Chapter 17♥Another Bad Game of Twenty Questions
“This is the greatest moment of my life.” Greta squealed and bounced on the balls of her feet. Her eyes darted everywhere, round and full of excitement as she took in all the glowing bracelets and necklaces adorning the runners.
“Okay, but remember what we talked about. If you leave my side tonight—”
“I know, I’ll never get to come again.”
“Well, that, and I’ll steal all your Polly Pocket dolls and use them in science experiments.”
Greta’s nose scrunched up. “Elinor, sometimes you’re weirder than Marianne. And that’s not a contest you want to win.”
Elinor gave Greta a side hug. “Thanks, sis.”
With Marianne gone, Elinor had caved to Greta’s begging. The girl needed a win, and coming to the adult running party was her dream come true. If only Elinor could be so easily satisfied. She didn’t like the thought of leading the new group alone. It wasn’t that Marianne even did much when it came to these things, but she’d always had Elinor’s back, making Elinor feel much more extroverted than she really was. Because Marianne looked to her to take the lead, Elinor had just done it.
Glancing around, she spotted Brandon coming her way, and Lucy and Edward getting out of his car, together. Elinor squared her shoulders, preparing herself for the possibility of uncomfortable conversations. Did Brandon know Marianne had left town? Based on his easy smile, she didn’t think so. She smiled back, happy to see him anyway.
“Where’s Marianne?” Brandon asked when he reached her, a purposely casual tone to his voice.
Shoot. Double shoot. He definitely didn’t know.
Before Elinor could slap a hand over Greta’s mouth, the little girl blurted, “She’s on her way to Colorado to see Will. Actually, she could be there any minute. It’s like a twelve-hour drive.”
“Oh, really?” Brandon asked. “When’s she coming back?”
Elinor shrugged. “She didn’t set a specific return date.”
“Oh.” The news seemed to settle around his shoulders. No return date meant she’d quit her job, packed up her life here, maybe didn’t plan to come back.
“Do you want a bracelet?” Greta asked him. She had a box of them to hand out, and had cracked several in advance, keeping a glowing store of them on her wrist.
“Sure.” Brandon smiled and took one before wandering off. It hurt slightly that he didn’t want to stay and talk now that he knew Marianne wasn’t there, but Elinor understood it, too. They were alike enough in personality for her to know he didn’t want his disappointment on display, and he’d come back when he had it in check.
Gazing out at the parking lot and around at the group, she realized it was time. Anyone who planned to show up was already here. They needed to get moving before it got any later and they were annoying neighborhoods with their noise. “Okay, let’s get started,” Elinor called out. Usually, Marianne was the one who captured everyone’s attention before handing things off to Elinor to give instructions.
About half the group turned to look at her, but a lot of people were still talking, not having heard. “Are we ready?” she asked even louder and clapped her hands together. Her face burned crimson at the looks she was getting. It was confirmed, she’d be the worst substitute teacher ever, the one kids would throw spitballs at while climbing over desks.
“Let’s head out. Keep track of each other, okay? Grab a buddy.” Elinor took Greta’s hand and began to jog in the direction of their route. Her movements were jerky, and her head felt like it was stuffed with cotton, but experience had taught her it would pass soon. Comfort zones were comfortable for a reason. “Are they following me?” she asked, Greta, too embarrassed to turn around and see for herself. There should be an award for doing worse than your anxiety imagined.
Greta shrugged. “Some are. Are you okay, Elinor?”
“I don’t know.”
“It’s gonna be okay.” Greta squeezed her hand. “At least you don’t have a boogie hanging out of your nose when it’s your turn to be the line leader at lunch.”
“Is that coming from personal experience?” Elinor asked, trying not to laugh.
“Well, yeah. And Ian didn’t like it when I pointed it out to him. You’d think he’d want to know.”
Runners began passing them up, and Elinor put her hand to Greta’s shoulder when she looked offended. “I’m glad they’re passing. Let them set the pace.”
“But I’m slowing you down.”
“You’re staying with me, which is the only rule I gave you. Congratulations, little monster.”
Brandon jogged up next to them. “Sorry, I went to grab something from my car, and the next thing I knew you were up here.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Elinor felt a little grouchy, knowing he could have helped her organize the crowd, but what was the use in being mad about something he didn’t know he was needed for? A car’s headlights flashed up ahead, and Elinor shifted off to the side of the road, looking up and down the line to make sure everyone else did as well. With all the glowing light sticks they would be hard to miss, but still.
