CHAPTER ONE

HIDDEN TREASURE AT THE PUTTING EDGE

Heidy knocked on the door to her best friend’s bathroom. She was getting impatient. “Stephanie! Come on, let’s go!”

“I’m almost ready!” Steph called back in a singsong voice.

Heidy paced in front of the bathroom door. She didn’t know why she even bothered being on time, Steph was never ready. And it had been her idea to go to the indoor mini-golfing place anyway, not Heidy’s. Heidy didn’t even really want to go, she was going solely for Steph’s sake.

The bathroom door swung open and out stepped Stephanie with a flourish. “Alright, I’m ready!”

Stephanie never went anywhere without getting all dulled up. And Heidy couldn’t remember the last time she had seen her in jeans. It was always dresses and skirts and bermuda shorts. She was, hands down, the most stylish girl in school. As if that wasn’t enough, she was also naturally beautiful. She had gorgeous deep blue eyes, full lips, sculpted cheekbones, and a nose that fit perfectly on her face. She had long, straight blond hair that flowed effortlessly down her back. To top all of that, she exercised regularly and had a great body.

Steph was one of the most popular girls at their school. Heidy was not. But she wasn’t jealous. She hated being the center of attention. She had her few close friends, and that was it. She had never had a boyfriend. She had never even been on a date.

Its not that Heidy wasn’t pretty. She had curly deep brown hair and green eyes. She had a small nose that curved up slightly at the tip. Her skin was naturally tan, and she was in just as good a shape as Stephanie. She was, in face, very pretty, but she would never say so herself. She wasn’t stylish like Stephanie, but she knew how to dress herself comfortably and still look good.

The pair left Stephanie’s house and got into her car. Stephanie always drove them everywhere in her red Honda Accord coupe, because Heidy didn’t have a car.

“I still don’t understand why you’re so set on mini-golfing,” said Heidy. “I bet you’ve never putted a day in your life.”

“Its never too late to start. Besides, I heard that a lot of cute guys go there.”

“At last, the truth comes out.” Heidy rolled her eyes. Stephanie was a very flirtatious girl. She had never been in a serious relationship, but she loved dating and going out.

“So what if I just want to go for the men? A girl’s allowed to have a little fun.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.”

They arrived at the place. It was called “The Putting Edge.” Inside, the only light was from a dark light and everything seemed to glow. The course was like a maze, leading into different rooms, each with a different theme. Stephanie and Heidy paid for one game, got their putters and balls, and went to the first hole.

“Okay, so…how do you do this?” Stephanie asked, holding the putter like it was some sort of venomous snake.

“Its easy,” said Heidy. “Here, let me show you.”

“No, wait! I know who can help us,” Heidy said mischievously. Heidy looked to where Stephanie’s eyes were looking and saw one of the guy workers standing nearby. He was fixing one of the pinball machines. He was wearing a black polo with a white shirt underneath, and jeans that were just baggy enough to look good. He had on black kicks and a black wristband. His hair was black and spiked into a faux hawk, but Heidy couldn’t really see his face because he was turned away from her.

“Excuse me?” Stephanie called, half raising her hand.

The employee turned and looked at them. Heidy’s breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t expected him to be that good-looking, but he was. He had startling blue eyes that shined despite the darkness. He had a strong chin and a beautiful smile. As he came closer, Heidy noticed that he had really nice arms. She was a sucker for arms. Stephanie liked butts.

“Can I help you?” His voice was deep enough to be manly, but didn’t rumble.

“Yeah, me and my friend here have never mini-golfed before, and we have no idea how this works.”

Heidy rolled her eyes again. She didn’t know why she had to be included. She didn’t want people to think she was an idiot. Who couldn’t figure out mini-golfing by themselves? It was fine enough for someone hot, like Stephanie. The guys pretty much knew it was all an act with her. The same did not go for Heidy.

“Sure, I can show you.”

“Thanks…” Heidy looked at his employee tag, “Logan.”

“No problem.”

“I’m Stephanie, by the way. And this here’s my friend, Heidy.”

Logan looked over at her and Heidy could only stare, dumbfounded. Being around guys usually made her nervous, especially guys as hot as Logan.

“Like the country?” he asked.

“What? Oh, yeah, like the country.”

