“What makes you think you can treat him this way?” I was hot with anger. “He hasn’t done anything to you. He’s been nothing, but a nice guy to everyone, and all you want to do is humiliate him.”
“Whatever.” They said together.
“It’s amazing,” I said.
“What is?” They asked.
“I didn’t know that three people could share the same brain. You guys are the losers. You can’t see how great he is. You do this every year. Each year it’s a new victim. Well, it stops here!” I turned around and had Alan lean on my shoulder as I took him to my car.
“Do you mind your seats get a little wet?” He looked at me.
“No, of course not.” The rest of the car ride was pretty much silent. Neither of us knew what to say. It was very hard for both of us to accept what had happened. Alan broke the silence.
“Thank you,” He said barely above a whisper.
“You don’t need to thank me,” I answered.
“Yes, I do. You defended me. No one has ever done that for me before. I don’t really have any friends to help me out.”
“Alan, why would you let them do that to you? They don’t deserve to talk to you, and you don’t deserve their treatment. I mean I used to be like you where no one really wanted to hang out with me, but I’ve changed.”
“I don’t want to change. This is who I am, and if I get hurt for who I am, then so be it. I won’t let them change me.” He responded.
“You don’t have to change, but you don’t have to let them talk to you the way that they did. It’s not right. I mean, if you ever need anyone to talk to… I’m here. You don’t have to have a limited amount of friends. It’s just I can’t hang out with you in school.”
“Why? Because I’m a dork?” He inquired.
I looked at him in surprise, “I didn’t say that.”
“That’s what you meant. You’re afraid to be seen with me because then you might lose some of your friends. Or you might even lose the reputation that you’ve worked so hard for.” He reasoned.
“No. That’s not true. I can’t hang out with you in school, because I have other friends and I like to be with them. I like you and all, but I never see you during the day.”
“You see me in English.”
“Yes. And I will keep seeing you in English. We will always be friends,” I said.
“I understand.” Alan looked at me, “Can I ask you something.”
“Anything.”
“Why did you do it?”
I turned into his driveway, “Do what?”
“Help me.”
“Because you needed help and I couldn’t stand to see you in such pain.” I helped him out of the car, “Can I ask you something?”
“What?”
“Why did you ask her to Homecoming?” I let him lean on me, “Did you think that she would say yes? Don’t you know what kind of a person Jill is?”
“I do now. I thought she was like me, afraid.” He opened his door and stepped inside. “Can I give you a hug?” He looked imploringly at me.
“Yes.”
“Thanks!” He gave me the tightest hug anyone had ever given me. At first, I just sat there stiff as a log as he hugged me. Then I hugged him back. We both had tears in our eyes. It had been a very, very long day.
“Um…Alan?”
“Yes, Ashley?”
“I kind of can’t breathe.”
“Sorry!” He let go of his jaws-of-life hold on me. “Go in peace.” He gave me the Star Trek hand gesture. I went back in my car, and he watched me until he couldn’t see me anymore. It’s amazing how dorks can be the nicest people you’ll ever meet. He may be a crackpot with a screw loose upstairs, but I had learned something from him. Nice people come in strange packages. As I was thinking this, I opened the door and picked up my cell phone. Then I called up Allie.
“Hello?”
“Allie?”
“Yes.”
“It’s Ashley. I really need to talk to you. Is anyone at your house besides you?”
“No, but I can’t invite you over. Sorry.” Allie apologized.
“I just wanted to make sure that Betty wasn’t there. We’re in trouble. Jack is going out with Lena. I just had a faceoff with them. It wasn’t pretty. I don’t know what we’re going to do, but we’d better do something.”
“Whoa! Slow down. This doesn’t make any sense. It sounded like you said that Jack and Lena are going out.”
“I did! They are, and it gets worse because they’re going to Homecoming together,” I finished.
“No way! This isn’t happening.”
“I know, Allie, that’s why I called you.”
“Oh.”
“What?”
