Always a Friend

Chapter 58

The weekend came like an old friend, wrapping their arms around me, letting me know everything would be all right. But was everything going to 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 with Rhys to the dance. 

"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 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 revolving around some guy, but I didn't want to be alone either. I crammed the pretzels, chips, popcorn, cookies, and Twizzlers between my stomach and arm. 

"Yes! Junk food!" Chloe grabbed the chips and Twizzlers out of my arms. "Have you decided how you want to wear your hair tomorrow for the dance?" She grabbed a bowl from the cabinet and poured some chips into it. She popped one in her mouth and grabbed a couple of glasses. "You're super quiet. More than normal." She placed the glasses on the counter, eyeing me as police do in movies during interrogations as if I was going to confess everything. She knew better; I was immune to her stare-down. I shook my head, opened the pretzels, popped one in my mouth, and walked to the refrigerator. "You can't ignore me forever." 

"Gemma!" Sarah hollered down the hall. 

"In the kitchen!" I sighed in relief because I knew Chloe would quickly forget about wanting me to tell her what was bothering me. I grabbed another glass before I started to pour the lemonade. 

"Junk food." Sarah dropped her bag next to the counter, reaching for pretzels. "I just saw Ashton leaving. He said he was going to pick up your flowers for tomorrow." She smiled, wiggling her eyebrows up and down. 

"I knew it!" Chloe slammed her hand down on the counter, shaking the glasses. "Now, spill it." She popped another chip in her mouth, reaching for a glass of lemonade to wash it down with. My eyes darted to Sarah, glaring at her for a minute as I twisted my mouth, fighting the urge to yell at her for opening her big mouth. 

"You knew what?" I grabbed a glass of lemonade, swirling the ice around. I lifted the glass to my lips, peeking over the rim at Chloe as she rolled her eyes, popping a pretzel in her mouth. I took a few sips, waiting for her to answer my question. An answer that I knew deep down wasn't coming. 

"Soo...Is he taking you to the dance tomorrow night?" Sarah opened the cabinet and grabbed a bowl. You want him to take you, right?" She poured pretzels and chips into her bowl, then hopped up on the stool next to Chloe, placing the bowl between them. 

I nodded. "Yeah...Why wouldn't I?" I lifted my glass to my mouth, looking off toward the kitchen table, hoping they wouldn't pick up on my indecisiveness. What girl wouldn't want to go to the dance with Ashton? He was one of the hottest guys in school. I could name a hundred girls who would give anything to be in my shoes right now, so why was I suddenly having such a hard time with this? 

As expected, Mom came home, talked to us for about fifteen minutes, and then disappeared upstairs. Sarah's eyes shifted from Chloe and me before she threw her hands in the air and mumbled. Sarah apologized, said she'd return later and pointed to the ceiling. I knew Sarah was leaving before she said something about Mom that would get me in trouble. Sarah never hid the fact that she didn't like how Mom always left me alone. But, instead of creating more drama for me, she would leave and come back after Mom was gone. Sarah hugged me and told me to text her when Mom was gone.

On the other hand, Chloe continued to mumble, not caring if Mom was nearby. I loved them both for being such wonderful, caring friends. One would wait and tell me how they felt when Mom wasn't around, and the other didn't care if Mom was in the same room. At that point, I was too busy trying to hush Chloe up to hear a word she was mumbling at the time. 

"Gemma, I'll probably be home late tonight. I have a date." 

"Of course you do," Chloe mumbled under her breath, but it was loud enough that I could hear her, which meant Mom heard her. 

"Did you say something, Chloe?" Mom asked, looking down. 

"I said, have a nice time." She pasted on a fake smile. 

"Oh...Okay. Thank you," Her voice paused, like she was trying to decide if that's what Chloe said or not. "I've got to go. Bye, girls." She turned, her heels tapping the wood floor to the front door. 

"Really?" I flopped my head back on the couch. "You've got to stop mumbling about Mom when she can hear you." I groaned. "Is she the mother of the year? No. Trust me, I'm not exactly happy about her leaving me alone all the time. I know you mean well, but please stop saying shit when she's around." 

"I'm sorry." She placed her hand on my forearm. "Can I say shit when she's gone?" She giggled. 

I peeked at her. "You're dying to say something, aren't you?" I raised my head off the back of the couch. 

Chloe smiled. "Just one thing." 

I raised an eyebrow. 

"Okay...Maybe...Two." 

"Fine." 

"She's trying too hard for these dates." She pressed her lips together; her eyes danced with amusement. 

"Chloe!" I blurted out. I started giggling because I knew Chloe was right. I even questioned some of Mom's choices in tops. I looked over my shoulder toward the door; I could still see the black lace tank top and her black bra. I shuddered at the thought, closing my eyes, trying to get the image out of my head. I opened my eyes, grabbed my phone, and texted Sarah that Mom left for her date and it was safe to come back.