* * *  

“The game’s tonight. You going?” he shouted from across the lot.  

School was out and I was already walking away, keys in hand, hood over my matted pile of hair.  

“I don’t know yet. Call me later.” I did know, who was I kidding? Of course I would go to the football game. After all, the whole damn town went to the Friday night football games. I might as well show up too.  

Apart from high school football, Rowe Falls, Illinois doesn’t have much anything else. Other than a grocery store, the Dairy Queen, a carwash, and the Stop & Shop gas station, this place can hardly be considered a town. Why my mother chose to stay here her whole life is a mystery to me. Lord knows I will definitely not be hanging around these parts after high school graduation. I’ve been across the state line a grand total of four times, and am currently employed at the public library on Spokes Avenue.  

Pathetic?  

Indeed, and it only gets worse.  

I have approximately three friends. One is my baby, Blue, the approximation is my mother, it depends what kind of mood she’s in, and the other two are both extremely hormonal males.  

I live outside of Rowe Falls on a thirty-five acre patch of dirt. Not only is the town absent from any state map I’ve seen so far, but I cannot even claim approved residency. My house sits just outside the Rowe Falls marker, essentially in the middle nowhere where my nearest neighbor is a mile and a half away.  

Chugging down the narrow country roads in my old Jeep Wrangler, I switched on the radio, flipping to my favorite rock station. With a window rolled down, I could feel the sun settling warmly on my face as the fall breeze caught my burnt-ginger hair. I took a right turn down a small gravel road as it wound deep through the woods. I pulled up to an old house in desperate need for a coat of paint with a wrap-around porch and swing.  

My engine sighed as I pulled into the shed we called a garage and shifted into park. Glad to finally be home after a long school week, I yanked my keys from the ignition and walked into the kitchen, letting the screen door nip close behind my tired heels. I undid the bread loafing on the counter, grabbed a knife, and made a sloppy PB n’ J before heading up to my room, my sanctuary.  

Taking the stairs two at a time, I walked down the hall and sprawled lazily onto the queen bed. Blue, my brown-and-white bulldog, napped quietly on the woven rug in the corner, his stubby legs sticking out from under him. I had another four hours until the football game, and homework was out of the question; so I snuggled under the sheets with my favorite Jane Austen classic and began flipping a freckled finger across the pages.  

"She is tolerable, I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men,” Mr. Darcy pronounced coldly to his friend.  

I let my eyes trail line after line as I wandered the pages and became fully engrossed with my reading.  

When it reached four o’clock I folded back the worn page and set the book down on the floor. I scooted deeper into the thicket of blankets, allowing their soft wrappings to hold me tightly. In minutes, I had drifted into a light sleep.  

When I awoke my cell phone was vibrating. Drowsily, I stumbled out of the bed and reached for my messy bag, pulling out a fat phone.  

I cleared my throat, laden with sleep. “Yeah? Hello?” I mumbled into the end.  

“Hey! Where are you at? The game has already started.” It was Seth. I pulled the phone away from my ear to glance up at the clock on the wall.  

Five past seven.  

I breathed heavily, really not wanting to go to the game anymore. “I just woke up. I haven’t showered yet and I’m not ready.”  

“Nobody will care, goof.” I’m sure he meant to add nobody would notice either. “Just get out of bed and come to the game. You’re missing Matt.”  

I made sure he could hear my loud grumble into the receiver. Distracted by the game, Seth chanted, “Touchdown!”  

“Fine. I’ll go, but I’m going to be gross,” I answered unenthusiastically while thrusting one numb leg  

off the bed.  

“Great! See you here in a bit!”  

Click.  

Taking another deep breath, I finally got it together and decided to change into a fresh outfit at the very least. There was not much of a selection in my dresser so I slipped on a pair of old, but clean, jeans and a tee shirt. I grabbed a zip-up sweater on the way out just in case it got cold. So far the weather had been behaving in my favor the past few days, but I better not risk my luck.  