“What about Homecoming? Are we still going if we know that Lena and Jack are going to be there? It’s this Saturday.”
“I don’t know. I think we should, but maybe we could get Betty to not go. Someone has to go and check up on Lena and Jack to make sure that they don’t do anything.” I answered.
“You should go, Ash. Take care of this.” Allie assigned me my job.
“Ok. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” I hung up. I knew what I had to do. And I was going to make sure that in the end it was Betty and Jack that were together.
Chapter 3
Homecoming
Homecoming: the night of a thousand dances and fancy dresses. (HEY! That sort of rhymed.) The first Homecoming I ever went to opened my eyes to the new world of high school. I wasn’t used to the drinking and the nasty dancing, but there were good parts too. Now here I was, again at homecoming. This time was different. I had a mission. I had to save Jack from the evil clutches of Lena. There was no way of convincing Betty into not going, so Allie, Tina, Keri, and Jennifer were busy keeping her on the other end of the dance floor. “Wow! This music is great,” Keri yelled above the speakers.
“I know. We should request a song,” Ben added. He and Keri had come together as friends. This was something that I didn’t understand. I mean, I guess if someone wanted to go with me as friend…maybe then I’d jump at the chance, but I still think going stag is much better. That’s what I had done. I had come without a date, but with friends. Jennifer and Tad had paired up as friends for the night as well. The thing that amazed me most was that Allie was somehow able to make Big Al go with her. And Tom, as always, had come alone. Everyone said that Tom and I should go out, and for a time I believed them. I finally realized that I just didn’t like him like that, and that I was only into him because my friends had pushed it. Now we were just friends. He was always a little detached from us, and there wasn’t anything that we could do to get him to talk more.
“Check me out!” Big Al started to do the worm on the floor. We all started laughing and dancing.
“Go! Go! Go!” We all yelled together, cheering Big Al on.
“When do you think that they’ll get here?” Jennifer asked me.
“I don’t know, but why don’t we just enjoy the time that we have right now, okay?” I started to do the robot.
“Okay.” Jennifer replied, giggling.
Just as we were about to dance more, I saw Alan. I went over to say hi. Right before I could, some guy ran past me, and knocked me backwards. He ran to the garbage can and threw up big time. I’ve never seen someone puke that much. Then he wiped his face and went back onto the dance floor to get down. Is it just me or did that not make any sense? I know that people don’t like to stay away from the party long, but don’t you think that if you barf that you should kind of take a rest? That just totally freaked me out. I didn’t know that if you barfed you could just go back to your normal life. Ah, the joys of high school.
“Ashley, can I talk to you?” Betty walked up to me.
“Sure.” I stopped dancing.
“No, let’s take a walk.”
“Why?”
“I just want to make sure that only you hear me.” Betty continued to walk.
I followed her, “Okay.
What’s on your mind?”
“Jack. I’ve heard the rumors. I know what’s going on.”
“You do?” I frowned.
“Yes,” Betty responded.
“Oh, I thought that you didn’t.”
“I know that’s why I told you. I didn’t want you to think that I was out of it. I want to help you get Lena. Now I know why you don’t like her. She just likes to torture people.”
“You’ve got that right!
“So what’s your plan of action?” Betty questioned. (Can’t you just hear the mission impossible music?)
“I don’t have one. I’m going to go up and talk to her.”
“That’s it? You’re just going to talk to her? Shouldn’t we have some sort of diabolical plan that’s incredibly ingenious?” Betty looked at me.
“Be serious, Bet. This is high school. Unless you have some sort of plan that’s better I suggest you be realistic. We’re not in Hollywood.” I said.
“Right…sorry.” Betty and I had just reached the others and started to rejoin the group.
“Incoming, I hear a loud shrieking noise coming from the general direction of the double doors,” Tina danced over to me with her date. I didn’t know him, but I think he was from another school.
