Indecisive Heart

Chapter 4

I took Anthony to the mall to look at toys. While he walked around the kids store I got us ice cream and took a seat at the same table Rory and I sat at last time. She was busy again so I had to take my brother. I told him when he was done he could find me in the food court. My mom told me not to leave him alone, but he's ten and the store is right next to the food court. He had asked to go alone anyways, he's very independent for a kid in 5th grade. He does almost everything on his own. He never asks for help on homework, he makes his own breakfast every morning, and he won't let anyone tuck him in at night. It's like he's an adult living inside a boy's body. All that said, he's still my annoying little brother.

As I was waiting for him to return, I scanned the area. I didn't see anyone I knew, the mall was actually pretty empty today. There were only two other people sitting in the food court. I checked the Pretzel Shop, but he wasn't there. I ate my ice cream and waited to see if he'd come out that door like he did last time. Anthony came back, and Pretzel Boy still hadn't shown. I guess he wasn't working tonight.

"Look what I got!" Anthony held up a chemistry kit for kids. I just took chemistry last year.

"Do you even know how to do that kind of stuff Anthony?" He looked confused. "That's what directions are for, Sadie. I'll learn." He was a pretty smart kid. I let him eat his ice cream and then we left. No pretzel boy tonight.

Then I realized. Today is Monday. I saw him on Black Friday. Which means there's a chance that he works on Fridays all the time. I'll have to come back then.

Since it's now December, preseason lacrosse practices are starting soon. Sign ups are in a week. We start super early so that when the actual season starts, we're already warmed up. Lacrosse in my school is pretty hard core. Our coach is very serious about the sport and he loves the team. The girls' team made it to the playoffs the past 5 years in a row.

I've always been in love with lacrosse. I used to come to the camps they held when I was in middle school. I always wanted to be a part of such a hard working team. I hope this year I'm appointed a captain. I know I'm only a junior, but I'm pretty good and I practice all the time. I'd be a great leader for the team. I can't wait for the sign up sheet to go up. My name will be the first one on the list.

It's still the middle of basketball season though, so our practices would interfere with the girls and boys basketball teams. Rory plays lacrosse too, but she usually doesn't come to most of the preseason practices because of basketball. She's good at lacrosse but basketball is more important to her.

I was on my way to lunch when Finn crept up from behind. "Hey Sadie." He greeted me.

"Hi Finn, what's up?" Why is he always following me?

"Not much, just going to lunch. Are you coming to the big game?" Basketball? I only ever go to Rory's home games, I never went to the boys games.

"When is it?" I asked.

"Friday at 6." Not Friday. I can't do Friday. I need to go back to the mall!

"Oh I don't think I can make it on Friday. I was supposed to help Rory study for the physics test we have on Monday." I lied.

"Oh I forgot about that test, but I asked Rory already and she said she was going to the game." Great, he already asked her.

"She's just trying to get out of studying, but we're studying. Sorry about that Finn. Good luck anyways." He looked disappointed. "Okay, thanks." With that, I walked away to my lunch table before I'd have to lie to him again.

Rory wasn't there yet, but in about five seconds I saw her walking over with a big smile on her face. "You ready to go the game Friday?!" Then she whispered "I already told Finn you were going with me." I gave her a look.