As I drove down Main into town, the old country streetlights dotting the sidewalks were glowing dimly. The sound of my jeep roaring fiercely through the quiet town broke the soft ambiance. Rowe Falls High School was just up ahead and I cruised into the parking lot.  

Just as I suspected.  

The place was packed.  

Not a single parking spot to be found. Getting impatient by the minute, I squeezed in between two large, poorly parked SUVs and hopped out. It had gotten colder and was glad I brought my sweater. As I walked to the stadium, I could already hear the crowd’s thunderous hoots and hollers.  

Someone just scored another touchdown.  

I paid three dollars to get in and made my way to the noisy student section.  

Even over the deafening raucous I heard Seth’s voice before I saw his face.  

“Yeah, Matt! That a way, baby!”  

I smiled up at him. He wore a black bandana and an old basketball jersey I’m sure he had stolen from the school, and a pair of crimson knee highs. His shaggy hair covered his deep brown eyes and he grinned excitedly back at me.  

“Rosy, you came. Get up here.” He helped me up to watch the game shouting to others on the crowded bleacher rows to “Make room for the lass!”  

“What have I missed so far?” I knew Seth would happily give me a play by play recount of the game.  

Without hesitation, he took up my offer and jumped right in, reenacting each handoff and play, waving his arms around sensationally.  

“You missed it big, too. Matt ran fifty yards to score the first touchdown.”  

Seth continued to chatter aimlessly about the game, but at this point I had lost all interest. His voice was but a quiet buzzing in my ear because something else, rather someone else, had caught my careful consideration. I peered down the bleachers and stared at a face.  

A beautiful face.  

One belonging to a tall, deep-haired boy standing on the far bleachers to my left. He was watching the game, but I was watching him, transfixed.  

A sophomore girl from the row above knelt down and whispered something in his ear flirtatiously, and the boy’s lips twisted up into a crooked grin with set dimples that sent a hastening fever to my cheeks. He relayed something back to the girl who bent over in a fit of ridiculous giggles. I couldn’t blame her though, I would have done the same; the boy was hopelessly prepossessing. I continued to stare, totally spellbound and unaware of my context.  

My head felt ready to burst, my lungs collapsing with each forgotten breath. This stranger was killing me slowly from a distance, reeling me in like the catfish at Clinton Pond. A dim consciousness was slowly resolving and I could sense my unblinking gaze had lasted much longer than I had planned, but pulling away deemed unbearable. All I could do was look at him. His chestnut hair hung down in thick, rolling waves. His eyes, brilliant blue moons, positioned evenly apart were following the football players on the field as they formed a team huddle. His nose was long and slender and swept over his symmetrical visage, sitting just above a set of full lips.  

He was, without a doubt, positively the most handsome creature I had ever seen.  

“Rose?” Seth whined. Annoyed by his intrusion, I wrenched my head back and stared at Seth’s plain features with a furrowed brow.  

“What is it, Seth?” I fired.  

He stared at me blankly with no answer. Increasingly impatient, I turned back searching for the boy, but he was gone.  

“There’s a bonfire after the game at Stevie’s if you want to go,” he said in a low voice. I knew my unexplained anger had hurt his feelings.  

“Okay, sure. I’ll go,” I gratified, patting his broad shoulder affably. But there was one question still bogging my brain so I lunged in and asked.  

“Who was that boy down there a moment ago?” I nodded to the bleachers to our left. “I’ve never seen him around before.”  

Seth, who always had the latest scoop, answered, “Do you mean Lucas Strater? Oh, him. He just moved here yesterday. Hasn’t been to school yet. Pretty nice guy though, real friendly. And by the looks of things, I can see he’s already caught every girl’s attention. I suppose I’m going to have to one-up my game.”  