I nodded, “Lena.” I turned and started to walk towards the doors in order to get them. There was Lena and Jack just like expected. Lena was sleazy as always. She had on a see-through gold tinted halter top with a black bra underneath. Her skirt was knee length and had the shredded look at the bottom. She had on stiletto heels. I hoped that she would trip on them and break her neck. Well, I didn’t mean that, but still.
“Lena,” I said simply.
“What do you want?” Jack looked at me with warning eyes.
“I came here to talk to Lena,” I answered.
“I don’t think that I’m going to let…”
“Oh, Jack, just let her. Go get me some punch. She kissed him and then started nibbling on his ear.
“Cut it out before I spew all over your prostitute outfit that you call a Homecoming dress!” I rolled my eyes.
“Lena…” Jack cautioned.
“Go and get me my drink already!” Lena yelled. Jack went off as Lena stared at me. It was almost as if she had taken all the coldness from Antarctica and put them in her eyes.
“So where’s Larry and Moe?” I asked.
“What? Are you comparing my friends to the three stooges?”
“Well, since you’re Shemp…I just figured they were the other two stooges.” I smiled.
“Ewwww! Isn’t Shemp the one with really greasy hair?” She touched her own hair.
“It fits you so well, doesn’t it?”
“Whatever. Jill and Liz got drunk and passed out before they got here. They won’t be able to make it.” Lena surprisingly answered my question.
“Wait…isn’t that your two friends in crime over there?” I pointed to Liz and Jill who were stumbling around and laughing like idiots.
“I’m so hot! Everybody wants me,” Liz said slurring her words.
“Yeah. Let’s dance!” Jill wasn’t as drunk, but still affected. They started to dance around like losers, and were doing disco moves that were just sad. It got worse when Liz started singing.
“Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Stayin’ alive! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Stayin’ alive!” Liz was totally tone deaf. Everyone at the dance grabbed for their ears in order to protect them. I knew that the cats and dogs would be coming any minute.
“No! I’m too sexy for your potty! Too sexy for your potty! The way I’m disco dancing!” Jill started to pretend she was on a catwalk, but stumbled over and started laughing again.
“My heart will go on and on!” Liz broke into song. She started waving her arms crazily. “I’m so drunk!” She giggled. By this time almost everyone was just watching. Everyone was laughing at them. Of course, since Liz and Jill were so out of it, they thought the crowd was laughing “with” them. So they kept getting worse and worse. I thought it was hilarious, but Lena was horrified.
“Wait a minute! Wait a minute!” Jill put her hands up.
“What?” Liz had a lazy smile on her face.
“I don’t think we’re very funny.”
“Why not, Jillie?”
“Well, Lizzie, we need to get more attention.”
“How do we do that?” Liz snorted.
“Like this!” Liz took off the top half of her dress and started running around in just her skirt and bra.
“No. I don’t think that works! Put your top back on.” Jill asked.
“Okay.” Liz put her top back on and you could hear all the guys groan.
“Won’t you take me to Funky Town?” Jill chuckled.
“Sure!” Liz answered.
“Do you know where it is?”
“No! We could ask.” Liz looked around the room.
“So where’s Funky Town, Liz?”
“I don’t know, Jill.”
“Hey people! Where’s Funky Town?” Liz fell over into a heap on the ground.
“I’ll save you!” Jill pretended to dive underwater. She picked up Liz.
“Let’s sing some more!” Liz said.
“NO! Let’s not. Just sit down, both of you! You’re making fools of yourselves.” Lena ran over to them. “You’re embarrassing me!”
“Well, you embarrass me all the time.” Liz laughed.
“Yeah, me too!” Jill nodded.
“I don’t feel so good.” Liz sat down in the middle of the dance floor.
“Get up! You’re making a scene.” Lena hoisted Liz up.
“’But I-” Liz hurled all over Lena’s stiletto heels.
“Ewwww! These were brand new! How could you do this?” Lena dropped Liz and went to the bathroom. Liz passed out, but Jill was still up and around. She started running around the gym.
