Melinda’s Story

Sarah used the group text to invite our entire group of friends out for pizza. Nearly everyone wanted to stay on campus because of the weather. But, Larry responded yes, saying Walter and Andy were in as well.

An hour or so later, we found the boys waiting for us in front of the dorm. Thankfully, the wind had died down and the threat of snow seemed to have passed, even though it was still pretty cold. Sarah immediately went to stand with Larry.

“What’re you doing here? I thought we were meeting by your dorm.”

Larry smiled. “We got back early. Figured we’d come get you ladies.”

Andy nodded towards the path off campus. “Patrick said to go ahead without him.”

Sarah and I stared at him. A confused “Huh?” was the best either of us could manage to eek out.

He sent us an incredulous look. “You know. Walter’s brother?”

I glanced at Walter. I hadn’t seen him this relaxed since Parents’ Weekend. “You told him?”

Walter grinned. “Didn’t have to.”

As we walked to the restaurant, Andy explained how his sister had figured out Pat and Walter were brothers. But, I was still confused. I turned to Sarah, choosing my words carefully.

“So, how did Pat get invited to dinner?”

Larry shrugged. “We were all watching the game when we got the text. He heard us talking about it and asked if he could join us. I asked why he would rather spend Saturday night with his brother than with his friends, but Walter said—Bro, that hurt.” He rubbed the spot where Walter had punched his arm.

Walter glared at Larry. “It’s not important what Walter said.”

“I don’t see the big deal.”

The boys continued their argument into the restaurant, where Andy told the hostess they had reserved a table.

“That was a smart move,” Sarah said.

As the hostess led us towards a private room in the back, Andy turned to Sarah. “Patrick thought of it. Right after Walter said Patrick wasn’t hanging around for him.”

He made sure he was well out of Walter’s reach as he ran into the party room.

The tables had been arranged into a square with two seats on each side. Larry and Andy sat on one side, both eyeing Walter warily. Sarah quickly sat beside Larry, but Walter managed to get the seat across from her. He kept shooting dirty looks at Andy and Larry, but he was doing it so jovially, I wasn’t convinced he was actually upset with them.

Crystal sat beside Walter so Sarah could sign to her more easily and I sat beside my roommate. We were still settling into our seats when Pat arrived, buried in his scarf. When he chose the seat closer to me, he said he wanted to be able to sign to Crystal better. I wasn’t sure if I believed him.

Larry spoke loudly to get everyone’s attention. “Okay. What kind of pizza does everyone want. Girls first.” He pointed to Sarah.

“Cheese.”

When Larry pointed to me, I echoed Sarah. “Cheese.”

“Dunno,” Pat said.

Larry shook his head. “You’re not a girl. I wasn’t asking you.” He pointed to Crystal.

“Cheese.”

“Heart Attack,” Walter voted when Larry pointed to him.

“I’m in,” Andy added.

Larry nodded. “Me, too.”

Pat sent them a quizzical look. “What is that?”

Walter grinned. “Meatball, sausage, hamburger, and ham.”

“And bacon,” added Andy.

Pat made a face. “Sounds disgusting. Count me in.”

After we ordered, Larry, Walter, and Andy started analyzing the football games they had all been watching together at the MAC. I didn’t see why. If they had all watched the same games, what could they possibly have to talk about?

Meanwhile, Crystal was busy talking with Pat and Sarah. They didn’t always speak out loud and I felt a little left out. It gave me time to think about Pat’s strange behavior.

When the waitress had taken our order, he was studying the menu intensely, even though Larry ordered for everyone. A few minutes later, when the waitress returned with our drinks, Pat had a sudden need to tie his shoe, although it didn’t look untied to me. He was tying the other one a minute later when she returned with the plates and extra napkins. But it wasn’t until I saw him drop his napkin when the pizzas arrived that I decided to say something.

I leaned a little closer, keeping my voice low as he righted himself. “Are you avoiding the waitress?”

His response was just a little too quick. “No. Why would you think that?”

“Because you’re hiding under the table every time she walks into the room.”

“Yo!”

We both turned our attention to Larry. He was holding two slices from one of the meat in front of Sarah. She looked disgusted. I couldn’t blame her. I took it from him and passed it to Pat.

