Big Chicas Don't Cry(26)

“Gracie! I was just going to take you over a piece,” Mrs. Gosling said. “Poor thing. You must be so busy, spending your lunch break inside the classroom so much.”

She walked over and handed me a slice, and I wished her a happy birthday. Then I made my way to one of the sofas in the corner and sat down. It was a white cake with fresh strawberry filling. I took a bite and stifled a moan. It was so delicious and buttery. I was enjoying my cake so much that I didn’t notice for a few seconds that I had sat down right next to Tony.

“It’s really good, isn’t it?” I heard him ask.

I almost choked on a piece of strawberry. Actually, I did choke but was able to cough it up before it lodged in my throat. Tony patted my back and asked me if I wanted some water. All I could do was nod.

Dear God, please don’t let me die of embarrassment. I don’t really think it’s possible, but just in case it is, please don’t let that happen. Amen.

He came back a few seconds later with a bottle of water and held my cake as I took a few gulps. When I could finally talk, I thanked him as he handed me back my plate.

“It went down the wrong way,” I managed to explain. “Guess that’s what happens when you inhale instead of chew.” In the corner of my eye, I thought I saw him smile. Before I could say something else, the lunch bell rang, and he stood up and left.



The next morning during recess I was summoned to Sister Catherine’s office. I walked inside and was surprised to see Tony sitting there talking with her and laughing. When he saw me, he stood up and waved hi.

I nodded and smiled and then sat next to him in the other chair. I looked at Sister Catherine and tried to read her expression. I had no idea whatsoever what she would have to tell us together.

“Thank you both for coming. As you know, the committee has been hard at work getting ready for the fall fiesta,” she began.

The fall fiesta was St. Christopher’s biggest fundraiser of the year. It was a three-day event with carnival games, a couple of rides, and lots of food booths. It was exactly the same as when I was a student at St. Christopher’s. And maybe that was the problem. Over the last couple of years, the profit margin had been getting smaller and smaller. I’d heard rumors that some members of the committee had already quit because the school board was thinking of canceling the whole thing if the next fiesta didn’t make more money.

“Well, we’ve had some people leave the committee due to scheduling conflicts, and I’ve been asked to fill those spots with teachers.”

Uh-oh. It was starting to dawn on me why I was sitting in this chair.

“Because both of you are very familiar with the fiesta—having been students—and because you are the youngest members of the faculty, I think you two could offer some fresh insight into the planning and perhaps get our fiesta back to the level of popularity it was when you went to St. Christopher’s.”

Sister Catherine had a huge smile on her face, and she actually looked excited (although it was hard to tell since I had never really seen her get excited about anything).

Tony spoke first. “Well, I’m honored, of course, Sister, that you would think of me. But I have basketball practice after school, and there are a few games on Saturdays too. I just don’t know if I would have the time for the meetings.”

Silly Tony. He didn’t realize that Sister Catherine wasn’t asking us to do it.

“The committee is willing to work around both of your schedules. I think Friday evenings around six would be fine, yes? The first meeting is in a few weeks,” she said with a tone of finality.

Realizing we’d been dismissed, we both stood up and walked toward the door.

“Oh, and the committee is expecting you to come with lots of ideas, so be ready,” she called out.

Back outside, Tony shrugged. “I guess we’re on the fiesta committee.”

“Yes. I guess so,” I answered and tried to smile.

Really? You couldn’t think of anything more clever to say?

“Okay, then. Guess I’ll see you later.”

I was halfway to my classroom when the realization hit.

See you later.

I was going to be on a committee with Tony—that meant seeing him outside of usual school stuff. And, he looked far from thrilled about it. It was like the eighth grade all over again.

Only this time, I couldn’t pretend to be sick and stay home for a week.





Chapter Fourteen


ERICA


I should’ve known the day was going to go to shit.

First, I couldn’t find my favorite water bottle, the one I always took with me to the games. I remembered I’d last had it when I’d gone with Selena to the movies the day after Christmas. So I called her to see if she had it.

“Oh yeah. I was going to tell you that you left it in my car, but I kept forgetting. Sorry. I can bring it over later.”

“No, that’s okay. I wanted it for the game, but I need to leave in a few minutes,” I said as I headed to the kitchen to find another one. “Just give it to me the next time we go out, okay?”

“Sure thing. Hey, what are you wearing to Rachel’s quince? I can’t find anything, and it’s two weeks away.”

My younger cousin’s quincea?era would be the social event of the year for my family. It seemed everyone had been getting ready for it for months now.