How to Be Brave(51)

On the big day, half the senior class is absent, particularly the girls. Liss is among the absent ones. I imagine her at some beauty salon getting all dolled up, her normally wild hair being shellacked and coiffed with gel and spray. I imagine her in sequins and high heels. I imagine her next to Daniel in a black tux, their arms intertwined, posing for the school photographer, her hip jutting out, her chin slightly tilted. Ugh. It’s just such a pretty image, the two of them together.

I walk into the mostly empty art room (just me and three other losers), and Marquez smiles at me. “Big night tonight!” I’m surprised he doesn’t comment on the fact that on the one day I’m allowed to cut class, I actually show up. But I can see that he’s not in a sarcastic mood today. He’s genuinely excited for me.

I nod and head to my desk. I really have nothing to do. I’m too nervous to do anything. I have one more test left in chemistry next week (I got a C+ on my last exam! Woot woot!), and with ten days left before the end of the year, Marquez has abandoned any hint of a lesson plan for a few weeks. I think about leaving. Maybe going home and taking a nap.

Then, Daniel walks in. It’s his first day back in weeks. I haven’t heard any news about his dad, but from the dark circles under his eyes, I can see that he’s been through hell.

He sees me and smiles. He heads in my direction, pulls up an empty chair, and sits down next to me. “I was hoping you’d be here.”

The familiar hollowness at the core of my being immediately returns.

“First of all, congratulations on your big show tonight.”

“Thanks. But is your dad okay?”

“Oh, well.” He stops. “Yes. And no. He had an issue with his heart and needed a valve repair.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. My mom had heart problems, too.…”

“Yeah? It’s rough, right? I mean, he’s just really tired all the time.”

“It gets better,” I say. I don’t say, And then it gets worse. I’ve already said it once. I don’t need to say it again.

And maybe it will be different for them.

He nods. He knows what I mean. “He’s okay now, but his only hope is a kidney transplant. He’s on a list.” So was my mom. “The good thing is I think it’s been a real wake-up call for him. I mean, mostly.” Not like my mom. “I stayed for a while to help him settle in at home. I came back for the last few weeks—prom and graduation and all that—and then I’m going back for the summer.”

“He’ll be happy to have you there.”

“Yeah, so, look…” Daniel shifts in his chair. “I’m sorry about that day at Ellie’s. Did that guy give you my message?”

“He did.”

“Good. I was waiting when I got the text from my aunt about my dad. I was on a plane that night and I didn’t know your number.”

“I figured as much.”

“Here’s the thing. I think you guys should make up. Like I wrote in that note, she misses you. She talks about you all the time. We’ll be at the movies or whatever, and she’ll say something like ‘Georgia would love this.’”

I do that, too.

“She doesn’t even hear herself sometimes.” He smiles. “She’s stubborn. You know that.”

“Well, I messed up pretty bad. I never even wanted to do that with Gregg.” I can feel my face redden.

I wanted to do that with you.

“You couldn’t help it. Whatever that girl Evelyn gave us was some f*cked-up shit. I’m glad she’s out of this school. And honestly, I don’t really get why Liss is holding this over your head so much. I get it. It was a crazy night.”

You get it. You actually understand.

“Anyway, I didn’t mean to wait this long to tell you, but I just wanted to let you know. And I think you should talk to her.”

“I gave her the card about my show. She texted back. We had about the shortest conversation ever. And then that was it.”

“You were texting?” He shakes his head. “That’s not a conversation. Texting is about as effective as delivering the mail via pigeons. There’s only so much you can communicate. You guys need to talk in person.”

“Yeah, you’re right.” I shrug. “I’m willing to, but I don’t think she is.”

“Let me talk to her. I can be pretty convincing when I want to be.” And he winks.

And he’s so damn cute.

He’s with Liss now. Let it go, Georgia.

“Okay,” I say. “Well, thanks.”

“Have a great show tonight.” He stands up. “Mr. Marquez, I was never here.”

Marquez looks at the ceiling and then under the desk. “Who said that?”

Daniel throws his bag over his shoulder.

“Hope your dad’s feeling better,” Marquez calls out as Daniel heads toward the door.

Daniel nods and says, “Thanks.” Then he turns and waves. And he’s gone.

Marquez looks at me. “You want to go, too?”

I think about it for a second and then decide to stay. I have the big show tonight, a glimmer of promise that I’ll talk to my best friend, and a near-empty, quiet classroom with nothing to do but draw. For once, I’m comfortable right where I am.