“How can you eat that?”

Pat wiggled his eyebrows. “I open my mouth and shove it in. See?”

I had to giggle. I took a slice of my own pie, waiting a few bites before trying to talk to Pat again.

“So, why are you hiding?”

He sighed. “I like this place because it’s got this small party room. I wanted to join you guys for pizza, but on a Saturday night in a small town? Everyone and their uncle is probably here.”

All of a sudden, my pizza wasn’t sitting well. I looked around, but from our room, we couldn’t see anyone in the restaurant.

Pat frowned. “What?”

“It’s nothing.” I took a sip of my soda, trying to chase away the uneasiness.

“No, you got uncomfortable when I said everyone is here.” He reached over to trace small circles on the small of my back. “What is it?”

Somehow, that simple touch seemed to settle me. I shrugged. “It’s just, you said everyone and their uncle and it made me think of Eliot and realize he might be here. With his uncle.”

“Townie? I didn’t mean him. Honestly, I’ve kind of forgotten about him.”

“It’s not a big deal. The thought just made me uncomfortable for a moment. But, that’s how you feel about the waitress, right? You don’t want her to recognize you.”

“I want to eat my pizza in peace. And, I don’t want to ruin everyone else’s dinner.”

I smiled. “How bad can it be?”

“I hope you never have to find out.”

“I’m sorry, but I have to ask. Does your family ever eat out? That’s got to be difficult.”

To my surprise, Pat laughed so loudly that everyone stopped their conversations to look at him. He caught Walter’s eye, gasping for breath. “Melinda . . . just ask if . . . we ever . . . eat out!”

Walter’s laughter was louder than Pat’s. Larry looked between them.

“I don’t get it.”

Walter caught his breath first. “Okay. Remember when Meghan was sick back in September?”

I was the only one who didn’t shake my head. Pat sighed.

“Did anyone see the gossip rags about Meghan passing out because of a drug overdose?”

This was met with a chorus of “Ohhh.”

Walter shook his head. “Meghan wasn’t taking drugs. She had a problem with her diabetes.”

Larry pointed at him with his pizza. “My little sister was just diagnosed this past summer. She hates the needles.”

Pat nodded. “Yeah, Meghan too.”

Walter took a bite of pizza, but that didn’t stop him from continuing his story. “And she’s had it since she was younger than your sister. Anyway, we were visiting her in the hospital and on our way back to Long Island, we decided to stop for supper.”

Pat shook his head. “We should have eaten in the city. People are used to seeing celebrities there. Instead, we go to this rest stop.”

Walter pointed his pizza at his brother. “It wasn’t a rest stop. It was a diner off the highway. But, it was us, our parents, and our grandparents. We walk in and Mom and Pat are doing their stupid scarf and sunglasses disguise.”

“Hey, it works.”

“But why bother when you just take it off as soon as you sit down.”

“Not uh. Mom waited until she was in the bathroom. I waited until after I ordered.”

Andy looked between the boys. “Wow. You guys argue like Dre and me.”

Walter took a sip of his soda. “Do you want to hear this story?”

“Sorry.”

“Where was I?”

Pat shook his head. “We sat down and Mom told Dad what to order and went to the ladies room.”

“Oh, yeah. So we order the whole time, she’s looking at Pat funny. And Dad.”

“Then, Mom comes back as the waitress is bringing our drinks. The waitress freaked out.”

“Dropped the tray and drinks go flying everywhere. She ran to the kitchen and the manager comes to see what’s wrong.”

“Slipped on the drinks. I never could tell if he fainted or knocked himself unconscious. Meanwhile, everyone else swarmed the table asking for autographs. We tried to leave, but they followed us to the car.”

“Granny and Pop-Pop stayed and had them package our food to go. We brought it to a commuter lot and ate in the car.”

Everyone was laughing, but I felt bad for my friends. I sent them a sympathetic look. “That’s horrible.”

Walter shook his head, obviously trying not to laugh. “It wouldn’t have been, if someone hadn’t ordered baked sole.”

Pat spoke through fits of laughter. “We opened the trunk of the minivan. Made Mom eat there.”

After another round of laughter, Sarah interpreted Crystal’s signs. “Is it like that every time you go to a restaurant? You must never eat out.”

