Curvy Girls Can’t Date Soldiers by Kelsie Stelting

Thirty-Seven

Nadira

Five dayswithout talking to Apollo. It felt like an eternity. How had I ever gone eighteen years without knowing him?

But today I would see him. Today, I’d beg Tatiana to tell him the truth and not damn me in the process. As soon as I was done competing, I’d plead for him to forgive me and to keep my heart intact.

I got out my outfit for the day and then set an extra aside for after the competition. Tatiana had agreed to have him meet us behind the school once the event was over and everyone had gone home. I didn’t need an audience for what would surely be either the best or the worst day of my life.

I rubbed lotion over my legs, taking away the ashen pallor of my dry skin and replacing it with a vibrant brown contrasting with white patches. Then I did the same for my arms and pulled on my uniform skirt. I buttoned up my light blue shirt and tucked it into the skirt, careful to pull it straight from under so it wouldn’t bunch. To top it off, I wore my mathlete jacket, straightening the lapels.

There would be no need to hide the jacket. Everyone at the school would either be there to compete or volunteer.

I got out a spare drawstring bag and put the extra outfit in there—a pair of leggings and a long blouse that nipped in around the narrow part of my waist and flowed over my hips, accentuating my curves.

Although I usually skipped makeup, today, I applied smoothing cream along with mascara (the waterproof kind) and even a tinted lip gloss. That went in the bag for touch-ups later.

I gave myself a look in the mirror that hung over my desk and wished I had more to offer Apollo in the way of looks. But that wasn’t the way life worked. When I was little and my parents explained appearances to us, they said we were all made of something called DNA and that everyone’s DNA was different. It said whether you had brown eyes or blue eyes. Black skin or pale skin. Whether you grew to be as tall as Dad or as small as Grandma.

My DNA was coded for so many different things. My tight curls, the way my nose lifted slightly at the end. My broad fingernails and the condition that mottled my skin. But it also had been coded for intellect and humor and sarcasm and all the things that made Apollo want to meet me in the first place.

Ryker was right. If he only liked me because he thought I looked like Tatiana, it would be good to know now.

I finished getting my things together and went downstairs. Mom was working from home so she’d be closer to school when it was time to come watch, and Dad was downstairs in the living room, watching game film from other teams.

As she heard my footsteps, Mom turned from her spot at the island and said, “Hey, sweetie.”

“Morning.” I smiled at her and set my bag on one of the stools. “Are Carver and Terrell still asleep?”

“They had early practice.” She glanced at her computer screen. “They should be getting home in about half an hour.”

I nodded, feeling a little guilty. I’d been so wrapped up in my issues with Apollo that I hadn’t even thought about what they’d do for practice today.

She poured a glass of orange juice from the pitcher on the counter and passed it to me. “I have a questionnaire for you to fill out about the pen pal program,” she said. “It should be pretty simple. Do you think you can get it done this weekend?”

“Sure.” I took a sip of the juice.

“I’m curious... Did you make a friend? Get some good advice on college?”

I nearly choked on my juice and sputtered, beating on my chest with a closed fist. “Sorry,” I croaked, then took another drink of juice to even out my voice. “It was fine. Apollo was nice.”

Mom looked at me curiously. “Apollo?”

I nodded. “Apollo Banks. That’s who you paired me with.”

Her eyes widened, going to her computer. She tapped, opening a different software. “I thought I paired you with a girl... [email protected]” Her lips pursed. “A for Apollo.”

My heart beat faster, and I felt like I’d gotten away with something illicit. “He said you’re his advisor.”

“I am,” she said.

“Is there something wrong with him?”

She eyed me suspiciously, then said, “He’s a very handsome young man.”

My cheeks flushed. That, I knew.

“Kind,” she added. “But not very social. As far as he’s told me, no extracurriculars outside of ROTC.”

She said it like not being in a bunch of clubs was a negative, and I wanted to defend him. “I’m sure ROTC and classes keep him busy.”

She nodded, watching me skeptically. “What about that other boy? The one you met for coffee?”

