The Stillburrow Crush

maybe because it only got in one ring before Mom snatched it up. I flipped the page of my history book and stared at the picture of the two-story red building where papers had been signed to end the Civil War. I wondered what it would feel like to flip through a history book and see my childhood home on one of these pages were I to ever become famous.

"Carrie?"

I looked up as Mom entered my room with the telephone in her hand. "It's for you," she said. Her eyes held a strange glow.

I wasn't a socialite. I didn't waste time on the telephone and I didn't have any close friends who would bother calling. I knew it couldn't be Marty. He wouldn't want to talk to me. It might be my cousin, Jordan, on the Burke side. She lived with her mother in Paulbrook and we sometimes hung out when she visited her dad every other weekend. But she wasn't 52

The Stillburrow Crush

by Linda Kage

around this weekend. I figured it might be my buddy, E.T. But I didn't know what he would want. I only talked to him at school.

Before I could ask though, Mom put her hand over the speaker end of the phone and mouthed two words: Luke. Carter.

I could feel my thoughts drain as the blood rushed out of my head. I took the phone. It felt heavy in my hand, weighing like bricks. I stared at the phone as if it were some kind of UFO. This had to be a mistake. But then Mom was pushing it to my ear. She gave me the go-ahead wink. I sent her a Well, leave me alone look and she nodded, quickly backing out of the room. When the door quietly clicked shut behind her, I licked my dry lips. My mouth was so close to the receiver, I could almost taste the plastic it was made of. I sat up and quickly brushed my hair out of my face. I glanced down at my clothing and then stopped, realizing he couldn't see what I looked like.

Finally, I decided I could talk.

"Hello?" I heard my own voice echo along the fiber optic wires. It sounded weird and distant, like I hadn't said it at all but like some kind of echoing radio speaker had spoken for me.

Why in the world was he calling me? I thought I'd never hear from him again after what happened in the park. When Luke spoke, I knew this was really happening, though. It was definitely his voice.

"Did he bring the groceries home?" 53

The Stillburrow Crush

by Linda Kage

I could tell he was smiling by the amused inflection in his voice. He was relaxed, probably on his bed, leaning back against the pillows with his feet stretched out in front of him, legs crossed at the ankles. He wouldn't be wearing his gray church suit anymore but maybe some windbreaker pants and an old cleaned-up practice shirt—white with grass stains on the elbows and a red brave printed across his chest.

"What?" I asked. I shook my head and tried to get the image of Luke Carter sprawled across his bed out of my brain.

"Your brother," he said. "You told him to bring the groceries home. I was just wondering if he ever got around to it."

"Um." I sucked in a breath, hoping it would help bring oxygen back to my brain. "No. He never did."

"Really? And here I was certain he would. I know I definitely would've if you'd laid into me like that." My mouth fell open. Had Luke Carter just said what I heard him say? Of all the rude things.

"I did not lay into him!"

"Oh, yes you did." I could hear him laughing. "I felt sorry for the poor guy. If that's how you usually treat him, I can't blame him for moving out."

Stu

"Marty deserved everything I told him."

"Sure. Just like I deserved your attack yesterday, right?" I could hear him sigh. It sounded like he was stretching out in a hot tub. "You know what I'm begi

The Stillburrow Crush

by Linda Kage

I gave a little cry of denial. "You're the one that called and attacked me."

"But it was way too easy to egg you on. So, thank you."

"If you thought that was...Huh? Thank you? Thanks for what?"

"I'll see you in school tomorrow. Bye, Carrie."

"Wait a second."

I thought he'd already hung up, but then he came back.

"Hmm? Did you say something?"

"You're dang right I did. What was all that about?"

"You seemed fresh full of fighting today." I pictured him shrugging and flashing his dimple. "Just thought I'd get my jab in."

Luke sounded like he was having fun. I could tell he wasn't mad or bitter. He was purposely baiting me for his own amusement. I frowned.

"What are you doing?" I demanded, and waited for an answer, thumping my foot on the carpet. Luke took his time to respond and I said, "Well?"

Just when I thought I knew what he was about, he went and changed things. My life felt like it was getting crazier and crazier. First I made the mistake of thinking I had a crush on Luke Carter. Then he came to walk in the park with me. And just when I was thinking maybe he liked me back, he hid me to make sure no one saw me with him. And now. Now he was calling me on the phone?

When he spoke, he said it carefully, "I'm not sure what you mean."

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The Stillburrow Crush

by Linda Kage

"I mean—" I gritted my teeth as I spoke, "what do you mean by calling me?"

"Huh?"

The cry I let out was from pure frustration. Suddenly, I wished Luke Carter was standing right in front of me. So I could choke him. "Just shut up and answer me." He laughed. It was a husky chuckle and made my stomach tighten. "But how am I supposed to answer if I shut up?"

"Oh my God." I groaned and rubbed at my suddenly aching temples. I had the urge to cry. "Why'd you call me?" I sighed, feeling defeated. "Why'd you come to my Dad's shop yesterday? Why'd you want to walk in the park with me?" When he was quiet, I went on. "I haven't got a clue what's going on in your mind. But I'm pretty sure you wouldn't want anyone to know we're on the phone right now, just like you didn't want Jill and Liz to see us in the park together. But by calling me, you've really got my mom stirred up. She's probably already got us married off with three kids and a dog named Sparky by now. So why don't you just tell me what you want and leave me alone? Or better yet, just leave me alone."

I thought it was a good speech. I was proud of myself for staying so calm as I delivered it. And I thought it shot straight to the heart of this ever-so-confusing conversation. But what does Mr. Carter say to ruin it all?

He said, "Are you always this honest?" I thumped my forehead against the palm of my head.

"Yes!" I'd never been able to lie in my life, something that absolutely horrified my mother on occasion. But really, what 56

The Stillburrow Crush

by Linda Kage

was the use of fibbing? "Now will you please answer me before I scream?"

I could almost see him gnawing on his bottom lip.

"Maybe," he replied thoughtfully. "But I can't just yet." I screamed. I had to lie down on the bed and pull a pillow over my head so my parents wouldn't hear. But I'm sure Luke got an earful. He said a few choice words as I let loose and he probably had to jerk the phone away from his ear and wince. Afterward, I sat up feeling a little dizzy, but much better.

"That's it," I said, and stuck my nose in the air. "I don't have a crush on you anymore, Luke Carter." And for emphasis I sniffed out a little "Humph."