Walter shrugged. “Nah. The people in our town know we live there, so it’s not so bad. And, we spend a few months a year in LA, and it’s easier to eat out there.”

Pat took a sip of his soda. “It was harder when we were little. Especially when we kids first started acting. But, Mom and Dad were used to it by then. And Mom had gone through it when she was a kid, so she helped us out a lot.”

Somehow during the story, the four boys had managed to devour both of the large meat pies as well as the quarter of the cheese pizza me and the girls were too full to eat.

While we waited for the waitress to figure out how to split the check seven ways, Walter looked around the table. “Who’s up for ice cream?”

Crystal shook her head. I recognized that look. It was the one she gave me whenever I signed something wrong. Someone, I knew that Pat and Sarah were explaining Walter had really suggested ice cream on such a cold evening.

The boys all thought ice cream sounded great, but Sarah, Crystal, and I were able to convince them that cookies and hot cocoa at the coffee shop was a better idea.

As we walked up the hill, I pulled Walter to the back of the group. “So, is Andy treating you differently now that he knows?”

Walter smiled. “No, but once he told me about Dre, I realized she’s been looking at me strangely at supper every night.”

“Walter, we’ve all been looking at you strangely. You’ve started eating three entrees instead of two.”

“I’m bulking up for wrestling season.”

Pat turned to wait for them, throwing an arm around each of their shoulders. “That’s what Thanksgiving’s for.”

Walter frowned. “Pop-Pop always eats all the mashed potatoes.”

“So, try Mom’s colcannon.”

“What’s cull—” I sighed. There was no way I was going to get that word right.

Pat squeezed my shoulders slightly. “Colcannon. It’s basically mashed potatoes with cabbage. Walter hates cabbage.”

“I think I’m with Walter. Although, I find it hard to believe Walter hates any food.”

Pat held the door for us as we followed our friends into the coffee shop. I ordered a double chocolate chip cookie and small hot chocolate before joining my friends in the corner.

Two couches and two oversized arm chairs had been placed around a small coffee table by the window. Sarah and Larry automatically sat on a couch. Crystal sat in the chair beside her sister. I chose the other chair. Walter and Andy didn’t look thrilled that they were forced to share the other couch.

Pat ordered some sort of fancy drink, so it took him a few minutes to join us. When he did, he sat on the arm of my chair between me and Walter. I leaned put my hand on his knee, keeping my voice quiet. “Are you okay being here? You’re not worried about being recognized?”

“Look around. There’s mostly old people here.”

I scanned the restaurant. The average age of the customers was probably thirty-five. I didn’t think that was considerably old, but I understood what he meant. There wasn’t anyone our age who would freak out that he was here.

I tuned back into the conversation around me. My friends were trying to decide how to spend their Sunday. The boys all wanted to watch football. Sarah and Crystal wanted to go to the mall. Sarah turned to me.

“What about you, Melinda? Come with us?”

I shrank back a little in my chair. “I don’t know. I was thinking—”

Pat smirked. “You were thinking of going to the library.”

“Wonk.” Walter coughed out the word quietly enough that only Pat and I could hear him. Pat choked on his drink and I started giggling.

I waited for Pat to breathe again before explaining. “It’s just, finals are next week. I had a hard time this term and I just want to make sure I do well. I was thinking of using tomorrow to figure out what questions I wanted to ask my teachers on our review days.”

Sarah pointed at me. “I get what you’re saying. But, I really want to go hang out at the mall.”

Crystal started signing animatedly and soon she and Sarah were discussing what stores they want to visit. Larry and Andy sounded like they were discussing some fantasy football game they had been following online.

Walter turned to me. “Are you really that worried about finals?”

I sighed. “Do you remember our first physics test? I thought I did really well, but I ended up getting a lot wrong.”

“You had your calculator set wrong.”

Pat slid off arm to share my chair, throwing his arm around my shoulders. “Oh! Did you have it in radians instead of degrees? I failed my first test because of that.”

My response was slightly patronizing, but the boys didn’t seem to take offense. “No, because I figured out that mistake when I was doing the practice problems. Actually, I think Walter caught it.”

Walter frowned. “Oh, yeah. I forgot. I don’t remember that test, then.”

