When The Time Comes (Completed)

Chapter 15 (Always)

It was the day of the dance and I was stressing out! I had never put so much thought into my appearance and I was glad Brenda was there to help me! So word had spread like wildfire fire about Eric and me, getting to Stacy, who had taken her anger out on Brenda for keeping my secret. Even now as she helped me put on makeup, I could see her trying her best to ignore her phone. "I'm sorry she got upset with you," I say staying perfectly still," it's all my fault..." "No, she's just being dumb," Brenda says but I could see that it made her feel very uncomfortable. She had been friends with Stacy for years, this had to be eating at her. I gently moved her hand away, looking up at her. "Brenda, you don't owe me anything because I set you up with Leo," I say firmly, making sure I sounded as serious as I felt, needing her to know that I would not resent her in any way. "It has nothing to do with Leo," Brenda says sighing, sitting on the edge of my bed, making sure not to mess up her dress," I've always admired you. You have never felt pressured to be someone your not. Everything you do, no matter what anyone else thinks, you do it!" I forced myself not to say anything, cringing on the inside. "Even in middle school, just to be friends with Stacy, I did things I am not proud of," Brenda adds sounding very sour as she glared at the carpet," I saw how they treated you and I was afraid to be an outcast too, so I never said anything. I just wanted to fit in! I had never had many friends so I thought I was happy." "But you were lonely even in the crowd," I interjected, my heart doing a clenching feeling. "Yup, pretty much," she says sighing," Even though I hate that all these years of friendship meant nothing to her, it is kind of liberating to be away from her and all that negativity." It was a relief to hear that I wasn't ruining her life. "I would love nothing more than to call you my friend," I say holding out my hand to her. She smiled and stood, coming over to me taking my hand gently, " You'll be the first girl friend that I've ever had." "I'm honored, Morgan," she says grinning and then pointed the brush in her hand at me," now to finish because I want to make sure we are the hottest girls in the dance." I honestly could have cared less about what other people thought but I was happy that Brenda was happy. "M, Brenda, your dates are here!" Damian yelled from downstairs just as I was putting on my very uncomfortable shoes, but Brenda had made me practice walking in them since I got them, so I was fine walking in them. When I saw Eric, suddenly I was very nervous. Was the dress too much? Was I being fake by looking way to girly? I blushed when Eric grinned, meeting me at the foot of stairway, giving me a kiss on the cheek. "You are always beautiful, but right now your breath taking," he whispered in my ear, making me blush. "Well I'm sorry Eric, but I'm stealing my little sister right now," Damian says pulling me into a hug, " I never thought I'd see the day." We took a ton of pictures and even though my Dad was in his room, he never once came out to say anything. "Have a good time," Damian says to me," see u guys later, be safe." "Yes Dad!" We all say at once, laughing as we walk out the door. Eric had his arm around my waist, holding me close, making me feel so special. Leo and Brenda were walking so uncomfortable quiet to his car. There was no way I was riding on Eric's motorcycle in a dress, so we were riding with them. "How is everyone so pumped?" Leo asks trying not to yawn," last night I partied so hard I barely woke up like two hours ago." I grinned, tapping Brenda on the shoulder. "Say something to him," I mouth, making her blush. "Where did you go?" She asks clearing her throat. That got Leo going and it was safe to say she lost her nervousness. We would have had a super expensive dinner if Brenda had her way but we all vetoed that idea and ended up at Super Chuck's Burger Shack. We sat in the picnic tables outside, wearing Panchos so we wouldn't get our clothes dirty. "This is a first for me," Brenda says looking at her mega Burger with wide eyes, " how can you eat this?" "It is the best thing that ever existed!" Leo says eating his in huge bites. I smiled at her, taking two plastic knives, putting one into the center of the Burger and then using the other to cut into four neat parts. "How did u do that?" She asks surprised. "I mag hang out with the guys but does not mean I eat like one," I say doing the same to my Burger. "What's that supposed to mean?" Eric asks with his mouth full. Brenda made a face but laughed. She was definitely seeing a whole new world and when we passed this fancy looking restaurant, I could see those stuck up preps all pretending to be so sophisticated. "I can't believe I thought I'd be happier doing that," Brenda says and then burps softly, blushing like crazy covering her mouth," excuse me!" We laughed, which started