The Weird Girl And The New Boy

Saturday

Buzz

Buzz

Buzz

I picked up my phone, not even looking to see who it was.

"Hello?" I asked the other end. 

"Hey, which of my painting do you like the best?" Bexley pondered.

"Um, the one of the world?" I was confused by the random question.

"Any others?"

"I think you called it 'distressed'." 

"Okay. Are there any CDs of mine that you would want?"

"Bexley, why are you asking me this?"

"I don't know. I'm bored and curious. Answer the question."

"Any Fall Out Boy, Paramore, and Blossoms I guess," I told her.

"Okay." I heard scratching like she was writing something. "I just can't do Paramore," she muttered. "Hey, do you want to go to Pearls?"

"Sure, I'll probably need a ride though."

"That shouldn't be a problem. I'll call the girls and see if they want to come with."

"Sounds fine to me."

"Okay. I'll let you know the details of your pick up."

"Alright, see you later."

"See you!"

She hung up.

*****

"Hey!" I greeted Carly and Tessa as I got into the car.

"Hello, how have you been?" Carly asked.

"Long time no see, Thade," Tessa said sarcastically.

"Today has been alright. Same old same old," I answered.

"Oh!" Carly exclaimed and turned from the passenger seat to face me. "Bexley's next slam is next Friday. We'll pick you up at seven."

"Sounds good to me. Are you sure she won't mind me coming?" As much as I wanted to hear her I was worried. It felt like my movies. I wouldn't be too happy if she rummaged through them and watched without my consent.

"She might be a little upset, but it won't be anything too serious," Tessa spoke up. "When I first took Carly she was a little embarrassed and slightly angry, but she got over it."

We pulled into the parking lot after she said that. We parked next to Bexley's truck.

"Besides," Carly started as we got out of the car, "she'll probably tell you about it."

Tessa laughed at this. "Sure, this secret of hers that she has only ever told me she'll share with Thade. No offense." 

I opened the door. "None taken."

"Whatever. You know that their relationship is different." I didn't know what Carly meant by that, but it made my stomach flip.

"Hey, Bex," Tessa smiled at her as she got in one side of the booth.

"How's your day been?" Carly asked as she got in beside Tessa, making me have to sit next to Bexley.

"Hey guys. My day's been alright, how about yours?" Something was off with her. I couldn't quite pinpoint it, but it was definitely there.

"Well it's a Saturday,"Carly sighed, "so good."

"Same," Tessa agreed.

I nodded. "Yup. It's been a pretty ordinary Saturday."

"Yeah I-" Someone had banged on the window next to us, causing everyone at the table to jump.

It was Haley Johnson and her cult. We hadn't had any trouble from them since the Jane incident. They laughed at us. 

"Fuck you, Haley!" Carly yelled loud enough for them to hear it.

"I still own you, bitch. Don't forget it," Haley shouted back before leading her troops away. One near the end was drinking a milkshake and decided it would be a good idea to throw it at the window. The laughs were so loud I wondered if this was what Bexley heard in her nightmares. The thought made my skin crawl and blood boil.

"How was I ever a part of that?" Carly questioned in disbelief and disgust by herself.

"They brainwash, Carls," Tessa said, trying to sooth her.

"She doesn't own anyone," Bexley stated.

"She kinda does, Bex. Just not me," Carly retorted.

"The thing about those kind of highschoolers is that their life is over after school. Peaking in high school does nothing for you, but peaking in your thirties can make you rich," I contributed to the conversation. This was something that I have told myself time and time again when Cody and Charlie have messed with me.

"You're so right, Thade," Tessa said. 

"Peaking in high school is actually kind of pathetic," Bexley added and we all erupted in laughter.

The waitress came and smiled at us. "What can I get you?"

*****

We were in the park down the street from the restaurant. Carly and Tessa were in conversation, kind of separated from us.

"They're so cute," Bexley said as she watched Carly and Tessa. They were snuggling together in the grass. I didn't understand.

"What do you mean?" I questioned. She gave me a confused look.

"Do you not know that they're dating?" It blew my mind. I had no clue!

"Really?" I pondered, looking back at them.

"Yeah. That's why Carly left Hayley's gang. She wanted to be with Tessa." It made sense, but it still surprised me.

"Oh," I said with a face of recognition.

"Yeah. I guess they aren't very big on PDA."

"Yeah, I've never seen anything that would have made me think that they were together. I just thought she came back to be friends with you."

"She kinda did. She's sorry you know," she said, turning her attention to me.

"What?" I asked.

"She's sorry for what she did to me." I nodded at her words. "And I'm not really one to hold grudges." I smiled at her. She isn't. You could kill her cat and she would forgive you. But, for some reason, she can't forgive herself.

I sighed as I laid own in the grass. "Life's not too bad," I said, in my own mind. Bexley laid next to me looking up at the sky. Not saying a word.