Summer Fun - Danielle Armstrong

Chapter Two: How Can This Be Happening To Me? (Part 2)

As I passed the DJ booth, I smiled at Nikki and she smiled back. I got over to Allison and she smiled at me. "Hey, there's my girly girl" she greeted, giving me a side hug with the arm that was holding her pop. "Hey" I responded, trying to hide my sadness in my voice, but I failed. "Hey, what's wrong? It's summer, you should be happy" she inquired worriedly as we sat down at a table. "I am. I love summer, bu-" I started, but she stopped me with a sigh and mocked "but Tommy is constantly talking about other girls and-" then I cut her off, "whoa, who said anything about Tommy?" She laughed and looked at me all knowingly, which she was. "I know you like him. Come on, it's so obvious" she revealed, laughing more and I shook my head. "Doesn't matter anyways, never gonna happen, but he is acting weird today. A bit last night too. I don't know what's going on" I mumbled, glancing at the boys that were standing in a semi circle huddle talking. She looked too, then back at me, and pulled my attention back to her by saying, "you don't know that. Tell me what's going on, what do mean he's acting weird?" I told her about the flirting, the weird looks from Farraday and Woody, the cautious bike ride, what Farraday had said when we got her, and I finally blurted "and he might have seen me in my bra last night." He jaw dropped and she looked stunned. "Wait, what? He saw your bra, like on you?" she quizzed, leaning in. "I was messing with them because they were keeping me awake by talking over the walkies and I took off my shirt knowing Tommy was looking through the window"I explained, closing my eyes at the end because I was too nervous to see her reaction. "You slut!" she giggled, making me open my eyes and look at her angrily. "Hey, I was just fucking around. I didn't think it would do or mean anything. I think I freaked him out"I started angry, but it changed to sadness. She laughed again, while claiming, "well I definitely think he likes you." Now it was my turn to laugh. "There is no way. He always talks about other girls and never looks at me like that. We're just friends, besides there's absolutely no way. I'm not attractive enough or 'hot' like Nikki" I proved, using my hands to point out the looks he was giving other girls and used air quotations with my hands as I looked at Nikki. "HEY YOU, STOP THAT! YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL AND IF HE'S TOO BIG OF AN IDIOT TO GET HIS HEAD OUT OF HIS ASS, then you don't need a shithead like him anyways-" she yelled, catching everyone's attention. I quickly kicked her under the table, leaning in and cutting her off by whisper yelling "WOULD YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Oh my god! She just yelled that and everyone's staring at us, including the guys. I'm so embarrassed. 

I buried my face in my hands, swearing under my breath, "oh crap, oh crap, oh crap." Most of the people had started laughing really loudly and I looked back up at Allison with teary eyes. She looked shocked and tried apologizing, "I'm so sorry. I can't believe I said that." I nodded and mumbled a yeah. My face was burning hotter than it had ever before and I looked around at everyone. I stopped at the guys and swallowed hard. They just stood there looking at me with sorrow, but then Farraday and Woody started laughing. Davey stayed sad, whereas Eatsy looked angry. Why was he angry? He punched the two laughing idiots in the arms. Maybe he was mad at them for laughing. Out of everyone, Tommy would have been the first one laughing at me. He couldn't have known we were talking about him, could he? We were pretty far away from the boys, but maybe they heard us. Or what if someone else overheard us, went over, and told them. Oh god. I felt my stomach flip and I felt like I was going to be sick. I slowly stood up, whispering, "well it was nice seeing you Allie" she hated that nickname, I don't actually know why, "but I gotta go die in a hole now, very far away."

I quickly exited the bowling alley, pushing past people. Allison called after me, except I ignored her, I just wanted to be alone, possibly forever. That was embarrassing and confusing. Why didn't he laugh? I went to the side of the bowling alley, away from everyone, and leaned against the wall. I finally let my tears out, they streamed down my cheeks and I slid down the wall to a sitting position on the floor. I rested my elbows on my knees and hid my face in my hands. Great now I'm adding to my humiliation, I'm crying on the floor in public. I'm pathetic. I heard a few footsteps come around the corner and stop beside me. "Please just go away" I begged, not moving or looking up from my spot, "I just want to be alone." I was surprised when someone sat beside me, wrapped an arm around me, and pulled me into them. I tensed up, but I relaxed when I felt that the person was wearing a leather jacket and he smelt like Tommy. A mix of mint gum and cheap woodsy cologne. I immediately relaxed into him, feeling safe in his arms and was stunned with Woody and Farraday when they said "she's right you know" "yeah Dani, whoever this asshole is doesn't deserve you if he can't see how beautiful you are." I looked at them, letting go of Tommy. I instantly regretted letting him go. I missed the warmth, safety, and comfort of his arms. I laughed and scoffed "yeah right", shaking my head. A look of pain crossed all of their faces and Farraday shook his head. "No Dani, I really mean it" Farraday reassured me. I laughed again and abruptly push myself off the floor, surprising all of them. I knew Farraday was just trying to be nice and trying to cheer me up. "Bullshit. I'm not like other girls, guys. I'm not pretty, 'hot', or fuckable! No one thinks of me that way and they never will. I'm never pretty enough or good looking enough for a guy to look at me the way Davey looks at Nikki" I yelled, starting off strongly, then I calmed down at the end. I turned to face them, seeing the disappointment in their eyes. Tommy also stood up and I looked down at the floor as another tear slipped out. Then Tommy said something that made the others give him a dirty look and Woody punched him in the arm, "you're not pretty."