“Interesting. How do you spell it?”

“Like Heidi, but with a “y” at the end.”

“So, can you help us?” Stepanie asked again.

“Sure thing. You just hold the putter like this.” Logan positioned Stephanie’s hands on the club. Heidy was jealous of her friend for the first time in her life.

“And then you just, swing, like this.” He guided her arms in a swinging motion. “Keep your eye on the ball, and don’t hit it too hard or it will just go flying. And always aim before you hit.”

“Thanks. You’re so good at this. Have you been mini-golfing a long time?”

Heidy sighed. At this rate, they were never going to get the game started.

“I used to go with my family a lot,” said Logan.

“Oh, really? Have you worked here long?”

“I just moved here,” said Logan. “So I just started.”

“What school are you going to go to?”

“Downer’s Grove South.”

Heidy clapped her hands together in excitement and did a little jump. “Really? That’s our school! Are you excited to be starting a new school or are you bummed?”

“A little of both,” said Logan. “I don’t think anyone wants school to start up again.”

“Oh, yeah, for sure.”

“Anyway, I should probably get back to work.”

Stephanie gave a little pout. “Well, okay. What time do you get off?”

“In about an hour.”

“Perfect! Do you want to go have dinner with me and my friend?”

“Uh…sure, that sounds great.”

“Alright. See you then!”

Logan left to go back to work and Stephanie turned to Heidy and smiled. “Ready to play?”

“I’ve been ready for the past five minutes,” Heidy said, annoyed.

“I’m sorry, but he was cute! I’m so glad he agreed to come eat with us.”

Heidy was not so glad. She hated being the tagalong on Stephanie’s dates. Unfortunately, it happened a lot, since Stephanie met people and invited them places almost everywhere they went. Heidy didn’t want to be a pain and ask Stephanie to drop her off at home, so she just ended up being the third-wheel.

Stephanie took her swing and then moved aside for Heidy. “He was cute, right?”

“Yeah, he was,” said Heidy, taking her swing. They walked over to where there balls had landed and each of them putted it into the hole.

“Two and two,” said Heidy in a bored tone, marking the score sheet. She didn’t really feel like playing anymore.

“This place is kinda cool,” said Stephanie, looking around them. “Good music too.”

“Yeah, its cool.”

“We should come here more often.”

Heidy shrugged. “Whatever.”

“What’s wrong?” Stephanie was an expert at telling whenever Heidy was bothered by something. This was probably because they had known each other since they were three. The only other person who could read Heidy like a book was their other best friend, Christopher. His father had been transferred to New York temporarily, but he would be back just after school started, and they were both excited. They had met Christopher in middle school and had become instant friends. All that they wanted to do now was for them to all finish their senior year together.

“Come on, tell me,” said Stephanie after Heidy didn’t answer.

“Nothing, I just don’t really feel like mini-golfing anymore.”

“Well all we have to do is play one game and by the time we’re finished we can go out to dinner.”

“I can’t really afford to go out to dinner right now.”

“Didn’t you just get a paycheck like, yesterday?”

Heidy cursed Stephanie for knowing her life so well. “Okay, I just don’t want to go on another one of your dates.”

“Its not a date! We can all hang out together.”

“Yeah, right, because that’s what usually happens when you invite a boy out somewhere.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t think you’d mind.”

Heidy decided to be completely honest. “I’m just getting a little tired of being the third wheel on all of our outings. I thought maybe tonight it could just be you and me.”

“Do you want me to cancel with Logan?”

“No, that’s okay. That would be rude.”

“Okay. Then the next time we go out it’s just you and me, okay? I promise. We can talk and do girly stuff, okay?”

“Yeah, okay.”

“Now, let’s golf!”

Heidy followed Stephanie to the next hole, but she didn’t really feel any better.

Heidy and Stephanie finished their game a little early, so they sat by the pinball machines and waited for Logan to meet them. They only had to wait a few minutes; he got off a little early.

“So where do you guys want to go?” Logan asked. “I don’t really know much about this area.”

“Well, there’s this great little diner only a few blocks away,” said Stephanie. The three of them walked out to her car.

“Sounds good to me,” said Logan. “I’m from Jersey, I’m used to diners.”

