”

Assured that I was okay, Mark left to find his date. Bob stopped by to see how I was doing.

“I’ve danced with over half the girls so far,” said Bob. “What about you?”

“I’m getting there,” I said. “Remember, there are eight more guys than girls in our class.”

“Then you’d better get going.” Bob smiled and was off to ask another girl to dance.

I headed for the refreshment table to nibble a cookie, compose myself and think. I wondered what to do about Matt. I wanted to dance with him, but not because I was trying to dance with every boy in the class. I wanted to feel his arms around me. But he was with Janie. Still, one little dance...what harm in that?

I finished my cookie and was brushing the crumbs from my fingers when I noticed that Janie was circling the room taking pictures. Matt was headed for the refreshment table. My heart overruled my brain. I cut off Matt before he could make it to the punch bowl. I flashed what I hoped was a confident smile. “Hi, Matt. How about a dance?”
He hesitated for a second. Then, offering me an arresting smile, he said, “Sure.”

He slipped his arm around my waist. We danced in a relaxed, easy manner. I closed my eyes and let my thoughts wander. The next thing I knew I had my chin resting comfortably on his shoulder. Things were getting downright snug. I was beginning to think, or at least hope, that Matt was enjoying the dance as much as I was. This was hardly the stiff, formal moment I’d thought would get Matt out of my system.

Too soon the music stopped. I was reluctant to step out of the warm circle of Matt’s arms. But when he thanked me for the dance and excused himself so he could help Janie, I was thrust back to cold reality.

As I prepared myself to put Matt in the back of my mind and plunge ahead to dance with classmate number sixteen, my parents arrived. They spotted me, rushed over and started telling me all about their reunion. They were both talking at once and we were taking up space on the dance floor, so I maneuvered them over to a table.

“Now,” I said, feeling as though I was the parent. “Tell me about the reunion.”

“It was funny at first,” said Mom. “All I noticed was how different some of the people looked.”

“You should have seen how bald some of the guys were,” said Dad, patting how own hair as if it were made of spun gold.

“But after the first ten minutes,” Mom continued, “we just saw past all the changes. It was like stepping back in time.”

“It was like being eighteen again,” said Dad, a wistful smile on his face. “Only better, because we know who we are now and we’re comfortable with whom we’ve become.”

“I still can’t get over Ralph Hawkins.” Mom shook her head, laughing. “In high school he was all hands and feet, a real nervous type. If you said Hi to him in the halls, he’d drop his books. Now he’s...he’s a...” Mom had to stop, so she wouldn’t laugh. “Now he’s a brain surgeon!”

“And Sally Miles,” said Dad. “She used to sit next to me in most of my classes. She’d talk and fool around and bug everyone around her. She apologized to me tonight. She said she was sorry about disrupting things all the time, that I’d been nice to put up with her, but she’d acted that way because she’d been bored. Turned out she’s practically a genius and she went through Harvard in three years!”

“Tim Simon is the one who surprised me most,” said Mom. “He was the class wolf. First thing he said to me was that I looked just the same as in high school only twice as good.”

“Sounds as if he hasn’t changed,” I said.

“I don’t know,” said Mom. “He’s married, has six kids, coaches Little League. After his opening compliment, all he talked about was his family.”

“Did everyone undergo a major metamorphosis?” I asked.

“Oh, no,” said Dad. “There were people who were pretty much the same. Their interests may have changed, or some of their opinions, but the basic personalities were still intact.”

“What about you?” I asked, trying to be subtle. “Did, um, everyone still think you were an...adorable couple?”

“Adorable couple?” Mom had a blank look on her face. Then she brightened. “Oh, you’re referring to the Who’s Who! I think most people were happy just to see that we’re still together.”

“Yes,” said Dad. “Lots of couples broke up after high school. Of the few who did marry, there were a couple divorces.”

“And poor Richard Engert.” Mom shook her head sadly. “A heart attack so young. Leaving Marge a widow with three children.”

Dad put his arm around Mom. “We’re both still here and we’re together. That’s what counts. Not how adorable we are--or aren’t.”

Mom nodded, but then grinned. “Of course, I think we still look cute together and I know I’ll think so even if we both live to be one hundred.”

I actually had a lump in my throat and could have easily cried. But there were too many people around. And I was supposed to be having fun. “Well,” I said after clearing my throat, “it was great hearing about the reunion.” I gave them each a quick hug. “But now I’ve got some more dancing to do.”

