Earhart & Noonan: An "Us Club" Novel (#1)(NaNoWriMo15)

3. Remember

Six Years Ago

Don't be nervous.

"Hi, Mom!"

"Mackenzie, dear! How are you?"

Don't be nervous.

"Good."

"We've got a special guest."

"Heh. Yeah."

Don't be nervous.

That's what the zoned-out quiet boy repeatedly tells himself while sitting next to his best friend in her room.

Breathe, Stephen.

"This is Stephen, Mom," Kenzie says, pointing the quiet boy's way. "I finally convinced him to say hi to you. Heh!"

"Ah! So, this is your new friend," her mom says. "Hello, dear."

"Um, hi, Mrs. Carder," Stephen says with a jerky smile and wave.

He has a feeling it came out garbled judging by the curious pause.

"There's no need to be shy around me, Stephen," Mrs. Carder says. "We're all friends here."

Mrs. Carder's not stupid. She knows he's nervous, so there's no point in acting like he's not, which only makes him feel more nervous.

"Uh, yeah. Sorry," is all he can say.

Mrs. Carder looks to warm him up with a smile. "Call me Madeleine. Or, Maddy if you'd like. I don't care. It's your choice."

Stephen's choice? What else but quiet and cordially smirky to avoid any awkward remarks?

Breathe, Stephen. Try talking a little. Open up.

Kenzie's hand reaches out for his. Don't be nervous, her grip says.

Stephen, trying to shake himself loose, looks at the screen.

See? Mrs. Carder likes you already.

...She looks like Sarah Paulson and sounds like White Diamond.

Stephen!

When I take a serious look at Mrs. Carder, I feel like I'm staring at a futuristic Kenzie. I can see where Kenzie's highlights and smile come from. The eyes. Her calm posture. The love of everything psychology. She's throwing me off with that suit, but it fits. She looks like she just ended a breakthrough session with one of her candy-colored clients from the Capitol.

I'm next. And...I don't think she likes me.

It's just your nerves. ...Stop scraping at the side of your thumbs!

"So!" Mrs. Carder looks at Kenzie. "You finally took my advice and started talking to him. Didn't I tell you it would turn out well?"

Kenzie's flush cheeks give her guilt away. "He's like me," she says. "Really smart. ...He's been on the Honor Roll every year!"

"Oh?"

I'm not smart. I just pay attention too much.

"Well, that's really nice. That's a lot of work and dedication to stay that sharp. ...Not many kids these days like to take school as seriously as they should, so that's nice to hear."

...Quiet.

Mrs. Carder. She's studying me again and it's making me feel weird. She's...weird. Off. Smiling. Just like Kenzie. Trying to ease the mood. But, these quiet parts aren't helping this any.