Pat played with my hair. “So, why’d you fail?”

“I didn’t fail. I got a C. Mostly because my answers were too concise.”

“And how have you done since then?”

I shrugged. “Pretty well.”

“And in your other classes?”

I thought about it. “Also pretty well.”

He pulled a lock of my hair. “Then what are you so worried about? Finals are just another test.”

“But, there’s so much information to remember. Like, how am I going to remember all those physics equations?”

“Most teachers let you bring in one notecard of notes. For physics, I plan on writing out all my equations. I did that in third form, too. For Latin, I’m going to write out the book titles for the Aeneid. If I can remember the names of each book, maybe I can remember what happened in them.”

“Oh! Like me with the Odyssey.”

“Exactly. For Latin, you should probably just write out your word endings. What are your other classes? Geometry, right?”

I nodded. “That’s easy. I should write out the names of all the theorems for proofs.”

“See, what’s to worry about.”

He was right. It wouldn’t be so bad. Maybe I could go to the mall tomorrow after all. I turned to ask Sarah what shuttle she was thinking of taking.

She wasn’t there. None of my friends were.

I leaned into Pat, closing my eyes with a sigh. “Pat, did they abandon us again?”

He squeezed my shoulder. “Looks like. Come on, Daphne. I’ll walk you back.”

He stood, reaching a hand to help me to my feet. Outside, he reached for my hand again. I did my best to interlace my fingers with his through our bulky gloves.

He squeezed my hand. “You know, now that I’ve talked you out of it, I probably should study for finals tomorrow. I wasn’t here to ask my teachers about things I got wrong.”

“Didn’t you have teachers on the set?”

He shrugged. “The tutor could only do so much. She helped the little kids with their work, but since I was homeschooled and know how to work independently, she just kind of checked that I had done it. My course load intimidated her.”

“Why?”

“She was an early education major. Bio and AP physics weren’t her strong suit. She didn’t know Latin, only Spanish.”

Something about Pat’s schedule wasn’t making sense. I frowned. “Wait. Physics, biology, Latin, and you’re taking history and English, too, right?”

“Aw, how sweet. You memorized my schedule.”

I used my free hand to punch him lightly on the shoulder. “No. I’m just trying to figure out why you’re not taking math.”

“Oh. Trig is one term, so I worked it out that I took it over the summer. I wanted to have it before I started physics. Calc starts next term.”

“So, you’ll have six classes?”

Pat shook his head. “Nah. History is only one term.”

“Tell me about your classes?”

As we slowly made our way back to campus, Pat told me anecdotes about his teachers and some of his classwork. When we reached the humanities building, he led me back to the bench we had sat on the last time we were there.

I sighed as I sat facing him. “I don’t want to be a tree.”

“Okay?”

“I looked up the story you told me about Daphne and Apollo.”

Pat smiled, tucking a stray hair behind my ear. His hand lingered on my cheek for a moment. I wouldn’t have minded him leaving it there forever.

“I don’t want you to be a tree either.”

“But, I’m only thirteen. I’ve only had two boyfriends, and I don’t think I ever expected either one of them to last very long.”

“I’ve never been in a serious relationship either.”

“Really?”

Pat shrugged. “Something always seems to get in the way. But, it feels different with you.”

“I know. And, that’s what scares me. Because I think, whatever this is between us, could turn into something serious. And, I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”

“If I were thirteen, would that make it easier?”

“If you were thirteen, I don’t think I would be feeling this way. I’m not Daphne, you know. I do have feelings for you. I’m just scared of them.”

“Me too. I’ve never felt like this about anyone. It scares me, too.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck. I didn’t want to fight it anymore. I brought my arms around his neck. As I leaned forward, his hands moved to my back, drawing me even closer. Our lips met and I was filled with a warm that radiated to every inch of my body. My heart stopped and I never wanted this to end.

When he sat back, my lips were tingling. He rested his forehead against mine, speaking just above a whisper.

“Did we just rewrite the story?”

“I hope so.”

“Can I still call you Daphne?”

I giggled. “I kind of like it.”

His fingers made lazy trails up and down my back. “So, does this mean I can call you my girlfriend now?”

“Yeah, I think it does.”

