I spent the weekend catching up on my homework. Drawing in my sketchbook was my favorite part. I drew some things around the house, then went outside to practice drawing plants, outdoor objects and houses. What I really wanted to do was go to the Reservoir to draw, but I was afraid to go there alone. There were animals and a small stream running through the center that would be great to draw.

My parents bought some expensive wine, cookies, and pastries for the Iversens. They wanted to thank Andreas personally for saving me at the Reservoir. We went across the street to knock on the door and were greeted by Mr. Iversen. He invited us in and called for Andreas to come down.

Andreas was on his cell phone when he appeared at the top of the stairs. He looked surprised to see us. I could tell he was talking to Lena by his body language and tone of voice. He ended the call and came down.

Mr. Iversen smiled proudly as my parents thanked Andreas and gave them the gift bags. Andreas looked embarrassed, but accepted them. I thanked him again in front of everyone.

Mr. Iversen offered my parents coffee and they followed him to the dining room. Andreas led me to the kitchen where he grabbed a bowl of fruit then went to the den where we played Resident Evil 5 on his Xbox 360. We sat next to each other on the couch, our shoulders and legs sometimes touching during the game. Once, when his character died, he groaned loudly and leaned his back on me, prompting me to laugh. We played until it was time for me to leave.

After I got home, I received a text from Daisy:

at heaven’s cup studying w paige, trish, & kayla.

Marco is here! w trey & devin. Do you want to come over?

I frowned. She knew I wouldn’t, so why did she ask? Probably just to brag that she was hanging out with the popular kids. Or maybe she meant to make me jealous. I texted her back:

No thx. Almost done with my hw. Have fun.

I plopped myself down on my bed and dozed off dreaming that I was running from zombies dressed as cheerleaders.

On Monday, I was looking forward to seeing Andreas again in Art. I kept looking at the clock and glancing at the door in anticipation for his arrival. He gave me a dazzling smile as soon as he walked in, but before I could talk to him, Jamie turned around and began talking to me about his weekend. Every time I tried to talk to Andreas, Jamie would interrupt. I was annoyed. He even walked with me and Daisy out of the classroom when class was over. Daisy and I exchanged puzzled looks before she left for her next class. Jamie lingered. I raised my eyebrows at him and paused before I started toward my class. He followed me.

“Isn’t your class the other way?” I said.

He looked down the hall and slowed down. “Yeah.”

“What’s up with you today? You’re acting weird.”

“I am?” He put his hands in his pockets. “Oh, I ah, just wanted to know if you were going to Heaven’s Cup after school today.”

“No, I don’t go there that often.”

He looked disappointed. “I’m going to study there and thought maybe you might want to go with me.” His eyes shifted between the lockers and the ground.

“Well, um, I work out after school and study at home. Late.”

“Oh. Okay.”

“But thanks, anyway.”

“Sure.” His face was red.

“I’ll see you later.” I started to move down the hall toward my English class.

“Um. Okay, see you.” He didn’t move, but I turned and walked away before he could say anything else.

Oh my god! Jamie just tried to ask me out! When I got to English, I was still thinking about it and worrying that he might try to ask me out again.

“Are you okay?” said Millie. I hadn’t realized she was sitting next to me. “You’re zoning out.”

“Jamie just asked me out.”

“He did?”

“He wanted me to go to Heaven’s Cup with him after school. I don’t even like him that way! Of course, I said no and made up an excuse which wasn’t really an excuse. It was the truth. What am I going to do if he asks me out again?” She sat there blinking with her mouth open. I waited for her response.

“Whoa. Okay. I’ve never had this problem, but maybe you could just tell him you don’t like him.”

I grimaced. “I don’t want to hurt his feelings. How am I supposed to say it?”

“You’re asking the wrong girl. But personally…I think he’s kinda cute.”

My eyebrows came back down and I looked at her more closely. “Really?”

She looked away. “Well, kinda. Yeah. But don’t tell him I said that.”

I stared at her. Huh. It hadn’t occurred to me that Millie might like Jamie.

Paige and Trisha were at my desk talking to Daisy when I got to Biology. In fact, Trisha was sitting in my seat. She got up when I walked over, but didn’t smile or say a word to me. Paige acknowledged me with a smile, at least. I perused my Biology book while they chatted.

Marco walked in and saw the girls at my desk. He looked from me to them and back. Trisha saw him putting his backpack on his desk and pulled him over to our table.

“Hey Marco,” she said in a flirty voice. “We’re planning on going to the movies this weekend. Do you want to come with?” She gave him a coy smile and batted her eyelashes. “And can you drive us?”

“Who’s going?” he asked.

“All of us,” said Paige, “and we should see if Trey and Devin want to go. Devin might be able to drive, too.”

I pretended I wasn’t listening and turned the page in my textbook.

“Are you going, too, Lilah?” said Marco.

I looked up at them. The girls looked surprised, their mouths slightly open and eyes wide.

“Me? Uh, no.”

“You could totally come with us if you want,” said Daisy, not very enthusiastically.

“Yeah,” said Paige. “You should come with us.” She at least sounded more sincere than Daisy.

Trisha looked at Paige as if she had turned into a hideous creature.

“No, but thanks for the offer,” I said.

“Are you sure?” said Marco. “Come on. It’ll be fun.”

“No, I have a lot of homework to do,” I said which was sort of true. I wished they would go away and was grateful when Mr. Irwin started the class. Marco went back to his table with a disappointed look on his face.

As soon as class ended, I told Daisy about Jamie. While I was talking, she watched Paige and Trisha walk out the door without her. By the time we stepped out into the hall, they were gone. Daisy didn’t react to my news the way Millie did. She seemed distracted and disconnected.

“Why don’t you just tell him you’re not interested in him?” she said with a scowl.

“I can’t do that,” I said. “He’s a good guy. I don’t want to hurt his feelings.”

“Well, then you’re just going to cause problems for yourself. I have to go. See you at lunch.” She hurried down the hall and out of sight.