Too Much Drama (7 page)

Some days, every once in a while, are perfect.

Only do what your heart tells you.

—Princess Diana

Friday, December 26, 8:45 a.m.
Post-Christmas blues

The day after Christmas is always a let-down, but I'm feeling it more than usual this year. Sophie is leaving for New Orleans with her dad, Billy is in Mexico with his family, Leo is getting ready to leave for college, and I'm not friends with Brynn anymore, which leaves me with a question.

What am I going to do for the rest of the break?

10:45 a.m.
Text from Sophie

Sophie: At the airport.

Sophie. Leaving for NOLA!

Me: Have fun!!!

Sophie: What are you doing this week?

Me: Nothing much.

Me:

Me: Hurry home!

Sophie: Miss you already!

Me:

1:32 p.m.
Text from Billy

Billy: Merry Christmas! How was it?

Me: Fun. How's Mexico?

Billy: Nice! Bobby and I are going skiing this afternoon.

Me: Water or snow?

Billy: Did you really just ask that?!?

Me: Just kidding. Is it hot there?

Billy: Very!

Me: Have fun!

Billy: Thanks.

4:42 p.m.
Text to Sophie

Me: Did you get Kaitlin Reed's invite?

Sophie: Let me check.

Sophie: OMG!

Me: I can't wait.

Sophie: Me too!

Me: When are you home?

Sophie: 12/31!

Me: You better get back in time!

Sophie: Flight lands at 2.

Me: What if it's late?

Sophie: I'll take a bus.

Sophie: Or walk.

Me: That's a long walk.

Sophie: I'll hitchhike.

Me: Bad idea.

Sophie: I'll be back in time.

Sophie: I promise!

Sophie: I'm not missing that party.

Me:

Sophie:

Saturday, December 27, 10:59 p.m.
Fun night

Leo called this afternoon and invited me to go to a movie with him tonight! He picked me up, and this time Mom and Dad let me ride with him there. But we didn't go to the big theater behind the mall. We went to an old theater in downtown Faraway that was restored a few years ago. I'd never been in it, but Leo said he loves it. It shows art films.

The lobby of the theatre was really pretty. Everything was dark purple and gold, and there were fancy antique mirrors on the walls. The concession stand looked old fashioned, but fortunately it had normal snacks.

Leo and I agreed we'd each pick one thing and choose one together. I picked popcorn, Leo got Milk Duds, and we agreed on a Diet Coke.

Once we had our snacks, we found seats for the movie, which was an Italian film called
Cinema Paradiso
that I LOVED! Leo had seen it before—it's actually one of his favorites. It was about this guy who is a filmmaker. It's told in flashbacks, so you get to see the story of what happens to him while he was growing up. He goes through a lot, but at the end, he makes peace with his past, which a) gave me tremendous hope for the future, and b) made me cry like a baby because it was so sweet and sad.

Leo had brought tissues—he said it's common to get a little misty-eyed at that movie. Part of me thought it was a little weird, because the only other person I know who goes to movies with tissues is Gaga.

But as we drove home and talked about the movie, I realized I'd had such a good time tonight that I really didn't care that the boy I like has something in common with my eighty-year-old grandmother.

Did I just admit I like him?

I think I did!

Sunday, December 28, 7:15 p.m.
A day with Mom

I spent the day with Mom at her store doing inventory. I learned a lot about clothes and costs, but I think Mom learned more about me.

“How about some lunch?” she asked after we'd spent the morning counting and folding. “You could pick up sandwiches from the deli next door.” She winked when she said it.

I pretended not to notice the wink, but I took her up on her suggestion. I knew Leo was working, and I was happy to have a reason to go.

“April!” said Leo as soon as I walked in. “I'm thrilled you stopped by.”

“You're that excited to make me a ham sandwich and a turkey sandwich?” I asked teasingly.

Leo laughed. “I'm always happy to make you a sandwich. I was going to call you later. Tomorrow is my last day working at the deli, and I was wondering if you could spare some time on Tuesday to go shopping with me. I need some new clothes for college, and since you're the daughter of a fashion designer, I'm hopeful you're genetically predisposed to having good taste.”

“I'm not bad,” I said. I'd give both Brynn and Sophie higher marks than me in the fashion department.

Leo laughed. “Well whatever you pick will be better than what I'd get myself.”

I smiled at him. “I'd love to go,” I told him.

