Page 102 of Kickoff

Melinda nibbled on her thumbnail as I set the pace. “Can I tell you something I’ve never told anyone, not even Paige?”

“Sure.” My heart hammered in my chest at the thought she was choosing me to confide in.

“When I was ten, I was the only girl in my class wearing a bra. I was an early bloomer as they call it. One day, I removed my sweater during lunch hour, and my T-shirt was stuck to it, and I flashed everyone. Mean girls started calling me perky boobs from that day. I would feel sick before school in the morning because I was so stressed out. It lasted for about two months. Some other kid did something stupid, and it diverted their attention from me. After Winter Break, most girls were wearing bras and suddenly, I wasn’t so awkward in their eyes.”

“It went down before you moved here?”

“Yeah. It was the most humiliating experience of my life. I thought I would die of shame for the time it lasted. For some reason, I never told my parents. I kept it a secret. Now I wished I had involved them so I wouldn’t have felt all alone and afraid to go to school.”

“Kids are stupid. Is that why it hurt you so much when I put you on the spot on the first day of seventh grade?”

“Kinda. It reminded me of that episode of my life, and I really didn’t want to be in the spotlight anymore. I usually prefer when I’m behind the cameras than the main protagonist. Except when I’m swimming. Then I like to win, be in control, and succeed. It’s like another part of me takes the lead when I’m in the water.”

“I’m sure I look like I crave being the star of the show, but I swear, I do not. I understand what you mean.”

“Why are you always so…so exuberant at school? It seems like you love the fuss.”

“It’s a role I play. People love that guy, but he’s not me. Not entirely.”

“Why do you do it then? Why pretend to be someone you’re not?”

I shrugged, glancing down to avoid her heavy gaze on me. The one full of questions. “It’s easier, I guess. I show people what they expect, and they enjoy it. It’s a façade. Many things in life aren’t what they seem…”

The night fell upon us, and we kept asking each other questions, returning to the easy chemistry we shared before Melinda opened up about her past insecurities.

“Favorite ice cream flavor?” I asked.

“Pistachio. You?”

“Brownies.”

“Which one of your friends is the craziest?”

I rubbed my jaw with a hand. “This is a tough one. I feel like they’re all crazy in their own way. Rusty forgets to think before he acts sometimes. Sheldon is afraid of nothing which is not always good news. Chase is just a jack-in-a-box, and you never know what to expect from him, but the guy is loyal to a fault. He’s like a puppy. If he adopts you, then it’s for life.”

“I love the comparison. He really is a ball of contagious energy.”

“Yep. Other than Craig, he’s the one guy I would put all my trust in. I just wish his life was simpler.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s not my story to tell.” I jumped to my feet and held out a hand. “Come on, let’s walk.”

“Movie? You can come to my place.”

“Okay, but I choose what we watch. Nothing gore.”

She snickered and used a baritone voice. “Don’t be a pussy, Mase.”

“Ha. Ha. Don’t impersonate Chase.”

Melinda linked her arms with mine. “I would never dare to.”

“Melinda, honey, is Mason still here?” Mrs. Shepard asked around midnight. “We’re going to bed. If he is, it’s time for him to go home.”

“I’m not ready for you to leave,” Melinda whispered after pausing the thriller movie we were watching.

I kissed her forehead. “It’s okay. We’ll see each other soon.” I winked and moved to my feet.