Skinny Read Free Page B

the sidelines. There he was—number fourteen. Her heart jumped in her chest like a piece of popcorn in a pan of sizzling oil.
    Even though she was sweating from her performance, the chilly autumn evening made her shiver. She pulled on her navy and white wool letter jacket. She cheered and laughed and even watched a little bit of the game with the other girls. The Huskies were winning by six points as the clock ticked down the end of the season.
    “Seven, six, five,” the girls chanted.
    “Four, three, two, one,” the crowd joined in.
    “Yea!” Lindsey and Melissa jumped up and down, cheering a victory.
    Eventually the troupe headed back to the band room, where they changed out of their uniforms. As she pulled off her white boots Alyssa announced, “Anyone who’s interested, we’re headed to Pizzaro’s to celebrate!”
    “Sounds good to me.” Lindsey licked her lips.
    “I love their cheese sticks,” Melissa said, imagining the gooey, melted mozzarella. She pulled at the snap on her jeans. They felt snug. “But I should really head home. Mom and Dad are waiting for me, and I have piles of homework.”
    “C’mon.” Lindsey cracked her gum. “I bet one of the older girls will give us a ride. You can ask your folks. Plus, who does homework on a Friday night?”
    “Thanks. Next time.” Melissa squeezed Lindsey, slung her bag over her shoulder, and waved to some of the other girls as she made her way out the door. Football season may be over, but basketball season was just starting. The dance team would still have practice on Monday.
    She walked down the narrow hall lined with navy blue lockers toward the parking lot. She could almost smell the tangy, greasy air that lingered in the pizza parlor. She wanted those cheese sticks. But if she was trying out for captain, she knew she would have to slim down.
    “Hey.” A thick voice, sounding like a Southern drawl stirred into a New York accent, caught Melissa off guard.
    Beau stood near the large metal doors leading to the parking lot. His hair was wet, and his soap smell was stronger than ever.
    Melissa felt her body tense like she had been tapped in a game of freeze tag. Then a goofy giggle gurgled from her throat.
    “Hi.” Melissa cocked her head. “You startled me. The game was great, really. I loved watching us win.” Why couldn’t she think of anything clever to say? Beau was so cute and was actually talking to her, and she was just rambling.
    “Thanks.” Beau seemed so calm and mellow. The way the dimple showed in his left cheek when he smiled made Melissa feel dizzy. “You headed out?”
    “Yeah, you? I thought all the players probably went out or something.”
    There was an awkward pause. Melissa heard her heart beating. She had to say something so Beau wouldn’t hear it too. “I mean, some of the squad is going out, but, well, I wasn’t in the mood, and I have to spend all weekend studying. Did you study French yet?”
    Great. Now she sounded like a dork—studying on a Friday night.
    Beau opened the heavy door for her.
    Melissa’s left index fingernail popped up to her mouth. She pulled it out . No chewing!
    Before she knew it, they were in the parking lot. She could see her parents’ silver van.
    “No, I haven’t studied for the test yet,” Beau answered. “Do you want to get together Sunday afternoon and look over it?”
    “Yeah . . . yeah, that would be great.” Did he just suggest they get together? Probably just because she was good at French. He just wanted to study with the nerd to do well on the test.
    “Do you want to come over to my house? Or I could come to your house?” Beau asked.
    “You could come to my house. I mean, I’ll have to check with my folks, but I’m sure it will be fine.” Melissa nodded.
    “I’ll call around noon to check, okay?”
    Melissa felt all fidgety inside and didn’t know if she could stand there alone with him much longer.
    “Super!” she said. Then with a grin, she added, “Bye!”