Page 24

Chapter 24

Julia

“Your mom came in?” Chloe gasps, honestly a bit too dramatically for the situation, but I love her anyways.

“Did Graham run away? Every guy I've ever dated would've run,” Josie says. We are sitting in the library during lunch the Monday after Halloween. We’re in serious need of girl time, according to Chloe—no boys allowed. I reminded her that boys came to the library all the time, and that it probably wasn't the best place to catch up, but she brushed me off and dragged me here anyway.

“No, my mom ran away, and I walked Graham to the door.”

“More kisses?” Josie asks.

“Josie! Mind their privacy!” Chloe smacks her arm. We both give her an incredulous look.

Chloe laughs, “You're right. I don't know what came over me. No privacy. Tell me everything.” Chloe puts her elbows on the table and rests her chin on her hands. Her phone vibrates on the table next to her, and she glances at it before clearing the notifications and dropping it into her backpack.

“Girls, please!” The librarian, Mrs. Dorsey, whisper-shouts from behind the desk. She kind of looks like the old hag in Snow White , only she stands up tall and wears normal clothes.

Chloe rolls her eyes and leans towards us. “She's just jealous. Graham hasn't flirted with her in weeks.” We all burst out laughing.

“Get out,” Mrs. Dorsey says, suddenly standing next to our table. We collect our books and make our way through the tables and chairs, trying not to laugh, but it isn't working. Chloe is crying, and Josie keeps declaring through laughter that it wasn't really that funny. The librarian follows us to the door and tells us to not come back until we can respect the room.

“Mrs. Dorsey! It's so good to see you! I've missed our talks,” Graham says. He must've been coming in right as we were leaving because it seems like he came out of nowhere. Mrs. Dorsey’s wrinkly face practically glows, and Chloe snorts so loud. She runs down the hall and ducks into the bathroom. I turn toward the librarian, apologize, and grab Graham and Josie's hands, pulling them down the hallway.

“Oh my gosh! Did you see her eyes when you grabbed Graham's hand? Is she in love with you?” Josie asks.

Graham smirks and wraps an arm around me. “Everyone loves me a little bit, huh, Jules?” He gives me a kiss on my cheek and I blush.

How many times does he have to kiss me before I stop blushing?

“Ooh, that sounds like a great experiment!” Graham wraps his other arm around me and squeezes.

“Crap. I said that out loud?”

“Absolutely. See ya guys. You're too cute for me.” Josie waves over her shoulder before heading into the bathroom.

Graham grabs my hand and starts towards the cafeteria. “I’m glad I found you. Nate told me that you were having a girls’ meeting or something like that. Was I on the agenda?”

“Yes, actually you were. The entire point was to talk about you.”

“Really? Well, tell me more. I am my favorite topic of conversation.” His eyes light up, and he nudges my shoulder.

“About kissing. We critiqued your work. I was very detailed.” I smile innocently up at him.

“Really?” he says again, this time a lot more enthusiastically. “Is there a rubric? How did I score?”

“Meh, you have some work to do. Not the best, but not the bottom of the barrel either. Don’t worry; I’m a good teacher.” I try to hide my smile while I watch Graham’s jaw drop. He pulls me to a stop and leans down to study my eyes. I keep eye contact, but it’s hard not to laugh. Keep it together, girl. You got this. After a good thirty seconds, Graham straightens, looking far more confident.

“Yeah, I don’t think that’s true. You seemed to really enjoy it. Where are Josie and Chloe? I’ll follow up with them.” He glances around the hallway and finds it mostly empty, so he pulls out his phone to text them. “Group text, Chloe and Josie,” he says slowly, narrating what he’s doing. “‘What did you ladies talk about in the library?’ There, now we’ll see.” We both stare at his screen while the little dots bounce, signaling that Chloe is typing.

Chloe

That you need kissing lessons. But don’t worry, I’m sure Julia can teach you.

Graham’s jaw drops again and he stares at me, his eyes flashing through emotions. It’s clear he’s on a journey.

“Am I a bad kisser?” he whispers, obviously horrified at the thought. I can’t help myself. I burst out laughing and give Graham a big hug.

“No, you’re great. Best kisser ever.” I lean up and give him a quick peck on the cheek. I let go and drag Graham to the cafeteria.

“Do you two always have to be touching?” Nathan groans.

“You love it. You told me. Team Jam!” Graham shouts, clearly out of his doldrums.

“What are you so happy about? Josie and Chloe told me you’re a bad kisser before they went to get their food.” Nathan shoots Graham a mocking smile.

“What?! How are you doing this?” Graham stares at me in disbelief.

“Honestly, I have no idea. It was totally random that she said the same thing I did. Hilarious, but random.” I wipe a tear away and try to calm my laughter. Josie and Chloe approach the table, trays full of food. I reach over and grab a fry.

“Wait. No. No eating.” Graham knocks the fry from my hand. “Chloe, how did you know that Julia said I was a bad kisser?”

“No way!” Chloe’s eyes bounce between me and Graham. “That’s hilarious. I was just kidding around. Good news, Graham cracker. She has no complaints.” Chloe winks.

Nathan makes a weird sound in his throat, clearly distressed by the conversation. Josie gives him a side hug and starts to rub his back. Nathan sits up a little straighter, his eyes wide, making a face at Graham. Graham smiles and nods, clearly approving of this new development.

I glance at Chloe, and she’s on her phone, totally oblivious to what is happening. I nudge her and nod towards Nathan, knowing that Chloe hates to miss anything. Chloe shrugs and looks back at her phone, not caring at all. That is a little strange. She never misses a chance to tease Nathan. He’s “uptight” according to her, but I don’t think that's true. I think he’s just more structured than she is, which admittedly, is a pretty low bar.

