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with confusion in my voice.
    “I was calling you back since you hung up on me. That person wouldn’t shut up. I tried to get back quicker but I didn’t make it in time. Sorry about that.”
    “It’s okay." I have no idea what to say to Connor and I can’t believe he called me back. He must think I was calling him for some reason. I probably need to straighten this out. “I was just calling to talk to Leah. If you needed the phone, I could have talked to her later.”
    “Oh . . . of course, you wanted to talk to Leah. Hold on one second,” he said right before I hear him holler for her to pick up.
    “Connor, did you think I called you?" I ask hesitantly.
    “Here’s Leah. See you later,” he says without answering my question. Before I can say anything more to him, Leah’s voice fills the void with a description of Miles and her ride home. As I continue to listen to my best friend, I think about Connor and wish I had just talked to him like a friend.

Chapter 4
     
    I love Fridays. First of all, no school for two days, which means I can relax. Secondly, every Friday evening, we load up in the Sparks' station wagon and go watch Connor play whichever sport is in season. In the fall it is football, in the winter it is basketball, and in the spring it is baseball. I have been joining in on this Friday night routine since last year when Connor started playing varsity sports. The Sparks always go and watch Connor and Leah in all the activities they participate in. They are so supportive.
    This week’s football game is at Forest High School, about 30 minutes away, so the Sparks and I packed up our usual gear. My gear consists of a stadium seat and a jacket. Sometimes the Sparks will even bring hot chocolate, but that would be later in the season when it gets cold.
    At football games, Leah and I usually sit with some of the members of the Mathletes. After we get settled in on the bleachers, I turn towards the field and search for number 45 automatically. He is so cute in his uniform. I try not to stare too much because I don’t want to be obvious but it is really hard not to. I don’t really understand football, but I do know that sometimes Connor will run the ball in for a touchdown. When he scores, he does this little hip shake to celebrate and it always makes me laugh.  He can be so funny sometimes, and that just makes me want to be with him more. When I laugh, Leah glances at me and rolls her eyes.
    “You have got to get over this crush. You know he started dating Samantha Hardy, right? They have been out three times now. That is big for my brother."
    I groan, “Three times, really. That is serious for Connor,” I say sadly. “I know he doesn’t see me as anything other than his little sister’s best friend, but I can still look right?"
    She sighs, “I think we need to find you a boyfriend. Who is there? How about Kyle from your English class? He is cute and sweet."
    I wrinkle my nose, “I saw Kyle picking his nose the other day, and I can’t get that picture out of my head. So, no way."
    “Okay, let me think. How about Blake from Mathletes? He is a senior, good looking, athletic, and super nice. He’s perfect. Plus I saw you two talking the other night at Charlie’s."
    I have to admit Blake is hot and sweet. He is tall and has short brown hair. I have checked him out several times, including the other night at Charlie’s. He has the body of a runner, lanky but muscular. Maybe Leah is right, maybe it is time to admit that Connor is out of my reach. “Blake does sound perfect. I guess I could flirt with him a little. Although, please try to remember the last time I used my flirting skills on someone." Last year, I tried to flirt with a guy in my history class and he thought I was harassing him. He actually went to the teacher and requested to have his seat changed to get away from me. I am terrible at it. I over think everything and then get so nervous it makes me feel sick. I prefer to just take