Mr. Kline came up to me and took my hand in both of his. “Brandee, you are by far the most talented actress that has ever graced my stage. And you’re beautiful to boot! From now on when I think of ‘Emma’, I will imagine a tall, slender goddess with dark brown hair that curls all the way to the middle of her back and a tan angelic face with big, dark eyes framed by the longest, most beautiful eyelashes. You, my dear, are the paragon of perfection!”
I could feel my face flush a deep crimson as he rattled off this description. I knew he was exaggerating but I couldn’t help but look over at Alex and take in his reaction. He just stood there, arm still about me, smiling and nodding to Mr. Kline’s every word. It only embarrassed me more.
“Well, Mr. Kline,” Alex said, “We have to get going. I still have to give Brandee a tour of the rest of the building.”
“Ah, I understand. Well, don’t forget. We start rehearsals tomorrow at two-fifteen sharp.”
Alex moved his hand down to the small of my back and gave me a nudge to move forward. I walked ahead of his hand, a little uncomfortable because of the strange intimacy that we had shared during my audition. I went down the steps to the chair where I had left my bag and coat before ascending the stairs to the stage. I picked the two up, once again thanked Mr. Kline and began walking up the isle toward the door. Alex jogged up behind me and gently tugged at my coat.
“Let me take that for you,” he said smiling. Quizzically I looked at him but let my coat slide from my arm. I noticed that his face was pink and he looked like he was a little overheated. I cast a curious glance down to his khakis and noticed the slight bulge on the loose material. My pea coat was suddenly blocking my view and I looked up at Alex, a little embarrassed. He had caught me looking at his erection and he was just as red faced as I was. “Down to the science labs,” he said exhaling.
Alex led me throughout the school, introducing me to my teachers and even introducing me to some of his friends. Whether consciously or unconsciously, he pulled me in closer to his side as we walked. He would direct with his right hand, pea coat still resting on his arm, while his left slowly made its way across my back to my hip, where it rested for the remainder of the tour. Something about him kept me intoxicated and it felt as if I was walking on air as I rested in the crook of his arm. As we walked the halls alone between class periods, I went so far as to rest my head against his shoulder and we seemed to meld into one. As the end of the day fell upon us, I suddenly felt embarrassed to have been hanging on to some boy I really didn’t know. I stepped away from him and stood with my eyes downcast. He fidgeted across from me and I could tell that I had made him uncomfortable as well.
“You know, a bunch of us are going to get something to eat after school, if you want to go. I know you don’t really know anyone and I thought it would be cool to have you hang out with us. That is, if you want to go, and all,” Alex said to me. I lifted my chin and smiled at him.
“I’d, uh, like that. What time are you going?” I looked at my watch. It was ten ‘til two.
“Around two-thirty. Need a ride?”
I was about to tell him I didn’t and that I had a car. In fact, it was outside right then. I decided against it. There was something about him that made me want to be with him whenever I could.
“Uh, yeah, I could use a ride,” I said with a smile. “I mean, I have a car and everything, but my mother has to borrow it after I get home.”
He smiled at me with a perfect, pearly smile.
“Great. I’ll pick you up a little before two-thirty. What’s your number so I can call to get directions?” I wrote my number on a small piece of paper and stuck it in his hand, his finger caressing mine as I pulled away. I smiled.
“I’ll, uh, talk to you soon. I’ve got to go for now,” I said. I turned to leave. The bitter cold was waiting for me as I opened the doors to the outside.
Damn Minnesota winters, I thought, walking to the car.
Couldn’t get warm if I lit a fire under my ass.
I arrived home about five after two. No one was in sight. My parents were still at work. I set down my bag and undid my coat. Not thirty seconds after I had walked in the house my phone rang. My heart leapt. I hoped it was Alex.
“Hello?”
“Hi. Is Brandee home?” It was Alex.