Swift and Esslie's Plans

Episode 6 of The Belles of St. Anthony's

Wilhelmina Swift doesn't so much attend our school as haunts it. She always slips through out of sight, and then that pale face and blank stare appears right next to you when you least suspect it. Maybe it's just that she's so tiny--the first time I saw her I thought she was a sixth grader who'd wandered into the wrong school.

It's not that people actually dislike her, I've seen her sit with other girls at lunch, but she always seems so distant and quiet. Nobody's sure what to make of her.

She actually startled me a little during the Homecoming pep rally. There I was, chatting in the bleachers with Burt, watching the cheerleaders, making a bet on tonight's game, and then there was Swift next to me. I never heard her, never even felt her presence. Some guys wonder if she's actually a ghost, and sometimes I wonder.

On her other side was Esslie Yun. Everyone loved her. She played bass in a band with her older sister and her friends, who were all seniors. Everybody wanted her to play their parties, or go to their shows at local restaurants, or just cajole her into playing a funky bassline. It was a wonder she wasn't playing at Homecoming.

I happened to be close enough to hear her ask Swift, "Wanna come over tomorrow? Jeri and I are working on a new song, and we wanna know what you think."

I crooked my head a little closer to listen in. Since when were these two friends?

"As long as it's before the dance," Swift said, her voice a soft whistle. "So you're still not going?"

"Nah, you know me," Esslie said. "I never have any fun at those things. I'd rather just stay home and jam."

"There'll be boys there," Swift said.

And who was Swift expecting to dance with her? Some runty freshman?

"Have you met the boys at this school? Besides, crowds are always just so exhausting." Esslie crossed her legs and leaned over her knee. "I mean, you can come over and then go to the dance. I was hoping you could stay longer. Maybe watch a movie."

"How about tonight?"

Esslie shook her head. "Dad's taking me out for a driving lesson."

Swift was still sitting straight, staring forward, but her lips were pinched tight. "I really wanted to go to that dance, though."

"Hey, don't let me get in the way. You always did have more fun at that stuff. I'll just bet there's a boy sitting up right here right now who can't wait to dance with you."

Swift started to giggle, and I started to chuckle.

Then I realized both she and Esslie were glaring at me.

"What's so funny?" Esslie said.

"I mean... It's just..."

"You think Mina couldn't get a guy?"

"I... um..."

Swift's eyes were busy drilling into my skull.

"Obviously she wouldn't be interested in a loser like you, but look at her. Is she ugly? Is she mean? Is she stupid? No! She's a kind, sweet, cute young lady."

Swift nodded with satisfaction.

"And," Esslie added, "she happens to be a spectacular dancer."

Swift nodded again. "It's how we met! We were in fifth grade, she was strumming on her bass, and I started dancing to it."

"Okay, okay, he doesn't care about that."

And here I hadn't thought Swift was even capable of moving when someone was watching. I had nothing to say except, "How come I never see you together?"

"Because the admin of this school," Esslie said, "in their infinite wisdom, decided to give us different lunches."

Now Burt broke in. "You really didn't know they were friends?"

"What? I'm new here."

When I turned back from him, Swift was leaning toward me, her glare now reaching into the back of my head. "I'm gonna get a boyfriend just to spite you."

And somehow, I fully believed she could do it. Her glare wouldn't allow me not to.

"And if she does," Esslie said, "you owe me a smoothie."

Now that was a low blow. She's in my Chemistry class, and she knows perfectly well how much I like a good bet. Swallowing my pride, I reached across for a handshake. "Deal."