I nodded without thinking, clandestinely eager to see the newest member at Rowe Falls, Lucas Strater, as soon as possible. However, despite Seth’s positive feedback for the boy who made my heart melt like the snow in March, I knew all too well from previous knowledge what a rare thing it was to find a good-looking boy that was also a gentleman. Frankly, it just doesn’t happen nowadays. Odds are he’s an attractive asshole or a friendly nerd, both of which are not dateable sorts. Seth and Matt seem to be the only exception which is probably why we are such close friends. They are each relatively good-looking with likable personalities to match. I, however, having known them since pre-K, have never seen them as anything more than friends.  

The three of us have known each another for as long as I can remember, and thus far we’ve been inseparable. Together we’ve been through the good, the bad, and back again. Our trio hit a rough patch when Matt’s mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, but even still, Seth and I were there sitting by his side holding is hand through everything. It’s the only time I’ve seen Matt cry. Or the time Seth’s car died way out in Mackinaw County, Matt and I were there to pick him up and bring him home. Even when I needed help finding a new outfit for a job interview, the boys were there. Not much use might I add, but they are boys. What can you expect?  

Years back when we were younger, Seth, Matt, and I would run barefoot through the woods after school and play hide-and-seek or Indians or tag, all of which the boys’ would somehow incorporate the use of imaginary guns. We could stay in my backyard woods from dusk until dawn, romping and playing, but when the sun sank down and the air chilled, we’d soon trudge out of the forest like soldiers back from war with mud dried up to our kneecaps and leaves tangled in our hair. Naturally complete with shallow cuts and small, purple bruises.  

My mom would thrust her long painted fingernail in our faces, shaking it at each of us in turn while she scolded, “What am I going to do with three of you? I can’t send you home looking like that. And Rose, you ought to know better.”  

We would stand there staring at our wet and unlaced sneakers, hushed. But every time, her motherly disappointment would slacken and she would end up laughing along with us, hosing us down in the backyard.  

Some called us the three musketeers, others sworn siblings. And I guess they’re all true; we’ve always been together and I’d never have it any other way. Seth, the class clown, and Matt, the star athlete, were the big, protective brothers I never had.  

“Rose? So about that bonfire?” Seth pushed, bringing me back to here and how. I looked up at him.  

“Oh, yeah. I’ll go. Stevie’s right?”  

He nodded.  

“Okay. Meet you there.”  

I left the game with three minutes left in the fourth quarter as to avoid the postgame traffic. I drove past Marilyn’s Café, the buttery lights glowing softly in the double-hung windows, and pulled up to the Stop & Shop gas station. Inside, I grabbed a Snickers candy bar and a cup of hot chocolate. I plopped in a few ice cubes to keep the drink from blistering my tongue. I set my purchases on the counter and dug in my pocket for some money.  

“Hey there, Rosie!” It was Lynette, the sweet redhead, at the cash register. “This all for ya, sugar?” she said scanning my items swifly.  

I smiled into her marble-blue eyes. She had on bright red lipstick and pale, green eyeshadow. Her freckled hand outstretched as I handed her the change.  

“Yep, this is it.”  

“Did our boys end up winning?”  

“I left early, but I’m sure they did. We were ahead by fourteen,” I informed her with a smile.  

“And how’d Mattie do?”  

“Scored the first touchdown of the night!”  

“That’s my boy!” she grinned. “Well, there you go. Have a nice night, honey.”  

“Bye.”  

I sat in the car and wolfed down the Snickers chocolate bar washing it down with short, careful sips at my hot chocolate. The warm liquid trickled pleasantly down my throat, heating the rest of my body. The game was probably over by now, so I revved the engine and drove to Stevie’s.  

I could already see the fire blazing from down the road. As I neared his house, the flames continued to grow, stretching towards the black sky like the devil’s arms. I also noticed the many dark shadows loitering in the backyard. I parked the jeep and walked to the back of the house, immediately regretting I had even showed up. There were too many people here, maybe twenty or thirty. Too many.  

