"Maybe he's an undercover police officer investigating something illegal at school. Or maybe he's a reporter doing an expose on private schools."
I roll my eyes. "Miranda, I think you've been watching too much television." Nathan is definitely a teenager, as messed up and confused as I am.
I catch up to that messed up kid at his locker after school. "Miranda thinks you're an undercover reporter doing an expose on private schools... or a cop." With those glasses and skinny frame you'd think he was Clark Kent. Nah, he's too skinny and wouldn't be able to fill out any Superman outfit.
"Cool."
"So, what's your deal? Why are you living out of a suitcase? Why do you bring flowers to someone every week? Why do you say you have a girlfriend but she's never around?"
Nathan shoves his books into his backpack. "Why do you care?"
"I don't know."
He slings the backpack around his back and glares at me. "Well, when you do know maybe then I'll tell you."
22
***
I was preparing for conversion class today and read the Bible scenario if a man suspects his wife was not a virgin when they got married The woman, if found guilty, gets stoned to death by the men in her village. If the man is found to be proven wrong he gets fined and flogged(Deuteronomy 22:18). I seriously need to have a talk with Rabbi Glassman about this. Because there are just so many things wrong with this scenario.
***
I take Avi to Kyle's party in the evening, ready to show my boyfriend off to all my school friends (besides Jessica, Miranda, and Nathan, who are doing the temple youth group scavenger hunt). With a huge smile on my face, I take Avi's hand and lead him through Kyle's condo. It's bigger than my dad's--Kyle's dad owns one of the best steak houses in Chicago and likes to show off his wealth with big cars, big condos, and big boats.
In the kitchen, Kyle passes out cans of beer. "Dude, you must be Amy's boyfriend," Kyle says with a slurred voice. He's plastered.
Avi declines the beer and Kyle tosses the can to me.
"You're not drinking, are you?" Avi asks.
To be honest, I think beer is gross. "Nope," I say, and toss the can back to Kyle, who mumbles something under his breath about sober people being boring.
Leading Avi to the back of the house where most of the crowd has gathered, we find an unoccupied chair. Avi sits on it and I park myself on his lap.
The music is loud in the back room, almost to the point that my ears are pounding to the bass of the song. While everyone else is either drinking or making out or trying to talk above the music, I lean into Avi's chest while he holds me close.
When I catch sight of Roxanne arriving, I quickly turn my head toward Avi and start to kiss him. Our lips touch first, then I slide my tongue over his while I slip my arms up his chest and around his neck. As I pull back, I lick my lips and give him a sexy, knowing smile.
He nuzzles his mouth close to my ear and says, "Why the big show?"
I turn my head and try to say to him so only he can hear me above the blaring song, "Don't you want to kiss me?"
"Yeah. But not with a bunch of drunk kids watching us.
"Are you saying I'm a kid?"
Before he answers, I hear Roxanne's squeaky voice saying, "Hi, Amy. Hi, Nathan."
I look up. Roxanne is standing next to us, her fingers over her open mouth while she gasps. "Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you were Nathan."
I'm in trouble. Avi is expressionless, but his arm loosens from around my waist.
"Why would she think you were kissing Nathan?" he asks me.
I clear my throat. "I can explain." Roxanne is still standing over us, a wicked smirk painted on her face. "Do you mind?"
Ignoring me, Roxanne holds out her hand. "I'm Roxanne."
"I'm Avi," he tells her in his slow, sexy Israeli accent as he shakes her hand. I swear she turns her hand as if she expects him to kiss the back of it. "I'm Amy's boyfriend from Israel."
Roxanne bursts out laughing. "Oh, I heard about you. So glad you and Amy decided to see other people. You're such an understanding guy."
When he releases her hand, I wave my fingers at her and say, "Shoo, go away." She's like an annoying gnat that I wish I could squash.
Roxanne moves away when Kyle walks in the room with a bottle of champagne.
"Did you kiss Nathan?" Avi asks.
Umm..."No. Roxanne is the enemy, Avi. Don't listen to her. She just likes spreading lies about me."
He stands (I have to pretend not to have fallen off his lap) and walks over to Roxanne. She cocks her head to the side and says, "Wanna play Spin the Bottle? You can, you know, switch partners. Amy likes switching partners, right?"
I try pulling Avi's hand to make him leave the room, but he's planted where he is like a stubborn tree root.
"I don't like people spreading rumors about my girlfriend."
I pull his arm more. "Avi, let's just leave."
Roxanne laughs. "Rumors? Dude, you're the second guy she's been locking lips with this week. And speak of the devil. Hi, Nathan. We were just talking about you and Amy's hot show in the cafeteria."
Oh, man. I'm toast. I look at the door and see Miranda, Jess, and Nathan walking toward us.
The entire room is silent for the moment while the next CD is put into the slot.
"Hey," Jess says. "We finished with the scavenger hunt and wanted to see if you were still here."