Through the Lens

20

It turned out to be a strange week. Josh spent half his time sitting with me and my friends, and the other with his. We held hands in the halls if he walked me to class. He kissed me spontaneously when I least expected it. Without a word, I'd become his girlfriend. At least that's what others called me in front of him, and he never bothered to correct them.

Ethan and I, although on better terms, still didn't talk much. In fact, I nearly jumped out of my skin on Friday during our last class.

"We're still on tonight," he said, out of the blue. I'd rashly asked him to hang out with me and my friends tonight. He'd accepted.

The two other girls at our table looked up, no doubt soaking up the gossip. News of me dating Josh was big business. Overhearing what they heard would be a worthy rumor. "Yeah, we all are still getting together. Josh won't be able to come, seeing he has a game tonight," I said, poignantly.

Ethan smiled, knowing what I was doing. Rumors would still come, they always did. I could only hope I minimized the damage.

After school, I spent an hour gathering snacks and setting up the living room like I hadn't done in the past. When Madison and Bradley showed up, they were more than amused.

"Are you sure he's just a friend?" Bradley teased.

Rolling my eyes, I didn't bother to answer him. "Leave her alone, babe," Madison said. Babe? When had that happened, I wondered.

"I'm just teasing her," he said, wrapping his arm around her waist. He stared into her eyes like she was the means of his last breath. I couldn't help the bit of envy that filled my belly.

Pushing passed them with a bowl of chips in my hand, I was grateful I asked Ethan to come so I wouldn't be the third wheel. Laying the bowl on the coffee table, the doorbell rang. Thankfully, my Mom and Dad were having a 'date night'. Jenna and Kyle were both at the football game, so I was reasonably assured that Ethan was at the door.

"Hi," I said, seeing him standing on my doorstep. Stepping back, I let him into my house. He stood for a second when I remember the last time he'd come to my door, I'd shut it in his face.

Gesturing him in, I said, "My parents and siblings aren't home." I wasn't sure why I added that, but it was done.

Madison and Bradley came out of the kitchen and introduced themselves. Settling in the living room, Bradley and Madison surrounded themselves in each other by sitting in a one-person leather chair. It was, however, big enough for approximately one-and-a-half persons, so it worked out. I was reminded why I was glad Ethan was here. This show of affection would have been so awkward for me if this had been a threesome.

Holding up three DVDs, Bradley said, "I raided my parents' eighties collection, and this is what we have. Die Hard, Sixteen Candles, or Breakfast Club."

"I don't want to jump to conclusions, so tell me a little about the other two," Ethan announced.

Bradley answered, "Sixteen Candles is a girly flick, but there is a wild party and talk of sex." Ethan's eyebrows raised as if in interest. "Breakfast Club is about a group who have to spend a Saturday in detention."

Madison chimed in. "My vote is for Sixteen Candles."

"Of course," Bradley said.

I really didn't care either way, but threw my support with Madison. "Sixteen Candles, then."

"Hold up," Bradley said, with a hand in the air. "Ethan, what about you."

Ethan looked at me, then said, "I prefer Die Hard, but I'll compromise with Breakfast Club." Then he added, "Why the eighties anyway?"