I scanned the place eagerly looking for Seth or Matt to save me when a piercing voice instantly interrupted my search.  

“Rose! Hey, girlie!”  

Oh, no. It was Lana. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.  

I tried to sound enthused, but it was not very convincing. “Hey, Lana. Some party Stevie’s having. What’s up?”  

Her eyes were really big. “Did you see him?”  

“See who?”  

Lana looked at me stupidly, her mouth falling to a frown when I did not understand.  

“Lucas, of course.” She whispered ‘Lucas’ as if he was standing nearby. “Isn’t he absolutely to die for? And to think, he came to live in Rowe Falls of all places. But hey, I’m not complaining.”  

“Oh, him. Yeah, he’s alright I guess.”  

“Are you serious? He is more than alright. He’s – he’s perfect,” she sighed breathlessly.  

I stared at Lana, trying to hold back my laughter. This was more than I could handle. I needed to escape and quick. I looked around the bonfire and saw Garrett Cooper, a brawny senior boy with sandy hair.  

He’d do.  

“Excuse me, Lana. I’ll be right back.”  

Ha. Yeah, right.  

I walked hastily around the blaze. “Coop!”  

“Rosie! Were you at the game?”  

“Yessir. You did really well.”  

“Thanks. Matt should be here soon if you were looking for him.”  

“Is Seth around?”  

Cooper smiled big. “Ah, Seth is a little preoccupied right now. He’s somewhere around here.”  

Great. One was off making out and the other was not at the party. That is the problem with male friends. They’re lazy and hormonal. I chose to make myself a s’more while I waited for one of them to show up. I sat down on a single bale of straw and spitted two fluffy marshmallows. As I carefully rotated the stick, the hot coals slowly roasted the mallows, turning them into a crisp golden.  

“Hello,” a low voice whispered quite close to my ear.  

I turned to see who now shared my bale and tightened the grip of my roasting stick. Suddenly I was swimming through a pair of deep, blue eyes. Caught wholly off guard, my mouth hung open slightly and my throat was drying up.  

“Hello.” My voice cracked. The boy smiled at me, flashing a perfect set of white teeth. I could feel cheeks flaming as brightly as the fire before us.  

“I’m Luke,” he purred gently, his eyes crinkling up at the corners.  

When I remembered to breathe, I managed to croak out, “My name is Rose. Rose Castell.” I bit my bottom lip anxiously and looked into the burning embers, my mind racing.  

“Well, um, Rose, I think you’re marshmallow is done,” he laughed easily, nodding at the fire.  

I snapped out of my hypnotic trance to look down at the s’more, and sure enough my marshmallows were ablaze. They hung onto the end of my stick limply until they slowly fell off and melted into the flames.  

“Here. Let me.” Lucas reached for the stick with masculine grace, careful not to touch my hand.  

“It’s really okay. I’ll just make another one,” I stuttered swiftly. I stood and tripped on my way to the foldout table covered with food and refreshments, this time, grabbing a handful of marshmallows. Certain that as long as Lucas was still around, I would be burning several more.  

Yet when I returned less than a minute later he had already disappeared. My eyes wandered across the fire and met Lana and her girlfriend, Molly, gaping in my direction with covetousness.  

“There you are. Here,” he said, handing me a new stick with pre-skewed marshmallows, “Good as new.”  

My heart rate quickened steeply. He had gone to the trouble to bring a plate of chocolate squares and graham crackers. I smiled uncomfortably.  

“Thanks.”  

“It was nothing,” he shrugged. “So, Rose, how long have you lived in Rowe Falls?”  

I paused, slightly perturbed by his gregariousness. “My whole life.” I was terrible at meeting new people, especially when those people happened to dominate gorgeous features.  

“You’re lucky.”  

I laughed, “Hardly. Rowe Falls has a population of two-thousand and seventy-six. There isn’t a mall or a theater. Trust me, I am the farthest thing from lucky.”  