I shook my head. “He’s just a friend.” Even that was exaggerating, but she seemed to accept the answer.

“And Apollo? Do you plan to keep talking to him, now that the study’s over?” Despite how she tried to act like the answer didn’t matter to her, I could tell by the stiffness of her spine she was dying to know.

“I think that’s up to him,” I answered honestly.

She nodded slowly. “What do you want?”

I pressed my lips together. As an academic, I’d known the scientific names for body parts and the ins and outs of intercourse (no pun intended) since I was young, but actual relationships, matters of the heart? I didn’t have the words to explain how I felt. But I was tired of lying. I’d promised myself the truth from here on out, so that’s what I spoke.

“I like him, but I’m not sure the feeling will be mutual.”

“You don’t know yet?”

“Not really.”

She reached out and cupped my cheek with her hand. Her palm was soft against my skin, and I leaned into the warmth as she said, “You’re an amazing young lady, no matter what he thinks.”

“Thanks, Mom. That means a lot.” It really did.

* * *

I went to Waldo’s Diner to meet my friends for brunch before the competition, and true to form, I was there earlier than everyone else. Stepping into the diner was comforting in a way. It still had the same décor from when I was a little girl. Chester still sat in the third booth from the entrance, a newspaper spread before him, along with a cup of coffee. There were the toy and candy dispensers in the corner. And then the table my friends and I called our own.

It was empty and clean, so I slid over the pleather seat and sat toward the back. The maroon cushions were showing their age with too much give to be truly comfortable, but I loved it nonetheless.

If Apollo ever forgave me, if he ever wanted to date me, I would take him here. Would tell him about the New Year’s resolution I made with Faith and hope he helped make it come true.

A waitress I didn’t normally see came to greet me. “Just you, sugar?”

I shook my head. “My friends are coming soon. There’ll be five of us.”

“Let me get some more menus and silverware. I’ll be right back.” She walked away, moving with a slight limp, and I looked out the window at the bright sky.

Much faster than I expected, Adriel came in, followed by Faith.

I gave them a wavering smile as they slid into the booth.

“How are you feeling?” Faith asked.

I let out a shaky breath. “I’ve been better.”

Adriel nodded. “I’m nervous. I can’t even imagine how you feel.”

The waitress came back, setting a pile of napkins and silverware at the end of the table. “I’ll come check on you when the other two get here.”

I nodded, looking at the menu like I hadn’t seen it a million times before. The last time it changed, everyone got so mad that they brought back the old one within the week.

Cori and Des came in next, rounding out our group of five.

Des smiled at me approvingly. “You look beautiful, Dir.”

I thanked her, but the last thing I felt was beautiful. “I feel like I’m going to throw up.”

Cori glanced at her menu. “Do you think cheese fries will help?” I glared at her, and she giggled. “You know you love me.”

“I do,” I said, looking at my friends. “I love all of you. What am I going to do without you when I’m in Cambridge next year?”

Des held up her cell, wiggling it. “It’s called a phone. Ever heard of it?”

I laughed, and Adriel said. “New York’s only a couple hours away by train. We’ll be able to meet up on weekends!”

“True,” I said, feeling a little better. But I knew a piece of my heart would always be here in Emerson. And another piece at Brentwood University.

“Exactly,” Des said with a cheeky grin. “And you’ll be able to watch me on TV when I’m famous.”

“With the way your YouTube channel’s growing, it’s only a matter of time before you get discovered,” I said.

She held up her crossed fingers. “Here’s to hoping I don’t sign with a record label just to lose my sound.” She pretended to cough. “Jude Santiago.” She’d been complaining about him ever since he got famous and started producing more mainstream music.

Faith giggled and said, “Depending on where the Peace Corps sends me, I think I’ll have some training on the East Coast before I go.”

I smiled at her. “We’ll make the most of it.”

The waitress came and took our orders, then Cori said, “Nadira, I feel like I’m not doing enough with the Apollo situation... How can we help you?”

I reached across the table and took her hand. “You’re already doing it.” The rest was in Apollo’s hands.