More than Friends - Monica Murphy

by Monica Murphy

  “Have a seat.” She waves at the chair on the other side of her desk.

  I settle in, trying to fight the unease that threatens to grab me. “Everything okay?” I ask.

  “Everything’s fine. You’re doing a tremendous job, Amanda. I’m so glad we have you as an employee. You’re such a hard worker and you never complain.” She shoots me a sympathetic look. “But I’m afraid I’m going to have to cut your hours after November 15th.”

  Blake warned me this was coming, and now the moment is here. “By how much?”

  “Well, currently I schedule you anywhere from twelve to fifteen hours a week. After the fifteenth, though, I’m probably not going to be able to give you any more than ten hours a week.” She gives me a bleak smile. “I know that’s not much, and I’m so sorry I have to do this. But business slows way down once the cold weather is upon us, and we’re pretty much there.”

  It’s a clear, sunny day, but it’s brisk outside. Everyone’s over frozen yogurt, I guess. “I get it. I do.”

  “If you need to find more hours elsewhere, I completely understand, but if we get to keep you through the winter, that would be great too. Just know I will respect your decision no matter what.”

  “Thank you for the heads up, Sonja. I really appreciate it.” I stand. “I don’t plan on going anywhere, but I might have to find another part-time job once football season is officially over.” I really don’t want to, but what choice do I have? I can’t do much with ten hours a week. That’s barely four hundred dollars a month after taxes, and I need more if I want to save up for my future.

  “I understand,” she says with a nod. “Just keep me posted.”

  I go into the bathroom, quickly change into my Yo Town shirt and then clock in before joining Blake out in the store, which is now empty.

  Blake’s cleaning up the topping station and he glances up when he spots me. “My mom already give you the bad news?” he asks.

  “Yeah.” I go to stand beside him, noticing that the frosted animal crackers are black and orange and white. Halloween colors. Everyone’s got the Halloween spirit. Sonja put up decorations in the window a few weeks ago. “Kind of sucks.”

  “I know, sorry. I warned you, though.” He tries to cheer me up by saying, “We only opened an hour ago and we’ve been pretty steady, so that’s good.”

  “I’m glad. I don’t want the shift to drag. I need to go back to school once it’s over.” At Blake’s confused look, I explain further. “The Halloween carnival is tonight. The yearbook staff is hosting a haunted house. Aren’t you coming?”

  “Nah.” Blake’s cheeks turn ruddy. “That’s kids stuff.”

  “No it’s not. It’s fun.” I nudge him. “Have you ever been?”

  “Only during my freshman year, and I hated every minute of it.”

  “Aw, you should give it another chance and go, Blake. Won’t some of your friends be there?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe—maybe Kyla’s going,” he mumbles, turning away from me to straighten up the cup display.

  My ears perk up. “Wait a minute, did you say Kyla?”

  He keeps his back to me. “I don’t think so.”

  Liar pants.

  “Um, I do think so.” I tap him on the shoulder and he whirls around, looking defensive. “Are you talking about Kyla the water girl? Short, medium-length brown hair, pretty brown eyes?”

  He says nothing, but he doesn’t have to speak. The answer is written all over his embarrassed face.

  “I know her, we’re friends!” Well, a slight exaggeration, but we’re getting there. “I’m a water girl too, remember? We spend a lot of time together at the games and at practice. How do you know her?”

  Blake shrugs, his expression pained. “We have a couple of classes together.”

  “Is she going to the carnival tonight?”

  “I don’t know.” He heads to the back of the store without another word.

  Clearly he doesn’t want to talk about it, so I let it go.

  Customers stream in steadily throughout my shift, a lot of them people from school. I see Lauren Mancini and her posse, which isn’t a surprise because remember, she just loves this place.

  But what is a surprise is her demeanor. She approaches me as I stand behind the register, and there’s almost a—shy expression on her face.

  Say what?

  “So, hey, Amanda. What’s up?”

  “Nothing much,” I say warily. “How are you?”

  “I’m good, I’m good.” She pauses, then leans in closer. “Um, can I ask you a question?”

