Falling (Bits and Pieces, Book 1)

  * * *

  I got home a little later than I hoped. Instead of practicing in the family room, I practiced in my room. The instant I heard the garage door open, I turned off my music, turned on the TV and started up my computer. I closed my eyes and hoped I had gotten an email from Patrick with our combined work.

  I checked my email. My nerves calmed when I saw Patrick’s email.

  Hey Liz,

  Here’s the lab. I told you I’d get it done. =)

  Thanks again for coming to the game. Hope you had fun. See you tomorrow!

  -Patrick

  My mom walked into my room just as I opened the attachment. She stood behind me, looking over my shoulder. I wish she didn’t do that. “Homework?”

  “Yes. Physics.” I scrolled down the screen. “How was dinner?”

  “It was wonderful. We tried this new Italian place on Pacific Coast Highway.” She went on and on about the dinner. “How was your day?”

  “Fine. I was invited to go to a basketball game.” Telling her about the invitation was the best way to test the waters.

  “By who?” I got scared by her reaction.

  “Classmate.”

  “Does this classmate have a name?”

  I took a deep breath. Here we go. “Patrick.”

  “A boy?” She shook her head. “So, a date?”

  “No. He has a girlfriend. He’s just a guy from class. I told you about him yesterday—my lab partner in science.”

  “If he has a girlfriend, why is he asking you to a game?”

  Maybe because he’s just nice? Maybe not everyone has an ulterior motive. “He’s on the basketball team. He knew I liked basketball.”

  She eyed me. “How would he know that? How long have you been talking to this boy?”

  Great. I said too much, now I have to explain more without explaining more. “When we get new lab partners, Mr. D has us introduce ourselves.”

  “Hmph. Where is the game?”

  “At school.”

  She stared at me. She knew how much I liked the game. “Basketball. Be careful.”

  With that, she left my room. What did that mean? So, was that a ‘yes’? A ‘you can go, but I don’t really like it’ response? Regardless, I wasn’t going to tell her that I had already went. At least I planted the idea in her head, so if I ever decided to go again… Well, it wouldn’t seem like it was from out of the blue. I didn’t know if I’d watch another game.