Coming of Age

CHELSY

“Look what I’ve got!” Vicky exclaimed, waving a flyer in my face as I was pulling out my English textbooks from my locker.

“What’s that?” I asked, glancing at the paper in her hand.

She beamed at me. “Elizabeth Cole is throwing a senior party. The first fifty students who show up get in for free. And that doesn’t include her friends, they’ve all got direct invites.”

I shut my locker and turned to face her. “So, you’re suggesting we go?”

Her grin widened. “Absolutely. Brad and Max will be there. Maybe it’s the perfect time to tell them how we feel?”

I sighed. “Maybe. But my brother might not be thrilled about me going. And Brad didn’t call or text yesterday, so I’m thinking about backing off.”

Vicky’s face fell. “Really? That sucks. Why hasn’t he called?”

I shrugged. “Maybe I’m not his type.”

Vicky frowned. “No way. You’re beautiful and smart, you’re everyone’s type.”

“Thanks, Vee, but what if guys don’t see me that way?”

“But Nathan said you were, remember?”

I almost laughed. “Are you seriously taking Nathan’s word for it? Don’t. He didn’t mean what he said.”

I didn’t believe for a second that Nathan actually thought I was sexy. He was just going through a hormone-fueled phase. That was all.

Vicky put her hands on my shoulders. “It’s okay, give him time. It’s still early.”

I managed a smile. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

***

I was sitting in class, waiting for it to start. Mr. Johnson, our English teacher, was writing the day’s objectives on the board when a familiar figure walked into the room.

I looked up from my notebook to see Nathan strolling in, holding a small covered plate. The girls in the room started whispering and giggling.

Vicky nudged me. “What’s Nate doing in a tenth-grade class?” she whispered.

I shrugged.

“Can I help you, Mr. Sharles?” Mr. Johnson asked, turning from the board to look at Nathan, who was scanning the room as if searching for someone.

Please don’t let it be me.

I kept my head down, trying to avoid making eye contact.

“I think he’s looking for you,” Vicky whispered.

“He’s not.”

I risked a quick glance, and our eyes met. He smiled, and I quickly looked down again.

“Yes. Uh, can I give this to Chelsy Holmes?” he asked, grinning broadly.

Mr. Johnson looked from Nathan to me, then back at Nathan. “Okay, make it quick.”

As Nathan walked over to me, I could hear the class gasping and whispering. I was pretty sure I heard Amanda hiss from two seats away.

I looked up at Nathan. “What do you want, Nathan?”

I glanced around the room. Everyone was watching us.

“Hurry up, everyone’s watching,” I whispered.

“My mom told me to give you this,” he said, handing me the small plate wrapped in a clear bag.

“Thanks,” I mumbled, taking it from him. “But you could have waited until lunch.”

“I won’t be here at lunch or after school. I have a sports meet.”

“Okay. Thanks anyway, Nate.”

He smiled. “I can’t drive you home after school because Max and I won’t be here. You’ll be okay taking the bus with Vee, right?”

“Yeah, I’m not five.”

“Mr. Sharles and Ms. Holmes, please wrap it up. I have a class to teach,” Mr. Johnson said, sounding impatient.

“Sorry, sir!” Nathan called out. “See you later, Princess.”

He looked at Vicky. “Hey, Vee.”

She smiled. “Hey.”

He gave me one last look before he hurried out of the room.

***

“So he came all the way to your classroom just to give you a slice of cake?” Vicky asked as we walked down the hallway to lunch.

I shrugged. “His mom promised me yesterday. I guess he wanted to deliver it before he ate it all.”

She giggled.

I smiled. “You know, I think something’s wrong with me.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, yesterday I was in Nathan’s room alone, and he said something and I—”

“Chelsy Holmes.”

Vicky and I looked up at the sound of a familiar, nasal voice. We stopped walking when we saw Amanda coming towards us.

I sighed.

“So how do you explain Nathan coming to you in class?” she demanded, crossing her arms. “Are you still going to insist that there’s nothing going on between you two?”

I rolled my eyes. “Look, I already told you—”

“Just friends, huh? Just neighbors. But he calls you Princess!” she snapped. “And the worst part is, you’re not even a princess! You’re not even the beast in ~Beauty and the Beast~, or the frog in ~The Princess and the Frog~. You’re worse.”

Vicky hissed. “Why do you think everyone likes Nathan? He’s not the only guy in the school.”

“Mm-hmm, then who do you like?” she asked, raising her eyebrows. “Who do you like then, Chelsy Holmes?!”

Like it’s any of her damn business.

“That’s me,” a voice chimed in.

Brad Pinsley was walking towards us.

I was rooted to the spot. Oh my God.

“Actually, Chels is my girl,” he declared, stopping in front of us. “Is there an issue?”

Vicky was grinning.

Amanda tossed her hair out of her face and swallowed hard. “No. I was just on my way out.”

She shot me a dirty look before she turned and left.

I turned to Brad. “You didn’t have to do that.”

He smiled, hands tucked in his pockets. “I did. Especially after coming home so late and wiped out last night that I forgot to text you.”

I couldn’t help but smile back.

“I want to make it up to you,” he said, not missing a beat.

Vicky was practically vibrating with excitement as she jabbed me in the side. It stung, but who cared? Brad was the only thing on my mind!

“How about we grab some burgers tonight?”

I couldn’t believe what was happening! Brad was asking me out!

I tried to respond, but my words were stuck.

“Um… Uh…”

“Yes!” Vicky blurted out. “Yes, she would love that.”

Thank heavens for Vicky.

I grinned. “Yes. Yes, she’s right. Yes I would.”

He chuckled. “Great, is seven okay?”

“Yes, it’s perfect!”

“Perfect. Kab’s Burger, okay? See you there.”

He flashed a smile, nodded at Vicky, and walked away.

The moment he was out of sight, Vicky and I nearly shrieked with joy.

Could this week get any better?!