Nathan clears his throat. “Let’s be done talking about my sister's love life.”

“Deal. Should we talk about yours?” Chloe says, her eyes never leaving her phone.

“No.” Nathan glances towards Josie, and his face falls a little when he realizes that she isn’t paying attention.

“Fine, I can change the subject. Julia, tell us about the variety show with Mabel!” Chloe sets her phone down, leaning forward in interest.

“Variety show?” Nathan jumps in, clearly excited to talk about something new. “Like a talent show?”

“Yeah, Mabel wants me to participate, pretend to be her granddaughter.”

“Mabel. Grandma Mabel…” Graham muses, staring into space. “Why does that sound so familiar?” He shakes his head “Probably from a movie or something. The variety show! I can’t wait to come.”

“I don’t know. Mabel says I would be the star of the show, but I’m not sure I want to. It makes me nervous, but I said I’d do it.” I hold my hands up and shrug.

“Do it! Do it!” Nathan starts chanting, gesturing to the rest of the table to join in. Pretty soon the table next to us joins in, and I am sure they have no idea why. I put my hand over Nathan’s mouth, but it’s too late. It’s a thing, and no one can stop it now. I look at Chloe, chanting along and elbow her in the side.

“Stop it,” I look around, my eyes wide. “People are staring at me.”

“Start chanting. Then people won’t know it’s about you.” Chloe shrugs before standing up, pointing at Nathan and starts yelling “Do it, Nathan! Do it! Nathan!” I love that girl. Students all over the cafeteria start shouting, stomping their feet, some even climbing onto benches. One of the lunch ladies comes running into the main cafeteria, blowing her whistle.

“STOP!” she bellows between blows. Slowly the cafeteria quiets down, and her eyes laser in on our table. “Mr. Kealoha, Miss James. Are you responsible for this?”

“You know, I can see why you’d think that, but this time, lovely Ms. Lucas, it was not me. I am an innocent bystander. In fact, I didn’t even join in, trying to contain the situation for my gorgeous girlfriend. She doesn’t like loud things,” Graham explains.

“Doubtful, if she’s dating you,” Nathan mumbles. Ms. Lucas glares at Nathan before turning to Chloe.

“Miss James. What do you have to say for yourself?”

Chloe looks around quickly. “Uhm, it was Nathan?” Nathan gapes at her, but honestly, we all saw that coming. No way was Chloe taking the blame even if she made it worse. The lunch lady’s shoulders fall, clearing giving up.

“Just get out of here. I don’t want to see any of you until tomorrow. And clear your table.” She walks back to the kitchen. We grab our trays and head out of the cafeteria.

“Wait, I know where we should go,” Josie says.

“We have maybe three minutes until fifth period,” Nathan says, reverting to his role as the responsible one.

“The auditorium. I was talking to Mrs. Sundin, and she said that she wants us to say what song we are performing at the talent show!” Josie makes eye contact with me and I glance away just as fast.

“Oh, yes.” She smiles gently. “What are you singing, my darling?” Chloe asks, linking her arm through mine.

I shake my head. “I decided to go small, remember? I am just singing at the variety show, but I did sign up to help out backstage.”

Graham spins me around. “Oh! Maybe I should sign up, too. We could be together.” He kisses my cheek so loudly, the sound echoes off the empty walls around us.

“PDA.” Nathan shakes his head at us.

“Jealous?” Graham sets me down and stalks towards him, arms wide open. “Bring it in. There’s so much love for the Pritchetts!”

“You’re exhausting. Stop saying I’m jealous. It’s weird.” Nathan sighs, accepting the hug, not even trying to resist. The bell rings, and Nathan shrugs Graham off. “I’ll see you all later. Josie, can I walk you to class?”

“Isn’t your class in the opposite direction?” Chloe interrupts, before Josie can respond. “Wouldn’t want you to be late.” She smirks. Nathan glares at her before looking at Josie hopefully.

“Well, I don’t care about being late. How about I walk you?” Josie says, wrapping her arm around Nathan’s waist. Nathan drapes his arm around her shoulders, his cheeks tinged with pink, and heads towards his class.

“I also don't care about being late. My lady?” Graham holds out his hand, and I smile, threading my fingers through.

“After you, my good sir.”

“Yeah, I’m gonna need a boyfriend if this is happening.” Chloe complains.

***

Graham

I’m slowly heading toward my class after dropping off Julia, playing a puzzle game as I go when I hear someone bark my name. I spin around and see Coach T.C. heading toward me.

“Shouldn’t you be in class?”

“On my way, sir.”

“Let me walk with you. I want to talk to you about joining the wrestling team again this year.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “Did my dad call you?”

“No, should he have?” His expression is a little too innocent to be real. I shake my head and wait for him to keep talking.

“You’ve got a lot of natural talent. You’re strong, quick. With a little dedication and hard work, we could make a great wrestler out of you.”

“Are you sure? Freshman year, you complained about me goofing off all the time.”

He scrubs his chin, considering what to say next. “Yeah, I don’t like that. But, I am willing to give you another shot. I want you to try. Practice started last Monday, but I’m happy to make an exception for you. Give us one week. Put in solid effort on the mat and I’ll leave you alone about goofing off between matches. We need you, son.” He grips my shoulder, staring me down.

I clear my throat and look down. “Give me a day to think about it?”

“Sure. I'll see you tomorrow.” He walks off, whistling as he goes before yelling at some stragglers to get to class.