“At least he doesn’t pick on me anymore. He hasn’t done that since I got my braces off and everything.”

“Sarah, you look great with contacts.”

Jesus, where did that come from?

I think it takes a few seconds to register with her, too, because she just stares at me with this funny little smile that barely shows her teeth.

“Yeah,” she finally says, embarrassed. “I have contacts.”

My heart feels like it’s out there dangling on a stick. I’m so nervous and have no idea what to say.

Awkward. Awkward. Awkward.

Sarah takes a deep breath and goes, “Well, I’ll be in the backyard.”

“And I’ll be on the porch.”

She turns and walks away.

“Hey, Sarah?”

She stops, turns. “Yeah?”

“You … you look really nice. And I just want to apologize for all the mean stuff I’ve ever done to you.”

“I can’t believe you think it’s that easy.” She rakes a hand through her hair. “You know what I’m thinking right now?”

“No, what?”

“I’m thinking we’ve known each other a long time, but this is the first time we’ve ever really talked like normal people.”

“If that’s the case, then I like talking to you, Sarah. And all the changes, with the hair and the braces and the contacts, they’re nice changes, but the thing that makes them even nicer is you. You know, your personality.”

She smiles, but I can tell she still feels awkward, probably trying to figure out what it means to have this new identity. It occurs to me that I might be the first guy to ever hit on her.

“Like I said, they’ll be home any minute.” She disappears behind the house.

I turn and walk toward the front porch, but halfway there I decide I’m crazy to just let it end like that. I mean, she’s totally alone back there. Hello? It’s now or never.

I turn, open the gate, and walk up the driveway.

“Sarah?”

She pops back out, still wearing the T-shirt and towel.

“Yeah?”

“Can I tell you something?”

“I think you’ve said a little too much already.”

“Just listen, okay?” She nods. Barely three feet separate us. “Sarah, my stomach does weird stuff whenever I think about you. That’s never happened to me before.”

“Zach, stop. You can’t just … God, I can’t believe this is happening. You’re vicious to me for years, and now you think I’ll just … ” She trails off and stares at the ground.

“Okay, I get it,” I say. “Fair enough. You’re exactly right. But I’m not picking on you right now. I just want to ask you a question, and I need an honest answer.”

She looks at me and nods. Barely.