The Pros And Cons Of Being In Love With The Lead Singer Of A Rock And Roll Band

Chapter Three

“Did I just see you talking to Alex Carter?” my best friend (my only friend!) Emily asked, as I slid unobtrusively into my seat. I was hoping Mr Fielding, who is rather deaf, hadn’t noticed my late entrance.

I nodded, briefly.

“What did he say?” she hissed.

I shrugged. “Just that there’s another end of term dance on. And that there’s a prize for the best display of musical talent, and he’s hoping to win.”

“Morgan, he said more than that! I can tell by that smile on your face!”

I couldn’t help it. A grin burst out onto my face. “Yeah, well, he kind of asked me to go to it. Not, like, a date or anything. But…” I shrugged.

Emily raised her fair eyebrows. “Nice work, Morg!”

I shook my head. “He doesn’t like me, Em. Not in that way.”

I mean, I can’t really blame him, can I? Who would fall for me? The Invisible Girl that nobody notices.

Except, Alex had noticed me. He had walked by and picked me up off the floor. He had talked to me and asked me to come to the dance.

Did that mean anything? I really had no idea. Neither Emily and I had any experience at all when it came to boys.

In fact, I only knew of one person who did…

And I loved Alex so much, I actually went up to her after school. “Uh, Kylie, can I talk to you a second?”

She looked at me like I’m some random worm. “You talk to me?” She snorted. “Don’t think so.”

“Kylie! Please!”

“Oh, OK. What??”

“If a boy asks to go to a dance, but he doesn’t ask you to go with him, does that mean he likes you or not?”

Kylie just stared at me. “You don’t know anything, do you?”

I bowed my head, ready to take the insults if it meant she would tell me if Alex liked me.

I waited.

Nothing.

When I looked up, Kylie had walked away and was standing with her friends. She pointed over to me, said something, and they all burst out laughing.

I turned and walked away, feeling a hot blush seeping up my face. Alright, so I’m not cool. Alright, so I don’t know how to tell if a boy likes me or not.

Is that a crime?

Yeah, I suppose it is.

*

“Liam, wait for me!” I started to run.

My brother groaned, but he did wait. “What?” he demanded.

“I’m walking home with you.”

He rolled his eyes. “Why?”

“I want to ask you something!”

If you want to find out what a boy is thinking… ask another boy, right?

“If a boy asks a girl to a dance, but he doesn’t ask her to actually go with him… Does he like her or not?”

Liam shrugged. “Why ask me?”

“Because you’re a boy!”

He grinned. “Let me guess. Alex Carter has suggested you go to the dance?”

“Yeah…” I admitted. I hadn’t wanted Liam to know that. He was sure to tease me.

“Look, sis, Alex is weird. The rules that apply to normal boys don’t apply to him. So I wouldn’t worry. Just go and have fun.”

“The dance is in a week’s time,” I remarked.

“So?”

I shrugged. “I hadn’t expected to go to it, that’s all. Doesn’t give me much time to get a dress.”

Liam rolled his eyes. “Girls.”

“Boys,” I snapped. “So, what do you think it means?”

“How should I know?” he yelled. “Why don’t you ask him?”

I shook my head. “Oh yeah! Like I’m going to do that! Help me out, Liam!”

“Ok, Ok! If it was me… I’d probably only do it if I liked a girl, but I wasn’t sure if she liked me back. I’d kind of keep my options open, just test the waters a little and see what her reaction was. Take it from there. Happy now?”

“So you think Alex… likes me?” I whispered.

“No, probably not! You’re so whiny, Morgan! And boring! Always going on and on about Alex! Put a sock in it, right?” With that, Liam swung his school-bag over his shoulder (narrowly missing my head) and stalked off.

Me, I just danced in the street! Alex Carter might like me! Alex Carter might like me!

I closed my eyes, twirled and spun and did star jumps until I was out of breath. I finally stopped dancing, sucked in a long, deep breath, opened my eyes…

…And almost died when I saw Alex standing in front of me!

*

His head was tilted on one side and he was watching me like he couldn’t quite figure me out.

I closed my eyes again. I was hoping he’d be gone when I opened them. Maybe I liked him so much, I was hallucinating. Seeing him everywhere I went.

Not this time. When I opened my eyes, he was still there. Still looking at me like I was crazy.

Yeah, I suppose you would think that. If you saw a girl dancing in the street for no apparent reason.

Alex finally snapped out of his Stare-at-the-crazy-girl mood. “Shall we dance?” he asked, facetiously, but he took my hand, wrapped his arm round my waist and we waltzed.

I don’t think I can ever put on paper how amazing it is to waltz in the street with the boy you love. I’ll never forget the warmth of his hand on my waist, the way his arms held me, moving me in time to silent music.

The sun was starting to fade, but it threw the remaining golden rays over us, and it was like a huge halo all around us. Or maybe a spotlight.

And, just for once, the whole world was looking at me.