Curvy Girls Can't Date Best Friends - Kelsie Stelting Page 0,2

of the garage and ran out the back door. His mom’s eyes trailed behind him for a moment before turning back to us, looking tight around the corners. “It was nice to meet you, but we better get back to unpacking.”

“Of course,” Mom said, a smile pasted on her face like she hadn’t seen what I had. “I’m Anne, and this is Callie and Joe. My husband is Robert, but I’m sure there will be plenty of time to meet him once you get settled in. Where would you like us to set the snacks? I’m sure you’ll need them!”

She nodded gratefully. “We will. Here on the floor should be fine.”

Mom seemed to hesitate before bending to set the plasticware and plates on the dusty ground. Joe dumped his cinnamon rolls, and I carefully lowered the carafe to the floor.

As we turned and walked out, I heard a door slam and a man’s voice grumbling something about lazy and ungrateful.

After the door closed firmly behind us and we heard the heavy clicking of a lock, Joe said, “That was weird.”

“Shh,” Mom said.

“It was,” I said, my throat tight. “Do you think the dad was throwing something at the boy?”

“I’m sure it’s okay.” Mom smiled at me, but there was still a troubled look in her eyes. “Why don’t you get some time outside? Maybe hang out in the green belt.”

The message behind her words was clear. Find him.

I cut across our lawn to the gate that opened to the expanse of grass that cut through the neighborhood. There were a few parks dispersed through the place, and I didn’t see him on the one closest to our houses.

Trying to stall the worry rising in my throat, I shucked my flip-flops, hooking the straps between my fingers. I always felt better with the grass forming and molding to my feet. Even so, the sense of dread lingered.

This time of summer, it was too hot to be at the park, I reminded myself. Everyone was probably at the pool or the beach. Or watching TV in the air conditioning. Having fun instead of bringing food to grumpy neighbors. Maybe the boy had found a tree to hide out under.

I rounded a corner and saw the next park. The same boy from earlier sat on one of the swings, dragging his feet over the worn-down path of gravel underneath. His head hung low, sandy hair falling around his face. I opened my mouth to greet him, but he lifted his arm to his face and used the back of his forearm to wipe his eyes.

He was crying.

It felt like a hand had reached around my lungs and squeezed. I both wanted to run to him and make him feel better and dodge behind a tree to let him have some privacy. The war of the two options held me firmly to the spot, unable to move.

Like he sensed me watching him, he looked up and immediately began wiping at his face, trying to hide his feelings. Before I could speak, he said, “You live next door, don’t you?”

My chest ached even more at the sight of him trying to hold it together, but maybe that was what he needed—for me to pretend nothing had happened.

“Yeah, in the yellow house,” I said with a smile, going to the swing next to him and sitting down. “What grade are you in?”

“I’m going to Emerson Academy. I’ll be in sixth grade.”

“Me too,” I said. “Do you play sports?”

“Swimming. But I want to try football too.”

I nodded. “Our school does flag football in sixth grade.”

“What about you?” he asked. “Do you play sports?”

“Everything I can,” I answered. “I’m in a summer basketball league, but I’ll play volleyball when school starts. Where’d you move from?”

“Texas.” He said the word bitterly, like Texas was just as bad as sitting on the bench a whole game or something. He pumped his legs and started picking up height. “Want to see who can jump farther?”

I nodded and began swinging my legs too. “I’ll warn you though. I’ve been practicing on these swings my whole life.”

“Well I have natural talent.”

I snorted, working even harder. “Good luck.”

We were both high now, the chains squeaking harshly as we worked to best each other.

“Ready,” he said.

“Set,” I yelled.

“Go!” we shouted at the same time.

We flew through the air, weightless, soaring, and then the ground came toward us. I touched the ground and rolled, him doing the same beside me. As I skidded to a stop