“We need to start dancing,” said Dad. “Mrs. Blossom, may I have the honor?”

“Why, of course, Mr. Blossom.” Mom batted her eyes at Dad and they were off, whirling around the dance floor.

I made up my mind to finish what I’d started--to dance with every boy in the senior class. And when I had a chance, whether it was tonight or later, I’d talk to Matt and tell him I’d changed my mind about the Who’s Who. It had been selfish of me to want to delete it, considering how popular it was. I could see now that my insecurity about handling leadership had contributed to my stubbornness. But it was my talk with Mom and Dad that really made me realize how foolish I’d been to worry about it so much in the first place.

It was too late to make any difference regarding Matt. Now that Janie was so clearly in the picture, I was definitely out of it, as far as romance went. But I did want to do what was right and I knew Matt would love taking pictures for the Who’s Who.

The evening sped by as I danced up a storm with Jim and George and Buddy and Larry and Dean. Not to mention Gene, Ken, Curtis, Scott, and last but not least, Ben. The crowd started thinning out, but I saw that Bob was still dancing. It looked as if he’d added a few sophomores and juniors to his list. Since Bob was having a good time and I was tired, I sat at a table in a quiet corner of the room.

Just as I was catching my breath, Janie Wright came and sat down next to me. She set a bag of camera equipment down on the floor in front of her. “Hi,” she said as she sorted through cameras and film. “Nice dance, wasn’t it?”

“Yes. I had a good time.” I was glad I could say that truthfully.

I watched the remaining die-hards on the dance floor, my parents included. They looked as though they had the energy to dance another four or five hours.

“You know, I saw you and Matt dancing,” said Janie. She paused for a second while she labeled a canister of film. “You two certainly made a cute couple.”

CHAPTER 11

I thought that was an odd thing for Janie to say. Was she an incredibly generous person? Or did she suspect my true feeling and wanted to get me to reveal them with verbal shock treatment?

I figured a polite response would be best. “Why, thank you.”

I guess that tactic worked.

Janie nodded, then quickly said, “The dance was great, wasn’t it? I’m sure Matt and I got some terrific pictures.”

After that we just sat there. I was actually on the verge of nodding off waiting for Bob, when Matt appeared. He gave me a warm, friendly smile. That made it harder for me to erase my feelings for him. If he’d shot me a dirty look or something, I could at least work up some indignation and get him out of my system faster.

I returned Matt’s smile. Was it my imagination that he seemed poised to ask me something just when Bob came bounding over?

“Hi!” said Bob to all of us. Then to me, “Last dance, Laurel. Come on!” He grabbed my hand.

Next thing I knew, we were on the dance floor. I kept my eyes peeled for Matt and Janie. Sure enough, they were dancing the last dance together, laughing and smiling and having a wonderful time.

As the final notes of music faded, I couldn’t help but continue to watch Matt as he helped Janie with her coat. They gathered up all the camera gear and headed out the door. I could picture them climbing into Matt’s old but comfortable clunker. I’d have given anything to be sinking into it’s cracked upholstery instead of the Mercedes’ leather seats.

Bob dropped me off at home with a friendly peck on the cheek, and a promise to say Hi to Ruth for me. Mom and Dad weren’t home yet and Iris was not up, so I went straight to my room and slipped out of my dress. It was so pretty--too bad I hadn’t worn it for someone really special to me.

But the dance had been fun and I was glad I had gone. I had danced with some guys I’d never danced with before. And I’d stirred up some happy memories while dancing with some boys I had dated over the years. I probably wouldn’t have done that if I’d gone with Matt.

Maybe by graduation I’d be dating someone who would make that time seem extra-special. If not, however, at last I knew I could still have a good time.

Sunday afternoon I called Anna and asked her to come over. I was out in the back yard, scattering bird seed on the frozen ground when she arrived. We sat on the back steps and talked, naturally, about the dance.

“I really had a nice time,” said Anna. “Jimmy is a sweet guy and I like him a lot. I’m still working on getting Stuart out of my system. Still, it’s good to know that, meanwhile, I can enjoy another guy’s company.”

I nodded as I tossed out the last of the bird seed. “I had a good time with Bob too. Of course, we didn’t spend that much time together, buy maybe that was the point. We didn’t feel obligated to spend every second with each other.”
“It looked as if you danced with every boy in the entire senior class!” Anna wore a look of approval.

