Если я останусь

           Oneafternoon,Iinvitedhertogodowntownwithmeafterschool.

           "It’saweekday.Don’tyouhavepractice?"sheaskedasshetwistedthecombinationonherlocker.

           "Icanskipittoday,"Isaid,pretendingtosearchformyearth-sciencebook.

           "HavethepodpeoplestolenMia?Firstnorecitals.Andnowyou’reskippingoutonpractice.What’sgoingon?"

           "Idon’tknow,"Isaid,tappingmyfingersagainstthelocker."I’mthinkingoftryinganewinstrument.Likedrums.Dad’skitisdowninthebasementgatheringdust."

           "Yeah,right.Youondrums.That’srich,"Kimsaidwithachuckle.

           "I’mserious."

           Kimhadlookedatme,hermouthagape,likeI’djusttoldherIplannedonsautéingupaplatterofslugsfordinner."Youcan’tquitcello,"shesaidafteramomentofstunnedsilence.

           "Whynot?"

           Shelookedpainedasthetriedtoexplain."Idon’tknowbutitjustseemslikeyourcelloispartofwhoyouare.Ican’timagineyouwithoutthatthingbetweenyourlegs."

           "It’sstupid.Ican’tevenplayintheschoolmarchingband.Imean,whoplaysthecelloanyhow?Abunchofoldpeople.It’sadumbinstrumentforagirltoplay.It’ssodorky.AndIwanttohavemorefreetime,todofunstuff."

           "Whatkindof‘funstuff’?"Kimchallenged.

           "Um,youknow?Shopping.Hangingoutwithyou..."

           "Please,"Kimsaid."Youhatetoshop.Andyouhangoutwithmeplenty.Butfine,skippracticetoday.Iwanttoshowyousomething."