Poison Ivy

7.

Friday night finally came around, and I found myself extra anxious. I've never been out on an actual date before. Sure I've been on a date before, but there were always other people with us. This time it was just going to be me and Justin. I don't know why the thought terrified me, but it did. Not to mention, the concert is all the way in Tulsa, which is a little over an hour away. I've only been to Tulsa a few times, and I'm not all that familiar with the area. What if something happens? What if we have car troubles and end up getting stranded? What would I do then?

Not to mention I didn't even consider the person-thing-that is after me. Going away from the security of my home would be the perfect opportunity for it to get to me. I would be defenseless, and I would be putting Justin at risk as well. There would be no Badge to try and jump in and save the day.

Badge...

After he stormed away mad Monday in the cafeteria, he hadn't shown up to school all week. He was probably ignoring me, even though I'm not entirely sure I deserved it. Looking back at all the times Badge was mean and rude to me, I should have every right to ignore him and completely cut all ties with him, but I didn't. I didn't give him any reason to be angry with me, and it angers me that I'm getting so worked up over it. I need to forget about Badge, and focus on Justin. Justin's a good person. He deserves a fair chance.

After what seemed like an hour of my father questioning Justin on his background and character and establishing a curfew, we finally peeled out of my driveway a little past 7:30. "I'm sorry for the one hundred questions. My dad doesn't trust easily." I apologized.

"It's fine. I've gone through that before."

I raised my eyebrow. "Oh. You take many girls out on dates?" I was only teasing him, but it was satisfying watching him try to find the right words to say. "I'm only kidding, Justin." I mused.

He looked at me out of the corner of his eye and smiled. "Funny." I laughed quietly, and looked out the passenger window, feeling the awkwardness starting to take over. I knew Justin felt the same, so he quickly asked, "How are you? I mean, how did your parents take the whole quitting the cheer team thing?"

I breathed out a sigh. "It could have been worse. Let's just say he got a little distracted." Justin gave me a questioning look. I shook my head. "It's a long story."

"Well, I can say Leslie has been a little...chaotic lately. She now has to find two replacements on the team. She's not too thrilled about that."

"My intention wasn't to make Leslie's life more difficult. I just couldn't do it anymore."

"Don't blame yourself. Leslie can be overdramatic." I gave him a look. He chuckled softly. "Very overdramatic." I nodded in agreement. "Yesterday night I thought I was going to go crazy from fighting with her. If it hadn't been for Badge coming and taking her out on some date then–"

"Wait, what?" I asked, completely taken off guard.

"She said she had a date with Badge. He came over a little after seven yesterday. I don't know what time they got back. I fell asleep. It had to have been late."

"Badge took Leslie out on a date?" I asked, my voice cracking slightly.

"Yeah." He said slowly. I felt my heart sink into my stomach. "I know your brother was interested in her, and I already gave her a lecture about playing with people like that. How long were they seeing each other?"

I looked out the window and took a slow breath. "Not long." I answered softly. "Uh, how long have Badge and Leslie been seeing each other?" I hinted.

He shrugged. "The whole thing was news to me. I didn't even know they knew each other to be honest."

"So, you could say that this is a pretty recent thing?" I pried.