Toe to Toe (On Pointe Book 1) by Penelope Freed (comprehension books txt) 📗

sometimes they have a point. Especially when they have a point. Would it have killed Olivia to see if any of us wanted to go with her?

We chat and eat, enjoying the chance to rest our bodies before the next couple hours of dancing. We’re arguing good-naturedly over which teacher at school is worse—Lisa’s AP Chem teacher or my hard-nosed US History teacher—when Katy throws a piece of her uneaten sandwich at Lisa. I can’t contain my laughter at the smear of mustard streaked across Lisa’s nose and the pile of lettuce that went down Katy’s front as she lobbed it. I wave as they rush back into the studio to clean up before rehearsal, leaving me to finish eating alone.

I pull out my phone to check the time as I finish the last few bites. There’s a text from my mom asking what I want from the store for dinner tonight and a text message from a number I don’t recognize. Who on earth is texting me?

Unknown: Hey Hannah, I got your number from Olivia. I have a question for you, text me back -T

T? Who is T? That can’t be T for Tyler can it? My breath catches in my throat. No. It can’t be. I glance at the time it was sent. Over an hour ago? I type out my response, one excruciating letter at a time.

Me: Hey, what’s up?

I can’t ask who it is can I? That would be so lame.

Unknown: I wanted to know if Olivia had left yet, we needed her to get more food. Don’t worry about it.

It must be Tyler. But why did Olivia give it to him? Why would she do that? I need to respond without betraying the panic coursing through me.

Me: Oh, sorry. I only just saw your text.

Dare I? “How’s practice going?” I type, but then quickly delete it. Tyler just wanted food, he’s not trying to have a conversation with me, stupid Hannah.

Tyler: Like I said, don’t worry about it.

See, not trying to have a conversation, it was just about food. Then I see those three little dots. My heart leaps into my throat. Wait, what else is he typing? My palms get so sweaty, I’m afraid I’ll drop my phone. Why am I so nervous? I stare at it, willing the text to come through.

Tyler: What are you doing tonight?

I gasp and drop my phone. It lands in my lap and slides down my slippery tights before hitting the ground. Thank you baby Jesus, it lands on top of my dance bag. I pick it up and stare at it. What am I doing tonight? Sewing ribbons on my new pointe shoes and dreaming of you? I want to reply. Easy tiger, one thing at a time. My thumb hovers over the screen, unsure of what to type. I take a deep breath and type.

Me: Nothing, just chilling at home.

I hit send before I can think about it. Chilling? Wow, way to sound cool. Now my heart is really thumping in my chest. Why is Tyler asking what I’m doing? Isn’t he going out with Olivia tonight? Did she cancel on him? But she’s bringing them food, why would she bring them food now and not go out with him tonight? None of this makes any sense. This must be a joke. Maybe Olivia put him up to it. No, Hannah, that’s mean. Olivia wouldn’t do that. Would she? Wait, Tyler said she wasn’t there yet. Get it together Hannah. My phone buzzes again, interrupting my runaway train of thought.

Tyler: My cousin is in town and my parents won’t let me ditch him tonight. Olivia said you might be willing to come with us tonight so we can still go out.

My heart sinks. They want me to babysit the cousin so they can have their date? I can babysit, I guess. Olivia must have remembered our failed attempt at forming a baby-sitters club. The extra spending money would be nice, but I can’t deny I’m disappointed. I don’t know what I thought Tyler was going to ask, but that wasn’t it.

My phone buzzes again.

Tyler: Olivia said to tell you he’s not ugly. He’s chill, I promise it won’t be awful.

Not ugly? Why would it matter if he’s ugly? I’m glad Tyler thinks he’s chill though, I hate babysitting crazy, hyper kids. I wonder where his parents are going. I guess it doesn’t matter.

Me: Sure. What time do you want me to come over?

Tyler: 7

Me: Cool, see you.

Putting my phone down I take a deep breath. I stare at the table, suddenly overwhelmed by sadness. All my fantasies of Tyler secretly liking me back, just like in a movie, are crashing down around me. The reality of Tyler and Olivia going on a date hits me. Can I keep wanting him if he’s dating my best friend? Doesn’t that make me the worst best friend in the world? But it’s only a first date, right? Maybe that’s all it’ll ever be.

Chapter 4 Hannah

Phone, sewing kit, pointe shoes, check. Ribbons, check. Elastic, check. Book in case I finish sewing before they get back, check. I grab my phone charger, just in case. I scan my room one more time, making sure I have everything I need before heading over to Tyler’s house to babysit.

I stayed for an extra hour after rehearsal to work on my solos for competition with Ms. Parker. I was so tired by the time I got home, I took a quick shower and dropped onto my bed to take a power nap. I threw on some leggings and a big comfy sweater when I got out of the shower but I’m not changing—the sweater is a little bit holey but I don’t think this kid will care. I wasn’t going to put on any make up, but at the last second I decided to put on some concealer and mascara so I don’t traumatize the kid. I throw my damp hair up in