The sun is a laser overhead, but on this grassy lane, the pine trees are so tall, so thick, that Cookie and I ride in a blanket of shadow.
Mom hates it when I ride bareback, but I know Cookie prefers not to be weighed down by a saddle, especially under the blistering sun. And I prefer it, too. This free-falling, wild feeling I get when it’s just me and Cookie galloping across the field, no barrier between us, Cookie’s strawberry-blond mane loosely latticed through my hands.
It’s bonding, like I’m telling Cookie that I trust her, and she, in turn, trusts me.
Under the cloak of the piney shadows, the air rushing by feels almost cool, electric. Like my whole body’s being bathed in the clean, sharp scent of the forest.
When we get to the store, I step inside, letting the cold from the AC blast me. I head for the lamb socks, but take my time roaming the aisles, pining for things I can’t afford, like the cute lime-green watering can with daisies painted on it. It’s not that I care much for material things, but sometimes I wish I could be like Blair, a normal teen with an actual allowance.
I finally get to the socks, pluck them from the shelf, head for the counter. It’s Denny who is at the register today. Son of the shopkeeper, Mr. Oldham, and they only boy in a long time who’s had eyes for Julia. He’s tall with a freckled face and short red hair. Kinda cute but in a nerdy, gawky way.
I can tell straightaway my sister is at once happy that he’s taken a shine to her but also mad that he’s not one of the gorgeous ones. So she’s frosty with him, but flirts back just enough to keep him on the hook.
After the first time I saw them flirting, I asked her about it later that night while we were doing laundry.
“So, Denny is kinda cute. And he seems to think you are, too.”
The corners of her lips lifted into a grin, but her face turned right back into a stone. “You’re just jealous that he’s taken notice of me and not you for a change.”
Such a bitch.
There I was, trying to be nice to her, trying to encourage her to maybe date him or something, but she had to cut me down.
Whatever. As I reach the counter now, Denny’s grinning at me.
“Julia with you today? Outside maybe?” Red streaks his neck as he asks me this.
“Nah, she’s back at the farm. Working with the bees.”
He takes my money, makes change. “Tell her I said hi, will ya?”
Man, I wish he’d work up the nerve to ask her out. Turn her back into an earlier, kinder, and much less cruel version of herself. If that’s possible.
I’m about to leave when he adds, “And hey, wait, lemme get you a free Dr. Pepper. On the house.”
I’m not sure if I should accept it; he’s only ever offered this to Julia, and I wouldn’t want her to think I’m betraying her somehow. But before I can say no, he’s handing me an icy cold bottle that I can’t resist.
After slamming it, I slip back outside onto the porch, plunk a quarter in the pay phone, and call Luke.
He answers on the first ring. “Heeeey,” he says with a lazy drawl.
I can picture him pasted along the sofa, top button of his jeans undone, dragging a hand through his hair.
“How’d you know it was me?” I smile into the receiver.
“I’m psychic,” Luke teases.
“Well, if you’re psychic, then tell me, when are we gonna see each other?”
“Mmmm… Not sure. Let me ask my Magic 8 Ball.”
He actually has one.
“Hold on.” The sound of the ball being shaken fills the line. “It says,You may rely on it.”
“That’snot a good answer. I wanna know when. Like, my birthday’s in two weeks—”
“June thirteenth, I remember. Only you would be born on the thirteenth, you wicked thing.”
