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exercise.”
    We filed after the coach down to the other end of the hall to where the “stairs” sign glowed red. He pushed open the door and we all went into the stairwell. The sound of our feet echoed loudly as we all thundered down the stairs. I looked back over my shoulder, up to the landing. Kia was gingerly making her way down the stairs, one hand holding onto the railing.
    She looked down at me. “Do you think it’s easy getting around in these things?” she asked, holding one sandaled foot in the air.
    â€œJust be careful,” I said.
    â€œWill you at least wait up?” Kia asked.
    â€œSure… no problem,” I said as everybody continued down the stairs, leaving us farther and farther behind, the sounds of their voices and feet disappearing down the stairwell beneath us.
    â€œI feel so stupid,” Kia said. “I look so stupid.”
    â€œYou don’t look stupid,” I said.
    â€œOf course, I do… don’t I?”
    I shook my head. “Seriously, you look okay.”
    â€œJust okay?” she asked.
    â€œOkay… better than okay,” I said. What exactly was it she wanted me to say, that she was beautiful? She’d be waiting a long time to hear that.
    â€œWell… even if I look okay, I still feel stupid, and I’m going to feel stupid in front of hundreds of people.”
    â€œIt’ll be fine,” I offered reassuringly. “It’s not like you’ll be alone. We’ll all be there with you.”
    â€œWill you do me a favor?” she asked.
    â€œI guess… sure… if you want… what’s the favor?”
    â€œWhen we get down to the reception…”
    â€œYeah?”
    â€œCould you stay right there with me?” she asked.
    â€œAt the reception?”
    She nodded her head.
    â€œWhy do you want me to do that?” I questioned.
    â€œI just want you to!” she snapped.
    â€œSure, if that’s what you want.”
    â€œMaybe not the whole time. Just let me see how it goes.”
    I nodded in agreement. “Are you feeling nervous?”
    â€œNo, of course not… maybe just a little.”
    I tried to stifle a laugh, but it came out.
    â€œWhat are you laughing at?” she demanded.
    â€œNothing,” I said.
    â€œThat’s it, I’m not going down there,” she said, turning on her heel and starting back up the stairs.
    â€œKia!” I called out, and bounded after her. She moved so slowly in the sandals that I caught up with her before she’d gone no more than a few steps. I grabbed her by the arm.
    â€œYou have to come down,” I pleaded.
    â€œI’m not going down there to have all those people laugh at the way I’m dressed.”
    â€œI wasn’t laughing at the way you’re dressed, honestly!”
    â€œThen what were you laughing at?” she asked again.
    â€œWell… it just seemed sort of funny that I’m usually the one who feels nervous about things andtoday it’s you. That’s all.”
    â€œYou’d be nervous too if you were dressed stupid.”
    â€œYou think I like wearing this get-up?” I asked, referring to my dress clothes and tie.
    â€œI’d trade you in a second,” she said, and then burst into laughter.
    â€œNow, what are
you
laughing at?” I demanded.
    â€œI was just thinking of you wearing this dress… or even better, Mark. I’d just go right up to him and tell him how
beautiful
he looked.”
    â€œI don’t know,” I said, “but I don’t think Mark would look that good in a dress.”
    â€œProbably not, but why did he have to go and say that about me?”
    I swallowed hard. “I don’t think he was trying to make fun of you.”
    â€œThen why did he say it?” she asked.
    I swallowed even harder. “Maybe that’s what he thought.”
    â€œThat I look beautiful?”
    I nodded my head. I really, really