“You’re from New Jersey?” Stephanie asked as they all climbed into her Honda. Heidy had to go into the back, which was quite a hassle since it was only a two door. Stephanie started the ignition and pulled out of the parking spot.

“Yeah, Hackensack.”

“Heidy has family there!”

“Really, in Hackensack?” Logan asked, turning to look at Heidy.

“Yeah. Actually, they live in Maywood. But my cousins go to Hackensack high school.”

“What are their names? Maybe I know them.”

“Leticia and Gabriel Prestol.”

“Hm, the names sound a bit familiar but I don’t think I really knew them. So have you ever been to visit?”

Heidy gave a nod. “Yeah. I go about once a year, around summertime. Usually my cousin Leticia comes to visit here in the winter.”

“Cool.”

“We’re here!” Stephanie said as she pulled into the parking lot of Doggy Diner. She found a great parking spot near the entrance.

“Rock star parking,” said Stephanie excitedly. “I have the best of luck.”

The three of them climbed out of the car and went into the diner. It was a quaint little place, with sparkly vinyl booths and middle-aged female waitresses. On each of the four walls were decorations for Chicago teams. One wall was the Cubs, the other the Bears, one was the Bulls and the last was the White Sox. Heidy always sat so she wouldn’t see the Sox one, since she was an avid Cubs fun.

“Hey!” the hostess said as the three of them approached the table. Stephanie and Heidy ate there often and were known by most of the people who worked there, including the owner.

“You’re usual table?” she asked.

Stephanie nodded and she led them to the booth they normally sat at. She gave them the menus and went back to her table. Logan and Stephanie sat on one side, Heidy sat on the other.

“This place is interesting,” said Logan. “I like it.”

“The food is excellent too,” said Stephanie. “You can tell us how it compares to all the diners in Jersey. So why’d you move here?”

“My father was transferred here.”

“Are you a senior?”

“Yeah, I am.”

“Doesn’t it suck to have to go to a new school for your last year?”

Logan shrugged. “Yeah, kinda, but there’s nothing I can do about it. I figure I should just go with it.”

“Well, you’re taking it a lot better than I would have in a similar situation.”

Heidy wasn’t really listening to them as she thumbed threw her menu, trying to decided between a Belgian waffle with strawberries or French toast.

“Do you do any sports?” Stephanie asked.

“No, I’m not really into sports. At least, not playing them. But I’m a big baseball and basketball fan.”

Score one for Logan, Heidy thought. Stephanie hated jocks. The waitress came up to the table and took their drink orders.

“Do you root for the Yankees or the Mets?” Stephanie asked.

Heidy hid a laugh behind her hand. Stephanie knew nothing about baseball. The only reason she knew who the Yankees or the Mets were was because Heidy would talk to her about it. Usually, Stephanie wouldn’t hesitate to shut her up, but apparently some information had gotten across.

“Neither. I’m actually a Cubs fan. My dad was born and raised in Chicago and he passed down the love of the Cubbies to us.”

That caught Heidy’s attention. She looked up at Logan and found him smiling that dazzling smile.

“Heidy and I are huge Cubs fans. Right, Heidy?”

If you count falling asleep by the fifth inning at Wrigley being a “fan,” then yes, Heidy thought. But she didn’t want to call Stephanie out in front of a potential boy toy. “Yeah, sure, big fans,” she said.

“So you’ve probably never been to a game though?” Stephanie asked.

“No, I haven’t. That’s one thing I’m really excited about with moving here. I would love to go to Wrigley Field and see the Cubs play.”

“Well, my dad gets free tickets all the time from the people he works with. Maybe I could score some for us?”

“Really? That would be awesome!”

Heidy frowned. Usually her dad only got two tickets at a time, and he always gave them to Heidy, since he hated baseball and knew how much Heidy loved it. She supposed this meant that she wouldn’t be going to the games this year, if Logan and Stephanie hit it off.

The waitress came back with the drinks and then took their food orders. Stephanie ordered a burger, Heidy went with the waffle, and Logan ordered the French toast.

“Is there anything you think you’re really going to miss about New Jersey?” Stephanie asked.

“Um…getting my gas pumped for me,” said Logan with a laugh.

Stephanie giggled a little too enthusiastically, and Heidy just smiled.

