Pins and Needles

Chapter 18

"Welcome to the party bus!" Maeve exclaimed after I stepped foot in her car.

I made note of Clark taking up the front seat and scowled.

Maeve must have noticed because she sighed, "Look, I know y'all have had a rough ride friendship wise, but it's high time the both of you give up that charade. It must be tiring bickering all the time and I know it has knocked me down a few pegs."

"Yes, I agree with Maeve. I'm tired of our pointless fights when I never do anything to provoke you," Clark faced me and simpered with the last bit.

I simply glanced at his snide remark before engaging with Maeve, "Why's it so important for us to get along? Do you, like, see yourself with him in the future or something?"

The girl lit up like a flame and yelped, "Angel! You can't ask me things like that!"

"Why?"

"Yeah, why?" Clark added, raising his eye at Maeve.

"It... it doesn't matter," Maeve coughed, then changed the subject. "By the way, Angel, I'm really sorry for your loss. I just heard about your Dad, so I'm sorry I didn't say anything sooner."

Crap, I had totally forgotten about Dad. I falsified a sad look on my face and put my head down.

"I am a little hurt that I had to hear about it from your Mom, but I'm sure you had your reasons," she continued.

"Yeah, sorry, I was just too busy figuring out how to... cope," I spit, unsure of what else to say.

Maeve shot me a pitied look, then turned back towards the steering wheel and cleared her throat, "Ahem, well if we sit here any longer, we're gonna be late, so let's hit the road."

I sat back in the seat and peered out the window. Something touched my knee and I looked up to see Clark staring at me wearily. I angled my head down and smooshed my eyebrows together in curiosity.

"Ah, um... I'm sorry for your loss," he said, at least I think he did because his voice was barely above a whisper.

I didn't react in any way and just kept my eyes on him. He gaped his mouth once more, but nothing came out and instead he gave me one more quick glance before swiveling around. I found his actions strange, but didn't think much of it as we trudged to our destination.

...

We arrived moderately on time and were only a few minutes late. We got out of the car and as we neared the group I spotted a certain brown-haired boy chatting it up with Jess and Simon. I couldn't blame this unfortunate meeting on anyone but myself. I knew he was going to come, and yet, I did absolutely nothing to delay my attendance.

I eagerly grabbed Maeve's hand and ran, causing her to yelp in surprise. My foot was not enjoying it being slammed into the concrete over and over again, but I did not let up.

I dragged her to hide behind a few stray cars in the lot and she finally questioned, "What-- what are we doing, Angel?"

I spied over the hood of the car, then replied, "I can't exactly face Dean right now."

"Huh? Why? Did he do something to you?"

I began to shake my head no, but remembering back to the incident that started this, I bobbed my head yes, "He did, but it wasn't something you're thinking of; it wasn't... bad, per say. I don't really know how to talk to him anymore."

"Well, what did he do?"

I paused, then said, "He kissed me."

Maeve's face flashed with various emotions: at first, surprise, then a twinge of sadness, and lastly, joy.