The Kissing Tree by Prudence Bice

hateful scowl, her eyes narrowing into pointed slits as she glared at him.
    Ridge stood stock-still. She knew it was him. He should have known better than to think he could hide it from her since he was the only one brave enough to pull off such a prank. He regretted what he’d done instantly, but what could he do now?
    “Come on, Ridge!” Jonas and Jeremiah called to him from the door, motioning for him to hurry inside.
    He looked up in their direction, but he couldn’t move. Why had he listened to the twins anyway? He liked Georgie a lot better than he did either one of them. But they’d dared him! If word leaked out that he’d chickened out on a dare, he would have never heard the end of it. Looking down at Georgie’s face, he wasn’t so sure he cared about what everyone else thought. Unfortunately, he realized too late, he did care a lot about what she thought of him.
    “Mr. Carson,” Schoolmaster Robinson said, startling him from his inner debate, “go take your seat.”
    Ridge still made no effort to move.
    “Mr. Carson!” This time the schoolmaster’s voice meant business.
    He hastened up the steps past the schoolmaster but paused in the doorway, waiting. Everyone had gone back into the schoolhouse except Georgie and him—and, of course, Schoolmaster Robinson. Ridge watched as she reached behind her head and tried desperately to loosen the knots.
    “Miss McLaughlin, get up off those steps and make haste this minute!” Schoolmaster Robinson yelled down to her.
    “I can’t,” she cried.
    “You can and you will,” the schoolmaster ordered.
    When she made no move to get up, but instead put her face in her hands, the schoolmaster walked down the steps and stood angrily in front of her. She did not lift her head, so he reached down and yanked her arm up, trying to force her to stand. When he did, she cried out as her hair was pulled at the roots of her tender head. The sound of her cry made Ridge cringe. The schoolmaster realized the situation and walked down the steps and behind her to see what could be done. Ridge still stood frozen in the doorway when the schoolmaster looked up at him.
    “Mr. Carson,” Master Robinson spoke angrily to him, “bring me the scissors from my desk.” Ridge didn’t move, looking at the horrified expression on Georgiana’s face. “Mr. Carson,” Master Robinson shouted this time, “bring me my scissors at once!” Georgiana jumped. Even though the schoolmaster’s voice once again left no doubt he was to be obeyed, Ridge couldn’t seem to move his feet nor tear his eyes away from Georgie’s face.
    Just then Samantha peered around the opening of the door.
    “What’s the matter with Georgie, Ridge?” she whispered to him.
    Upon seeing Samantha, the schoolmaster called to her.
    “Miss Wallace, I need you to bring me the scissors from my desk at once!” Samantha gave Ridge a confused look before quickly running to obey the schoolmaster. When she came back with the scissors in hand, Ridge reached out and caught the end of her dress, knowing what would happen if she succeeded in delivering the scissors.
    “Ridge, what are you doin’? Let go of me!” She yanked her dress out of his grasp and hurried down the steps to the schoolmaster. Ridge cringed for the second time as he heard Samantha cry out.
    “Oh, Georgie, who did this to you?” Georgiana said nothing but continued to cry as the schoolmaster took the scissors and cut the ends of her braids off. Samantha knelt down by her and put her arms around her.
    “Miss McLaughlin, you’re excused to go home if you like. Miss Wallace, come with me inside.”
    Samantha made no move to leave her friend’s side, so the schoolmaster grabbed her arm and pulled her up. She reluctantly let go of Georgiana and headed into the schoolhouse. Georgiana looked up at Ridge one more time before turning and running home.
    “Mr. Carson, go to your seat immediately. I’ll deal with you later,” the schoolmaster scolded as he