My phone vibrates.
It's another text from Ian. We have been texting nonstop all Saturday morning but we had to stop when he went to the Dentist, I guess he's back now.
'Hey'
It's exciting to text a boy and I was worried we wouldn't have anything to say, but there hasn't been an awkward moment once.
'hey' I text back. 'how was the dentist?'
'mean and scary' I laugh out loud at his joke.
Me: 'So shouldn't we start on the math?'
Ian: 'ugh sure'
I take out the math worksheets and look them over closely for the first time. I already spot multiple problems I don't know how to even start. Maybe I do need a tutor, but someone else, not Mr. Holland.
Ian: 'ugh this is so stupid! I can't do any of these without help and it's hard to explain something while texting'
Uh, oh. I can see where this is going. He wants to call or FaceTime me but I'm not sure if I'm ready for that yet. I call Amelia all the time, but she's practically family and Ian is a boy.
Ian: 'wanna call?' There. He said it. I frantically try to think of an excuse to not call him, but the truth is, it would be easier to talk instead of type and I sort of want to call him. As I'm thinking about this, he sends another text.
Ian: 'only if you want to.' And again.
Ian: 'we don't have to.' Shit, I've waited too long to respond and he can see I've read the message too.
Me: 'oh no, we can call I want to' And then because I sound really desperate in that text I add, 'it would be way easier.'
Ian: 'great, call right now?' I sit up straight and then I call him. Actually, I FaceTime him by accident. I'm so used to FaceTimeing Amelia that my fingers just automatically hit the video button. Oh god. I try to end the call, but Ian has already picked it up.
"Hey, we can also FaceTime if you want." He laughs a little when he says this.
"Sorry, I accidentally hit the wrong button." We smile at each other for a moment and neither one of us moves to switch the call to audio-only. I hope I look okay, and there's not something stuck in between my teeth or a booger hanging out of my nose. I self-consciously tuck a piece of my dirty blonde hair behind my ear and smile at the sight of his face. My favorite part of his face is his eyes. They're a little green, blue, and brown all at the same time and I still can't seem to figure out what color they actually are. I like his hair dyed black and I think it suits him better than his original brown. He looks way different from what I remember him looking like as a kid but I can still see the little boy he used to be. We were in the same class in 2nd and 3rd grade but after that, he switched schools and I haven't seen him until he transferred here this year.
"What are you smiling at?" Ian has noticed me smiling while I was thinking about him and I quickly reply with,
"Nothing. Let's get to work."
"Okey dokey." He says and we slowly work our way from problem to problem.
"So," He says when we're taking a break from working. "What do you like to do for fun, like any hobbies?" I take a second to think.
"Well, I love ice skating in the Winter and swimming in the summer but mostly I just watch TV.
"What about you?" He answers right away.
"Skateboarding. I do it all the time, I even skateboard to school since I don't have my license yet." Ian's face always lights up when he talks about skateboarding and it's the most adorable thing in the world.
"Same, except I walk to school. I took the permit test a while ago but I failed so I'm working on taking it again." I remember that day with annoyance.
"Oh, that sucks. Ice skating sounds cool though. I think I've only gone once, you should take me some time." Wait. DID IAN JUST ASK ME OUT? OMG, I can't believe this is happening! My mind is going crazy inside but I manage to remain calm.
"Yeah, sure that sounds fun. Maybe when it gets colder."
"Cool. In the meantime, you should come to Skateboard with me. I'll teach you a few tricks. I bet you'll have good balance because you can ice skate." OMG, another date and this one we don't have to wait for the cold weather.
"Okay, yeah. I have to warn you though, I'm still probably going to be super bad at it." That would be so embarrassing, falling in front of Ian for like the second time.
"It's okay, everybody falls when learning to ride." Did I say that out loud or did he just read my mind?
"Well, I guess we should get back to math now," I say.
"Yeah, I just have one more question for you."
"Shoot," I say.
"You don't have to tell me but what did Mr. Holland say to you when you stayed behind in his class the other day?" I look down at my lap, I was praying he wouldn't ask me but of course, he did. I decide to tell Ian the truth.
"Um, he said that if I don't do better in class next week that I'll have to stay after school and get a tutor." Ian's jaw drops.
"What!? Are you serious? You're like better at math than me and he never told me I needed a tutor." A lump forms in my throat. I know why Mr. Holland singles out the girls now and as I look at Ian's beautiful face, I feel like I can trust him and tell him anything.
"That's because he's a pedophile and he wants to keep me after class so um, you know." I leave it at that and Ian looks more shocked than before.
"That is so disgusting! I always knew there was something more than just mean and grouchy about him. You can't stay after school Marjorie, you need to tell the school." I love it when he uses my name, it makes me feel jittery but I know that is so not the point right now.
"I know, my best friend told me the same thing. I just feel like they won't believe me though." He shakes his head.
"No, you still need to tell the principal and if he doesn't believe you, someone else will." Ian looks serious now and I want to listen to him and Amelia, I really do, but it's easier said than done.
"Let's just get back to math now," I say halfheartedly. Ian nods and we continue, but there is a new tension between us that I'm sure he can feel as well.
We talk on the phone long after we finish math until Mom comes into my room to tell me it's dinner time.
"Who is that Mar? Is that Amelia?" She loudly whispers, and when I shake my head no, she asks, "Is it a boy?"
"Oh my god Mom, just leave I'll be out in a second." I motion for her to leave and when she finally does I say to Ian, "Sorry that was my mom, I have to go to dinner now."
"It's okay, it was nice talking to you. I guess I'll text or talk to you later." Ian says.
"Okay, bye," I say and hang up after he's said goodbye as well. I walk into the kitchen, mentally preparing myself for my mother and her many questions that will surely come. When I walk into the room she is sitting there waiting for me with a big smile on her face. Just as I suspected.
"So," Mom says, helping herself to some rice. "How was your day? Anything interesting happen, maybe an interesting phone call?" She tries to look innocent but she's not fooling anyone.
"Mom, if there's something you want to ask me please be direct about it." She surrenders her innocent act.
"Fine Marjorie, were you talking on the phone with a boy just now and literally all day?" I blush a little and nod.
"Oooooooo, what's his name?" She leans in like a teenage girl eager for new gossip.
"Ian, he's in my math class."
"Wait, you mean the Ian from 2nd grade? As in annoying Ian, you used to complain about? How he was always distracting the class by talking and making fart noises?" Mom is on a roll.
"Mom! Stop, he's obviously more mature now and he's really into skateboarding too," I tell her in between taking bites of food. That sparks her interest. "Oh really? He must be pretty good. So, is he 'just a friend' or do you like him?" I think about how to answer. I've always been really open and honest with my mom and I've told her about other crushes in the past. I already feel guilty about not telling her about Mr. Holland, so I decided to tell her the truth.
"Yeah, I like him," I tell her in a quiet voice.
"Awww, Mar. Maybe Hank and I should go on a double date with you two."
"Mom, no!" Why in the world does my mother think that I would want to go on a date with them?
"Plus we're not even dating, he probably doesn't even like me." Mom gives me a look.
"I wouldn't be too sure Mar, you're a very likable person when you want to be." I shrug.
"Whatever, can we talk about something else now?" Mom starts talking about Hank and work but I'm only half listening. I'm thinking about my conversation with Ian and how much I like him.
Then Mom says something that sparks my interest and pulls me out of my own thoughts.