Best Kept Secret by Debra Moffitt Page B

what? How terrible it is to be at a dance with the hottest guy in school?
    *   *   *
    Back out in the lobby, Mr. Ford was back at the microphone, this time with Ms. Russo at his side. He was thanking Pythagorean Theorem. Forrest looked tired, sweaty, and like he was ready to exit, stage left.
    â€œA nice round of applause for this band that has a lot of … uh, promise.”
    A smattering of claps followed.
    â€œBefore we turn it back over to DJ Jeff for the final half hour, Ms. Russo would like to say a few words.” Ms. Russo smiled out at the crowd and announced that she was forming a blue-ribbon committee to advise next year’s eighth graders for the Backward Dance. Anyone who was interested was asked to sign her clipboard, and she’d be getting in touch soon with meeting dates.
    â€œI think we’ve already taken some very positive steps this year. Enjoy the rest of the dance!” Ms. Russo called out and handed the microphone back to Mr. Ford.
    She made a move to leave the stage, but Mr. Ford called her back.
    â€œHang on just a minute, if you could Jane,” he said into the microphone so that the whole crowd could hear.
    She stopped and looked at him. It’s always funny to hear teachers called by their first names, but something even stranger was in the air.
    â€œJane, I don’t know if this is the right place or the right time, and I know you probably need me about as much as ‘a fish needs a bicycle,’ but … will you marry me?”
    A room full of jaws landed with a kerplunk on the floor. Was our math teacher asking our art teacher to marry him? He extended his hand to Ms. Russo, palm up, holding a small blue velvet box.
    As Mr. Ford pulled back the top of the box to reveal a beautiful diamond ring, total disbelief splashed across Ms. Russo’s face Then she started nodding and they hugged for a long time. It was enough time for DJ Jeff to find just the right song. He played the oldie “What a Wonderful World.” Bet scooted to the front with her video camera.
    â€œKiss! Kiss! Kiss!” we all began chanting—and they did. It was strange to watch two of my teachers kissing, but I couldn’t look away. Then there was a lot of commotion with getting the ring on her finger and other teachers and grown-ups coming up to say congratulations. I saw the very unhuggy Mrs. Percy come up and give Ms. Russo a big hug. (I guess Ms. Russo had forgiven her for saying she needed to relax about the dance.) She looked pretty relaxed now.
    Everyone was talking and laughing about what just happened. As the last notes of the song ended, Mr. Ford grabbed the mic again. He looked happy-dizzy. “You guys,” he said, sweeping his arm out over the crowd, “are all invited to the wedding.”

Sixteen
    When I got home, I answered my parents’ predictable questions: How was it? Who was there? Did you have fun? I didn’t tell them about Ms. Russo and Mr. Ford. I knew they’d find out eventually, but I wanted time to think about Forrest and the whole night without any parental noise. I had seen so much and I wanted to sort it out on my own.
    My feelings for Forrest had not gone away just because he had gone to the dance with Piper. And I didn’t stop liking him when he was going out with Taylor. The truth was I didn’t want to stop liking him. My crush was like an old comfy sweatshirt. Those crushy feelings were all mine, even if he wasn’t. After changing into pajamas, I sat on my bed and pulled out the notebook I kept under my bed. If Forrest liked Piper so much, maybe I needed to figure out what she had that I didn’t. Making two columns, I began the lists:
Me :
Piper :
Short
Tall
Nice
Long hair
Medium-length hair
Beautiful
Funny
Smart
Smart
Nice (sometimes)
Runner
Funny
Romantic
Volleyball player
 
Confident
    There was more though. It pained me to write the words, but I did it:
Me :
Piper :
Small