The Summer of Crossing Lines by Julie Musil

Author:Julie Musil
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, mystery, amateur detective, young adult, teen, siblings, stuttering
Publisher: Julie Musil

***

After the ride, I was dizzy in more ways than one.

Drew bought us frozen lemonades. We sat across from each other at a table beneath the shade of an umbrella. In silence, I replayed the thread, his hand on my shoulder, and my back pressed against him.

Drew caught me staring. He half smiled and cocked his head. “What?”

My cheeks warmed. I concentrated on my lemonade.

“Mysterious silence, huh? You sure you want me to do all the talking?”

Flirting was foreign to me. I had no idea what to say next. I smiled and took another bite of my lemony slush.

“Okay, you asked for it. Did you know a snail can sleep for three years?”

Pretending to ignore him, I inspected my next bite. Icy yellow and melting around the edges.

“Did you know that women blink almost twice as much as men?”

I blinked, and he grinned.

“Did you know that only female mosquitoes bite?” He pinched the thin skin on top of my hand.

“Ouch!”

“I knew I could get you to talk.” He smiled a full smile and flicked his head to the side. “I’m gonna win a banana for you. Let’s go.”

No one had ever done that for me before. I’d seen guys carrying big stuffed animals around the park for their girlfriends. I couldn’t believe he wanted to win something for me.

He tossed enough baskets and won me a giant banana. I squealed and clapped while Drew held the banana above his head and danced as if he’d scored a touchdown. As he handed me the banana he leaned in and raised his other arm, as if to hug me. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to hug him back or kiss his cheek. I grabbed the bulky toy and squeezed it against my chest.

He quickly ran his hand through his hair, as if he’d meant to do that all along. His shoulders drooped and he lowered his hand, stuffing it in his pocket.

A missed opportunity. I wished I could press rewind and do it over again—smoothly this time. Drew asked what I wanted to ride next, and the moment was gone.

By late afternoon we were still at the park. I had diligently texted Mom and Dad each hour.

We stood in line for Goliath, taking turns holding the cumbersome banana. He steered the conversation to me. “Tell me more about your family.”

I told him there wasn’t much to tell as I scrambled to remember my lies.

“I mean, I know you said you didn’t have any brothers or sisters, and that your parents had split. But what else?”

That was the trouble with lies. They were easy to forget.

“Like, what do you do for fun when you’re not with me? I know you went gaga over that printer and you’re into photography. What do you like to take pictures of?”

I told him about my photography. He listened while I explained light and shadow, outdoor and indoor advantages, and black and white versus color photos. He focused his attention on me, even as I struggled with problem words.

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