The Perfect Couple

36

"Remember when we got the bright idea there might be gold in that thar creek?" Marcus chuckled.

I gave him a shove that nearly pushed him off his rock. "That was your bright idea, mister! I just went along for the ride."

"Okay, okay, I've gone along on a few wild-goose chases with you," he reminded me.

I had had some pretty far-out ideas in my time so I didn't dare say anymore.

"You know, it seems like you're welcome in committee is doing some good work," Marcus said after awhile. "One of the new guys has volunteered to paint posters for the Christmas dance and I hear he's real talented."

"That's Becky's doing," I said. "Even when I learned from Mary how rough the transfers had it, nothing would have happened if Becky hadn't written that article."

Marcus grinned at me. "You're modest too."

"So are you."

He knew what I was talking about and pretty soon he said, "How's it going with Alan?"

"He mentioned us going to The Straw." I thought that might bring another grin to Marcus his face, because it meant we might soon get act like friends at school, instead of a dating couple. He didn't grin, though and a minute later he said we'd better go.

"It's too wet to be sitting here."

Back on our own street I offered to make hot chocolate, but he said his dad was making some shelves in his workshop and he should be helping.

"I'll put marshmallows in it," I coaxed.

"Thanks, anyway. I'll see you."

Gosh, boys could be hard to understand even when you thought you knew them as well as you knew yourself.

Monday I was glad to go back to school and buy now, with the big game and Thanksgiving behind us, there was a new excitement in the air. Everyone was beginning to look forward to the Christmas dance and excitement was rising as the selection of a sweetheart couple drew nearer. We all figured that Linda Smith and Joel Pierce had the selection all sewn up. Although so they'd had a few fights they always patched them up and other than that, they seemed the perfect pair. I thought they were a wonderful choice and I was pulling for them.

Mostly, though, I was pulling for Alan to ask me to go to the ball with him. I couldn't help thinking my chances were good, especially since he seemed to be losing interest in Gloria. More and more I saw him alone in the halls, or walking along with other guys. Gloria didn't seem to care very much, either. One afternoon she drove off with a junior named Cody who drove a cute little Fiat.

At first I was excited because they seemed to have broken up, but in the end it didn't seem to do me any good because Alan began to look around at other girls. So now now I had more complications than ever. I finally decided to put on some pressure. One day I waited until he was in the cafeteria line and then I hurried to fall in behind him. I sort of crowded him and he turned around. "Oh, hi," he said. Football was over for the year and Marcus's fame had sort of died away. I couldn't count on being his girlfriend to get Alan to take me to the dance.

"How's your wrist coming along?" I asked him, striking the one note I knew would get his attention.

He didn't wear a bandage anymore, but still when he touched his wrist with his other hand he winced. "The doctor says it's doing as well as can be expected." He drew a sigh. "I just hope nothing goes wrong. My dad was All-American and his heart is set on me following in his footsteps. Neil's sure no athlete," he added in a tone that confirmed my theory of sibling rivalry.

"I'm sure you'll make all-American," I told him. "Gee, the year is just zipping by, isn't it? Before you know it, it'll be Christmas." He gave me his puzzled look and I rushed on to make my point as boldly as I dared. " That means the Christmas Ball is coming up soon. Do you think you'll go?"

"Probably. I haven't made up my mind yet." He was looking over my shoulder at someone who'd moved in behind me. I could smell her perfume.

"I'll probably go, too," I said, "although I haven't a thing to wear." I laughed and gave a meaningless wave of my hand, trying to be so animated he'd stop looking over my shoulder and concentrate on me.

He did, for a minute, but then he's bewildered look was back, as if he wondered why he was standing there talking to me. "The line seems to be moving," he said at last and grabbed a tray.

I glanced over my shoulder. The girl behind me was Mary. Oh, great! If she and Alan got together I'd have no one but myself to blame. Before Becky had written the article I'd inspired, Alan wouldn't have looked at a transfer and Mary would have frozen him out if he had.

"Hi, Kelly," Mary said. "I heard you talking about the Christmas dance.i guess that's a tradition at Bayside, huh?"

"Yeah, it sure is. I hope you get to go," I managed to say. I knew she'd only go with a superior boy like Alan.

"I don't usually go to such things, but I'll see," she replied.

We both smiled and I turned towards the counter. She'll go if Alan asks her, I thought.

The next day Caitlyn Carson again called me out of study hall. I assumed it had something to do with the welcoming committee, but instead of leading the way to the small conference room we went down the hall to Mrs McGrew's office. She was the vice principal and student advisor. I was surprised to see Marcus in her office, as well as some of the student officers. I couldn't imagine what was up. Have Marcus and I gotten in some kind of trouble without knowing it? Maybe we've been acting too affectionate, holding hands and him putting his our around my way sometimes as we walked along the halls. I looked at Marcus, who motioned me to sit on a chair beside him. I could see he was as bewildered as I was.

"Now, then," Mrs McGrew said, looking around the room, "I think it's time to tell Kelly and Marcus what this is all about."

She was a plumpish woman with greying hair sort of motherly looking, although she had a reputation for being a stern disciplinarian. She smiled and I could tell that she hadn't brought Marcus and me here to give us a bad time. I began to relax and I could feel Marcus relax, too, in the chair beside me.

"Kelly and Marcus," Mrs McGrew said, "I'm sure you'll be delighted to learn you've been chosen as sweetheart of the Christmas Ball."

"What!" Marcus gasped.

I was speechless. In fact, I doubted if I'd ever be able to speak again.

Write laughter rippled around the room. Mrs McGrew laughed, too.

"I know you must be very surprised. Usually the nominating committee chooses upperclassmen for the honour, but this year they decided to make an exception." Her smile widened and I tried to smile back but I was still in shock.

"We feel that you are the perfect couple to preside over the dance," she continued. "Your attitude toward each other is exceptional at your age. It clearly springs from a warm friendship based on mutual respect and interests, as well as affection. We feel you typify the goodwill and loving spirit of the season."

She went on to say that we qualified in other ways, too, citing my work with the welcoming committee that showed a desire to help others and to serve Bayside. Marcus had distinguished himself on the football field, bringing the regional championship to Bayside.

"But Mrs. McGrew" I finally got out. I had to tell her the truth, that Marcus and I weren't sweethearts at all that we'd just been pretending . . .

Before I could say another word Marcus caught my hand and squeezed it so hard I almost yelled.

"I'm sure I speak for Kelly in saying we both thank you and the committee for this honour, Mrs. McGrew," he said. "We'll do our best to prove worthy of it."

"That's settled, then." Mrs. McGrew stood up, ending the meeting. She only added that the dance committer would now go ahead with the publicity, including the announcement of our selection as sweethearts of the Ball.

Marcus took my arm and pulled me out into the hall. I couldn't move on my own power. Had any scheme in the history of the world ever backfired like this? Sweethearts of the ball Marcus and me! It was an impossible situation and we simply couldn't go through with it.