a burp fest so bad we had to roll down the windows after a while. The dance was club themed but I wasn't exactly sure anyone was expecting the gym to be turned into an actual club. There was even a V.I.P area for the football players and their dates. When Stacy saw me and Brenda, her face was priceless. First of all, Eric and I were on the actual team and Brenda was with the star quarterback so she had no choice but to let us in. Even though the girls were trying to shun us, these were my buds. Jesse was looking rather smug when Michael hung back. Leo pointed to the State trophy that was beside the DJ's stage. "Thanks to this amazing team, that was possible! I know we partied like crazy last night but tonight we are getting much deserved recognition! Let's get crazy!" Much to the dismay of their dates, the whole team ran on to the dance floor without them, screaming like the monkey men most people thought they were. Eric laughed, turning to me. "Come on, we have to celebrate too," he says taking off his jacket. Even with his just the vest, I was still drooling at how good he looked. "I'll celebrate on the inside," I say shaking my head," but you go on right ahead." "Your the best, babe!" I sat down with Brenda, watching them go crazy, sipping punch that was brought by the catering staff. "You know ugly is still ugly no matter how much makeup you put on," Stacy says from the table beside us, the other girls just watching with expectant eyes. Of course everyone knew Stacy hated me now because Eric chose me over her, so at some point of the night they expected something to happen. I could care less about her petty jealousy. "Leave her alone, Stacy," Brenda says frowning. "No it's fine," I say standing up at the same time Stacy did," you really think you can take me, cheerleader? I take down guys five times my size everyday. If you want to have a go, let's get it over with." I knew she wouldn't fight me, no Stacy had always been a whole lot worse than that. "Once a boy, always a boy," she mocks, crossing her arms as her friends laugh," I wonder why you prefer to be here with Brenda instead of your boyfriend?" I grinned, rolling my eyes. "You're surrounded by girls everyday, I, on the other hand, spend every day surrounded by the hottest guys in school," I say smirking," I wouldn't be implying anything if I were you." Her jaw clenched as she glared at me. "Come on, Morgan, we came here to have fun," Brenda says amused, " the guys know exactly how it's done." It was clear that the moment she spoke, Stacy took out her claws. "When I'm done telling the whole school the things you've done, not even the tomboy will want to be your friend," Stacy sneers. Okay, that was uncalled for. I saw the panic cross Brenda's face and that made me angry. "You mess with her, you mess with me, Stacy," I say marching right to her, staring hard at her, lowering my voice," I know how you became head cheerleader, and if you want me to keep it to myself, you'll keep your mouth shut about Brenda." I saw her pale immediately, taking a step back. "How...no..." "You think I don't know everything about every single one of you," I say looking at them individually, making them very uncomfortable," and I honestly couldn't have cared less. My life is not perfect but neither are yours so don't you dare and stand there thinking you're better than me." Feeling no better than when this conversation began, I took Brenda's hand and pulled her towards the exit. I needed some air and I didn't want to leave her alone with them. "Wow, Morgan, you really told them!" Brenda says grinning as I took major deep breaths. I was coming down from the anger rush and I did not feel good, which she noticed. "You okay?" "Can you please get Eric?" I manage to ask leaning against the wall. "Yeah sure, I'll be right back.." She disappeared from view as I began to feel tired. "Hey babe, you okay?" Eric asks coming out the door right away. "Yeah...just needed some air," I say immediately going into his arms, feeling so much better with him near," Stacy isn't very happy with me." "If she said anything to you..." "I put her in her place already," I say softly," I just don't like confrontation. " "I know but I'm proud of you," he says kissing my forehead," if you want we can go." "No, let's go back...I want to be here..." He smiled down at me. "You really are a tough cookie... Let's go then..." Stacy and her posse stayed away from us which let us have an amazing night. I wasn't much of a dancer but with the guys it was easy to be myself. Brenda left with Leo before the dance was over so Damian picked us up when the dance was over. Though he seemed hesitant to drive. "What's wrong, D?" I ask concerned. "Nothing...let's just get home..." He was such a liar but he would not say what was wrong. When we got home the house was dark, and he ordered me straight to bed. Usually he wasn't so bossy but I listened, talking to Eric through our open windows until we both fell asleep.