  I calculate the weight of her frozen yogurt cup and then key in the price on the register. “Four dollars and sixty two cents.” I hesitate when I catch the expectant look on her face. I don’t know what her plan is, but I’m not in the mood to be messed with today. “As long as it has nothing to do with Tuttle, then sure. Ask away.”

  She looks slightly taken aback but she forges on. “What’s the deal with you and Eli Bennett?”

  Okay. That was unexpected. Where’s the punch line? I’m waiting for her to accuse me of poaching a freshman. Or being a cradle robber. Whatever mean thing she can say about Eli and me, I’m prepared.

  But I see nothing on her face but genuine curiosity. Which of course, leaves me curious too.

  “There’s no deal with me and Eli,” I tell her. “We’re just friends.”

  “Really? He said you two broke up last night, and that you were really upset over it.”

  “Did he tell you that himself?” I’m half tempted to beat that kid up, I swear. Again with the violence, but I guess when you’re dealing with idiots, you can’t help it.

  “Well, I wasn’t the one who actually talked to him.” She shifts her feet, clearly uncomfortable.

  “Who did then? One of your friends?” Was he at the party spreading rumors to everyone or what? Stupid Eli. I knew he would run with this, but I didn’t realize just how far.

  “I heard a rumor, okay?” Her voice is full of irritation and she shakes her head. “Nothing confirmed.”

  “Oh.” This entire situation is only getting weirder and weirder. “Okay, fine. Eli and I were kind of hanging around.” For approximately thirty minutes. “And yes, we had some good times.” They lasted three minutes, tops. “Before everything fell apart.” Thanks to his running away from Tuttle. Heaven forbid he risks getting his ass kicked.

  Why am I covering for him again? I have to admit—there’s something about Eli Bennett that’s charming. He’s crass and overeager and he says really dumb things, but he’s also really cute and kind of sweet. He’s harmless.

  “Short and sweet then.”

  “That’s all you need with Eli,” I assure her. Listen to me.

  What am I doing?

  Lauren wrinkles her nose and lowers her voice. “He’s kind of cute, though, don’t you think?”

  “He’s really cute,” I stress. Not a lie either. The boy is hot, but definitely not for me. I’m in love with someone else. “So tall too.”

  “Taller than his brother.”

  “And Eli’s a great kisser.”

  Lauren’s eyes go wide with surprise. “You really did kiss him?”

  I give a short nod, but say nothing. Let her imagination run wild. It makes the story that much more interesting.

  “How do you catch all of these elusive hot guys, Amanda? I don’t get it.”

  “I don’t get it either,” I say with a soft laugh. Her other friends approach and she shoots me a look that tells me to be quiet.

  So I am. I don’t reveal her interest in Eli, and she’s not mean to me, so I guess we’ve come to some sort of truce.

  “Going to the carnival tonight?” I ask them as I’m handing over their change.

  “You know it,” Lauren says with an arrogant little smile. “We’re running a kissing booth.”

  Figures. “A kissing booth during Halloween? Isn’t that more appropriate for Valentine’s Day?”

  “Kissing is appropr
iate year-round. Besides, we’re dressing up as sexy witches. It’ll be fun!”

  They grab their yogurt and leave the shop in a whirlwind of whispered words and not so discreet giggles.

  “I hate those girls,” Blake says the moment they’re gone.

  “Have they been mean to you?”

  “Nah. They don’t even know I exist. They’re just so self-absorbed.”

  He’s right. I think we all become self-absorbed. It’s like we can’t help it. We’re in our own little world, surrounded by our friends and family and interests, and after a while, we don’t even notice anyone else.

  “They’re not so bad if you know how to deal with them.” I smile at Blake. “Maybe I can give you lessons on how to deal with bitchy cheerleaders.”

  He cracks a smile. First one I’ve seen from him all day. “Sounds like a plan. Though I’d rather you give me a lesson on how to talk to Kyla.”

  Now we’re talking. I rub my hands together greedily. “I need more details first before I can start teaching. You ready to talk?”

