“Something for school. Can you help me?” I asked sincerely.
Hayley popped her skateboard with her back foot and caught it with one hand.
“That was cool,” I said.
Hayley wasn’t softening or coughing up any information.
“Well, if you aren’t all alike, then why would you think we are, too?” I asked. “I guess you might not be so different from the snobs you think I hang out with.”
I began to leave.
“She was the one who had Nash invite Brandon to his party,” I heard one of the other skaters say. “She’s the one who stuck up for him.”
“Hey—” Hayley called.
I heard the sound of a skateboard rolling up behind me.
“Follow this road to the stop sign,” Hayley said. “Turn left. It’s the third house on the right. It has a private drive.”
I drove through Riverside and along a curvy side street. The homes were spread apart farther than on my street, with room for a few houses in between. When I saw a sign marked PRIVATE DRIVE, I knew it had to be Brandon’s. Nervously, I turned into it. The tree-lined road was narrow and bumpy and passed a frozen pond. The front yard was several acres long. The modest-looking house appeared historic — likely built when the town was founded, but recently restored. The white paint glistened against the black shutters. Patches of gray shingles poked through the snow-covered roof. A six-foot metal windmill gently spun with the chilly wind. Several wooden snowmen welcomed guests. A white railing enclosed the front porch, and a wooden swing made it seem cozy. I was hoping to leave the package on the front porch and disappear before I was spotted.
I didn’t plan on their dog. It barked so loudly from inside the house I thought it would alert all of Legend’s Run. At first I thought it was a wolf snapping at me from the front window, but as I approached the door, I realized it was a husky.
I gingerly placed the package and card on the porch. I didn’t dare knock, ring the bell, or holler. All I wanted to do was show my appreciation and run.
I tiptoed down the wooden steps. I snuck a look behind the house. There was land for miles. Between the front yard and the back, Brandon’s family must have owned all of Riverside. There was a huge backyard leading to a tree-filled hilltop, bird feeders of every type, a small guesthouse, and Brandon’s parked Jeep.
It was then I saw the sticker more closely. WWF — World
The screen door squeaked opened. Brandon was trying to calm down his dog. I pretended not to notice and continued walking to my car when I heard the screen door close.
“Hey… Celeste?” Brandon called.
I did my best to pretend not to hear.
“Celeste!” he called again.
I had no choice but to turn around. It would have been rude not to.
Brandon caught up to me. He was handsome in his chestnut-colored thermal shirt and jeans. It appeared as if he’d been working in the house.
He held the tray of brownies in his hand. “What’s this for?”
“I just wanted to officially thank you — for that day in the woods. But it’s nothing really… just a small token.”
“No — this is great.” Brandon seemed so pleased with my gesture. “Thank you. Would you like to come in and have one?”
I wondered how many students Brandon had invited into his house since he’d arrived in Legend’s Run. Were his grandparents home? Perhaps I was the first and only one to visit him. His house seemed so different from mine — with so much more character and charm. I was sure it was highly decorated on the inside, and I was more than curious to see how he lived. However, I wanted to exit the enormous property before Brandon saw my silly wrestling card.
“Thank you anyway. I really have to go.”
“Always leaving me,” he teased.
I couldn’t help but break a smile. “I should be getting back home,” I told him.
“You can at least wait until I open the card.”
“That’s okay—”
Before I could retreat, he was trying to slit the top of the envelope but was struggling with his wounded hand.
I took the envelope, opened it, and handed it back to him.
“Thanks,” he said. His gaze lingered a bit on my face, then he read the card.
“Wow — this is so nice. You made it?”
I nodded, embarrassed.
“I don’t think anyone has ever made me a card before. Thank you!”
I pointed to the bumper sticker on his car. “I thought it was for World
He laughed and then I did, too. There was something special about Brandon. His eyes were seductive.
There was a silence, and then I said, “Did you see a doctor?”
“Yes. I had to get stitches.”
“I’m so sorry—”
“No — don’t be sorry. That’s not why I told you.”
“I’ll have to bake you more brownies now.” We both laughed again.
“It’s fine. Really,” he said.
“That must have hurt.”
“Nah,” he said. “I’m a big boy.”
“I’m sorry about Nash — that he gives you a hard time.”
“Well, it’s nice to have someone stick up for me, especially someone as pretty as you.”
I blushed. So much so that I could feel my whole body redden.
“Wow — you have your own pond,” I said. “You can go ice-skating.”
He nodded, as if everyone had their own frozen pond. “Would you like to?”
“Like to what?”
“Skate? It’s very shallow, so it’s already frozen solid.”
“You skate?” I asked quizzically.
“I played ice hockey at school. When I was growing up I came here during winter break and I got to practice. It was really cool.”
“That does sound amazing.”
“So, would you like to try?”
“I have plans this weekend….”
“I mean now.”
The thought of doing something spontaneously was unusual for me, to say the least.
“Now? I don’t have any skates.”
He sized up my boots.
“You might be able to use my grandmother’s.”
“She plays hockey?”
“No.” He smiled. “But she has a pair of figure skates hanging on the wall.”
“I wouldn’t want to use her decoration.”
“They aren’t plastic. They’re real. She used them herself. Besides, she’d insist.”
Before I could say no, Brandon was on his way into his house. A few moments later, he came out with two pairs of skates.
Brandon handed me a tiny vintage pair of worn white dainty leather skates. His were in sharp contrast — sturdy, bold, and black.
