The Perfect Couple

20

There was only a faint humming on the line for a minute, the Marcus said, "he can't blame you for that. Are you did was stop and say a few words to him . . . but, hey, what was that stuff about anatomy? There are some ways a guy isn't supposed to look at a girl."

"Oh, Marcus!" I said, a little bit pleased that he was so defensive of my honour and also a little bit annoyed because he wouldn't be by what help to me if he took that attitude so far. "There was nothing wrong in the way he looked at me. After all, I bought some cute clothes so he would notice me. The point is," I went on, "that I may have struck out with him, unless Kim's idea works. Thanks to her I'll have another chance at bat." I explained.

"I don't know about all this acting, Kelly . . . all this pretending. I've been thinking it over and it seems to me that if you can't attract someone just being yourself, maybe they're not right for you."

The only reason I didn't scream into the phone was I didn't want to shatter his eardrum. He'd been so great today, helping along my cars and even though he seems to be driving back now I couldn't forget what he done already done.

"We already talked about that," I reminded him, speaking in a quiet, reasonable tone. "Alan I would never pay any attention to me if I were myself. That's what this whole thing is about. Later, when he gets to know me, I can cut out some of the," I started to say phoniness, then thought better of it "acting," I finished.

Marcus didn't comment. I hate it when he went silent on me.

"I'm going to school early tomorrow," he said finally. "I promised Coach Barnes I'd help him check out the football equipment. So I guess I won't see you till later."

He was always helping with the equipment or helping the first string players warm up or doing something for the team. It seemed to me that Coach Barnes could show his appreciation by giving Marcus a little more playing time. He loves the game so much and even though he wasn't flashy, like Alan, I was sure he could help with some games if he only got the chance. "All right," I told him. "Thanks for calling and thanks for helping me out like you did today."

Kiln and I rode the bus the next morning. Becky was waiting at her corner as she sat across the aisle from us. "Got any hot items for me?" she asked. "I've been assigned to do a gossip column for the Bayside bugle. Isn't that something for a future Pulitzer prize winner?" She added sarcastically. "But the editor has spoken."

"You mean James Lerner?" I asked. She gave me a withering glance. "I think it's pretty well known around school that James Lerner is the editor of the bugle."

I had a habit of making small talk, responding in some way to everything that was said, are just dropping a few words into any silence that developed. Becky, as a student of writing, despised unnecessary words. I didn't hold it against her because I hated slappy play on the soccer field.

"Sorry," I told her. "I'm afraid I don't have anything for you." Kim said she didn't, either.

Becky shrugged. She was really the last person in the world who should have to write a gossip column. She cared less than any girl I knew about who was going with whom.

"Before the term is over," she said, "I'm going to write a real story for the bugle. It'll be so important James will have to publish it. Then he can find himself another reporter to write about who had sodas together at The Last Straw."

"Speaking of gossip," Kim said, "everybody seems to think Linda Smith and Joel Pierce are going to be the sweetheart of the Christmas Ball this year. You know anything about that, Becky?"

"It's more than a rumour. The committee isn't ready to announce it yet, but it's in the bag," Becky told us. "Linda and Joel have all the qualifications he's a senior and she's a junior and you know upperclassmen are nearly always picked." Kim and I nodded our heads, feeling privileged to be in on the scoop. "Besides that, he's an athlete," Becky went on, "captain of the basketball team and she's a cheerleader. They're both good-looking and top students and they're active in school affairs. They've been going together for a long time, too and that means they really care for each other." "They've had some big fights," Kim pointed out.

"That's because they're both strong minded people. But they always get together again and that means their love is really strong."

"I guess," Kim agreed. Her eyes took on a faraway look now and I knew she'd use the dance as an excuse to get a gorgeous new dress. She'd go with Tom, of course.

And I'll go with Alan. I had to believe that. When we got off the bus Becky made a dash for the bugle office at the back of the building. Came headed for the front door, be right beside her. Then I saw Alan on the stairs and I grabbed her arm. "I'm going in the side door. I can't face Alan!"

She stared at me. "How about our plan? This is a perfect time to go up to him, with all those kids around. They'll all laugh along with you you and Alan when you pull your line about Mrs Cole only picking on the top kids." I shook my head. "I can't. Not right now." I must have looked as desperate as I felt because Kim nodded. "Okay, we'll go in the side door." I thought she probably noticed, as I had, how Alan was looking adoringly down at Gloria.