P.S. I Like You(25)

I folded the note, finding myself a little depressed as I stuck it in its place. Fridays were the worst. I had to wait all weekend before I’d get a reply. Was I really already looking forward to Monday? That was backward thinking. I should’ve been excited about the football game that night. The one my mom had said I could go to. David. Yes, I could get excited about seeing David. That would make Isabel happy. And maybe I’d get some more clues as to whether his name belonged on my Suspects list or not.





The night was my favorite kind of night—cool enough for a jacket, but warm enough for it to be a thin one. Now, if only we weren’t headed for a stadium full of screaming fans. Watching a football game wasn’t exactly my favorite activity.

Gabriel and Isabel were a couple steps ahead, arm in arm, talking too quietly for me to hear. I wondered if they were plotting the after-game activity where they expected David and me to fall madly in love.

Isabel noticed I had fallen behind and slowed down, hooking her free arm in mine. “This is going to be awesome,” she said as we reached the ticket booth.

“I guess,” I said. We paid and headed inside, climbing the steps to the stadium. Some of the kids were all decked out in paint and holding signs. I was glad Isabel hadn’t insisted we do that. When we reached the top, the noise that had somehow seemed muffled on the way up hit me like it was a living, breathing force.

“There’s the band,” Isabel said.

Gabriel looked at me, like I should have a response to that.

“Cool hats,” was the only thing I could think of.



It was five minutes to halftime when Gabriel said, “We should get food before David’s thing.”

“You guys go ahead. I’m good.” I loved Isabel and Gabriel, but I needed a break from the overdose of affection the two of them were displaying.

“Are you sure?” Isabel asked.

“Positive.”

They left for the food vendors. I sat back and looked for lyrics in the sights around me. Lights in the blackness. Waiting for the score. Putting on a face. Flirt a little more.

That last line, unfortunately, had been inspired by Cade. I’d happened to see him chatting with some girl. When he noticed me looking over, he caught my eye and winked. Ugh. I stood, deciding I wanted a drink after all, and pivoted toward the aisle to catch up with Isabel. I nearly ran face first into a chest. Even over the noise of the crowd, this close to him, I could just make out the beat coming from Lucas’s earbuds.

He tugged on the cord, freeing them. “Sorry … Lily, right?”

His presence here shocked me silent. Although to be fair, his presence always seemed to do that. But what was he doing at a football game? I didn’t know a lot about him but I did know this wasn’t his scene.

I tried to answer, to think of something clever … or just something … to say, but my mind was blank. I managed to shut my mouth, which had been open for at least one second too long.

“You okay?” Lucas asked. “Did I hit you?”

I shook my head no. His earbuds were dangling near his shoulders and I was so tempted to pick one up and put it to my ear and finally learn what music he was always listening to, but thankfully I stopped myself. I was already acting crazy enough. Quick, brain, think of something clever to say. My thoughts were flying around, uncatchable.

Lucas smiled, a perfect, gorgeous, disarming smile. All the tension that was holding my thoughts captive eased out of my body. I was going to talk. I was going to say something funny and clever. Finally. I took a deep breath and opened my mouth.

“Lucas.” Cade appeared at his side. “Can I interest you in a friendly wager?”

“What?” The irritation on Lucas’s face as he glanced at Cade made me like him even more.

“Trust me, this is better than anything going on over here.” He nodded his head toward the game, and for some reason that worked. Lucas followed him away, leaving me with only a small wave.

Cade had just led away my first real chance at talking to Lucas. Even more reason to hate him.

“Nachos?” Gabriel asked, holding up a tray of chips and gooey cheese. Where had he come from?

Isabel tugged on my arm, carrying a drink in her free hand. “You’re missing the show.”

Oh. Right. I sat back down, trying to make out David on the field. But the whole time I was fuming about Cade and Lucas.



After the game was over, Isabel, David, Gabriel, and I went to a park near Isabel’s house. Gabriel was pushing Isabel on a swing and David and I were sitting on a picnic table.

I picked up David’s marching band hat that he had set next to him. It had a long black feather on top. “What’s with the feather?”

“It makes us taller.” He was still wearing his full band uniform and it looked uncomfortable and sweaty. But cute.

“Really? I should probably wear one of these all the time then.” I placed it on my head.

“I think it really has to do with the history of marching bands,” David explained. “Marching bands used to be used in wars. The musicians wore certain uniforms so the opposing army could identify who not to shoot or something like that.”

“Nice. I’m glad you won’t get shot in a war.”

David smiled and shook his head. “Now it’s just tradition.”