Here by Denise Grover Swank

nervous.”
    “
Why?”
    “ Why? Are you kidding? For one, this is the first time I’ve been in a car with a boy. And two, I still have no idea why you’re being so nice to me.” Why did I tell him that?
    “
Really? You’ve never been in a car with a boy before?”
    My face grows hot and I decide to ignore his question rather than officially acknowledge how lame I really am.
    The cars in front of us move and we inch forward.”I’ve already told you why I’m helping you.”
    “
Yeah, I know. Community service.” But there has to be more. I might be somewhat delusional, but Evan has some type of interest in me and it has nothing to do with tutoring.
    I look out the window, toward the front entrance of the school. Sarah and her friends stand on the sidewalk outside the door. Her mouth gapes as we drive by. The blood rushes to my toes and leaves me lightheaded, but I force myself to smile. Somehow, I resist the urge to wave.
    “
You do know that Sarah doesn’t approve of your interest in my academic success , don’t you?”
    Evan laughs. “There’s an interesting way to put it.” He swivels his head to look in her direction. “Yeah, she’s made her feelings clear.”
    “
Yet you’re doing it anyway.”
    His eyes narrow as his tone turns cold. “Sarah Chapman doesn’t own me.”
    “
You also know defying her is social suicide.”
    “I’m not sure who made her social dictator of the school. Maybe it’s time someone stands up to her.”
    I lean into the car door to study him through narrowed eyes. “I can’t believe you’re saying that. Especially the way she hangs on you like she’s your pet poodle.”
    He inhales with a scowl. “Yeah, about that…”
    “
Look, what you and Sarah do is your business.”
    He reaches the exit of the parking lot, turning right as the safety guard waves us through. “It’s complicated.”
    “
As I said—”
    “
Let’s talk about something else.”
    Why did I bring up Sarah?
    The mailboxes fly by my side window and it is several blocks before I realize he’s driving toward my house. I haven’t given him directions.
    “
How do you know where I live?” I don’t try to hide my suspicion.
    He looks startled as his eyebrows raise “Uh…”
    I groan at my stupidity. “Because of Monica, of course. I’m sorry.” After she died, students brought flowers and stuffed animals to put in her front yard. Evan had probably been one of them.
    His eyebrows furrow. “Yeah… Monica.” He clears his throat and his grip tightens on the steering wheel. “You said the accident was your fault because the police said it was. Don’t you know?”
    I shift in my seat. I’ve never talked to anyone about the accident other than my mother and my nerves tingle with anxiety. “I don’t remember what happened.”
    He turns to me, his raised eyebrows showing his surprise.
    “Monica and I left the school picnic and were headed to my sister’s birthday party. She’s had it at the playground area outside of town ever since she was three years old. I remember rounding the curve in the road, the one past the old stone church, and my head got kind of fuzzy. I don’t remember anything about the crash. The next thing I remember is waking up in the hospital.”
    His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows. “You weren’t meeting anyone?” His voice quivers.
    I narrow my eyes in confusion. “My family at my sister’s party. Which I ruined, needless to say.”
    We drive the rest of the way in awkward silence. He pulls next to the curb in front of my house and shifts the car into park. He turns to me and his blue eyes sparkle in the sunlight. “I feel like I should walk you to the door.”
    “
Why, Evan Whittaker, you just might be a gentleman.”
    He laughs. “I already told you I was.”
    I reach for the door handle.
    “
Hey, Julia.” He shifts in his seat.
    I freeze, my hand on the lever.
    “
What are you doing this weekend?”
    Sure I’ve heard him wrong, I hesitate, worrying