Page 4 of Autumn Skies & Pumpkin Pies

“They don’t. There’s nothing going on between us,” I tell her, for the thousandth time.

She rolls her eyes. “Sure, there isn’t. He just follows you around for no reason.”

“He doesn’t follow me around. We have a class together and after that class, we have lunch. We all sit together so of course we walk with one another. You’re reading too much into it.” This is the story I tell myself to keep from getting my hopes up over nothing.It’s a good thing she doesn’t know about the weekends at the bakery.

“Whatever you say,” Teaganne replies. “So, are we still going dress shopping after school?”

I sigh. Against my better judgement I agreed to go to the Homecoming dance on Saturday night. Dances are definitely not my thing and I have no reason to go, but Teaganne begged. I know she has been secretly hoping for Keefer to ask her, but he still hasn’t, so I guess I’ll be her friendly date. “Yes, we can still go. It’s so last minute and you could make any dress we pick so much better that it seems silly, but we’ll go.”

Teaganne claps her hands excitedly. “Yay, I can’t wait.”

“What are we so excited about?” Keefer asks, as he joins us.

“Homecoming dance,” Teaganne tells him.

Keefer nods his head. “Are y’all going?”

“Yeah, we both are.” Teaganne is getting defensive. I can tell by the tone of her voice. I just hope that Keefer thinks before he speaks. It’s not his strong suit, but one can hope that every now and then he uses his brain.

“I didn’t realize y’all had dates.”

Oh hell, here it goes. “It’s the twenty-first century, Keefer. I don’t need a damn date to go to high school dance. Besides, if I took a man-child like the ones that attend this school, I would be stuck babysitting. At least with Warbee, I’ll have fun.” Teaganne tosses her long, dark hair over her shoulder before walking a little faster. Just fast enough to leave us behind, so that we know she’s done with this conversation.

Keefer rolls his eyes, but I don’t say anything as we make our way down the hallway. When I reach my locker, I see a sunflower tapped to the outside, along with a note. It shocks me. I look around to see if anyone is going to claim the items, but when they don’t I step forward and pull them down. The note is addressed to me:

Warbee,

I’m not good at poetry and what not, so I won’t waste my time trying or yours to read it. I will say this, I hope your day is as beautiful as you and as bright as your smile. The sunflower reminded me of you, beautiful and bright, taller than all the rest of the flowers because of strength. You might be tiny, but you are mighty, little one.

Until I see you again,

Your Secret Admirer

I reread the note in my hand trying to figure out who could have written this. Sadly, it’s not handwritten, so I can’t try and decipher the handwriting. Surely, this is some mistake, but my name is on the note. I bring the sunflower to my nose and inhale deeply. Very few people know that sunflowers are actually my favorite flower. I wonder if this person knew then I begin to wonder who this person might be.

By the time chemistry class rolls around, I’m completely distracted by the note and flower. It’s been bugging me all day. However, if Rocker noticed I was quieter than normal; he didn't say anything. Finally, on the way to lunch he asks, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just thinking about a lot of stuff today.”

“Anything I can help you with?” he asks.

I know he’s just being polite, but I tell him everything. I even let him see the note. Some silly part of me really wanted him to show a sign of jealousy, even a little sign, but he doesn’t. I knew he wouldn’t, but the heart is often hoping for things that will never happen. “So, what do you think?”

“I think it seems like this person likes you,” he replies.

We don’t talk the rest of the way to the cafeteria and once we are seated, Rocker remains quiet. I do as well, but my mind keeps wandering back to the secret admirer. My heart wishes it was Rocker, but I know he’d never do anything like this. It’s too romantic for a guy that doesn’t have to be. I mean, any girl would fall at his feet, myself included, if he asked. He doesn’t have to work this hard to get what he wants. I sigh and collect my tray as I leave. My eyes land on Beth, just down the table. She’s watching me like a hawk, and it dawns on me that she’s probably the one that taped that letter and flower to my locker. When I reach the trash can, I drop my tray then dig into my back pocket for the letter before dropping it in as well. I make sure she gets a clear view of this just so she knows she can’t mess with me.

SIX

Warbee

Turns out, I couldn’t find a dress for the homecoming which I thought would get me off the hook from having to go...it didn’t. It was silly thinking on my part, considering Teaganne is an inspiring fashion designer. So now, we are standing in her room with material everywhere as she takes measurements of every part of my body. “I’m not sure you’re going to have enough time to get this done.”

“Girl, have some faith in me. I’ll have it done by Friday to make sure it fits correctly, that way if I need to change any part of it, I can do it Saturday before the dance.”

I shake my head. “If you say so.”

Teaganne rolls her eyes. “I know so, honey.”

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