Cheryls POV
"Cheryl! There you are!" I turned around and saw Sarah running after us. "Where did you run off to earlier? I've been
looking everywhere for you!"
"Hey. Sorry about that. I wasn't feeling very good. Must have been something I ate."
"Hmph! Whatever. Well, now that I've found you, we need to talk."
"Talk about what?"
"The party silly!" She looked us over like I was from another planet. Sarah absolutely LOVES parties. I like them too,
but the performance at the club is on the same night, and Kimberley might be there. Kimberley. I loved her name. It
sounded so musical to me. Poetic even, not that I know much about poetry.
"Cheryl!!!" I felt a hard punch against me shoulder that snapped us back to reality again. "OUCH! What the hell was
that for?"
"Where are you in that head of yours lately? I was talking to you!"
I gave her another blank stare while I was rubbing me arm.
"This weekend.The party.Earth to Cheryl!"
"Oh.oh yeah. Sorry. Erm, about that, I've been meaning to tell you. I don't think I'll be able to make it" Now Sarah
looked angry. "WHAT?! No way Cheryl! What could possibly be more important than this party?"
I rubbed the back of me neck again. Well, I could think of one thing. A little smile started creeping on me lips. I looked at her and it vanished instantly. She was looking at us with such venom in her eyes. I tried to look anywhere but at Sarah. She can always tell when I'm lying.
"Um,something's come up. Me folks are having a huge family get-together thing this weekend, and me mam insists
that I have to be there. You know how she gets with family gatherings." And rolled me eyes in the end to add to the
effect.
I tried to give her me best puppy face and I prayed to God that she bought it. She was looking at us with hawk eyes. I
tried to look as sympathetic and natural as I could.
"Are you serious?"
She didn't speak for a while. She just stood there. Arms folded. Then it all changed. She has this weird look on her
face. This could only mean one thing. Me puppy face failed us.
"Didn't you have a 'family get-together' two weeks ago?" she asked curiously, raising an eyebrow. Placing particular
emphasis on the "get-together" with little finger quotation marks in the air for extra effect. sh!t. I looked down at me
boots, kicking at imaginary stones, desperately trying to think of an apology. I hate lying to her. My boots are really
dirty...
"OH MY GOD! It's a girl isn't it!?"
I nearly jumped out of me skin and my dirty boots. "*Ducking* hell, Sarah! Do you need an additional loud speaker!"
I hissed, rubbing at me neck again and looking around nervously.
Sarah was anything but nervous. She wasn't even angry anymore. She was just staring at us, grinning from ear to ear.
She knew she had us. Why do I even bother trying to tell her lies. She can read me bullshit like a book.
"I'm right aren't I?" She didn't wait for a response. She looked like she'd discovered a cure for cancer or something;
she was so pleased with herself. She knew she was right. She was giggling now.
I was feeling more embarrassed the more she giggled, and she seemed to be relishing in it. "Don't worry, Cheryl.
There's no one here. I can't believe I was so slow in picking up on it though. You've been a little detached for a few
months now. Why didn't you say anything?"
"I, uh..."
"Oh...You've got it bad, don't you? This is serious." I couldn't look at her. And not looking at her was all the answer
she needed. I let out a long sigh. What's the point in hiding it. She's right. I've got it bad. I slumped with me back
against a locker and sagged down to the floor. Sarah, always the one with less etiquette, seemed to plonk down with
the grace of a sack of potatoes, sitting down next to us.
Neither of us said anything for a while. Although I knew that Sarah wanted to. "I'm sorry I lied to you," I said softly.
"It's ok," she smiled,nudging me shoulder with her own.
"Do you wanna talk about it?" she asked. I shrugged me shoulders. I've never been good at the 'talking' thing.
"I don't even know if she's gay," I said finally, "and she doesn't know that I like her. I feel like such an idiot." I rubbed me face in frustration. It really did sound pathetic after saying it out loud. Sarah just hugged us.
"Well, how's she ever gonna know if you don't say anything, you silly cow? And anyway, why wouldn't she like you?
Granted, I know you get insecure about your looks, but if I were into girls, I'd definitely take a look your way. "
She looked at us for a while. Staring intently again. Her face inched closer...and then she burst out laughing. I started
laughing too and shook me head, "You're weird sometimes, Sarah, you know that?"
"I had you thinking for a second though!"
"Sure, sure."
"Denial, huh? Ok." She giggled some more at me expense. "So, who is this mystery girl'? Are you gonna tell me or do
I have to dig it out of you?" I bit my lower lip. "Do you think that maybe we could keep her as the 'mystery girl' for a
little while longer?" I asked her. Sarah looked at us thoughtfully.
"Ok. But not for too long. My patience is not very good, as you're very well aware. But you need to give me a little
something extra." I straightened up a little, curious now. "What kind of something extra?"
"Wellll," she hummed, "how about telling me what you're doing this weekend, lets say, on Saturday, when I'll be at the
party, and you'll be at your family get-together'?" She smiled at us again, reassuringly.
"hmph! I'm not sure actually," I said with a chuckle. "I don't even know if she'll be there. But," I continued, as I felt for
the leaflet I had in my jacket, "there's a possibility that she might be here on Saturday."
Sarah looked at the folded paper with interest as she took it from us, drooling over it like it was a treasure. I had to
smile a little. After what seemed like hours, she looked at us and said, "Who's Kay?"
"I have no idea."
"Ok. So, how do you know this 'mystery girl' is gonna be there?"
"I don't. But I have a feeling that she might be."
"You have a 'feeling' that she might be? Hmmm. I worry about you sometimes, Cheryl. You and your funny feelings'"
I took the paper back and gave her a mock scowl. She winked and got up from the floor and pulled us up too. "Well. I
hope you find what you're looking for at this place. I really mean it." I got another hug.
Sigh. I hope so too.
