Free Everyone's a Critic by Rachel Wise Page B

that ridiculous nickname, Mikey,” I said. Oof. Way to ruin a moment, Sam.
    He seemed truly embarrassed. “Sorry, it’s a habit. Me too, Sam . Or should I be calling you Samantha?” Before I could answer, my mompulled up, smiling and waving. I asked him if he wanted a ride home.
    â€œSure,” he said. “That would be great.”
    He hopped into the backseat, while I sat in front with my mom. We discussed the play, more of its good points and bad. Michael told my mom how great Allie was again and I rolled my eyes in the dark. After we dropped him off, Mom turned to me.
    â€œSo, how was it? You’re grinning from ear to ear,” she said.
    â€œIt was good,” I said, trying to hide my smile.
    â€œYou pick ’em well, Sam.”
    â€œMom,” I said, rolling my eyes. “It was just for the paper. I told you!”
    â€œSure, honey, just for the paper,” Mom said, and gave me a wink.
    I couldn’t help but laugh. As much as I tried to keep my cover, the night definitely felt like more than that. If it talks like a date and walks like date, it’s a date, right?

Chapter 10
ADVISOR OF SCHOOL NEWSPAPER RUINS GREAT ROMANCE!

    â€œSam, it’s Hailey. You awake?” my mom asked softly at eight thirty the next morning, standing next to my bed and holding the phone.
    I rolled over. I kind of was, barely. “Uh-huh” was all I could say, and took it from her.
    â€œMmm?” I said.
    â€œWell?” Hailey’s voice burst through the phone. She’s much more of a morning person than I am. I think it’s because she’s used to getting up early sometimes for practices and games. Me, I hardly roll out of bed before ten on a Sunday morning. But not this Sunday, apparently.
    â€œWhatever could you be talking about?” I said playfully, rubbing my eyes. “And why didyou call me so early, Hailey?”
    â€œThat good, huh? Why didn’t you text me last night?”
    â€œSorry, got home late. Crashed,” I said, yawning.
    â€œSpill it,” she said.
    I told her about the whole night, the thing Michael said at Slices about “just working.” Then I told her that he’d asked me to have pizza and paid, and about the ice cream and how I paid. I kept the stargazing to myself. It was the best part, but for some reason I was afraid that if I explained it, it would sound goofy, or would just seem less special.
    â€œThat’s totally a date,” she said.
    â€œYou think? I never know with Michael. And I feel like he might have a thing for Allie, which makes me nauseous if I think about it too long,” I said in a lower voice, although Allie would probably sleep until noon this morning, since she was recovering from the play and from cast parties on both nights.
    â€œNo! Really?” Hailey said. I told her what Michael had said after the play.
    â€œThat doesn’t mean anything,” she said. “I thought Allie was awesome too. Everyone did.”
    She was probably right and I was worrying for nothing. After I got off the phone with Hailey, I went down for breakfast. As I was digging into a delicious plate of waffles, strawberries, and a bit of vanilla yogurt on top, the phone rang again. Mom answered it and handed it to me.
    â€œMichael,” she said in a hushed tone, a bit of excitement hidden in her voice.
    Everyone was up this morning! I got a fluttery feeling in my stomach and cleared my throat, before grabbing the phone and taking it into the den for privacy.
    â€œHi,” I said.
    â€œHi, Pasty,” he said, loud and energized. Great, we were back to nicknames. “We need to figure out when we’re going to meet and write this thing. It’s due Friday.”
    â€œI know. How about tomorrow after school?” I asked.
    â€œSure. Can it be a little later, like four thirty? I have practice. Want to meet me back at my house?”
    â€œOnly if you make your amazing cinnamon