Don't Bet on It

Chapter 10

"Hey Jess," Deena answered when I called her Sunday afternoon.

"I am SO moving into Laura's house!" I burst out.

"Really? What's it like?"

"I have a HUGE room and Emma and I are next to each other and across from us is this really big bathroom that we share and my room has a balcony and there's this beautiful pool... and Laura's an amazing person."

"When are you moving in?"

"I donno. Probably next weekend. We'll be with them every other week."

"How does your mom feel about all that?"

"She seems really cool about it, honestly. I think she's probably just glad she doesn't have to go to court. She and Laura actually seem to get along pretty well."

"That's weird, but okay."

"How is that weird?"

"Oh, you know. Moms and step-moms don't usually get along. Stereotypically speaking."

"Well, I'm glad they do," I said.

"So I'll see you at school tomorrow?" She asked.

"Yep," I replied.

"Cool," She said. "See you tomorrow. Oh, and you're still coming over after school tomorrow, right?"

"Totally."

"Okay. See you tomorrow."

"See ya."

She hung up.

I looked at the clock on my desk. It was 1:30. Emma and I had just gotten back from having lunch with Laura, and I hadn't finished all of my homework. I pulled all my books and assignments out of my backpack and started on that.

A few hours later, I wandered out into the backyard. My legs were stiff and I had a headache, and it felt good to be outside.

I climbed up into a tree and stared at the sky. And suddenly, for no reason at all, I thought of Eric.

I pictured his face, his smile. I thought of his laugh as he succeeded in annoying me to death. I imagined him pulling me into a hug and lightly kissing me on the cheek. I imagined him saying he loved me.

Oh my god.

I have a crush on Eric Phillips.

I had a crush on someone who was betting on whether or not I would have a crush on him.

No one can know about this.

Well, maybe Deena.

I could trust her with something like that.