The good, the bad...and the 'awkward'.

Part 17- Social Suicide and the Break up.

Previously on The good, the bad...and the 'awkward'.:

As James drove past Kent's current home, I happened to glance out the window.

What I witnessed made my blood run cold. I thought I was going to be sick.

Kent was getting into a car that had pulled up by his door.

The car belonged to none other than Harrison, and his stupid girlfriend.

Kent was seating himself in the back, beside Shelby.

~

I instantly choked on my own spit. I wanted to explain to James what I'd just witnessed, but I'd then, in turn have to explain WHO exactly Kent is, and James would never understand that. What was Kent thinking?! Sure, I don't expect him to know how his new found friends basically ruined my life last month, but I DO find it very odd that he'd be making friends with that type of group. It was a very unnerving situation for me, and I was determined to get to the bottom of it. That day, after school James and I decided to get ice cream. Oddly enough, it was a warm, sunny day and the ice cream and smoothie stand set up business in their usual spot by the memorial garden. The stand was more or less a community project. If you were a teenager, or even a child for that matter in need of a job, you'd speak to the mayor of our town, and he'd set you up so you're in charge of the stand. Of course all proceedings don't go to you, but a large percentage does. It's a wonderful opportunity. I did it once or twice myself, when I was younger. We decided to go home and change, to suit the weather. I wore shorts, a tank top and flip flops. James who never wore anything less than jeans, changed into a lighter t-shirt.

We went to the stand and got our favorites. It had been awhile since anyone had tasted anything but frozen, store bought ice cream, half of our town's population were filling the picnic tables beside the stand. It felt like summer again. The sun was burning our skin, a feeling I never thought I'd miss. James and I had difficulty obtaining a seat, since they were so overcrowded with our neighbors, friends, strangers and...enemies.

Once we were seated, however. I had a better view of everyone. That's when I noticed a group of very familiar people purchasing ice cream cones. The first to stand out to me was Shelby. You could spot her gorgeous face, body and hair in a crowd of two thousand. Beside Shelby was Harrison, and....Kent. For the second time that day I had extreme difficulty breathing. So many questions were taking control of my mind. I needed air, I was suffocating in this heat, surrounded by all these warm bodies.

"James..." I tugged on his shirt. "Yes?" He seemed lost in thought. "James!" I persisted.

"Yes?!" His gaze shot to my face as he sensed my urgency. "Um..." I suddenly became quiet. He'd ask why I wanted to leave so quickly, and then I'd have to explain about Kent, something I'd been avoiding. It wasn't like I couldn't stand to be around Harrison and Shelby. I HAD to be, I saw them everyday. "Uh...James. It's really hot. I wonder if we could sit somewhere with shade?" He scratched his head. "Well...I mean, if that's what you want. You won't find another table though, they're all taken...we'd have to sit in the grass...." "That's fine." I replied, this time with urgency. "Alright then...." We made our way over to the stand of pines near the community garden. There were a few people milling around, the grass was dry, warm and covered with a blanket of pine needles, so all in all, even though I was escaping, it was a much better place to be. It was also a place to be noticed though, something I hadn't given any thought.

I heard my name called, and inwardly shrunk away from the direction it was being called from. Kent jogged up to me. "Delanie!" He said again.

"Keep it down!" I hissed, hoping his cronies weren't going to follow him over here. They were still ordering. Since when was Kent such a gorgeous, annoying person?