Silence.

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

I’m skateboarding home when I see Ryan walking on the other side of the street. I stop in my tracks and, I run toward her.

“Hey!” I yell. She tries to run, but I’m one step ahead of her. “Why did you lie to Richie?” I ask.

“Ugh! Why are you asking me questions?” she asks clearly, annoyed.

I grab her arm lightly to stop her from running, “Why did you lie to Richie?” I ask again in a more serious tone.

“I don’t even know what you’re talking about, I–”

“Why did you tell Richie I kissed you?” I ask again, but this time I feel like I might explode.

“Well, ‘cause you did.”

“What do you mean? I did? You kissed me! On the cheek! You do know you’re giving me a death warrant? I am a main target for Richie!” I would love to punch Richie right now. He has caused too much pain in my life.

“Calvin, I–”

“And why did you and Chad break up?” I ask

“Because–”I cut her off again.

“Because you told him the same thing, right?”

“Yeah. But Calvin–”

“I don’t understand your generation.” I start to walk away.

“Calvin…Wait! What do you mean by my generation? You’re part of my generation!” Ryan questions.

“Oh you know what I mean.” I skate away before she’s able to speak one more word.

****

I’m beginning to think that I should try to get myself out there. I mean it’s Saturday night, and I’m sitting in the public library alone. Zeke and his family are in the city, so I have no friends to hang out with.

Then I look up and I see Zoe Griffin looking very pretty with her light brown hair, light brown eyes, and super-cute freckled cheeks. Why have I never noticed her beauty? Was I really that hung up on Ryan that I could not see another girl?

I need to make a game plan first. Let me think it out. So Zoe is preppy like Ryan and she has a lot of “friends,” but not as many has Ryan. So I have more of a chance with Zoe.

She’s sitting across from me, a few tables away. I decide to walk up to her. I try to muster as much confidence as I can because sometimes when I talk it just comes out as a squeak; I’m inarticulate when I desperately need to be audible.

I build up all my courage and introduce myself “Hey, I’m Calvin,” I pause. She does not seem to know who I am. I start again “Umm… so I’m in your chemistry class, and it seems as if you’re having trouble studying.”

“I am,” she answers.

“Well, I was wondering if you’d like me to help you; after all, a girl as pretty as you deserves to get amazing grades.” I flirt.

She looks flattered, but then she starts to pack up. She looks up at me and says, “How about tomorrow at two o’clock?”

“Sure, that’d be perfect.” My voice cracks.

“You are cute! Meet me here.” Then she walks away.

****

Our study date is great, so great that she actually calls me her boyfriend. You hear that? BOYFRIEND! The last time I had a girlfriend was in eighth grade. It lasted for a week, but still!

I’m hanging out at my locker with Zoe when Zeke walks up to us. He apparently can’t help but stare at our interlocked fingers, “Umm, Dude?” I say with a confused voice.

He answers, “You must have had a nice weekend,”

“We did,” Zoe says proudly. “I have to go; see you later,”

“Alligator,” I finish the statement. She walks away laughing.

Zeke is jumping up and down from excitement “ZOE GRIFFIN? Dude, your girlfriend is Zoe Griffin!”

“Yeah, so what’s wrong with that?” I retort

“Why are you getting all defensive? I really just gave you a compliment…” He goes on and on, drowning me with words that for some reason don’t come clear to me.