Chapter 3 “He’s for Lin, not for Addie.”

After class, I went home and we had roast beef for dinner. I did my homework, checked my mail, washed off, jumped in my night gown and threw myself into bed. I closed my eyes and for the first time in my life it wasn't Ralph’s face I saw but Eddie’s.

I arrived at school, same time. Still having nothing to do, I continued my sketch on the playground. It was almost done when Eddie greeted me kindly, “Hey there early bird.”

“Look who’s talking,” I replied rolling my eyes wearing a sarcastic smile.

“Relax! It’s still early, that’s no way to start the day,” he said not wanting me to get mad.

“What?” he asked as I laughed.

“You should be the one to relax. Can’t handle sarcasm, can you?” I continued to laugh and he seemed relieved. He sat down beside me and we talked and talked, mostly about Lin (partly about me). Lin and I are supposed to be total opposites. She hates bugs, they seem amazing to Addie. Lin has good fashion sense; Addie is supposed to be bad at it (so on, so forth.) He accompanied me to my class room and then left. I watched him flow with the crowd with as I wore a smile on my face.

He fetched me for lunch, and again, we talked about Lin. Days passed, then weeks, and the same cycle happened. We meet in the morning, talk about Lin; meet at lunch, talk about Lin; meet after dismissal, talk about Lin. I had to make up stories about Lin. I made Lin his most ideal woman ever, someone I’ll never be. But I couldn’t help not to fall for his deep distinct voice, his glossy black hair, and his sensitive personality. But I had to stand back, and let him fall for Lin; after all, he’s for Lin, not for Addie. Too bad he’s falling for a perfect girl who never existed.

Few months after, we became close friends, and he considered me as his best friend. We hung out a lot more. He saw how I just couldn’t resist not eating spaghetti once I saw or smelled some. He saw how I turned green when I saw chicken curry. I saw how he gets somewhat drunk simply by accidentally slurping some chowder soup. Funny how it seemed, but I had a feeling that he didn’t look as me as a friend anymore. But I knew I was just building false hopes.

One winter morning, it wasn’t Ed who came first but Abby. She informed me that Eddie was at home, sick with a fever. “What?” I said, worried.

“Don’t worry,” she reassured me “it’s just a bad cold. No biggie."

I sat down beside her and sighed, “Thank goodness.”

“You really like him, don’t you Addie?”

I looked at her and half smiled, “I do, I’m not supposed to, but I really do,” My smile turned into a frown as I continued, “But I know he’ll never be mine.”

“How sure are you?” Abby asked

“I’m 99.9% sure.” I answered

“What if that .1% chance actually comes true? You’re the only girl he actually hangs out with solo. When we talk about you a smile always sticks on his face.”

“He’s just using me to get to know Lin,” I said looking away.

“No, he’s using Lin to get to know you.”

“How’s that even possible? He hasn’t even talked with Lin yet.”

“Think about it," she said leaving me hanging.