No ordinary hero (Keepers of justice # 1) by Dee J. Stone Page B

hanging out with me.”
    She lowers her arms, then crosses them over her chest again. “It’s...um...it’s not like you have anything better to do,” she says.
    Fine. Maybe I don’t. I mean, spending time with my friends is cool, but maybe I like being with Lindsay, too. Wait, huh?
    “You’re right,” I say. “I don’t. Hanging out with you is the highlight of my existence.”
    Her eyes narrow like she doesn’t believe one word of that. “I know we’re stuck together because of the project. Don’t torture yourself. Just go home.”
    “We’re not going through this again,” I say. “Is it so hard for you to accept that I like hanging out with you?” Why did I say that?
    Lindsay stares at me. Really stares. Like I told her I want to spend the rest of my life with her. Why did I say that? I need to get out of here. A hot dog stand down the road is calling my name. Hey, that’s another League member. They really are all over. Geez. “How about a hot dog?” I ask Lindsay.
    She shakes her head, avoiding me. Her right leg kicks some dirt around. She nervous or something? It’s kind of cute when she does that.
    Huh, what?
    “Uh, pretzel?” I ask.
    “I’m not hungry.”
    “You sure? It’s almost five and we haven’t eaten since lunch. It’s not good to starve yourself for five hours.”
    She doesn’t say anything. Shakes her head again.
    “Okay. So what do you wanna do?”
    She shrugs. “Go home, I guess.”
    I should be relieved that I’m free. But I’m not. I want to spend some more time with her and have her laugh at my jokes, like she did at my “house.” Wait, what’s wrong with me today?
    “That’s a good idea,” I tell her. “Want me to walk you?”
    “No, that’s fine.”
    “It’s no biggie. Come on.”
    We’re quiet as we head to her house. I want to say stuff to her, but I also don’t want to. It’s like I’m being pulled by both sides of me and none of them are winning.
    I clear my throat. “Sorry. About before. What I said.” I half turn my head to see her reaction, but her body’s hidden in her winter coat. I can’t even see her chin because she’s got her scarf wrapped tight. “We cool?”
    “I guess.”
    I smile, but I’m not sure if she sees it. “Cool.”
    Quiet.
    I clear my throat again. “So, um...”
    “You don’t have to make small talk. You suck at it.”
    “But I like talking to you. I mean...” Oh, man. She finally looks at me and I can see her eyes clearly. Light in them. Like I’m the first person to say something positive to her. “Um, it’s dark out.”
    She nods. “And freezing. I should have brought a warmer coat.”
    “No biggie. We’re getting closer to your house.”
    “I’m really cold.”
    “Five minutes tops. I’m sorry. Wish I could drive.”
    Lindsay’s quiet for a little bit. She slowly moves closer to me, almost crashing into me. I see her watching the man and woman walking ahead of us, all snuggled and probably warm. Does she want me to...?
    Eh, what the heck. I snake my arm down her back toward her waist.
    “ Don’t touch me!” she yells. I flinch, quickly pulling my hand away.
    “S—sorry, I thought you wanted me to—”
    “What? Touch my butt?”
    “No, I wasn’t... no, that’s not what I meant at all! You were cold and I thought you wanted me to keep you warm. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—”
    “Just go.”
    “Linds, don’t be like this.” She flattens her hands on my chest and pushes me. Shoves so hard I fall back. What the hell? My hands fist, and I want to set her straight and tell her she can’t treat me like I’m a piece of crap. But getting her pissed will kill Earth faster. I can take a few beatings for the sake of the planet. It’s just three months, anyway. Then I’m gone and I’ll forget about her.
    “I’ll email you our report,” she says. “Now get lost.” She growls and stomps toward her house.
    I follow a few steps behind to make sure she gets there safe. Then I go to the