“Great!” said Leo. When he finished making the sandwiches, I paid and took them back to Mom's store.

“Someone looks happy,” said Mom when she saw me.

I tried not to grin, but I couldn't help it. “I like hanging out with Leo,” I told Mom. Then, I don't know why, but I confided in her that I'm a little anxious about what's going to happen when he leaves for college.

Mom unwrapped her sandwich. “You'll figure things out. Just enjoy spending time with him while he's still here,” said Mom.

I unwrapped my sandwich and took a big bite. I'm not so sure how I'm going to “figure things out.” But like it or not, in less than a week, that's exactly what I'm going to have to start doing.

Tuesday, December 30, 8:15 p.m.

Today Leo and I went shopping, and then I went back to his house with him to help him pack. It was the first time I'd been to his house. The entry hall, living room, and dining room were filled with artwork and antiques, which was why I was surprised when I went to Leo's room. It was so plain. White walls. Blue bed. A little shelf with a few knowledge bowl trophies on it.

“I know you're wondering why there's nothing on the walls,” said Leo.

I tried to read his expression. I couldn't tell if he was embarrassed or acknowledging the obvious. I didn't want to lie. But I didn't want to tell the truth either, which was that I
was
wondering why his room was so bare. I remained motionless.

Leo explained, “I like it like this. It gives me space to think.”

I thought for a minute before I responded. “There's always so much going on in your head. It makes sense that you don't need much on your walls,” I said to Leo.

Leo seemed relieved. He put down the shopping bags he was holding and walked over to where I was standing. Then he bent down and kissed me. It wasn't a long kiss. Just a sweet, small one. It was nice, but it was followed by a long, awkward silence.

“I like you, April,” said Leo.

“I like you too,” I said.

I waited to see if Leo was going to elaborate on what liking me meant, but he didn't. I don't know what he was thinking, but what I was thinking is that he's leaving for college in less than a week. “I don't want to sound like the voice of practicality here . . . but how's that going to work with you gone and me here?” I asked.

“I'm not sure,” said Leo. “But there's always a solution—it's just a matter of finding it.”

“This isn't a chemistry experiment,” I said.

Leo smiled. “It kind of is.” He had a point, but it wasn't an answer to my question. Maybe Mom was right when she said we'll figure things out.

But how?

10:15 p.m.
Phone call from Leo

Leo called tonight to ask if I wanted to do something on New Year's Eve.

I told him about the invite I got from Kaitlin Reed. “It's going to be a really fun party. All my friends will be there, and I'd love for you to hang out with them. Why don't you come?” I was sure Leo would say no.

But he surprised me. “I guess I'd better go to my first high school party before I go to my first college party.”

“This isn't really your first high school party, is it?” I asked.

“Technically, it's my second.” Leo laughed. “But it's a date, and I can't wait.”

That makes two of us.

If you love someone, set them free. If they come back they're yours; if they don't, they never were.

—Richard Bach

New Year's Eve
Pre-Party

I've spent a large part of today on the phone.

I talked to Dad twice. The first time he called from the diner (while I was sleeping) to remind me that I'm babysitting today and that Mom is closing the store early and will be home by four. I went back to sleep, but he called a few minutes later to tell me to make lunch for May and June. Since Mom won't be home until closer to dinner time, I didn't really think I needed that reminder, but in the holiday spirit of things, I said no problem.

I talked to Mom once. She called after lunch to tell me she'd be home at four and to make sure I'd made lunch.

I've talked to Sophie five times, which is how many times it took for us to decide what we're each wearing to Kaitlin's party tonight. In my case, it's a minidress with wedges, and Sophie is wearing a miniskirt with a cropped sweater and boots.

And I talked to Leo once to give him the address of Kaitlin's party so he can meet me there. I'm going to walk to Gaga's to get Sophie, and then we're walking together to Kaitlin's house, which is just a few blocks from where Gaga lives.

Finally it's party time, and I'm off! (As in, off to the party, versus off the phone. But I'm that too.)

Still Pre-Party

I'm not off just yet.

I was about to leave when Dad saw my outfit (which I'd spent the better part of my day planning) and stopped me.

“Not so fast!” he said. “You can't go out in those shoes. You'll freeze.”

“Dad, it's 40 degrees, which makes it physically impossible to freeze, and I'll be inside most of the night.” Dad wasn't convinced, so now I'm wearing a minidress and boots. As I said before, I'm off! But this time I mean it.