Through the Lens

15

After reasoning with Jenna, I kept our car and dropped her off. She was staying with friends overnight to do cheerleading business, something about making spirit posters for the away game tomorrow. Josh would be picking me up later, but now, I could go see Allie at Ethan's on my own terms, using my half of the car for the first time in many moons.

Parking in the driveway, I walked the short distance to the door. Ringing the bell was odd. The one time I'd done it before, things had ended so badly. However, I was invited. Allie had texted me to drop by.

The door opened, and I was immediately enveloped, then crushed in a hug. A shrill of happiness escaped Allie that let me know she was happy to see me. She bounced like we were the best of friends, and it felt that way when I was with her.

"I've missed you," she crooned.

Patting her back, I said, "Me, too." And I meant it wholeheartedly.

Over Allie's shoulder, I saw Ethan standing in the hall as if he wasn't sure what to do. She pulled back and surveyed me. "So school started; do tell me all the gossip."

Laughing, I said walking in, "But you don't know anybody."

An exhale of breath, and she said, "I know. But I don't get to go to school. I live through you and Ethan."

"Why don't you get to go to school," I asked, puzzled.

Sighing, she said, "With shooting all week, all of us that haven't graduated are required to have tutors. There is no time to actually go to school."

"Oh," I said, genuinely amazed by the life of a celebrity.

"Okay now, tell me," she begged, pulling me down the hall.

"Well," I said, playfully. "There was this new guy that had all the girls talking." I looked at Ethan and hoped this might break the tension between us. He just smirked when Allie turned to glance at him. She shook her head knowing him better than I.

When I realized what I was saying to his girlfriend, I tried to think of something to backtrack my comment. "And we have this really cute new teacher."

"I know," she said, not sounding the least bit miffed. "Ethan told me Mr. Miller is there now."

That was odd. "You know Mr. Miller?" I said.

"Of course. He taught at our old school like two years ago. Then he went somewhere else and now he's at your school. I hear he's in high demand."

We made our way to the sole couch. Ethan was at one end, and I was at the other. Allie was sitting in between. Turning my way giving Ethan her back, she said conspiratorially, "Now tell me about all the hot guys."

Ethan put his hands around her waist drawing her close. "Hey now, I'm the only hot guy that matters." He tickled her, and I hated myself for being jealous. He'd tickled me, too. I stuffed that jealousy back and beat it with a stick. He's just a friend, semi-friend or maybe just somewhat of a friend. And there closeness reminded me just how close he'd been with Lucy. Should I say something? Then I remembered, I had no proof of anything. What if I did say something and nothing was going on expect Lucy trying to sink her teeth in the new guy?

She laughed and I pulled out my camera which had been slung over my shoulder like a purse. I needed to distract myself. I snapped photo after photo until they were now paying more attention to the camera and posing on purpose.

"I should leave you guys," I said, while packing away my camera. I hadn't planned to stay long.

"You just got here," Allie pouted.