Always a Friend

Chapter 58

The weekend came like an old friend, wrapping its arms around me, letting me know everything would be all right. But would everything be all right? I had this overwhelming sense that change was in the air. When you get that feeling in the pit of your stomach that something is about to happen, but you don't know when it will happen. You just know that something drastic is about to take place. I had that feeling, but I wasn't scared like other times. I couldn't explain it, but I almost felt at ease about whatever was going to happen. 

I got so wrapped up in the drama during the week that I had forgotten about the dance this Saturday night. Thankfully, I had bought a dress about a month ago, thinking I was going to the dance with Rhys. 

"Gemma!" I flinched, dropping my keys down on the porch between my feet. I bent down and grabbed my keys. "I know it's short notice, but what time do you want me to pick you up tomorrow for the dance?" Ashton asked, walking up the steps. 

"What?" I fumbled the keys in my hands for a few seconds, searching for the house key, listening to his feet thump on the porch as he moved closer.

"The dance is tomorrow. What time do you want me to come over and pick you up? I thought we could go to dinner first." 

"How about five? Since the dance doesn't start until eight," I said, opening the front door and stepping inside, dropping my book back in the chair next to the door. "Do you want to come in?"

"No. I need to go try to make reservations and pick up the flowers. Can I stop by later?" He placed his hands on the trim, leaning in towards me; the scent of citrus with a hint of ocean tickled my nose, making it impossible to control myself. He always smelled so good. If I thought he smelled good, I knew numerous other girls thought so, too. And that is what lingered in the back of my mind. I knew I couldn't compete with some girls. I didn't want to constantly worry about other girls flirting with him or finding another girl in his arms. 

"Um...Chloe, Sarah, and Ava are coming over later. We haven't spent much time together, and seeing that tomorrow is the dance, we'll all be busy getting ready for it." 

"Okay. Maybe we can get coffee in the morning before you start getting ready." He smiled, brushing a piece of hair from my cheek. 

"You know me...I'm all about coffee." I smiled. 

"Yeah." He laughed, leaning forward, pressing his soft lips against mine. "I'll text you later. Have fun." He turned and ran back to his house, taking two steps at a time. He opened his door, waved, and disappeared inside. 

I closed the door and headed for the kitchen in search of snacks for later. I walked to the pantry, staring at the white door and its dull doorknob. I didn't know what kind of metal it was because it wasn't shiny like brass. I jumped, turning my head at the knock on the door and Chloe hollering my name. I yelled back that I was in the kitchen, then hurried up and opened the pantry door so I wouldn't look like an idiot just standing in front of it. 

"Hey, Ava texted and said she wasn't coming over because her mom was making her stay home tonight since she's going to the dance tomorrow. I think she's going out with Caleb." Chloe huffed. 

"She's probably going out with him. You know she can't be away from him." That's when it hit me; I didn't want to end up like Ava. I didn't want to become the girl who couldn't be away from their boyfriend for more than two seconds—always backing out on plans with friends to be with him every waking moment. I didn't want my life to revolve around some guy, but I also didn't want to be alone. I crammed the pretzels, chips, popcorn, cookies, and Twizzlers between my stomach and arm.