Turnabout Twist by Lois Lavrisa Page B

dating her, and all of the chick flicks I’d seen with her, that falling asleep would get me out of seeing those horrible movie? I mentally patted my back for a job well done.
     
     
     

Chapter Two
     
    The Avengers had everything I loved, action and superheroes. And mostly the smoking hot Black Widow. After it ended I made it to the lobby and saw Vicky walking out the front door.
    I ran after her. “Hey, I thought we were meeting up. Why did you leave?”
    “Well, I also thought we were going to a movie together and we didn’t,” she huffed. “Guess we were both wrong.”
    “We did go together but then you told me to go to the other one, and I did.” Did I miss something?
    “I didn’t want you to leave,” she sighed.
    “But you said to go.” My stomach felt like a bowling ball had lodged in it. Something was going on here. My gut said it was not good. I had a feeling I’d screwed up pretty bad.
    “You’re a moron.” She looked down at the ground and kicked a small piece of paper.
    “No, I’m just really confused.” I put my hands up.
    Her back stiffened and her jaw clenched. “Well, here it is simple enough for you to understand. I’m leaving now and I’m pissed.”
    “I don’t get it. Why?” My head began to spin. Girls were like twisted coils of emotion. I’d never figured out how to unravel the knots.
    She shrugged her shoulders. “You just don’t get it.”
    “I must not. I’m sorry.” I tried to give her a hug but she pulled away from me.
    “Teddy, let’s just cool it for a while,” she said as she walked away.
    “Cool it?” I followed after her. “What’s going on?”
    “Maybe it’s just not working.”
    “What’s not working? I work. I cut grass.” I tried to lighten the situation. I hated to fight and thankfully we rarely disagreed.
    “Not you. Us.” Her eyes filled with tears.
    “Don’t cry. Whatever I did I am so sorry. Really I am.” Placing my hand on her arm, I tried to lean in to kiss her. She jerked away.
    “See that’s the problem. You don’t get me. You just don’t.” She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
    “No, I do.” My chest felt like it was smashed by a wrecking ball.
    “No. You don’t. Even after three years.”
    “But I do. You’re super smart, and gorgeous. You can’t parallel park to save your life.” After all of these years, I know so much about her. “And you’re in love with that vampire dude in the movie.”
    “Edward.” A slight grin crept on her face.
    “Yes, Edward. How could I forget?” I smiled. “And you hate palmetto bugs. Math problems and essay questions are super easy for you. You’re a perfectionist in school, but you leave your clothes in piles on your bedroom floor. And you will never eat a ripe banana, and you hate mustard. You love that song from Shrek.”
    “I’m a Believer.” She smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
    “I like that song too.” I hoped that we could move on. “So are we okay now?”
    “I’m still mad at you. I think I need some time.”
    “How much time?” My whole body tightened, as though turned in a crank. “Does this mean we’re breaking up?”
    “Not sure. I need just time alone.”
    “Five minutes?” I offered, trying to joke.
    She didn't crack a smile. “It’s late, I’m tired. I’m going home to bed.”
    “I’m wide awake.”
    “That’s because you took a nap in the movie.” She touched my face.
    “At least let me walk you home.” I wanted to make sure she got home safely.
    We walked in silence except for the crickets and the stray sounds of traffic. The whole time I kept trying to think of what I could say to her that would make her forgive me. I drew a blank.
    When we got to her house, I got a peck on the cheek instead of a kiss on the lips. I waited outside until I saw her upstairs bedroom light go on. She opened the window and waved me off.
    “See you tomorrow at prom?” I called up to her.
    She closed the curtain.
    Was our relationship over? What