“I did.” I smiled, and tried not to giggle. In Junior High Anna and I probably would have considered dancing with every guy in class a major accomplishment. Now, I found it’s simply been a fun experience, though certainly one I would remember fondly through the years.

“You even danced with Matt.” It was almost a question.

“Yes...” I knew Anna was waiting for me to go on. “It felt so good, being held in his arms. For a couple minutes there...” I didn’t need to explain. “But he and Janie seem to be a solid couple. I’ve...I’ve changed my mind about the Who’s Who. I’ll tell Matt tomorrow after school. It won’t change anything, but I want to do what’s right. I see now it was silly of me to worry so much about the Who’s Who to ever have considered eliminating it. It is just for fun. And to have been so stubborn about it, not wanting to budge. I wasn’t being a leader, I was being a dictator!”

“Hey! Don’t be so hard on yourself,” said Anna. “We all make mistakes. The trick is to learn from them. I’d say you have.”

“Boy, have I. The hard way. I lost out on a great relationship with a terrific guy.”

“Well, you and Matt can still be friends.”

“Sure...but that’s not much consolation.”

“Ta da!” The back door flew open. Iris stepped out, flinging her arms wide. She wore a trench coat with the collar turned up, a man’s hat pulled down on one side and glasses.

“Iris!” I stared at her. “When did you get glasses? They look great on you!”

“I picked them up yesterday,” Iris said. “You were busy getting ready for the dance, and I wanted to surprise you. I got the hat and this neat old trench coat at the Thrift Shop for only five dollars! How do you like my look?”

“It’s terrific,” I said.

“Makes you look like a glamorous spy,” said Anna.

“Ahhh,” said Iris. “Precisely the look I was aiming for.”

I remembered that it was Matt who had told Iris the glasses gave her a mysterious look. She’d certainly taken his comment to heart, and created a thoroughly enigmatic image for herself.

“I like the new you,” I said.

“Me too,” said Anna.

“The best part is,” said Iris, tugging the hat down a bit farther, “I haven’t bumped into or dropped anything since I got my glasses.” With a dramatic flourish she skulked back into the house.

“There’s one girl,” said Anna, “who’s managed to trade in her official Blossom adorable image for something more exciting.”

“Yes,” I said. “She seems to have developed a flair for it. As for me, I’ve decided it’s okay to look ‘adorable’ as long as I have my health.”

Anna looked puzzled.

I filled her in on what my parents had told me about their reunion, how happy they were to still be together on this earth. “Some day I may want or need to look more sophisticated or glamorous or serious, but until then I’m happy the way I am. I don’t need to act like a dictator to get respect. I just wish I’d realized it sooner.”

Anna nodded, and smiled sympathetically.

The next day at school I resisted the urge to try to talk to Matt between classes. I needed more than a couple of minutes on the run to apologize for being a stubborn fool and to get things on the right track again.

I even held off during the yearbook meeting after school. I really wanted to talk to Matt alone. Finally the meeting ended. Everyone left except Matt, Janie and me. I’d forgotten about Janie. I’d have to wait at least another day.

I was putting away some photographs when I realized Janie was saying goodbye--to me and Matt. My throat went dry. My big opportunity had arrived and I didn’t know how to begin.

Matt was nice enough, I thought, to want to be friends after I cleared up our disagreement about the Who’s Who. But I wasn’t sure how I’d handle that, feeling about him the way I did. Maybe I needed some distance between us in order to get over it. It would be hard enough seeing him with Janie and pretending it didn’t matter.

However, I had an injustice to correct, so I’d just have to put aside my personal feelings. “Say, Matt,” I said finally, trying to sound casual. “If you have a few minutes, I’d like to talk to you.”

“Well...” Matt glanced at his watch. “I guess I have time. What’s up?”

I took a deep breath, then blurted it all out. “I was wrong about the Who’s Who. You were right. It’s all in fun. It is a way to recognize lots of people who might not get any recognition otherwise. It doesn’t label people forever. It’s just how it is at one point in someone’s life.”

I sat down. I shook from trying to spew it all out at once.

“Well.” Matt cocked his head to one side. He sat down next to me. “Just what made you change your mind?”

“Lot’s of things.” I waved my arms in the air. “My parents, their reunion. I don’t know--maybe just getting older and wiser. I’m sorry for being such a tyrant about it.”

