Meet Me After Class

Chapter 33: This is NOT a Date!

School had finally closed for the holiday break. Pinecrest was once again covered in white snow all around. Since that night with Adam, my mind was stuck on the second kiss. And his little unexpected situation kept playing in my mind repeatedly, making my stomach twist every time I remembered it. He looked embarrassed, turning beet red, but I couldn't help but find his reaction adorable.

What's wrong with me?

The tension between us returned the next day at Brown's. Luckily, we were busy with shoppers, so we didn't have time to chat. And with Adam's mom being around, helping us, there was little opportunity for us to again address the resurfacing elephant in the room.

Then, during the weekend, I got a text from Mr. Scott: "See you at The Realto." With that, our NOT a movie date was all I could think about for the next three days.

Settling into the chair in front of my mirror, I couldn't help but feel the weight of anticipation pressing down on me. Tonight was the night I'd be meeting Ben—scratch that, Mr. Scott—at The Realto.

The idea of spending time with our young and unquestionably attractive teacher stirred up a whirlwind of nerves within me, causing a fluttering sensation in my stomach. But Mr. Scott said it was only to help me figure out my next steps, nothing more. I shouldn't stress about it. He was just being helpful.

"Hello, Mr. Scott," I murmured to my reflection, my words sounding stilted even to my own ears. With a frustrated shake of my head, I scolded myself internally. "Do you want popcorn, Mr. Scott?" I ran my fingers through my hair, feeling frustrated.

Come on, Wendy, you can do better than that.

Suddenly, Belle burst into my room. "Are you going somewhere?" she asked, grinning.

"Could you please knock next time?" I said, surprised. "And it's none of your business."

"Are you going on a date with Adam?"

"Adam? No! I'm meeting some...friends."

"You only have a couple of friends, Wendy. If you're not going out with Adam, then it must be Penny... and who else?"

"Who else?"

"You mentioned friends." Belle narrowed her eyes at me.

I grabbed my bag from the bed. "I said it's none of your business," I snapped and I headed for the door. "Get out of my room."

She glanced around as if searching for something strange.

What's got her so nosy?

Once she left, I slammed the door shut and hurried downstairs. "Mom! Dad! I'm heading out!"

Dad came out of the kitchen holding a mixing bowl. "Don't stay out too late, sweetie. Tell Penny to call me if she insists."

"I won't be out late, Dad," I promised. Lying to my parents about hanging out with Penny and others from the play was already bothering me. I grabbed Mom's car keys from the bowl on the table and hurried out of the house, hopping into her car.

Arriving at The Realto and parking in the nearly empty lot, I felt incredibly nervous. Ridiculously nervous. It was like I was back in eighth grade, debating whether to hide in a corner or leave as soon as they cut the cake at a birthday party.

I looked around and saw that, because Christmas was just three days away, Pinecrest's main theater wasn't packed. But who could blame people for preferring last-minute shopping over a date to watch an old black-and-white movie about journalism during the holidays?