Pat sat back with a mischievous smile. “Oh, good. ‘Cuz I’ve been doing it for weeks.”

I smiled, pushing him lightly on the chest. He just pulled me in closer for a quick peck on the forehead before drawing me closer. As he hugged me, he whispered in my hair.

“So, since we’re officially together, I think that means we should spend all our waking hours together tomorrow. Let’s hang out in the library.”

I sat back enough to send him a wary look. “You’re kidding, right?”

He smiled. “You wanna study for finals together tomorrow?”

“I can’t think of a better date.”

Melinda’s Journal

Saturday, November 11

I can’t believe I said I would be Pat’s girlfriend. What was I thinking? He’s so much older than me. He’s my best friend’s brother.

Walter is going to freak out. How am I supposed to tell him Pat and I are together?

This was a bad idea. I should probably just tell him that when I see him tomorrow.

But, when I kiss him . . .

When I kiss him, everything feels right again.

Pat’s Story

When the sappy movie was over, the girls all sniffed their way upstairs. Walter and Larry immediately commandeered the other television, turning on a different game than what we were watching. Not long after, Walter, Larry, and Andy’s phones chirped at the same time.

“Pizza!” Walter exclaimed.

“I’ll text her back,” Larry said. “You guys in?”

“Always.”

“Yup,” agreed Andy.

“What do you think?” Larry asked as he typed into his phone. “About an hour?”

Andy studied the television. Our game was in the final quarter. “Yeah, probably.”

“Pizza Palace or Gino’s?”

“Can I join you guys?” I asked.

“Yeah, sure, bro,” Larry smiled at me. “But, do you really want to spend your Saturday night hanging out with your brother?”

“Yeah, I don’t think it’s me he wants to hang out with,” Walter said sarcastically.

Andy and Larry sniggered, but I ignored the comment. “How many people are there? Gino’s has this little room in the back you can call and reserve so you don’t need to wait for a table.”

“Awesome.” I wasn’t sure if Andy was talking about me or the play on the screen.

I had to stop by my dorm on the way to dinner, so I told the guys I would meet them there. I wanted to grab my scarf to go into town, but then Mom texted me and I had to call her back.

“How’s it going?” Mom asked as she answered the phone.

“Fine. Mom, I gotta teach you how to video chat.”

“There’s nothing wrong with using a phone the old fashioned way.”

I tried to wedge my phone under my scarf and found that I could talk without holding it. Maybe this wasn’t so bad after all.

Mom was still talking. “I haven’t heard from you or your brother for a while. I wanted to make sure the school hadn’t burned down.”

 “It’s still here. I’m on my way out for pizza.”

“With Frank?”

“Actually, with Walter. And his friends.”

“Are you bothering him?”

“No. Remember his friend Melinda?” My heart skipped a beat when I said her name, but I doubted my mother could tell over the phone. “She talked to him. I’m not sure what she said, but we’ve been spending a lot of time together this week.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear it.”

When I got to the center of town, I was able to end the call. I walked into Gino’s and told the hostess I was meeting friends in the party room. When I walked in, Walter and his friends were still trying to figure out where to sit. Smaller tables had been arranged into a square with two chairs on each side. I let everyone else pick their seats before I sat around the corner from Melinda, telling her it allowed me to sign better with Crystal.

We spent time discussing what pizzas to order. Apparently, Walter and his friends had created a pie they dubbed the heart attack. It had meatballs, sausage, hamburger, bacon, and ham and sounded outrageous.

After we ordered, the guys started reviewing the football games we had seen in the MAC. I didn’t participate in their conversation, though. Partly because they were on the other side of the table and partly because Crystal seemed to like having someone to talk to besides her sister.

“Can I post that selfie I took with you?” Crystal asked me.

“Of course. Just, don’t mention where we were, okay? I don’t want paparazzi all over the campus.”

Crystal mimicked the sign I had just used. “What does that mean?”

I smiled. “Matt taught me that. It’s the sign he uses for paparazzi.” I spelled out the word. When she still gave me a puzzled look, I explained some more. “You know. The people who take pictures of celebrities for magazines.”

Crystal nodded knowingly, making the sign a few times to herself.