“It was your decision to make,” said Matt. He got up and looked out the window. “Maybe if I hadn’t pressured you so much to change your mind, you wouldn’t have gotten so upset with me.”

I gulped. I’d been afraid Matt had just been playing up to me to get me to change my mind. I didn’t want to tell him that, but I still wasn’t sure if I’d been right or wrong. I went over to a counter near the window and fiddled with some papers. “Maybe we should...expand the Who’s Who. Add more categories.”

“If that’s what you’d like to do.” Matt turned toward me. “We have come up with good ideas when we worked together.”

“We do make a good team,” I said. The I quickly added, “Of course, we’d include Janie too.”

“Everyone could pitch in with suggestions.”

“Well, yes. Naturally. But since you and Janie are going together--”

“Hold it.” Matt folded his arms across his chest. “What made you say that?”

I was confused by Matt’s stern attitude. “I-I just meant that Janie could work with us.”

“I understood that,” Matt said. “I was asking why you said Janie and I are going together.”

“Well, you are..aren’t you?”

“As a matter of fact,” said Matt, “we are not. We’ve been working together. Janie wants to be Photo Editor next year. She figures she stands a better chance if she learns as much as she can about photography. That’s why she was at the dance with me.”

I guess astonishment was written all over my face, because the next thing he said was, “Don’t look so shocked.”

I gripped the edge of the counter. “I-I’m sorry. I mean, I thought...it’s just that I saw you together all the time. She went to your house to develop pictures. I saw you together at the movies..”

“The movies?” Matt raised an eyebrow. “Oh, yeah. I remember. I ran into her in the ticket line, so we sat together. She’s a nice girl and maybe I would have dated her, but--I’m surprised you didn’t know, she sees a guy she met at the beach in Madison last summer.”

“Oh,” I said in a small voice. “I didn’t know.” I felt about two feet high. “You must think I’m a jerk.”

“Not at all.” Matt came over and brushed a loose lock of hair away from my face. “In fact, I’m hoping you’re glad Janie and I aren’t seeing each other.”

“You are?” The way Matt looked at me made my pulse race. “I-I mean, I am,” I said. Still, I had to make sure of his motives. I couldn’t go around having even the tiniest doubt. I forced a small laugh and tried to sound as if I were joking. “You’re not saying all this just to make sure I won’t change my mind about the Who’s Who?”

Matt stepped back, a hurt look on his face. “Of course not! Why would you even say that?”

It was obvious he was insulted by my implication. My throat tightened. What could I do but tell him how I felt, throw myself on his mercy and hope he understood? “I...I’ve felt awfully insecure as editor at times. I’ve never been head of anything before. Since I didn’t know you that well I worried that you...that I...I’m sorry. You were only pushing for what was best for the yearbook. I was foolish to think...” The ache in my throat choked my voice.

“Don’t cry.” Matt reached into his pocket. I thought he was going to get me a handkerchief. Instead he pulled out his wallet. He opened it, and showed me a picture. “Does this make you feel any better?”

It was the picture of me and Matt at the Mill Pond, where he had his arm around me.

“I guess I can see how you might have your doubts about me,” said Matt. “You have known me only a few weeks. I’ve got to confess I started to wonder about you when you turned so cold when I tried to get you to reinstate the Who’s Who. And I kept seeing you with other guys. But I hope the fact that I’ve been carrying this picture in my wallet, and the fact that there’s a lineup on my desk of the other pictures I took of you, convince you that my intentions have been, shall we say, honorable.”

I sniffled and nodded.

Matt took me in his arms and gave me a smile that was as good as a kiss.

I blinked back my tears. “We’ve got a lot of planning ahead of us if we’re going to do a good job on the Who’s Who.”

“We’ll probably have to work on it night and day.”

“Good idea!”

“But first I have to hurry to the garage before it closes, so I can pick up a couple of parts for my car.” Matt held out one arm and motioned to the door. “However, on the way I’m sure we can start discussing our plans. We can do some heavy brainstorming later, if you don’t mind riding around in the old clunker.”

“Old clunker? I think of it as a chariot.”

That must have been the right thing to say, because Matt, despite being in a hurry, took the time to give me a long, slow kiss.

I didn’t know if we’d still be together after twenty-five years, or even twenty-five weeks. But as we strolled arm-in-arm to the car I knew I’d always treasure every minute of being one half of this particular “adorable couple.”

THE END