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Austin laughs. “Your mom is not that bad.”
“You don’t have to live with her.”
Austin tosses the rest of our trash. Then he crouches on the floor in front of me. I wrap my arms over his shoulders, he grabs beneath my knees again, and we make our way to the door. A group of girls from school walk in the door as we’re going out, so Austin doesn’t have to play a repeat of the balancing game.
Austin doesn’t talk much on the drive home. I keep my hand in plain view, resting on top of my leg. My mind keeps screaming for him to try again. But I missed the moment. His hands stay firmly planted on the steering wheel.
I wave goodbye before slipping in the front door. My brain feels foggy, I’m not sure what to think. Did I really wantAustin to hold my hand? If we started dating, that would alter everything. I’m not sure I want our friendship to change.
“Emma, can you come in here please?” Mom’s voice echoes from the den. I drag my feet in her direction. My parents are sitting on the couch, holding hands. They indicate the chair across from them.
“Can you sit down please?” Dad asks.
“I’m actually fine standing,” I say.
Mom nods her head slowly. She looks like she might cry. “Emma, we’re sorry we didn’t recognize your accomplishment today. We really are proud of you for making the decathlon team.”
“Thanks, Mom.” It doesn’t feel very sincere at this point. Too little too late.
“Next time you have a disagreement with your mother, please be more respectful,” Dad adds. “I know we’re not perfect, but your mother and I do deserve respect.”
“Okay, Dad.”
I turn to leave.
“Emma, honey, wait.”
Mom wraps her arms around me and hugs me tightly. I’ve got three inches on her petite frame. As if I wasn’t enough of a freak already, I look like a giant looming over her. I stand stiffly in place. When I feel like it’s been an adequate amount of time, I pull away.
“Goodnight.”
“Night, sweetie.”
When I get to my room, I change out of my damp clothes and take a hot shower. I stand under the stream and allow the water to wash away all the pain from the day. I get dressed in fresh clothes, pull my hair up, and put on just enough makeup so I don’t look like a ghost.
“Hey Steve. Today basically turned into a dumpster fire. I finally put my fears aside and tried out for something. And lo and behold, I made the Academic Decathlon team! Yay me.”
I shake my fist in mock celebration.
“Then my parents forgot about me. Big surprise. My glory was very quickly dashed by their lack of enthusiasm. I left the house to get away. Enter Austin. My sweet, amazing friend Austin. I gotta be honest, I didn’t even recognize that he was a boy until this last week. He’s just always been like one of my girlfriends. I’ve never seen him any other way. He’s always been a little on the awkward side too. Like tonight, he tried to hold my hand, and ended up knocking over our hot chocolate. But just these last few days, his awkwardness has become more…I dunno…endearing.” I smile when I picture his beautiful brown eyes and cheesy grin. “I don’t know what to do, Steve. Do I want our friendship to change?” I have lots to think about.
Chapter Eleven
I glance at Jaron across the hallway. He catches my eye and quickly looks the other way. The blonde standing next to him tinkles with laughter and touches his arm. I hate her. Who invented blondes anyway? They’re basically useless.
“Stop staring, it’s beginning to look pathetic,” Stephanie says.
I glare at her. “I’m not staring, I’m just…observing my fellow classmates.”
“Uh-huh, sure. Come on, Em, if you observe Jaron any more closely, you’re going to start drooling.”
I sigh. “I just hate how things are with us right now.”
“I know, but I don’t like the way he talked to you. Total dick-move, trying to guilt you into choosing him. I think you should drop Jaron. He’s protective, yes. But when does protective become possessive? And Ethan just wants to use you for his own gain. That’s gross. I think you should go with Austin. He’s super nice and genuinely likes you.”
“You’re right, Steph.”
“I know.”
