Stork by Wendy Delsol

Author:Wendy Delsol
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Published: 0100-12-31T22:00:00+00:00

I walked across the wide expanse of lawn that fronted the school. The brick courtyard was teeming with kids, and I found myself anxiously looking from one group to another, seeking out Jack’s profile. I realized, too, that I’d done this every morning since that first stupid argument at Afi’s store. A subconscious memory? Realization of a connection? Something fluttered in my tummy. And then I spotted him, sitting on one of the low brick walls that edged the courtyard. All alone and obviously waiting for something, or someone. I advanced, unable to keep my smile in check. He got the full flash, gums and all. I was trying to think of something witty or clever to say. It seemed to be a pivotal moment. As I came close to him and opened my mouth — having decided to go with a simple “good morning,” unable to come up with another coherent greeting — his long arms stretched out and pulled me into an embrace so crushing and intimate, I may have whimpered just a little. He then released me enough to look deeply into my eyes before he lifted my chin with his right index finger and kissed me quickly, but hungrily, on the mouth.

“Great morning,” he said.

Dang, he even one-upped me there. “Best ever.” I was instantly proud of my reply, which was, I thought, an artful mix of clever, encouraging, and game-on. Yay, me. Though the whimper was worth a demerit or two.

“I’ve been waiting for you,” he said. “I was afraid you wouldn’t show. Would be too . . . tired or something.”

There were definitely a bunch of somethings going through me right then. My arms and legs had turned to quivering, utterly useless attachments. And my digestive system was going through some sort of emergency evacuation drill. “I wanted to be here today.” I couldn’t believe how breathy I sounded. Ugh. “Plus, I have an English paper due.”

He laughed, a sound I could definitely get used to. The first warning bell rang. “Come on,” he said, grabbing my hand. “You’ve got a paper due.”

And I thought I’d been an object of curiosity on my own. That was nothing compared to the spectacle that Jack and I holding hands created. Jaw-dropping, traffic-stopping, bug-eyed stares. I was in a tug-of-war between pride and embarrassment. The only thing keeping me from splitting in two was that, judging by Jack’s own glowing smile and viselike grip on my hand, he was enjoying himself.

He led me straight to the door of my first period class, English, and I wondered how he knew my schedule. And then I plumped upon realizing — he knew my schedule. Class was torture. Besides turning in my paper, I had no clue what transpired or what we discussed. I did or did not participate. I really couldn’t say.

Jack appeared at my side, almost magically, after English. He hooked his arm around my waist and my right hipbone popped into place. I actually heard it. It’d been misaligned my entire life.

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