The next day, everyone at school is abuzz about the desecration, even the IGs, but they don’t talk to us about it. They still act as though we don’t exist, but there’s something wrong with Travis. His angry eyes stare out into nothing, ignoring the world around him.
“I heard the police questioned him about all those weird things that have been going on,” Charlotte whispers to me in French.
“Seriously?” I feel my eyes grow. “How do you know?”
“The IGs were talking about it in the washroom at break.”
“No way.” I shoot back.
“Yeah, it’s…” Charlotte stops in mid-sentence.
Peter walks by the alcove where we’re eating. My heart flutters. Smiling, he waves, and we return the gesture.
After he passes, we let out a secret giggle.
Then Charlotte looks at me with a mischievous grin. “You know, I think it’s time you asked him out.”
“What?” I exclaim. “You mean on a date?”
“Yeah. I mean you guys keep flirting and all, so why not?”
“No way!” I give my head a vigorous shake. “What if he says no? And besides, Mom would kill me.”
“Hey, you’re going on fifteen, and it’s not like you’re moving in with him. It’s just a date.”
“Me? A date?” The idea seems funny. “Well, I don’t know.” I lean back against the wall.
“Aw, come on,” Charlotte insists. “It’s easy. All you have to do is ask him.”
“Oh, is that all? Just like that.” I shrug, my palms facing up.
“Yeah. Don’t think about it. Just do it.”
Staring at the ceiling, I ponder her idea for a bit. “Okay … but when … and how?”
Charlotte moves closer. “On Friday, after band, he goes to his locker, and then walks home, right?”
“Yeah …”
“We time it so we’re leaving at exactly the same moment, and we just happen to catch up to him. Then I bow out for a few minutes, and you ask him if he wants to go to a movie out in Chilliwack.”
“Ummm, that sounds really risky.” I take a huge gulp of air, thinking it out, and then finally nod. “Okay, I’ll do it.”
“Yes.” Charlotte rubs her fists together, her smile so broad all her teeth show.
Friday comes sooner than I think. My stomach flutters every time I think of what I have to do, and I find myself avoiding Peter in the halls, but at the end of the day, Charlotte follows through with the plan, pushing me along. When Peter leaves the school right on schedule, we’re right behind him.
“Hi Peter,” I say, sounding totally unlike myself. “Wanna walk home with us?”
Peter breaks into a timid smile. “Sure.”
We’ve only gone a few paces when Charlotte throws her hand to her mouth and cries, “Oops, I forgot my science homework. Why don’t you two go on without me? I’ll catch up.” And then she’s gone, leaving me stranded.
My heart races, and I can’t think of a word to say. The silence between us is as solid as a brick wall. I glance back to see where Charlotte is. She’s slipping into the school.
After a minute, Peter finally breaks the ice. “I hear there’s going to be some good food after Mr. Bachinsky’s concert on Sunday. Are you and Charlotte still coming?”
“Pretty much,” I say, my heart pounding.
Just blurt it out, stupid. Quick before Charlotte comes back.
“Great. My mom’s making chocolate chip cookies,” he says.
Do it! It’s now or never.
“Mmmm! I love chocolate chip cookies,” I say. Then, gathering up my courage, I dive in. “So what are you doing tonight?” My voice sounds confident despite the terror that seizes me.
“Ah … nothing. Why?”
Peter’s gesture is small and quick – a raising of his brows followed by a slight intake of breath, but it’s enough to throw me off. I look around for Charlotte again. She’s coming back out the front door of the school.
Here goes.
Problem is, what I say next doesn’t come out quite right.
“Charlotte and I are going to see a movie in the Wack tonight. Wanna come with us?”
Idiot! You just asked him out on a date with you and Charlotte.
A huge grin spreads across his face, and it’s obvious he’s really pleased. “Okay. I’ll see if my mom can drive.”
I let out a sigh of relief. “Great.”
Charlotte catches up to us, her face flushed from running.
“Got it,” she says.
“Good.” I flash her a desperate look, but manage to keep acting totally normal. “Hey, guess what?”
“What?” Charlotte plays innocent.
“Peter’s coming to the movie with us tonight.”
“Oh?” She looks a little taken aback.
“That’s okay, isn’t it?” asks Peter, his face turning pale.
“Uh, yeah.” She looks at me, her eyebrows forming a V.
I shrug. What else can I do?
Later that night, when I tell Mom, her eyes brighten, and she breaks into a knowing smile. “He’s a nice boy.”
“Aw, Mom. He’s just a friend,” I say, hoping it’s not true.
“Well I better give you some money just in case.” She digs into her purse.
“Where are you going?” Dylan asks from the family room.
“None of your business,” I retort. The last thing I need is my little brother poking around in my affairs.
“She’s going to a movie,” Mom says handing me twenty dollars.
“Which one?”
“Don’t know yet.” I stuff the cash in my pocket.
“Can I come too?”
“No,” I say, treating him like a really little kid.
“Aw, come on. Mom? Kira won’t let me go with her and Charlotte.”
Mom smiles. “It’s not for ten-year-olds.”
“Ew, you’re going to see a restricted movie? Mom!”
“No we’re not,” I snap back.
The sound of a car engine rumbles in the driveway. I race to get my coat before Dylan can snoop anymore. My plan is to get out to the car before Peter has the chance to come up the stairs, but I’m not quick enough.
Before I get my coat on, Mom opens the door. I cringe, terrified that she’ll giggle and fuss, but to my surprise, she acts like Peter is the pizza delivery guy or someone from FedEx.
“Have fun,” she says as I step out with Peter to his parents’ car.
“Ew,” says Dylan. “Kira’s got a boyfriend.”
“Shush,” says Mom, slamming the front door.
We pick up Charlotte on the way. She and I settle in the back seat while Peter sits up front.
Arriving at the movie theater, we choose a comedy about a nerdy kid while Peter’s Mom leaves to go shopping.
“I’ll get the popcorn,” Peter says, joining the line at the concession stand.
I wink at Charlotte. She suppresses a smile.
When we find our seats inside the theater, Peter sits between the two of us holding the popcorn we all share.
Goosebumps run up my flesh whenever our elbows touch, and though I try to focus on the movie, I can’t keep my mind off Peter.
When the movie lets out, his mom’s waiting for us at the door. She drops off Charlotte first. We wave at her through the window, and then they take me home.
Pulling into the driveway, I open the car door, about to say my thank you and goodnight, but to my surprise, Peter gets out too and follows me. My heart races.
“That was a lot of fun,” he says, looking straight ahead like he’s terrified.
“Yeah, it was. We should do it again.”
“Yeah.”
We stand for what seems like a whole minute in silence. Then to my surprise, he turns and faces me, his eyes full of emotion.
My heart speeds up, and just when I think he’s going to lean over and kiss me, Dylan’s head pokes through the curtains.
“Dylan!” I mutter under my breath.
Peter lets out an awkward laugh and turns around. “Well, goodnight.”
Dylan, I’m going to kill you.
Pounding up the front steps, I grab the door knob and enter, mad Dylan’s ruined my chance and that Peter’s driving away with his Mom.