Flowers and Pop Rocks

28

p o p p y

"Hey, are you free after school today?"

I looked up from my book to see Caleb's smiling face. There was a sense of calm I felt around him, and I definitely needed it before the Chemistry test we were about to have.

"If I don't get ten homeworks today, then yeah," I nodded. "What's up?"

He took his seat beside me. "My dad's going bowling with some of his work friends. They're bringing all their kids, so I have to go too. Do you wanna come?"

"Wouldn't it be weird for me to be there?" I wondered.

"My dad told me to bring a friend," he shrugged. "And you're the only one I got."

I frowned at his words. "You have more than one friend, I'm sure. I see you chatting it up with everyone. But sure, I'll go."

He grinned. "That's all I needed to hear."

"Okay, class," our teacher called for our attention. "Take your pens out so we can begin. You'll need all the time you can get."

That can't be good.

~~~

"Why are you rushing so much?" my sister complained as I hurried her to get into the car. Angel wasn't coming home with us again. She kept saying it was student council stuff, but I was starting to get a little suspicious that she was secretly going out with someone.

"Because I have somewhere to be, and I need to figure out what the heck I'm supposed to wear," I told her, starting the car and backing out of the parking space.

She raised her eyebrow. "Where you going?"

"Some bowling place," I replied.

"With who?" she pressed.

"A friend."

"Which friend?"

I knew she wasn't going to stop until she got a real answer.

"Caleb."

A grin spread across her face. "You two going on a date again?"

"He invited me as a friend, Kay," I cleared out.

I knew she wanted me to date him, but I didn't want to get her hopes up. Caleb was just asking for a favor from a friend.

"The first time you two went out, he told you that he liked you. But sure, you're going as friends today," Kayley teased. "Whatever you say, Pop."

~~~

I drove up to the bowling alley at exactly 6:04 pm. I was supposed to be there at six, but the box of donuts on the kitchen counter when I got home distracted me a little. It was practically calling my name.

Hope Caleb didn't die of boredom in the four minutes I wasn't there.

Would that be considered murder if that happens?

I'm too young to go to jail.

How would I even defend myself? Could my dad represent me or would he just let me go to jail because I was a murderer?

"Thank God you're alive," I sighed in relief, taking my seat beside Caleb. He was so busy tying his shoes that I don't even think he noticed me arriving.

"That's what I say every morning too," he agreed. "Why were you so convinced I'd be dead?"

I started to tie my shoes. "No reason."