The Treehouse - Chapter 5

Chris was zapped awake by the shrill singing of a bluebird perched on the windowsill near his ear. His eyes flew open and his right hand took a swing at the bird, causing it to fly away. Chris laid his arm back down over Brianne, and fingered her long stick-straight hair. He wondered how in the world she remained in dreamland when the bird sang so loud, as he felt her chest rise and fall with every breath. Her murmuring heartbeat drummed against him, sending shivers up his spine. Why were they only friends? Brie's breath quickened as she stirred, burying her face into Chris's chest.

"What time is it?" came the muffled voice from her mouth.

"It's only eight," Chris replied, glancing over his watch.

"That's it?" Brianne implored, lifting her head to blink at Chris.

"Yup." Brie turned on her back and flopped back down, staring up at the ceiling. She inhaled deeply, filling her airways with the light scent of spring.

"I have a truth for you," Chris blurted before he could stop himself.

"We never did get around to those…" Brianne remembered to herself. "Pray tell."

"Well… I… I, uh… I… um… I like, "Chris stammered.

"Pine! It's Pineapple, isn't it? I knew it!" Brianne cried, cutting him off. Chris sighed but said nothing. He didn't have the heart to tell Brie the truth, so he just went along with it.

"Kinda," he replied.

"You could've told me sooner, it was becoming a little obvious…" Brie told him. "But you guys make such a cute couple! She'll be thrilled…" Pineapple was a nickname for a girl in Brie and Chris's dance class. Her real name was Penelope, but Brianne started calling her Pineapple because the name Penelope reminded her of one. It caught on, and was now a universal name. Pineapple was taller than Brianne by about five inches, and she had skin like Chris's. Her hair was a lighter brown than his, but she did have blonde highlights like him.

"Can I tell her? Or would you rather ask her out?" Brianne asked.

"I think I'll do it," Chris decided. "Don't say anything, ok?"

"You know I won't," Brie smiled. Chris grinned back. "I smell food," Brianne said, sniffing the air and rubbing her grumbling stomach. "Let's attack it!" Chris and Brianne both lunged for the door at the same instant, hitting heads.

"Ow!" Chris laughed, climbing down the ladder and running into the house with Brie at his heels. She walked through the door, rubbing her head where the spot Chris's head had hit was beginning to bruise. Suddenly, the phone rang…

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Jesse continued pacing in his room, hand on phone and phone to ear. He was beginning to generate electricity by dragging his sock-covered feet over the forest green rug.

"Please pick up!" he pleaded, wishing Brianne could hear him.

"Hello?" she answered, almost as if she had.

"Is Brianne there?"

"This is her. Who's calling?"

"Oh, sorry, it's Jesse."

"Hey! What's new?"

"Well, I have a question…" Jesse began.

"And I'm supposing I have an answer," Brianne laughed. "Shoot."

"Well, I was wondering if you had plans tonight," Jesse said hesitantly.

"Not as far as I know, unless as of right now I do."

"Yea," Jesse laughed. "Want to catch a movie with me later?"

"Sounds cool. But I should call you back, Chris is over right now…" Brianne glanced at Chris, who was an arm's length away from her, and grinned.

"Oh, sure. I'll be home all day. Bye!" Brie and Jesse hung up and Jesse congratulated himself.

"Who's the man? I'm the man!" he yelled, leaping around his house. "I got a date with Brie! I got a date with Brie!" he sang.