“Well, it seems alright so far. The people are nice enough.”  

“Aren’t they? I would introduce you to Seth and Matt, but neither of them is here at the moment.”  

My voice sounded aggravated while I glanced around the party in search. I shook it off and slapped a smile on instead.  

I could tell the conversation was dying because Lucas began twiddling his fingers. Although I would have loved to stay put and stare at that beautiful face, I was getting uncomfortable again.  

“Sorry, Lucas, but I –”  

“It’s Luke.”  

“Luke. I should go.”  

“Why?”  

Taken off guard, I answered lamely, “It’s late and I’m tired; that’s all.”  

“Oh. Well, let me walk you to your car.”  

It was not an offer, it was a command. He stood up, straightened his jacket, and waited for me patiently.  

“Look, this is hardly necessary. I am perfectly able to find my jeep.”  

He stayed put, but glanced down at the ground. His lashes casting small shadows onto his cheeks. Slowly, he lifted his eyes until they met mine. My heart was fluttering uncontrollably. It only got worse when he stepped forward. I could feel his hot breath collide with mine.  

In a silent whisper, he mouthed, “Please, Rose. Let me.”  

I rolled my eyes dramatically, creating an air of nonchalance. “Alright, fine. If you must.”  

His face crinkled cheerfully and we walked side by side to my car. The fire was dimming as we strode farther and farther away from the light. The noise of the party was fading fast, until I could not hear it anymore. We were alone. I instantly regretted letting him walk me out.  

When I reached the old Jeep Wrangler, I stopped short, pausing at the door. When I turned around to thank Luke, he was no more than four inches away from my face. I gasped and he backed away immediately looking ashamed.  

“I’m sorry. But it’s your eyes. I’ve never seen eyes like yours before. They are…” he struggled for words. His face scrunched thoughtfully. Finally he said, “They are like liquid emeralds with golden embers hugging the rims of your pupils.”  

I flushed with embarrassment.  

“Maybe I’ll see you at school?”  

“Yes, maybe. See you later.”  

“Good bye, Rose.”  

My door groaned as I opened it and sat down in the driver’s seat. I started the car and backed out of the drive. Luke was still standing there, smiling broadly, and I could not help but grin back at him. I sped all the way home, my emotions wholly aroused.  

It was late when I got home. I headed straight upstairs. The light from my mom’s room was on, so I stepped inside.  

“Hi, honey. How was your night?”  

Meg, my mother, and I were very close. After all, we had depended on one another for seventeen years. Overall, she was a good parent. That’s a whole lot more than I can say for him. He left my mom three months before I was born. But I have met him twice. He was tall and skinny, that’s all I remember. He took me to a movie once when I was five, and bought me a sundae when I was seven. Both times he said he was just passing through town. I haven’t seen him since, but I don’t really care. He doesn’t either.  

“You missed another good game. Matt did really well, and Seth of course was just being Seth. Steven Mitchell was having a bonfire afterwards. I went to that for a bit.”  

“That’s nice. I’m glad you had a good time.” She looked up from her newspaper and took her reading glasses off. “I just got off the phone with Tammy. She thought she was going into labor, but don’t worry. It was a false alarm.”  

Tammy was my mother’s younger sister. She lives way north in Chicago; she’s pregnant…again. This will be her fifth baby and Aunt Tam is nearing forty. I, for one, have already chosen never to have kids. They are obnoxious, dirty little nymphs that scream and cry and poop constantly. That’s too much for me.  

“I’m just letting you know that I might need to pack up suddenly and head up there out of the blue. Who knows when this baby will arrive? You are more than welcome to join me if you’d like though.”  

I pursed my lips, trying hard to conceal my disinterest. “Uh, I’ll think on it. Anyway, I’m going to bed.”  

“G’night.”  

I laughed happily to myself while I snuggled into bed. Tonight was more than just a good night. It was a great night.  

A perfect night.