Page 55 of Lovebug
“Uh… can’t really say I’m too familiar with Mr. Bieber’s musical work really. Justin, not Wallace,” I clarify with a quick glance at the Bieber who is currently present. “Though Wallace Bieber may also be a musical prodigy for all I know. Are you, Wallace? Are you a musical prodigy?” I ramble in his direction. Why can’t I help wanting to learn more about this guy?
“I am not,” he responds and then gestures meaningfully to Holden, who is now fidgeting like crazy.
I pick up my pace. “Right. Off topic.” I turn to Chloe. “No, I’m not a Belieber. I’ve never really listened to much popular stuff. My parents are big into classical music, so that’s what we’ve always played at home.” I turn to Holden. “Okay, buddy, let’s—”
“Your parents, huh?” Chloe interrupts and takes a step closer to me. “What are your parents’ names? Mine are Christina and John.” What is up with this girl?
“Um. Helen and Abe?” I answer hesitantly, feeling my eyebrows scrunch up in confusion.
“Cool, cool,” Chloe says. “Out of curiosity, did Helen and Abe have you the adoption way or the procreation way?”
“The… procreation way.” I stretch out my response like taffy. “Chloe, what is with the strange questions? Why would you ask me that?”
“Just getting to know you better! I’m a generally curious person. Scientists-in-training have to be, yeah? Hey, can we sit together at lunch today and—”
“GET ME MY BUNNY NOW, OR IMMA FLIP MY SHIT!!!!” a tiny but fierce voice explodes.
Whoa.
I take one look at Holden, and the poor guy looks frantic.
“Okay. Holden?” I decide to get things back on track. “Everything is going to be okay. Mr. Bieber—Wally, not Justin—and I will see about rescuing your bunny and report back to you ASAP. You just go have fun with your group and try not to worry, alright?”
“Deep breaths, dude, okay?” Wally encourages him.
“Deep breaths,” Holden parrots back and peers up at the man in front of him. Then he makes a valiant attempt at some lengthened inhales and exhales, matching his rhythm to Wally’s.
“Good man,” Wally praises him. I can’t help but smile as I watch the two of them breathing together.
“Chloe,” I prompt. “You got this?”
“I got this,” she says, dropping her earlier weirdness and picking up Holden’s hand. Then she and Holden head toward the reptile house for their lizard lesson.
And suddenly, it’s just Wally and me.
He gestures toward the lake. “Shall we?”
“Um. Yeah. Yes. We shall.”
Chapter Eleven
We start walking down the hill side by side, which is an odd feeling. Up until this point, I’ve either been chasing him or running away from him. Now I find myself keeping up with his long strides, hearing his breath, peeking up to see the scruff on his jaw.
“Intense kid, huh?” he says after a few moments.
“I know, right? I’m not sure what Chloe’s situation is. She’s new to us this year and—”
“I was actually talking about the little guy.”
“Holden? Oh. Yeah, Holden isn’t usually so emotional. He and his family are going through something this summer, I think. Seems to be a lot going on in his little head and heart right now. I really appreciate you taking the time to make this better for him, though I’m a little concerned the balloon bunny may be a lost cause.”
“Nah, he’s out there. We’ll get him,” he says with supreme confidence.
“Okay.” If he’s confident, who am I to doubt him?
“Not that I mind, but why do you need my help? I’m sure a capable guy like you could pull off a rescue mission of this nature solo, no?”
“Who said I needed help?” he asks.