“Are you going to miss New York City?” Stephanie asked.

Heidy had to hand it to Stephanie, she knew how to keep a conversation going. She could understand why all the boys in school liked her so much. She knew how to have fun, and also how to just hang out.

“Yeah, being so close to the city was fun. But I’m pretty excited about checking out Chicago. I hear it’s a cleaner, less lit version of New York.”

“That sounds about right,” said Stephanie.

There was a momentary lull in the conversation. Then Logan asked, “So, who’s your favorite player on the Cubs?”

Stephanie looked surprised by the question. Heidy knew she didn’t know many of the players, and hoped, for Steph’s sake, that she could remember at least one.

“Um…Paul Konerko?”

Heidy couldn’t help herself. She burst out laughing. Logan joined in with her.

“What’s so funny?”

“He doesn’t play for the Cubs,” said Logan. “He’s on the Sox.”

“Oh…well, I just really like him.”

“What about you?” Logan turned to Heidy.

Heidy was nervous to have all of Logan’s attention. She couldn’t look him in the eye. Playing with her straw, she said, “I’m really liking Fukudome this season. He’s great.”

“Yeah, I’m really glad the Cubs got him,” said Logan with a nod. “He’s been spectacular. I hope he keeps it up.”

They talked baseball for a short while until their food came. They spent the rest of the evening talking, laughing, and just having a good time. As they left the diner, Stephanie asked Logan out again.

“Maybe we could all do something before school starts up again. Oh, you know what? There’s an end-of-summer party that one of our friends is throwing! You could totally come.”

“That sounds like fun.”

“You’d get to meet a lot of people before school starts,” said Stephanie. “It would be perfect!”

“Sure, okay. When is it?”

“Tomorrow. Here, give me your number and I’ll call you with the details.”

Heidy watched, a little enviously, as Stephanie and Logan exchanged cell phone numbers. They got into Steph’s car and drove back to the Putting Edge to drop Logan off at his car. Steph was all smiles as they drove away.

“He’s really cute, right?” she asked, all giddy.

“Yeah, he is,” said Heidy. “For once, I like your taste.”

“That baseball thing was kind of embarrassing but he didn’t seem to mind.”

“Yeah, it was just funny,” said Heidy. “Paul Konerko…ha.”

Stephanie laughed. That was one thing Heidy loved about her, she could always laugh at herself. She didn’t take herself too seriously.

“You sleeping over tonight?” Steph asked.

“No, I gotta work tomorrow morning.” Heidy had a job at the Denny’s restaurant in Woodridge.

“Oh, alright. I guess I’ll drop you off then.”

A few minutes later they pulled into Heidy’s driveway. She had a small ranch house in a nice little neighborhood. Stephanie lived in one of the richer subdivisions.

“See you later!” Stephanie said with a smile.

“Bye!” Heidy got out of the car and shut the door behind her. She walked up to the porch and watched Stephanie drive away. She took a seat on the swinging bench and looked up at the night sky. She didn’t want to go inside. She hated being home.

As Heidy found the constellations that she knew about, she couldn’t help but think of Logan. He kept entering her mind unannounced and unwelcome. Heidy couldn’t get over how attractive he was. Although she was rarely jealous of her best friend, Heidy did wish sometimes she could be more like her, more outgoing, more friendly. Maybe then she could go up to a guy like Logan and ask him out as easily as Stephanie did. But Heidy knew she was the way she was for a reason, and that wasn’t going to change any time soon.

Heidy sighed as she got up off the bench and walked to the door. It was time to go in. She slid her key into the lock, opened the door, and slipped into the house quietly. She shut the door behind her and headed through the living room, and then turned right to go to her room.

“Heidy, is that you?” Heidy’s mom called from the kitchen.

Heidy backtracked and walked into the kitchen. Her mom was sitting at the counter. She had a bag of ice pressed against a split lip, and Heidy could see a bruise forming on her cheek.

“What’s up?” Heidy asked.

“Just wanted to make sure it was you. You work tomorrow?”

“Yeah. At five o’ clock.”

“Make sure not to wake up your father.”

“I will. Good night.”

“Good night.”

Heidy headed over to her room. She shut the door quietly behind her and started to get ready for bed.