Summer of 62

Chapter 7

"Jesus Nancy!" My mother said standing from he couch as I walked in covered in my own puke.

"Mom I'm fine." I said even though I felt like complete ass.

"What did William do?!" She asked making my jaw drop.

"Is he all you care about?" I asked glaring at her. I felt hurt by this.

"No! That's not what I meant! I meant did he help you home or did he make fun of you?" She asked coming to my side.

"Oh, he offered to walk me home but I told him I didn't want to get him sick." I said smiling. "It took a lot of convincing, he's pretty stubborn." I finished trying not to throw up again.

"Go get changed in the bathroom and I'll wash your clothes." She said pushing me over to the bathroom.

Benny really walked me home. All the way up to the door actually. It was nice. I actually did try telling him I didn't want to get him anymore sick. He was sick though too as he pointed out.

I changed in the bathroom and put in pajamas. My mom stuck my clothes in the wash and I went to bed.

****

I woke up around 7 and threw on some jean shorts and a flannel shirt with my red converse.

I tied my hair up, put on my hat, and grabbed my mitt. I snatched three pieces of bacon and tried to slip out but my mom caught me.

"You have to be home by 5:15 so you can get ready for dinner with the Phillips at 6." She said pointing at me.

"Get ready?" I asked halfway out the front door.

"Yes. You're going to wear one of your nice school dresses. Understood?" She asked going back to cooking.

I moaned with half a piece of bacon in my mouth and stepped out the door to see none other than Phillips.

"Hey Nanc." He said with a smile on his bike.

"Hey Will." I said in a mocking voice and a mouth full of bacon.

"Wanna hang out?" He asked with a smirk.

"Go away Phillips." I said stepping around him and walking through my lawn to the street. Ifinished eating my bacon as I walked.

"Why? Our date is tonight!" He said riding in circles around me.

"It's not a date! I don't even want to go!" I said clenching my fists and walking faster.

"Well, I know I can't wait, I'll bet your mother will be happy." He said with a smug expression as he stopped his bike right in front of me.

"She'll be just thrilled." I said rolling my eyes and moving to go around him.

"Come on Nancy." He said leaning in really close to me.

I stepped back away from him and ran right into someone. I turned my head around to see Benny standing there.

"What are you doing here Phillips?" Benny asked looking from Phillips to me.

"Just talking to a friend." He said smiling at me.

"I'm not, and won't ever be, your friend." I said annoyed. I felt slightly bad because his expression showed like it hurt a little.

"She clearly doesn't want to talk to you. Let's go Nancy." He said grabbing me by the forearm and leading me around Phillips.

"She'll come around, especially after tonight. Better watch your back Rodriguez, your girl might have a new guy tonight." Phillips said making both Benny and I stop and turn.

"Tonight?" Benny asked looking at me at the same time I asked Phillips "His girl?"

"Yeah, we're going on a-" I cut Phillips off short.

"We are not!" I said grabbing Benny by the hand instead of the arm on accident and running down the street hand in hand.

"What are you guys doing tonight?" He asked sounding a little hurt. We had stopped just a block from the sandlot.

"Nothing. Our mothers planned out a dinner for both of our families. He keeps saying its a date but it isn't. He knows it bugs me that's why he does it." I said sighing and looking down at Benny's hand still connected with mine.

I laughed nervously and snatched my hand back. His face went a little pink and I'm sure mine did too. We continued on to the sandlot.

The day went by normal. Just baseball. Then 5:00 came around. Then 5:10.

"I gotta go guys." I said starting to run off the field.

"Aww come on Three!" Squints called out.

"I'm sorry!" I said calling out to him. I made eye contact with Benny but we both ended it quickly and I ran off home.

"There you are!" My mom said checking her watch.

"Mom I still have 3 minutes to spare." I said looking at the clock in the wall.

"Whatever. Go get dressed." She said sighing.

I walked to my room and got in my most comfortable dress.

It was pale yellow with a white collar and just above my knees. I still had on my converse. I went into the bathroom and pinned back the left side of my hair.

"No way. Change your shoes." She said looking at them.

"You won't even notice them under the table!" I said annoyed. There was no way I was wearing my stupid school shoes.

"Fine, just go sit." She said rubbing her temple like she always does when she's stressed.

I walked to our dining table and sat down. I stared at the seat next to me.

God I hated Phillips so much.

What if my mom asks him about the carnival? Oh shit.

I sprung out of my seat edged across the kitchen.

"Let me get it mom. I'll be good I swear. You can go do finishing touches." I said smiling innocently.

She looked at me nervously before nodding slowly. I quickly made my way to the door and waited anxiously.

I sat there continuously checking the time. It seemed to tick by faster and faster but at the same time it took forever.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when the doorbell finally rang.