One Hundred Candles [2] by Mara Purnhagen Page B

life.
    Avery tapped her pen against her history book. “Harris and Gwyn’s older brother are best friends,” she said. “Greg graduated last year. I think Harris has known Gwyn forever, but she’s his best friend’s little sister, you know?”
    “Who else has he dated?” I asked.
    “Let’s see. There was a girl his freshman year, but she moved out of state. He dated a couple girls sophomore year, but nothing serious as far as I know. I’m not sure about last year.” She paused. “There was a rumor that he got busted at homecoming for making out with some girl in the parking lot.”
    This got my attention. “Wait. You mean this past homecoming? As in just a few months ago?”
    Avery furrowed her brow. “I think it was him. I’m not sure. I’ve kind of been out of the loop lately.” She shook her head. “Doesn’t matter. Harris likes you, it’s obvious. I say go for it.”
    Any questions I had about how Harris felt about me vanished on Friday. I had stopped by the office before second period to get my schedule straightened out once and for all. It was taking a while because one of the secretaries had lost her keys and apparently everyone had to stop what they were doing and join in the frantic search.
    “I just need one thing changed on my schedule,” I said. “I already cleared it through guidance. It will only take a minute.”
    “I put them right here,” the secretary said. She patted the desk. “I know I did.”
    Gwyn emerged from the copy room with her arms wrapped around a stack of papers. She stopped when she saw me, only for a second, then continued to her chair at the end of the counter. “Did you check the trash?” she asked out loud. “Maybe they got knocked in.”
    The secretary leaned over, rifled through the trash and smiled. “There they are!” She retrieved a big silver hoop laden with a hundred keys. “Thanks, Gwyn. I have no idea how that happened.” She turned to me. “Now, what do you need?”
    Finally, my schedule was fixed. I thought about trying to speak to Gwyn, but she was no longer at her seat behind the counter. I walked to study hall, relieved but annoyed that the process had taken so long, when I saw Harris. He was digging through his locker and didn’t see me until I was right next to him.
    “Overslept?” I joked.
    He looked startled. “Charlotte!” His semishocked expression gave way to a smile. “I’m glad you found me.”
    “Have you been running?” His face was red and he was breathing fast.
    “Yeah, kinda. I had to help my dad this morning.” Harris’s dad owned a landscaping company, and Harris was always running emergency deliveries for him. It seemed strange, though, that he’d have to do something for him on a school day.
    He shut his locker. “Sorry I wasn’t there this morning to help you out.”
    “I managed. You sure you’re okay?” He seemed scattered, not at all his usual, composed self.
    He took my good hand in his. “Better than okay. In fact, I wanted to ask you something. What are you doing next Saturday? Because I thought we could go out.”
    “Out where?” I cringed a little as soon as I said it, knowing I sounded stupid.
    Harris laughed. “I don’t know. Dinner, maybe a movie?”
    I was thrilled. “That sounds great.” I hoped I didn’t sound overly enthusiastic. Harris helped me with my books while my thoughts swirled. Should I ask him what time, or would that seem too eager? I would need something to wear, but Avery would help me with that.
    “Next Saturday, then,” he said.
    I could hardly wait.

eight
    By the second week of February, I had successfully shed my sling, shared pizza with Harris on our first real date and definitively debunked the story of Lincoln High’s demon dog. And while I was feeling pleased with myself, others did not share my sense of satisfaction.
    After Harris asked me out, I was more anxious than ever to have my sling removed. I begged my parents to take me to see a doctor.
    “You still