Playing For Keeps

2

 "Hi. Um- sure. Can you just wait here for a second?" I ask. He nods. I try to soothe my internal panic as I tell the girls that I am going to go speak to my boy of the month that I like but I don't actually speak to, all while actively avoiding further upsetting Maddie who refuses to say what she's actually upset about.

" I'm going to step out for a minute. Do you need water or anything?" I kneeled in front of Maddie, who shook her head no in rapid succession. I got up and made my way to the door. Opening it just enough for me to get out, not wanting anybody, Addie specifically, to see who is waiting for me on the other side of the door.

"Sorry about that. How about we go over here?" I said, gesturing to the end of the hallway. He nodded and we made our way to the quiet part of the hall.

"So I just wanted to tell you that I didn't support what happened downstairs at all. That costume looks great on you, He's just pissed because some girl dumped him." He smiled at me.

"Thank you! Do you know what happened to Maddie? I asked, mentally shoving a dagger at myself for shifting his attention as fast as I did.

"I don't. Do you?" He replied, looking into my eyes intently. His deep brown eyes were some of the prettiest I've seen. I'm usually self conscious about my brown eyes, feeling as if they lack character or aren't as bright as the blue or green ones that some of my friends have. But somehow seeing his eyes makes me feel better about mine.

I realized that I spent too long staring into his eyes, ignoring the fact that he had asked me a question. "Oh um, yeah, no I don't. I thought maybe you knew because you're friends with Stephen?" I responded awkwardly. It wasn't until the name left my mouth that I realized that I had definitely messed up the name and sounded like an idiot all in one.

"Uh yeah I don't. Well it was nice speaking to you, I'll see you in class?" I nodded back and he walked away as I ran into the bathroom of Maddie's parents. I paced the tile flooring, back and forth, back and forth, over and over again.

That was the worst interaction I think I've ever had with a man in my life, that's very telling since I don't really speak to my Dad and that was one of the only interactions with a boy I've had in my entire life. I looked in the mirror and saw that sweat had beaded on my forehead. I look and feel like a total wreck.

I grab my phone out of the waistband of my tights and contemplate calling Addie or Melanie. I feel like such a crappy friend if I were to draw attention away from Maddie while she was so distraught but there's four of us so I guess somebody could stay with her and someone could talk me down. But I'd still feel bad.

"Mom?" I asked when she picked up the phone.

"Hi, Honey. How's the party going?" My Mom said in such a sweet tone, even though I was calling her during work. That's just my Mom. Mom first, nurse second; just like she always says.

" Mom, I am the most awkward human ever. You need to help me." I pleaded, dragging my body against the marble walls until I sat down on the floor.

"What happened? Was it with one of the girls?" She asked. Her tone concerned. The girls and I have been friends since early elementary school, and two of us have fought maybe one time. I feel like an asteroid is more likely to hit earth than for us to ever get into a blow out fight.

" No. I just messed up with a boy, I think."

"You were talking to a boy? Since when?"

"No we aren't, we weren't. I just had a talk with him and I sounded stupid."

"Don't be so hard on yourself. You have to learn how to talk to boys. Some youtube tutorials or self-help books won't teach you, experience will. Take it in stride, Hon." She said firmly yet sweetly.