“Melinda, what has gotten into you?” Mr. Meade asked, watching Miley stand in front of the stove. She was stirring Ramen in a pot on the stove.
“Nothing.” Miley replied. She had spent the last hour picking various parts of the dinner our of her various nooks and crannies.
“You started a food fight at your birthday party.” Mr. Meade scolded. “I’d expect something like that out of Noah, but not you. Something is up.”
“She stole my fun.” Miley whispered.
“What?” Mr. Meade asked.
“Every year since they started playing, it’s always Kevin, Joe, Nick, Kelsi and I who sang at parties. We never let anyone else join us. And, the only two people who we have even debated joining us are Frankie and David.” Miley said.
“Miley, you guys are 16. Things are going to change.” Mr. Meade said.
“It’s always been the five of us.” Miley replied. “Why does it have to change?”
“Because when you get older, you start to have feelings. Sometimes….” Mr. Meade stopped and let his sentence hang.
“Tessa is not going to become part of our group.” Miley stated.
“You might want to rethink that. Otherwise, you might have gotten to eat some of your birthday dinner instead of wearing it and having to make Ramen later.” Mr. Meade said as he headed up the stairs.
Miley looked at the ground and shook her head. Tessa had deserved those noodles... and the coleslaw, and that handful of cake.
There was a loud pounding at the front door, causing Miley to turn off the burner. She shuffled to the door and opened it.
“What was up with you?” Kevin asked, storming in.
“The rest of your family with you because I’m kinda tired of hearing that question.” Miley said.
“What was going through your head to even consider starting a food fight at a birthday party.” Kevin asked.
“Nothing! Nothing is wrong with me. Nothing is going on with me. And, nothing was going through my head when I threw those noodles.” Miley replied.
“Tessa won’t talk to me because of you. She is at home, crying her eyes out because you went psycho.” Kevin added.
“I didn’t go psycho.” Miley corrected. “Besides, she stole my spot.”
“Your spot?” Kevin asked.
“We always sing with you. Kelsi and I always sing with you. We never let anyone else in, not even Frankie and David.” Miley informed him.
“You threw spaghetti at her because she was going to sing a song with us?” Kevin asked in disbelief. “Miles, are we going to go through this anytime I ask a girl to sing with us who isn’t you? Do I have to request that there never be food that you can throw at any party?”
“I messed up, I get that! Why does everyone take great pride in reminding me of that?” Miley asked, walking back towards the kitchen.
“Because this isn’t like you Miley. This isn’t something I’d expect my friend to do.” Kevin answered. Miley quickly turned on her heel and faced him.
“Maybe I don’t want to be just friends!” Miley quickly said, her hands flying up to cover her mouth once her sentence was out.
“What?” Kevin asked, surprised.
“I think you should leave.” Miley said, pointing at the open front door. Kevin staid put for a second, a shocked look on his face.
Miley watched him turn and walk out the door, a surprised look still on his face. She turned and started her path back to the kitchen.
At least until someone grabbed a hold of her, spun her to face them and leaned in with a kiss.
Miley slowly pulled away, looking at Kevin. His eyes slowly opened and searched her face for a response. He then turned on his heel and left again, this time shutting the door behind himself.
Miley, however, was still glued to her spot on the floor.