AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What? Sublime!”
Liza jumped into his arms to give him a hug. She smelled like apples and… maybe sunshine? He’d never smelled anything like it.
She cocked her head. “What does sublime mean?”
“Oh, it means… awesome!”
Liza wrapped him in a hug again. “Yes, that! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Ahh! I could not have done this without you!”
“Glad to help.” Miller felt pride and warmth filling his chest.
“So, tomorrow after school, a group of us are going to The Pizza Depot. You should come. My treat! I owe you.”
The look of sincerity and hope in Liza’s eyes made Miller want to consider it. But he knew the group she was referring to—athletes and cheerleaders. Miller had never hung out with them unless forced to in a group project.
Liza must have noticed his hesitation. “I think it’d be fun to have you come.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Sublime,” Liza said with a grin that had begun chipping away at Miller’s one hundred percent focus on academics. “Thank you again!” Liza clapped her hands excitedly.
“Liza, what’s up?” Sean approached. Seeing her talking to Miller, he cocked his head. His eyes never left Miller as he said, “We’re heading out. Ready?”
“Yeah I’m ready.” Liza shoved her test into her backpack.
Was Sean Gerrero worried Liza was into him?It was hard to believe that could be possible, but when Liza took a few steps Sean didn’t move. Lowering his voice he told Miller, “Stay in love with your books and stay away from my girlfriend.” Then a huge smile crept across his face. “It’s hilarious… You… ever having a chance with Liza,” he chuckled. Then he turned and strode away.
Miller heard Liza ask, “What was that about?” Sean looked back at Miller with a smirk and said, “Nothing. I was just telling him thanks for tutoring you.”
Liza kissed Sean on the cheek and said, “Aww, thanks babe. That was sweet.”
A knock on his window startled him. Liza was waving and he saw two kids running inside. Miller nodded and climbed out.
“Wasn’t sure you’d show,” she said as she bumped him lightly on the shoulder with her elbow.
“If I say I’ll do something, I’m gonna do it,” Miller replied.
“I’m just teasing ya. Glad you came.”
Miller held open the door to the bowling alley as Liza walked in. The kids immediately ran up to her.
“Can we have some money for the arcade?” a boy asked, while an older girl trailed behind.
“Sure, but first I want to introduce you to my friend Books—I mean, Miller,” Liza replied with a grimace. “Sorry, old habits…”
Miller shrugged.
Liza continued, “Miller, this is Oliver. He’s ten.”
The shaggy-haired boy gave Miller a nod and said, “What’s up?” Like he was a tough guy.
“And this is Everette. She’s twelve.”
The girl extended her hand for Miller to shake. She reminded him of Liza with her loud outfit. She wore baggy jeans with holes in the knees and a neon pink cropped sweatshirt.
“I’ll go pay while you guys play a few games, okay?” Liza held out ten dollars for each of them.
They grabbed the money and darted off to the arcade area. Oliver ran more quickly than Everette. The smile on her face gave away that she was equally excited but didn’t want to show it.
