Chapter 9

David

Faster, Faster! I sounded like a little child, but it was the only thing that came to mind. I had to get out of sight before Josiphina opened her eyes. She would definitely catch up. After all, she was the star track runner at our school. Jo had won county 4 years in a row in her middle school. Unfortunately, she was always beaten at state by a girl named Lisa Thomson. I heard Lisa was a real jerk, but I’m not going to form any opinions.

         Run, Run! That sounded a little more grown up. I didn’t dare look back. That is the worst possible thing to do. It slows you down, and you can’t see where you’re going. I found an alley, just south of the bridge, to rest. Not for long, I knew. I couldn’t risk anything. Leaning up against an air conditioner behind a narrow apartment building, I wished I had taken the running and fitness class at YBYS training. “We have one,” CJ would always say, “because plan B is always to run. For instance, plan E is to pretend to be someone else.”

I ran my finger along the smooth, cold surface of the air conditioner, and it reminded me slightly of the front of the YBYS building. I remembered how I would lean up against its cold walls and think about the things no one else could know, not even CJ Martinez. Like that I think that I’m falling in love with my enemy.

Josiphina. Thinking of her name made me remember that I should be running right now. Wasn’t I supposed to be cutting corners, dashing through alleys, escaping into subway stations and other places brimming with humanity? Yes, I grasped, regaining myself enough to start scurrying to the end of the alley. Already breathing hard, I dashed across an intersection, and stopped to look both ways before crossing another one.

Wait, this is Manhattan! There’s going to be cars left, right, up, down, no matter what! But, I couldn’t let Jo catch up. I had to take chances and stretch my luck. For a moment, cars cleared and all that remained was a yellow cab buzzing down the street. It was traveling pretty fast... but it was far away…

The yellow ones don’t stop. The line was only from a silly movie called “Elf”, but it was enough to keep me from zipping out into the street, and possibly getting myself killed. The cab blew by, and once more, the street was filled with taxis, delivery trucks, and New Yorkers (who were definitely going to be late).

I’ll have to wait for the next moment.

The flashing lights of an old sign that read Radio City, was what gave me the idea. Tours. All day. I could easily sneak into a group and remain hidden for close to two hours at best. The only problem was if Jo caught up, and managed to get into the same group, I would never get away. Period. I stopped to catch my breath, but only caught my stomach. I used to just feel that Jo was here, but now I see that she is here.

There she was, standing in broad daylight, broad smile, broad shoulders…

…she was walking towards me

Swiftly but carefully, elegantly but quickly, she was reaching me. Her hand was extended and in it lay…

I gasped. The note. The crinkled up paper was obviously real in her palm, but I didn’t want to believe it. The hole in my pocket. I reached in and felt it there. Cursing silently, I lunged at her. She sidestepped, but I didn’t fall; I pivoted around. I heard Jo open the doors into the home of the famous Rockettes, and I followed. She stole my plan.

The next moment I was in one of the most famous buildings in America. But, I didn’t have time to look around. I rushed down a flight (or was it two), of stairs to see Josiphina, happily tagging along to a tour group. I jumped up to meet her, but kept my distance. Caleb, the tour guide (his name tag said “Hi my name is Caleb”, so I’m just guessing), didn’t seem to notice us. Bonus! He wouldn’t miss us later.

About 2 minutes of trying not to make eye contact with Josiphina passed until I saw a place to sneak away. I slipped through a door, then two, three, and Jo followed (of course). The next time I slithered through a door, I saw an unwanted leather chair sitting there, staring back at me with old droopy eyes. Perfect. Just as she started to burst through the door I braced it with the chair. That wouldn’t last long, but it would give me the lead. I couldn’t get the address back now, but not having something you don’t necessarily need, is better than getting dragged (by a girl) to the YGYS building (remember I thought it was pink and sparkly).

I ran through another door to see a staircase straight ahead and a little notch off to the left. Maybe…I ran and hid in the little notch and only then noticed the elevator doors staring back at me. Whatever, it doesn’t matter. I heard a bang, and saw Josiphina come out through the door and look down at the stairs. I buried my face in my knees. I held my breath. I prayed. Please don’t notice me. Please think I went down the stairs. Please…

Josiphina chased her imagination down the staircase.

I exhaled. I slumped my shoulders. I won. Jo’s going to be chasing nobody all over New York. Or worse, another boy. Then I heard a beep, a laugh, and the low hum of defeat. There standing in front of me, through the doors of a forgotten elevator was the girl I’d thought I was better than.

 

Chapter 10

Josiphina

His mouth gaped. His eyes fell. He stood shaking before me.

         When David’s eyes finally met mine, he asked, “How?”

The question was simple, but it meant too much to hear him say it. He was level 6.5, and I was level 2. I extended my hand to show him the paper still resting there, but he didn’t make a move. I had him cornered.

         His question “how” was still ringing in my head. I wondered too. How, had I caught him? How could I outsmart him? How could I be on a secret mission to destroy him, when I think I’m falling in love with him?

         I bought the paper to my chest knowing I would read it later. There wasn’t time before.

         “I’ll make you a deal.” I said. “I keep this,” I pointed to the note clenched in my fist, “and you keep this.” My finger hit the center of his chest, and he smiled (yes, he actually smiled) up at me confused.

         “Your pride.”

         The words mingled with the silent air, and they felt right. In fact, as David’s smile faded, I was a little proud of saying them.

David took a step back and he was up against the wall.

“Jo?”

         The girl in me wanted to stay, but the spy in me wanted to leave him hanging. I turned and my ankles were seized to the floor. Not because the girl in me won the battle. Not because the spy in me simply gave up. No, it was because standing right in front of us was a Radio City security guard. And he didn’t look happy.

“Community Service”, I squawked. The guard nodded and handed us each a journal. The room was dark and gloomy, but by the small silver lamp in the corner of the room, I could make out the words neatly printed on the cover. Journal of Lesson and Accomplishment, it read.

         “I want you to record everything you learn, and what you accomplish this week.” The man said, seeing David’s baffled face as he also had read the title of our new least favorite book.

         I let the journal drop to the table, and sighed.

“So, what do we do?”

         “Well, one option is to pick up trash in Central Par-”

    “NO!” Me and David said together.

    “Okay, okay. The other is to deliver packages.”

    “And…” I needed more information.

    “Oh I don’t know. All over town, I guess.”

    David nodded, and I sighed. If only I was a real spy, and I could just have a badge or something. Then I would never have to end up doing something like this.

    “We’ll take it.” David said sharply, and I wasn’t going to question why he answered without asking me. He wasn’t Gary Clark, but he was sure like him.

    David put the pocket journal in his pocket (of course), and stood up from his (super uncomfortable) chair. He gestured for me to follow, and I too stood up.

    “Return the journals when you’re done.” The voice echoed through the hallway, as David and I left the room.

“Jo?” He said again.

“Yeah.”

“I’ll see you at school tomorrow.”

I was hoping for something more, but his words were enough to confirm that we were still friends. Or hopefully...more than friends.