Til The End Of Time

Chapter 3: Ivy

Ivy was sorting through new donations as Rachel wrote down the inventory.

"Hey look at this," she said, handing her a flyer.

Blast From The Past Brooklyn Dance Competition was on the flyer in all red.

"What's this?" Ivy asked.

"Read it!" Rachel sighed.

Join the dance competition for a chance to win $100,000 for your business and a chance for a year's worth of advertisements!

"I think it could help the store!" Rachel said excitedly.

"There's a problem."

"What's that?" Rachel asked, grabbing a sucker out of the candy jar and popped it into her mouth.

"I need a dance partner, says it right there in the fine print."

Rachel tapped her cheek in thought. "Maybe you could take Marky," she suggested.

Mark, who was on a two week vacation,was Ivy's best friend since middle school who also worked at the store and was her partner at the gym.

"Oh sure, Mark would just love that," Ivy rolled her eyes at the thought of dragging him with her.

"You could ask, it's worth a shot."

"I'm pretty sure he'd rather dance with any guy than me."

"Just because he's gay doesn't mean he wouldn't dance with you," Rachel protested. "You guys went to all the school dances together in the past, it could be like walking down memory lane for you two."

"Which is exactly why I'm not going to force him, I can guarantee that he'd just be uncomfortable like in school. We weren't the cool kids remember. Plus it's on Mark and Rick's two year anniversary."

"Fine, but you don't have a lot of time to find a partner so you better get looking."

"Or I simply don't have to do it."

"Too late!"

"What are you talking about?"

"I signed you up!"

"What?!" Ivy nearly dropped the vase she was holding.

"I mean what do you have to lose? If you can't find anyone I'm sure I can get someone last minute. We just wouldn't win," Rachel said.

Ivy pinched the bridge of her nose. What was she going to do with Rachel?

~

Ivy was talking with a lady about a dresser when Rachel came over whispering there was a tall handsome guy staring at her.

She didn't believe her at first until she looked and nearly felt her mouth drop open. That wasn't just any guy.

That was the James Buchanan Barnes.

She had gone over to him and made a huge fool of herself. She didn't want to act like she didn't know him, that felt like lying, but it had just made things awkward. Then she had to go and ramble about her brother. She wanted to kick herself.

This is why she's still single.

He probably thought she was a freak.

Ivy went to the back room and fell to her chair and groaned as she hid her face in her hands.

"Soooo..." Rachel teased, leaning on the doorframe. "How'd it go with the brooding Mr. Sexy?"

"Awful, I made a fool of myself."