“I’m a Teletubbie! I’m a Teletubbie!” Jill yelled as she ran around. Everyone just kept on dancing. Lena had gotten back and started running after Jill, but Jill kept getting away.
“Get back here! You’re acting like a child,” Lena screamed.
“Well at least you’re not the only one, Lena!” Jill laughed.
“I’ll let that go because you’re not yourself. You’re not seeing clearly,” Lena reasoned.
“Oh, but I’m seeing so clearly. For the first time, everything makes so much sense. You see I’m a Teletubbie.” Jill kept running around. She finally fell into an exhausted heap. Lena dragged Liz and Jill into a corner. She then covered them with a tablecloth.
I walked over to her, “Babysitting is rough, huh?”
“Shut up!” Lena wiped the sweat off her forehead.
“So I guess the girls did make it to the dance.”
“I guess.”
“They sure look like-” I was about to make fun of them.
“So what do you want? I know you love insulting me, but I’m sure that’s not why you’re here.”
“I want you to leave him alone,” I replied frankly.
“No.”
“Why not?” I questioned.
“Ashley, Ashley. You don’t understand. I’ve always wanted a red Viper ever since I could remember.”
“I know.”
Lena looked at me, raising her eyebrows. She continued, “Well, Daddy simply can’t afford it, and I want it. Did you know that Jack’s parents are the owners of a major company?”
“Yes.” My face was boiling because it was so hot. I understood exactly what Lena was getting at.
“Well, I think you know what I’m talking about. I know you think highly of yourself, and think that I would date Jack to get at you, but in reality it’s just a bonus.” Lena reached into her purse and pulled out some lipstick. She carefully put it on her lips, puckered them at me, and then made a smoochy sound.
“You’re not as smart as you think you are, Lena. Jack won’t fall for it. He’s smarter than you think!” I felt beaten, but I wouldn’t let Lena know that.
Jack
returned, “Here’s your punch, Sweetheart.” He saw the tears in my eyes, and grabbed my shoulder, as I was about to leave. “What’s wrong?”
I turned to him and shook my head, “You know, you just refuse to see it.” I walked away leaving him alone with Lena. I needed to do something. I looked at the floor as I was walking and again I bumped into a body. I looked up, “Why do we keep bumping into each other like this?”
“I don’t know. Sorry, I haven’t been very honest with you. I’ve been bumping into you on purpose.” The Mohawk guy said to me.
“Why? Do you have some sick fun in making me late for classes and stepping on my new shoes?” I joked.
“No…I-” He started.
“I’d love to talk, but I have to go. I’ve got a lot to do.” I walked off towards Betty and the girls.
“So any luck yet?” Tina asked me.
“She’s dating him for the money.” I said.
“That’s it? You didn’t get anymore?”
“None.” I looked back to see if the Mohawk guy was still there, but he was gone. I noticed how all the other girls had left to dance with their dates. Tom was out of sight and I was left to watch over Betty. I decided that she would be okay on her own. I went over to go take care of Lena and Jack, but Jack was all alone.
“Where’s Lena?” I asked.
“She said she had something that she had to take care of. You wouldn’t know what that is would you?” He seemed to be anxious.
“No. She’s unpredictable. I know that you like her, but I don’t have to Jack.” I met his eyes.
“I know. I’m starting to think something is up with Princess Lena.”
“How so?” I inquired.
“At first she seems so easily pleased. It’s like she has something up her sleeve all the time. Then, she’s really bossy, and keeps going on about how she wants all these things.”
“I warned you, but you didn’t listen.” I reminded.
“Yeah, but you didn’t do the best warning. You just insulted me.”
“How did I insult you?” I asked indignantly.
“You said that she could only like me because she wanted to get back at you. You made me feel like no one could like me for me,” Jack commented.
“I’m sorry. That’s not what I meant. I just think that you and Betty are so much better matched.” I confessed.
A Life Like Mine Page 4