Jade’s Diary
March 22
It’s been ages since I wrote, and there’s so much to say. The big news is I ran into Mick today. (Wearing the blue hoodie I gave him for Xmas! That’s no accident.)
He was coming down the west stairs and practically plowed right into me. (Clearly, great minds think alike.) You should have seen his face! He went pale, then he went pink, then he just kind of gazed at me in this really deep way. I might have had my doubts before, but not anymore. Looks don’t lie. Mick still loves me.
Too bad everything’s so weird now. There’s nowhere for us to go and work this out. It’s all so, I don’t know, unnatural or something. We can’t have a “normal conversation” in English Lit. The entire class is watching our every move. (I really wish we’d been lower profile before. Nobody talks about how Amy Norman and Jordan Mancini’s relationship is going.)
Getting together after school doesn’t work either. I’m too busy. We’d have to arrange an actual date—and I can tell Mick’s not ready to put himself on the line like that yet. (Life would be so much easier without the male ego always getting in the way.)
Then, of course, there’s the whole bizarre Quinn Poulos thing. Seriously, he hovers over Mick like he’s his grandmother or something. It’s almost funny. You’d swear I was some wicked woman plotting to steal the poor boy’s virtue. How can we relax with Quinn practically wiretapping everything we say?
I knew bumping into Mick was going to be our only chance to talk.
It was a bit awkward at first, but that’s to be expected. You’re used to doing things one way for three years, and then suddenly you have to do them a different way? Of course it’s going to be uncomfortable. But I made a little joke, and that’s all it took. We both started laughing like the good old days.
I love his laugh.
He dropped his stuff, and we both went to pick it up at the same time. Our hands kept touching. It was almost as if we couldn’t help ourselves. I know this sounds corny, but it really was kind of magical. There’s a powerful connection between us. We both felt it. Who knows what would have happened if Shaun and Carson didn’t come by right then? I wouldn’t be surprised if Quinn had them spying on us.
Anyway, it kind of ruined the moment, and we were back to being awkward again. He kept rubbing the back of his neck with his palm. That’s what he does when he’s nervous, and I’ve always found it so cute. It makes me want to look after him.
I told him Gavin’s headaches were back. I could see how worried he was. I knew that would happen. They were like brothers. He’d do anything for him.
I went to the library after school and searched childhood migraines. The doctor told us before that we had to watch what he ate, but I couldn’t believe all the foods that can set them off. Chocolate, hot dogs, cheese, yeast, pepperoni—the list went on and on. I printed it out and taped it to the kitchen cupboard when I got home. I’ll have to try and figure out which ones make Gavin sick.
When I was at the library, I also went online to look for a dress to wear to the spring dance. I’ve lost seven pounds, so I want something that’s going to show off my waist. I think I found one—long sleeves but low in the back and with a tight skirt. It’s kind of a greeny-blue too, so you just KNOW Mick’s going to love it. (Brings out the color of my eyes. He always says that.)
If I could do some extra cleaning for Mrs. Crespo, I might be able to afford it next week.
I should turn out the light. Mom’s doing back-to-back shifts all week, so I’m going to be busy.
Note to Self
1. Make appointment for highlights.
2. Write treasury report for Enviroclub meeting.
3. Buy groceries. (Take migraine list.)