The Perfect Couple

31

In soccer the next day Mary gave me a hard look, but I stared right back at her and pretty soon a smile formed on her lips.

When I team beat mine that day and and I went up to shake hands with her, her smile was more like a grin. "My girls really played their hearts out today," she said.

I was pretty sure that it was because most of them had read Becky's article and no longer resented their captain the way they used to. It really made me feel good that I had something to do with it.

That afternoon when I walked home with Marcus he asked if I'd like to go to the movies.

"It's Friday night and maybe Alan will be there are. That would give us a great chance to put on our act for him."

A real date?! I thought at first. For a minute I been kind of breathless; my first date! But no, we were just going out so Alan could see us together. I don't know why, but I kind of felt disappointed. So what if this isn't a real date, I told myself. Soon I'd be going out with Alan add what could be better than that?

"Sure," I said. "Shall we leave around seven?"

As we walked to the park side that evening, Marcus grumbled, as he did at least twice a day, about how he wished he had a car.

"Wouldn't it'd be great if I could drive us?" He asked.

"You'll be driving before you know it," I said, which was a variation of what I always said. But I knew it made him feel good just to talk about driving.

Before we got to the theatre I tried to give him the money for my ticket, but he wouldn't take it.

"That was our agreement," I reminded him. "When we go someplace together it isn't supposed to cost you anything."

"Next time," he said. "This time's on me."

When he stuck his chin out like that it was no used to argue with him. He really shouldn't pay my way, though. It was too much like we were really dating and we weren't. Next time I'd pay for both of us, I promised myself. When you dated a boy you felt different about him and I wasn't supposed to feel that way about Marcus.

Almost everyone we knew was at the parkside by the time we got there, standing in the ticket line, or just hanging around for awhile before going inside. I didn't see Alan though, even when I scanned the streets in both directions. Finally Marcus and I went inside and I had to give up.

I was disappointed for awhile, then the movie started and I soon got caught up in it. Marcus got into it in the same way I did.

When I went to the movies with Kim or some of the other girls, they did a lot of whispering that broke into my mood. Marcus and I just passed the popcorn back and forth and watched the screen.

As we walked home later Marcus came back to his favourite subject. "If I had a car we could drive to Crystal Springs Lake."

"I bet it's pretty up there in the moonlight," I said, for once dreaming along with him.

We talked about the different kinds of cars he was considering buying and some of the different places we could go when he had wheels. After awhile he took my hand. At first I felt funny I mean, it was pretty doubtful that Alan would see us now but then I decided that I liked marcus's hand around mine and it was good practise besides. We walked along that way until we got to my door. There we suddenly got awkward with each other. It was as if we'd been on a real date and something special should happen.

"Well, thanks," I finally said. "I really enjoyed the movie." That sounded so stiff and formal. I wished more than ever that I'd paid my own way so I could just say goodnight and going side.

"Me, too." Marcus shifted his feet. He dressed up in slacks and a sports jacket and real shoes. I figured the shoes were hurting his feet, he was so used to sneakers. I'd warm my little heels with a nice skirt and blouse, but I was used to leather shoes now so they didn't bother my feet anymore. It was too bad Alan hadn't been at the movie theatre to see us looking so nice together, I thought fleetingly.

"I guess I should go in," I said.

"I suppose so," Marcus said, "but" He shifted his weight back the other way.

The porch light was on, the way the folks used to leave it when Maz was dating. I noticed a moth flitting around it and hoped it wouldn't burn its wings on the hot bulb.

"Kelly."

Marcus spoke so suddenly I jumped. "Yes, Marcus?" I asked, looking up into his face. It's had a strained look and I couldn't imagine what was bothering him.

"I was thinking," he broke off and then before I could even blink, his lips had swooped down and were pressed against mine. They were warm and kind of moist.

For a second I was too stunned to think and then I realised I was being kissed for the very first time. Before I could decide if I liked it or not what Mark has had jumped about a foot away from me.

"I I thought we'd better get in a little practise in case we want Alan to see us kissing some time," he stammered.

I haven't been thinking of Alan at all then, but what Marcus said made sense and it was kind of a relief to know no that's what he'd had in mind. If he'd really meant that kiss well, I didn't want to think about it.

A minute later I let myself into the house. Mom and Dad were in the living room, watching TV. I stuck my head in the door. "You can go to bed now. Your daughter is safely home." That's what Maz used to say, but they laugh now, which they hadn't always done when she said it.

"Of course you're safe," Dad said. "You were out with Marcus, weren't you?"

Someday they wouldn't be so smug.