The Grown Ups by Robin Antalek Page A

Bella’s arm. “What happened?”
    â€œNothing,” Bella said, handing Mindy her beer.
    Mindy took it and popped the lid. She took a large swallow before she sighed. “We’re never going to see each other again.”
    Bella laughed. “Min—we live within blocks of each other. All of us.”
    â€œUgh, can’t you just let me be dramatic for once?” Mindy smirked. “We are all going off to discover the world and then what? We’ve been together our entire lives!”
    Bella shook her head and looked back toward the fire for Sam. “Vassar is in Poughkeepsie. Sarah Lawrence is a few train stops away in Bronxville. The world? Really?”
    â€œThe world is out there waiting for us. My guidance counselor, my parents, and Seventeen magazine have told me so.” Mindy frowned. “Whoa, why are you so bitchy?”
    â€œI’m sorry,” Bella said quickly. It wasn’t Mindy’s fault that Bella wanted to get as far away from her house as possible tonight.
    Mindy smiled again and squeezed Bella’s arm. When she did, the beer she was holding tipped and spilled. She righted her hand quickly, only to spill more beer all over her shirt. “I’m drunk, I think.” Mindy burped. “Have you seen Peter?”
    Bella pointed in the direction he had gone.
    Mindy swayed. “You okay if I go? Ruthie is over there by the fire with a hundred of our closest friends, and Celia is around somewhere outrunning Johnny Ross.”
    â€œOkay, I’ll go find them. You don’t need any help?”
    â€œBella, Bella, Bella.” Mindy lunged toward her and cupped Bella’s face in both of her hands. “You are a gem. A true friend. But no, I am fine. I am going to find Peter Chang and we are going to kiss. It is probably a mistake, but I’m feeling it and I think he is too.”
    â€œAre you sure that’s a good idea, Mindy?” Mindy had made Bella and Ruthie swear that they would rescue her from herself where Peter Chang was concerned. But maybe, Bella thought, maybe Peter Chang wasn’t such a bad idea for Mindy. Maybe she just didn’t know it yet. Bella reached out and grabbed Mindy by the sleeve. “Hey, if you want Peter Chang, who am I to stop you?”
    Mindy gave her a wide, sloppy smile and then shrugged off her arm and drifted toward the house. Bella turned and continued walking, although she had no real plan until she saw Sam. His back was to her, and though he was surrounded by people on all sides, it was obvious to her he was alone, staring into the fire.
    She walked up behind him and slipped her arms around his waist and pressed her cheek to the dip between his shoulder blades. Bella closed her eyes for a second, grateful for Sam’s quiet, steady presence. After a few minutes she let go and Sam twisted around to face her. “Hey there,” he said. He pressed his lips to hers and she felt, as she had the first time, that they were meant to do this very thing forever. “Where’ve you been? I was just going to start looking for you.”
    â€œI just had some stuff to do at home,” Bella whispered as she found his mouth again. Sam tasted like beer and smelled like woodsmoke. He tightened his arms around her and squeezed, lifting her slightly off the ground before putting her back down. Bella felt fused to him, the length of his thighs against hers, the hard angles of chest and arms. She felt soft, molding her body into his. They leaned their foreheads together and swayed back and forth.
    â€œMy dad is up at the lake,” Sam said in a low voice.
    â€œSo?” Bella teased.
    â€œLater on? Can you spend the night?”
    â€œWill you make me pancakes for breakfast if I do?” Bella grinned, enjoying the moment. Of course she wanted to spend an entire night with Sam.
    Sam laughed. “Bella, you’re killing me.”
    Bella smiled and kissed his cheek; there was a little