Free Someday You'll Laugh by Brenda Maxfield Page A

by the drinking fountain and started tossing the junk mail. Near the bottom of the stack, I saw it. I sucked in my breath and leaned against the wall.
    “Colleen.” I held out the envelope.
    She rushed over and snatched it from my hand. “It’s from him, dated two weeks ago. Two weeks . Open it.”
    She shoved the letter back at me.
    “You open it.”
    “No problem.” Colleen ripped it open. Her brows drew down to a fine point. “’Are you okay?’ That’s all it says. ‘Are you okay?’” She flipped the card to the backside as if checking for more. She handed it to me.
    I took it and stared.
    “Write him back.”
    “No reason to.” I dropped the note into the trash and walked away.
    Colleen rushed after me. “Are you nuts? He wrote. He’s thinking about you. Write him back.”
    I stopped and turned to her. “Done. Remember, Colleen? Done.”
    She made an ugly scrunched-up face and marched ahead of me into our room.
    ****
    Later, when Colleen was in the shower, I returned to the entry way and dug through the garbage until I found Paul’s note. I flicked off a candy wrapper stuck to the back and held the card to my chest. I smiled, sighed, and floated back to my room.

 
    Chapter Seven
     
    “Craig’s going to be there,” Melinda said as we walked to the Student Center. “You think he’ll ask me to dance?”
    “Why would he?” Colleen questioned. “He hasn’t said two words to you since the secret note disaster.”
    “He could’ve had a change of heart. What do you think, Brenda?”
    “Maybe. People have changes of heart all the time.”
    Melinda stopped walking. “All right. You’re in too good of a mood. You’ve been moping around forever, and now suddenly you’re not. What gives?”
    “It’s almost Thanksgiving break. Four glorious days off. Who wouldn’t be in a good mood?”
    Colleen looked at me with narrowed eyes. “Riiight.”
    “Hey, there he is!”
    Up ahead, Craig entered the Student Center.
    “This is my lucky night, I know it,” Melinda said. She pulled off her knitted hat. “Is my hair too squished?”
    I laughed and rearranged a few wayward strands. “Looks perfect.”
    Music poured from the doors and a strobe light flashed around the main room. We were late to arrive and the dance floor already vibrated with a mass of bodies. I put my hand to my chest as the roaring beat of the music pounded out its rhythm.
    “I see dessert!” Colleen yelled at me even though we were only inches apart. “Later.”
    Melinda searched the crowd. She shrugged off her coat and handed it to me. “Gonna find Craig,” she hollered and left.
    I took off my coat and added our jackets to a huge heap piled on two tables shoved against the wall. I surveyed the crowd. Scott twirled in the middle of the floor with some red-headed girl. She was cute. I supposed if you really knew him, you’d see more than his nose.
    Someone bumped me from behind, which given the crowd was no big surprise. When I felt a second bump, I turned around.
    Craig.
    “Hey, aren’t you Melinda’s friend?” he asked loudly into my ear.
    I nodded. Oh no.
    “Want something to drink?”
    My eyes darted around the room. Where was Melinda? She should be here, not me. Craig put his hand on my arm and raised his eyebrows.
    “Not thirsty,” I yelled back.
    His hand dropped to his side. He studied me for a minute, and I squirmed under his gaze.
    “Wanna dance?” He gestured toward the dance floor with his head. He smiled and instantly I knew why Melinda was barmy for him.
    Someone tugged on the back of my sweater. I turned from Craig and there was Melinda. Her eyes were huge with questions.
    I pulled her in front of me. “Dance with Melinda,” I hollered. “I have to go.”
    I left them both gawking and grabbed my coat. Dancing with some other guy was the last thing I wanted. I crammed my arms through my sleeves and dashed outside. The frigid air gave me a jolt. I took a breath, jammed my hands into my pockets and