Free Delicate by Stephanie Campbell Page B

come around enough,” Dad says to Trevor. “By the way, Syd, did you let the crew know where you’re going?”
    My heart lodges itself firmly in my throat. I cough. Or choke.
    “Crew?” Trevor asks, raising his eyebrows.
    “Yeah, I didn’t Dad, I was going to have one more night of freedom,” I smile.  Trevor is still staring at me. Questioning me.
    “The camera crew from the show wants to film a few spots of me doing something other than gymnastics,” I say.
    “Cool, huh?” Dad says. He smoothes the pleats in his pants. “You kids be careful, don’t be home late, Syd.”
    “Sure, Dad, ” I say, but my eyes don’t dare leave Trevor’s.
    Dad leaves the room.
    “We can talk about this in the car,” Trevor says.
    It isn’t a long ride to the restaurant ; it’s just across town in Marietta Square. But it feels like we should have crossed a state line in the silence. I don’t typically come to the Square. It’s normally pretty crowded and full of tourists, but even I can admit that the turn of the century vibe , thanks to the Gone With the Wind Movie Museum and other touristy hot spots, have made it a cute addition to our otherwise boring city. 
    We walk together past the unique shops that sell everything from eclectic and funky gifts to Asian antiques and sporting goods. With the s ight of the restaurant, The Greek Tavern, my heart sinks a little. I’d secretly hoped that we’d go somewhere more on the casual side. But Trevor seems excited, and he hasn’t brought up the show again, so, as usual, I put on my best enthusiastic smile as we’re seated at a blue table with brightly lacquered red chairs. I eye the menu nervously. I have no clue what to order so I pick the first thing that I s ee that has the word chicken in it, figuring that’s always a safe bet. 
    Once we’re seated, Trevor reaches across the table and holds my hand and just stares. I let my eyes wander around the room uncomfortably, and then focus back on his, which haven’t moved.
    “What?” I finally ask him.
    “Nothing at all, you just look beautiful.”
    “Right,” I mumble. I’m so happy that the server arrives with our entrees and interrupts the awkwardness.
    “Okay we have the Chicken Souvlaki for you , m iss,” he says, placing the plate in front of me. From the looks of the plate, I’ ve made a good choice. “And the Paidakia for you , s ir.”
    “My family and I are going out to the lake house for a week next month. Do you want to come with us ?” Trevor asks in between bites.
    “Oh! I left my pearls there, I have to get them back,” I say unintentionally ignoring his question.
    “Ok ay. W e can go and get them tonight.”
    “No, I can’t. I told my dad I wouldn’t be home late”
    “Yeah, but wouldn’t the extra alone time be well worth it?” he asks suggestively.
    I stare down at my skewered chicken to hide my flushed cheeks.
    “Maybe some other time,” I answer, hoping that he’ll leave it at that.
    “Right, when there’s a camera crew following you. What about next month?”
    “I’m not sure. I’ll have to wait and see how the dates match up with Nationals. And if my dad will even let me.”
    Trevor rolls his eyes in irritation, and that, in turn, annoys me. I can’t help that my dad is different from his parents. They never ha ve a problem with me going to Trevor’s room, or closing the door. They’ ve even offered to have me stay the night several times. I’m pretty sure that my dad assume s I’ ve never even let Trevor see my bedroom. And as far as gymnastics is concerned, things will quiet down after Nationals. I c an afford to take a breather after that, but I’ ve worked way too hard to slack off now.
    “I can’t believe we’re going to have to go out with cameras from here on out,” he finally says. There it is.
    “It’s not going to be like that, Trevor. It’s not every time. And I don’t have a choice, they need more material. I signed on to do this — ”
    “Yeah,