Page 21 of Ask No Questions

Ten

This had been the weirdest first day of my school life.

I sat down in my last class, Chemistry, running through what the girls told me. Mckayla had me worried. If she was nervous about finding a date, I should just give up now. Who would go with the new girl to the first formal event of the year?

Maybe they could convince one of their friends. Mike or Bear would be good options. At least they were until he walked in.

Tall, well over six feet, and bronzed. His longish, light brown hair had streaks of blond from sun and chlorine, but it wasn’t his hair or skin or height that caught my eye. It was his big boyish smile that seemed to light up the room. He was wearing shorts and flip flops and some surf brand t-shirt which isn’t my normal type, but nothing seemed to matter after seeing that smile. I shook my head trying to get rid of the thoughts. There was no way I was going to get swept up in a cute boy again.

Before I could stand and run over to him, Mr. Steen got up and greeted the class. I should have been grateful for the interruption that stopped me from behaving like a maniac, but I was frustrated I couldn’t get closer to him.

Mr. Steen was a saint. Or a mind reader, whichever is more likely. After going over the course for the semester, he had us stand to play a get-to-know-you game. We stood in a circle, and he held a ball explaining that whoever had the ball told one fact about themselves. Anyone that had that same fact would step forward, and the ball would get tossed again. Basically, the opposite of Never Have I Ever. He asked us to keep it G-rated, which of course got a laugh. It was actually pretty fun, especially since no one in the class knew me so they couldn’t target me like other kids seemed to do. The man of my dreams caught the ball and stepped forward.

“I swam with dolphins in the Caribbean.”

I was the only one that stepped forward, getting the attention of the class and Mr. Steen. “Well, it looks like you have something in common with Ms. Tate, Mr. Keller. Such a unique fact too! I’m quite jealous! Okay pass the ball again.”

Mr. Keller? I had a last name! I could find out so much about him with that, but his first would be so much more helpful. A few rounds later, I caught the ball. I didn’t know what to say that would make me unique, so I guessed most of the other students had done this.

“I’ve never surfed.”

“Wow, Ms. Tate you have gone swimming with dolphins, but you have never been on a surfboard? That is a shame.” I laughed at Mr. Steen’s mock disbelief. Mr. Keller’s was serious, though.

“You mean you have never once been out there? To surf, I mean?”

I froze, realizing he was actually speaking to me.

“Umm... no, there’s not much opportunity to surf in Chicago, and I was on a cruise when I swam with dolphins, so I was at the mercy of what they let us do.”

“That seriously needs to be fixed. Like right now.”

I laughed, not knowing how to reply. I shifted uncomfortably, trying to come up with a response as the bell rang, and class was dismissed. Saved by the bell. I grabbed my bag and headed out the hall to the parking lot. Mr. Keller caught up with me as I entered the courtyard.

“You can’t live here and not try surfing at least once. If you hate it or suck, you don’t have to keep going, but try at least once!”

“I’ll ask my cousin to show me sometime, then.” I smiled, trying to remain calm and not make a fool of myself.

“Who’s your cousin?”

“Mckayla Page.”

His megawatt smile brightened. “Sweet, she’s on the surf team with me. I’m sure she can teach you, but if you want some extra help, let me know.”

We kept walking toward the lot and I was trying to remember where I had parked, but I was trying really hard to keep cool. “Thanks, I may take you up on that, but I don’t know your name. Unless you want me to call you Mr. Keller.”

He laughed. He laughed at what I said! I made that amazing smile practically explode, and I never wanted it to disappear.

“I’m Luke. I’ll give you my number so you can give me a call sometime. I go every day, so whenever you want to try, just let me know.”

We magically made it to my car, so I sat my purse on the trunk and pulled out my phone to give to him. When he handed it back, he smiled and nodded at the car. “I was wondering who’s this was. It’s beautiful. You’re a very lucky girl.”

Before he could walk away, I grabbed his shoulder, and then quickly dropped my hand before I let it linger there. “Thanks. I mean, for offering to teach me. I’ll take you up on it.”

I got one more mind-blowing smile before he turned, and I got in my car. I was watching the rear-view mirror when Mckayla got in.

“Was that Luke I saw you talking to?”

“Yeah, it was.”