When the waitress brought our pizzas, Melinda leaned towards me and spoke in a low voice.

“Are you avoiding the waitress?”

I totally was, but I didn’t want her to know. “No. Why would you think that?”

“Because you’re hiding under the table every time she walks into the room.”

That wasn’t exactly true. Sure, I had dropped my napkin when she brought the pizzas. And I had been tying my shoe when she brought the drinks. But, when she took the orders, I was hiding behind my menu.

“Yo!” Larry passed me two slices of the meat pizza. Melinda made a face as she handed me the plate.

“How can you eat that?”

“I open my mouth and shove it in. See?” I took a big bite. It was heavenly.

Melinda giggled and ate a few bites of her own pizza before returning to her previous question.

“So, why are you hiding?”

I sighed. “I like this place because it’s got this small party room. I wanted to join you guys for pizza, but, on a Saturday night in a small town? Everyone and their uncle is probably here.”

I had said something wrong. I realized it immediately. She started looking uncomfortably around. “What?”

“It’s nothing,” Melinda said unconvincingly.

I reached around to dance my fingers around the small of her back. “No. You got uncomfortable when I said everyone is here. What is it?”

“It’s just, you said everyone and their uncle and it made me think of Eliot and realize he might be here. With his uncle.”

Great Pat. Make the girl you’re interested in think of her ex-boyfriend. Smart.

“Townie? I didn’t mean him. Honestly, I’ve kind of forgotten about him.”

“It’s not a big deal. The thought just made me uncomfortable for a moment. But, that’s how you feel about the waitress, right. You don’t want her to recognize you.”

This girl was amazing. I had made her uncomfortable, and here she was, worrying about me.

I shrugged. “I want to eat my pizza in peace. And, I don’t want to ruin everyone else’s dinner.”

Melinda smiled. “How bad can it be?”

“I hope you never have to find out.”

“I’m sorry, but I have to ask. Does your family ever eat out? That’s got be difficult.”

I burst into laughter as a recent memory popped into my head. Everyone stopped talking to see what was so funny. When I could breathe, I looked straight at Walter.

“Melinda . . . just ask if . . . we ever . . . eat out!”

Walter must have been thinking of the same story, because he started laughing, too. It took us a while to compose ourselves, then we tried to share the story about visiting a restaurant while Meghan was in the hospital back in September. We took turns telling the story, and I couldn’t help but think how comfortable we all seemed with each other.

While we were waiting to pay, Walter suggested ice cream, but the girls convinced us to go to the coffee shop instead.

As we walked back towards the center of town, I realized Melinda had hung back to talk to my brother. I couldn’t have that. I waited for them, standing between them as my threw my arms around them. They were discussing Walter’s atrocious eating habits, so I changed the topic to Thanksgiving foods.

When we got to the restaurant, they all ordered cookies and cocoa. But, I was in the mood for something different. I decided to try a chai.

Everyone had found seats in this little conversational area and there was no room for me. I could either squeeze onto a couch with my brother and his friend—I was thinking probably not—or onto the other couch with the couple that looked ready to start making out—I was thinking definitely not. I sat in the only logical place. On the arm of Melinda’s chair.

Melinda leaned closer to me, speaking so quietly I doubted Walter could hear her from my other side. “Are you okay being here? You’re not worried about being recognized?”

This girl was so adorable. She was always thinking of me. I smiled. “Look around. There’s mostly old people here.”

I watched her look with raised eyebrows. Well, maybe everyone was younger than my parents, but they weren’t young enough to be screaming fans. Everyone started talking about their plans for the next day. When her roommate asked Melinda’s opinion, she started blushing.

“I don’t know. I was thinking—”

I wasn’t sure how, but I knew what she was thinking. “You were thinking of going to the library.” I was pretty confident I was right. I was positive when she turned even more red.

“Wonk,” Walter coughed in a quiet voice. Melinda giggled and I choked on my drink.

Melinda looked at him. “It’s just, finals are next week. I had a hard time this term and I just want to make sure I do well. I was thinking of using tomorrow to figure out what questions I wanted to ask my teachers on our review days.”

Sarah and Crystal didn’t agree and began talking about visiting the mall. Larry and Andy moved on to fantasy football. Walter asked Melinda about her finals and she started to share her concerns.