  “Not really.” Blake swallows hard. “But I can try.”

  “That’s all I can ask for.”

  “You need to hurry,” I tell Liv as she carefully attaches fake lashes we decided to go with after all to my right eye. “We have to be out there soon.”

  “Shush, I’m almost done.” I already have fake eyelashes on my left eye and my lids feel extra heavy. “You are going to look so amazing. I hope Tuttle dies a little inside when he sees you.”

  I snort. “He won’t even be here tonight. He’s not social, remember.”

  “True. He should be here, though. Let’s make sure and take lots of photos tonight and plaster them all over Snapchat. You are the sexiest witch ever.” She steps back and beams.

  “I don’t even know if he follows me.” Lies. He does follow me. The #cuddlewithTuttle memory still lingers.

  Still hurts.

  “Ugh, he makes me nuts. Forget him.” Livvy is still smiling at me. “You look amazing.”

  “So do you.”

  She bats her false eyelashes. “Why thank you, my spooky witch friend.”

  I turn to look at myself in the mirror and I have to admit, I look pretty damn good. Even better than the trial run on Thursday night, and we were pretty smokin’ hot and spooky then too. My makeup is on point—scary without being hideous. My hair is parted in the middle and flowing past my shoulders, straightened to perfection with Livvy’s extra-hot straightener. I’m still a little self-conscious about the low neckline on this costume, but screw it. I’m performing tonight. I get to be someone else for a little while.

  May as well enjoy it.

  Livvy grabs my shoulders from behind and leans down so she’s in the mirror with me too. Our gazes meet in the reflection. “We look so freaking great! We better head over to the caf before Elaine kicks our asses.”

  We leave the auditorium where we got ready, via the back exit, which is also the long way, since we don’t want anyone to see us in costume. It’s not quite five o’clock, but the quad is already full of people milling about. And there’s a decent-sized line to get into the haunted house.

  The Halloween carnival at our high school is an annual event, and it’s a huge deal. It’s a great way for organizations and clubs at the school to raise money. It’s always fun, and who doesn’t love Halloween? Well, there are more than a few people who don’t love it, and during our freshman year, a few disgruntled parents from the PTA threatened to shut it all down, but the students and faculty eventually prevailed. The Halloween carnival lives on.

  This is our last year to attend, so it feels bittersweet. It’s hard to believe all of these things we’ve experienced the past three years are our lasts this year. Our last first day of school, last homecoming—which I missed—and now it’s the last Halloween carnival.

  I need to make the most of this tonight. I know Livvy wants to as well.

  Usually I’m participating in the band fundraiser, which, naturally, always involves music. This year’s theme is a haunted band performance. I heard they set up the band room to look like an old time bar with a tiny stage where various band members perform. They’re all dressed up as ghosts from the Wild West. I see more than a few girls dressed like they walked straight out of a saloon, but their faces are white and their eyes are black. It’s pretty cool.

  “Everyone looks so great,” Livvy says as we head toward the back entrance of the cafeteria. One of the staff members is standing guard in front of the doors, and when he sees it’s us, he lets us in.

  It’s dark inside, with the black tarps hanging and the majority of the lights are off. We created a haunted maze within the cafeteria and there are little alcoves scattered throughout, where different “scenarios” are set up. Livvy’s in the vampire scenario while I’m in a witches and warlocks scene, but I have no idea where I’m supposed to go.

  “There you two are!” Elaine miraculously appears in front of us, dressed in a devil costume with a pointy red tail and little red horns sticking out of the top of her head, plus she’s carrying a pitchfork. It’s scarily accurate, what with the way she ran all of us ragged this morning. Livvy told me she never let up either.

  This is why the cafeteria looks so amazing. Elaine wouldn’t accept anything less.

  “Hey, boss!” Livvy waves, extra cheerful on purpose. We know it drives Elaine nuts. “Where do you want us?”

  Elaine briskly walks us through the maze, pointing to where each of us should go. The vampire section comes up first, so Livvy’s out, blowing kisses at us and laughing when Elaine takes my hand and drags me deeper into the maze.

