CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Francine was jogging on a trail near her house. It was quiet, a perfect place for Sunday mornings, the one time the track was closed. The trail was three times the length, if not more, giving her plenty of room to run through the grassy park without a care in the world.

It was barely eight when Francine started, so most of the early morning groups were gone. It seemed to be just her on the trail, but she was immediately aware of someone running behind her. She turned, but as she did, the steps stopped. She thought she might be hearing things, maybe her own footsteps, but then they started again. She turned—same result; no one was outside.

Francine was growing nervous. She decided to take to the street at the next intersection. She felt a little safer, yet those steps were still behind her. She turned down a street she once knew, the street where Brain used to live. In fact, he was reading on his front steps when she turned.

She felt relief, yet suddenly, the steps were gone. She turned but nothing was there. She was scared now, and she turned up Brain's steps so without warning that he was scared too.

"Francine, what are you doing here?" Brain asked. "Wait, what'd you do to your hair?"

Francine almost forgot her new look with her fear. Her wardrobe was different too, her new running shoes costing seventy-nine dollars on her mom's credit card. She felt her heart pound with that fear as well, but her follower was still on her mind.

"Someone was following me. Can I stay here for a little while, just until they leave?" Francine asked. Brain gave her a perplexed look. He'd seen her as a jogger coming up the street, not as someone being followed. No one even seemed to be behind her. But he knew that the person could've turned the other way.

"Sure," Brain said, standing and inviting her inside. "My mom is making French toast. You can maybe grab a plate," Brain smiled, allowing her into the dining room. His father was already eating, and he easily remembered the athletic Francine.

"Wow, it's been a long time, Miss Frensky. I take you were jogging through the neighborhood?" he asked, eying her workout gear. Francine nodded, accepting a cold bottle of water from Brain. "Well it's a lovely place. Did you know the home next door to ours was put on the historical home tour? The owner sold it to her daughter when she moved to Florida, but they didn't want the place, so they put it to work. We should go see them next weekend, Alan, if you have the time," he said to Brain, who shrugged.

"We'll see what happens. I think they'll give out more homework next week," Brain replied, turning to Francine. "Do you know who may've followed you? Has anyone been watching you lately?" he asked softly while his dad played with his paper, drowning out his words.

Francine thought for a moment. Only one person came to mind, but Coach Peters said he'd be visiting family for sure on Sunday, and today was Sunday. She remained silent, shrugging softly.

"Maybe it was just a coincidence. I don't mind you staying for breakfast. Do I need to walk you home?" Brain asked. Francine shook her head. Brain nodded, moving into the kitchen to tell his mom to make another serving.

"Why, Alan? Do you have a guest?" she asked. Brain nodded, telling her the full story about Francine. "Oh, well you be sure to walk her home, whether she wants it or not. I'm glad she stopped by. I know she hasn't come over since…well it must've been elementary school!" she exclaimed. "You be the good gentleman though. I wouldn't have it any other way."

Breakfast was served a few minutes later, and Francine ate tiny bites while the Powers family ate calmly. They eyed her, an awkward silence filling the room. Brain's father was silent from shoving food into his mouth, but Brain's mother was thinking of Francine's situation, as was Brain.

While breakfast went slowly, it did end eventually. Brain walked Francine out to the front step. They stood for a moment, but when Francine went to leave, Brain followed.

"I don't need you to walk me home. I'll be fine," Francine whispered. Brain glanced towards the front window, where his mom was peeking out from between the curtains.

"If I don't at least walk you a few streets over, my mom would be furious. I have studying to do. I can't deal with her getting on my case all day," Brain whispered quickly. Francine nodded, letting him walk beside her as they moved towards her home. They were silent, at least until Brain noticed someone following them. He alerted Francine.

"Look, there's a shop that's open. Let's go in and see if we can find out who it is," Francine whispered. Brain agreed, and the two moved into a small gift shop. The follower, a man in a hooded windbreaker, jogged past at a good speed.

"They knew we were watching so they left," Brain sighed with relief. "Do you know who it was?" Brain asked. Francine's face spelled recognition, but she remained silent. "Do you still want me to walk you home?" Brain asked. He expected her to shake her head, but Francine nodded softly.

She finally saw some danger in her crush, unless her imagination was playing tricks on her. She hoped that was the case, going upstairs to her room without a word to her family. She had to practice her stretching if she wanted a place on the track team, and that was something she wanted more than anything else.

A/N: It's nice to see Francine thinking clearer about her crush on a much older teacher, but is her mind still clouded by his spell of hotness? We'll find out in a later chapter. Next, Molly gets a visit from Mei-Lin and Mrs. Barnes. How will the visit end when her mother sees their true behavior? See Chapter Thirty-Eight to find out.