“Do you remember our first physics test? I thought I did really well on it, and I ended up getting a lot wrong.”

“You had your calculator set wrong.”

Been there, done that. I slid into the chair with Melinda, putting an arm around her. “Oh! Did you have it in radians instead of degrees? I failed my first physics test because of that.”

Was it my imagination, or did Melinda move closer to me before she answered?

“No, because I figured out that mistake when I was doing the practice problems. Actually, I think Walter caught it.”

“Oh yeah,” my brother said. “I forgot. I don’t remember that test, then.”

“So, why’d you fail?” I played with the hair closest to my hand.

She looked right at me and told me about her test. With some prompting, I got her to realize she had done pretty well since then, not just in physics, but in all her classes. Then, we got to the heart of the problem.

“But, there’s so much information to remember. Like, how am I gonna remember all those physics equations?”

I explained about the notecards that most teachers encouraged. I think she was surprised how much information she would be able to fit on either side of an index card. We discussed what she could write for each subject. When she was reassured, she turned, probably to look for Sarah. All of her friends were gone.

She leaned against me and closed her eyes with a  sigh. “Pat. Did they abandon us again?”

“Looks like.” I squeezed her shoulder. “Come on, Daphne. I’ll walk you back.”

I got up and helped Melinda to her feet. As we walked back to campus, I tried to lace my fingers through hers, although it was difficult with our bulky winter gloves. I started thinking about our conversation.

“You know, now that I’ve talked you out of it, I should probably study for finals tomorrow. I wasn’t here to ask my teachers about things I got wrong.”

“Didn’t you have teachers on the set?”

I smiled as I told her about the useless tutor. Then, she asked the most adorable question.

“Wait. Physics, biology, Latin, and you’re taking history and English, too, right?”

“Aw. How sweet. You memorized my schedule.”

She tried to hit me, but Walter had desensitized me and I barely felt anything. “No, I’m just trying to figure out why you’re not taking math.”

So, I told her about my classes. I explained how I took Trig over the summer so I could take AP Physics this year. I told her about my history class, which would be ending at the end of the term. I told her about the books we were reading in English class and the epic I was reading in Latin.

We sat on the bench behind the humanities building.

“I don’t want to be a tree,” Melinda said.

“Okay?”

“I looked up the story you told me about Daphne and Apollo.”

I smiled, pushing a hair behind Melinda’s ear, then resting my hand against her cheek. “I don’t want you to be a tree either.”

“But, I’m only thirteen. I’ve only had two boyfriends, and I don’t think I ever expected either one of them to last very long.”

“I’ve never been in a serious relationship either.”

She looked right into my eyes, her hand still laced in mine. “Really?”

I shrugged, squeezing her hand. “Something always seems to get in the way. But, it feels different with you.”

“I know. And, that’s what scares me. Because I think, whatever this is between us, could turn into something serious. And, I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”

I couldn’t tell if she was going to tell me she wanted to get together or wanted me to get lost. “If I were thirteen, would that make it easier?”

“If you were thirteen, I don’t think I would be feeling this way. I’m not Daphne, you know. I do have feelings for you. I’m just scared of them.”

Both our voices had become whisper quiet. “Me too. I’ve never felt like this about anyone. It scares me, too.”

She put her arms around my neck and pulled me to her. I moved my hands down her back, drawing her in as our lips met. My heart stopped beating as I tried to bring her as close to me as possible.

When I pulled away, I rested my forehead against hers, tracing my fingers up and down her spine gently. “Did we just rewrite the story?”

“I hope so.”

“Can I still call you Daphne?”

“I kinda like it,” Melinda giggled, looking into my eyes.

“So, does this mean I can call you my girlfriend now?”

“Yeah, I think it does.”

I smiled as I sat up, although I still held her close. “Oh, good. ‘Cuz I’ve been doing it for weeks.”

She pushed on my chest, but I pulled her tighter. I kissed her forehead and gave her a hug.

“So, since we’re officially together, I think that means we should spend all our waking hours together tomorrow. Let’s hang out in the library.”

I could see Melinda didn’t believe me, but I was serious. It took a little while, but I was able to convince my new girlfriend that our first date should be spent studying in the library.