clue—hadn't I
heard someone talk about a movie recently？ Seen a poster？ 〃How about that one
with the female
president？〃
She looked at me oddly。 〃Bella； that one's been out of the theater forever。〃
〃Oh。〃 I frowned。 〃Is there anything you'd like to see？〃
Jessica's natural bubbliness started to leak out in spite of herself as she
thought out loud。 〃Well； there's
that new romantic edy that's getting great reviews。 I want to see that one。
And my dad just saw
Dead End and he really liked it。〃
I grasped at the promising title。 〃What's that one about？〃
〃Zombies or something。 He said it was the scariest thing he'd seen in years。〃
〃That sounds perfect。〃 I'd rather deal with real zombies than watch a romance。
〃Okay。〃 She seemed surprised by my response。 I tried to remember if I liked
scary movies； but I wasn't
sure。 〃Do you want me to pick you up after school？〃 she offered。
〃Sure。〃
Jessica smiled at me with tentative friendliness before she left。 My answering
smile was just a little late；
but I thought that she saw it。
The rest of the day passed quickly； my thoughts focused on planning for
tonight。 I knew from experience
that once I got Jessica talking； I would be able to get away with a few
mumbled responses at the
appropriate moments。 Only minimal interaction would be required。
The thick haze that blurred my days now was sometimes confusing。 I was
surprised when I found myself
in my room； not clearly remembering the drive home from school or even opening
the front door。 But that
didn't matter。 Losing track of time was the most I asked from life。
I didn't fight the