  “Here’s your station.” Elaine gives me a little shove and I’m in an alcove with a small round table where three other witches sit. “Be scary and freak them out, but remember, don’t touch the houseguests!”

  “Oooh, you look extra scary,” one of the witches says as she takes me in. She’s wearing a sexy witch costume, and her boobs look like they’re ready to pop out at any moment. She kicks out the last chair for me. “Sit at the front of the table.”

  Scary music kicks on and people start trickling in. We sit at the table at first, hissing and cackling and saying goofy stuff as people pass by. But eventually we get bored, so we hide behind corners and randomly jump out at different times, scaring our so-called houseguests. People shriek and scream and run from us, but there’s lots of laughter too.

  It’s so freaking easy, and we are having way too much fun with this.

  I see a few people I know and they call out my name and wave, or say silly stuff, trying to get me to break character. But I hold up as best as I can, calling everyone, “my pretty” and wiggling my long, black press-on nails at them as they walk by.

  At one point I see Tara and Thad pass by our alcove, holding hands and looking very couple-y. I feel a pang in my heart for the briefest moment. Then I wonder why they’re not working at the band fundraiser.

  About halfway through my shift, Em walks right up to me, fully decked out in a Suicide Squad costume. Tiny booty shorts, a tight-fitting top that shows off her stomach, and a little heart painted just below her right eye—she makes a most excellent Harley Quinn.

  “You don’t scare me,” she drawls, her bright red lips stretching into a huge smile.

  I wave my nails at her. “Where’s your baseball bat?”

  “They wouldn’t let me bring it on school property. They considered it a dangerous weapon.” She mock pouts and I can’t help but laugh.

  She just shakes her head at me and walks away.

  Eli Bennett walks through with his friends and they all stop and stare at me while Eli just stands among them and nods. I can only imagine what he’s told them about me. He’s got the biggest shit-eating grin on his face, and I glare at him, hoping he’ll leave.

  He doesn’t. So I steadily approach, until I’m standing just in front of him. So close I could touch him. They all freeze, their eyes wide, matching horrified expressions o
n their faces. The other witches rally behind me, and they also remain quiet. I’m thrilled they’re cooperating without my having to even ask.

  “She’s freaky, man,” one of the boys whispers, and another one shushes him.

  I twist my red lips into a wicked smile, tapping one long black nail against my lower lip as I contemplate them. They’re just waiting for me to do something outrageous, so I go for subtle instead.

  “Boo,” I whisper, and they all scatter like leaves in the wind.

  Ah, silly freshmen boys.

  We start doing this for all the witches’ friends—and enemies. Whenever one of the girls leaps to the front, we fall in behind, following her cues. Every time we chase someone away, we collapse against each other in giggling fits. I’ve never had such a good time scaring people in all my life.

  We keep up this pace for a solid two hours until an announcement is broadcast over the cafeteria sound system.

  “Attention, houseguests. We ask that you please exit the house within the next ten minutes. The house is closing for a fifteen-minute break, but fear not! The house will reopen soon. Thank you, boos and ghouls.” The announcer sounds off with an evil laugh.

  My shift is over after those ten minutes, and then the second crew will come on duty. I seriously need to pee and I’m desperate for something to drink. My throat hurts from all the witch talk and yelling. Plus I’m starving, and I bet Livvy is too. We’ll have to go check out the food booths and grab something to eat.

  People start leaving the cafeteria in droves, so I cut out early and head to the bathroom in the back near the kitchen, which is closed off to the public. I handle my business, wash my hands, fix my smeared makeup as best as I can, then exit the bathroom, intent on finding Livvy so we can go get something to drink and eat.

  But I stop short when I see who’s standing there. Like he’s waiting for me.

  Tuttle.

  “Hey.” His voice is soft and he keeps his distance, as if he’s afraid I’ll run. Or attack him.

  “Hi.” I stay where I’m at, not wanting to get close for fear I might do something. Like run. Or attack him.