Are You Still There by Sarah Lynn Scheerger Page B

messages.
    I give her presents, if you can call them that.
    I talk to her on the phone.
    Granted, it’s a tad contrived.
    Oh well.
    Got to take what you can get.
    Besides, she’s a part of my plan.
    She just doesn’t know it yet.
    Because my bomb threat
    Was like a tidal wave,
    Surging, rising, powerful, strong
    But it fell flat. Forgotten already.
    Perhaps the school
    Needs a little reminder.

17
    EARLY DECEMBER
    Beth takes tiny bites of her turkey sandwich, edging around the crust. “Gabi, as your best friend in the universe, I’m compelled to share my concern.”
    I’m scanning the campus for Miguel. We’re officially “together” but we haven’t transitioned to eating lunch together at school. Mostly because when I picture Beth’s reaction to Miguel, my stomach sinks to my toes. I won’t be able to keep our lives separate for too much longer, because this weekend I’m supposed to go to a family party with him.
    â€œSeriously,” Beth goes on. “I’m no doctor of course, but I’m diagnosing you with a raging case of senioritis.”
    â€œThis is possible.” And perhaps a complete personality change, because even though I’ve considered Beth a “best friend” all through high school, we suddenly don’t feel that close.
    â€œYou’ve lost your focus. Forgotten your mantra. Remember ‘keep your eye on the prize’?” She pauses appropriately, but I’m still looking for Miguel. “Bruce and I are worried about you. We’re considering an intervention. Right, Bruce?”
    He nods.
    I interrupt. “Bruce, speaking of which, what’s the name of that cute girl by the snack bar? The one who keeps looking at you?”
    Bruce glances up from his lunch. “Katie Smith.”
    â€œLet’s invite her to sit with us, Bruce. I think we need to expand our horizons. Stop being so separatist,” I say. “Whaddaya think?”
    â€œO-kay.” He’s easy to please.
    Beth sets down her sandwich. The crusts have been nibbled away. “Gabi, I’ve been wanting to talk to you about this for weeks, and you’re not even taking me seriously.”
    â€œAs your best friend in the universe, I have the right to ignore your advice.”
    â€œMaybe. But what if you get a B? You’ll never forgive yourself.”
    â€œBeth, what if we go through our entire high school existence and we never feel like we lived? Think of the opportunities lost. What if we graduate this year and Bruce never gets to know Katie? They could be soul mates.”
    Beth crosses her arms. “They say people change, but I never thought you would. It’s your senior year, Gabi. I just don’t want you to have any regrets.”
    â€œMy point exactly,” I tell her, and then dump my quinoa salad in the trash on the way to introduce myself to Katie Smith.
    I stand in line at the taco cart, the beat of salsa music thumping in my ears. I’m wearing my white strappy sandals, because thanks to Southern California weather, it’s in the high seventies—and I move my toes in time with the beat. I’ve somehow lost Miguel in the crowd, but it doesn’t matter. I’m happy not to know anyone, because it means I don’t have to fake any kind of small talk. I just get to listen to the sizzle of the tortillas on the outdoor stove, to the lyrical words in a language I don’t understand, and to the music I can almost see when I close my eyes.
    Arms slip around my waist, and I feel Miguel’s mouth near my ear. “I bet this is the best quinceañera you’ve ever been to.”
    I get the tingles again, but we’re in public and I don’t want him to think he can get too comfortable too fast, so I turn far enough to sock him in the arm. “You know this is the only quinceañera I’ve ever been to.”
    â€œThen it’s automatically the best.”
    I breathe