Behind Her Smile by Rosemary Hines Page B

back in. “Bye. Thanks for tonight. I had fun.”
    He nodded and gave her a half-hearted smile. “Me, too.”
    Then she closed the door and hurried inside. Her father was sitting in the front room. “Have a good time, honey?”
    “Yeah.”
    “How’s Lucy? Did you girls meet up with her friends from school?”
    Madison walked past him toward the stairs. “Yeah.”
    “You’re not very talkative tonight,” he observed.
    She turned and forced a casual smile. “Sorry, Dad. I’m just a little tired.”
    “Okay. Goodnight, princess.”
    She cringed inwardly. “Goodnight, Dad.”

CHAPTER NINE
     
    Miles didn’t call all weekend, although Madison kept her phone nearby at all times, checking it numerous times a day, even during her long runs. She could hardly wait for Monday’s history class, replaying over and over in her mind how the other girls had looked at her so enviously at the game. This was going to be her year. The year she finally became someone.
    She got to history class early on Monday, but Miles’ desk was empty. He slipped into the room at the very last minute, talking and laughing with one of the girls they’d seen at the game. As he slid into his seat, he turned and smiled at her.
    Her heart leapt in her chest, and she smiled back. He’d probably put his arm around her as they walked out, right? Just like at the game. Not wanting to embarrass herself again if the teacher called on her, she flipped open her notes and tried to focus. Having Miles in her peripheral vision didn’t help. But if he sat behind her, that would probably be just as bad. Then she’d be tempted to turn around all the time.
    Mr. Barnes launched into his discussion of the Constitutional Congress, and Madison decided to volunteer an answer before he could call on her. He seemed impressed with her response, and Miles turned and gave her a thumbs up.
    “Did you have something to contribute to what Madison just said?” their teacher asked him.
    “Nope. She hit it on the head,” he replied.
    After class, the same girl he’d been talking to on the way in started walking beside him and asking him something. Madison moved to his other side but had to back off when they got to the door, which would only allow two people through at a time. She was a little disappointed that he didn’t wait and walk through with her. Once they were out in the crowded hall, he looked over his shoulder and tipped his head to the side to indicate she should come alongside him.
    Moving next to him, she felt a rush go through her body again.
    He looked down at her and said, “How was your weekend?”
    “Good. How about yours?”
    “Fine,” he replied without putting his arm around her or taking her hand.
    When they got to his locker, he turned to her and said, “Have a good one. See you tomorrow.”
    She felt confused and rejected, even though he’d at least wanted her to walk with him. Her face must have shown it, because he asked, “Are you okay?”
    Nodding, she turned to head for her locker. “See ya,” she said over her shoulder.
    As she walked away, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning she found herself looking into his face. “Hey, are you upset that I didn’t call you this weekend?”
    She shrugged.
    He leaned down and kissed her. “Sorry about that. I’ll call you tonight.”
    Her heart raced and her spirit soared. She couldn’t believe he just kissed her right there in the hall where everyone could see it. He must like her after all. “Okay,” she replied with a smile. “Talk to you then.”
    He studied her for a moment. “You should get more sweaters like the one you wore to the game,” he said with a wink.
    She just grinned. I think I will, she promised herself silently, planning on how she could always change her top once she got to school.
     

     
    After dinner, Madison went up to her room to wait for his call. She worked on homework, answered some emails, got ready for bed, and spent a half hour on Facebook before he