Time Stands Still

Chapter 5

          When I walked into my computer class the next day, Mandy was already there and waiting. I took my seat next to her, smiling in greeting. I watched in amusement as she practically bounced in her seat. “What’s got you so excited?” I asked.

            “Brent is picking you up for lunch, right?”

            “Yeah?”

            “I can’t wait to see the look on Ashley’s face when she sees him!” she squealed.

            I shook my head at her. “He won’t come into the school, Mandy. Ashley won’t see him.”

            She pouted a little. “You have this incredibly sexy guy and you don’t want to show him off? Get a little revenge on the bitch queen?”

            I laughed. “Bitch queen? That’s a new one. But to answer the question, it’s not like I’m hiding him. But I’m not going to ask him to come in just to show everyone how gorgeous he is.”

            “I would if he were my man,” she grumbled. “But I guess I can understand that. Please tell me you’re bringing him to the dance though.”

            I frowned. “What dance?”

            “The fall dance. It’s next month.”

            I thought about it for a moment, but shook my head in the end. “No, I don’t want to make him go to a stupid dance with me. He has more important things to do.”

            “Aw, come on Tara. I want to go, but I’m not going to go alone. I was hoping one of the other guys would agree to go with me.”

            “You can ask them. I’m positive that more then one would be willing to go with you.”

            “Really?”

            “Yeah. Why don’t you come over this weekend and talk to some of them?”

            “I like that idea. You sure it’s okay?”

            “Of course. You were my best friend growing up, Mandy. I want to have that again.”

            “So do I,” she replied.

            Brent picked me up for lunch again and we went to the same little café that we did yesterday. I could tell he was a little distracted, but I didn’t press him for a reason. I knew that he would tell me when he was ready.

            At the end of the day, I was walking to my locker when Ashley stepped in front of me, forcing me to stop. “Can I help you?”

            “Stay the hell out of my way,” she snarled.           

             I raised an eyebrow. “You’re the one who stopped me,” I replied.

            “I meant with the boys. Adam told me about you throwing yourself at him the other day.”

            I couldn’t stop myself from snorting. “That’s what he told you? Really?”

            “Don’t act like it isn’t true. Adam and Zach are mine, so leave them the hell alone.”

            I gave her a bored look. “I have no interest in any of the ‘boys’ at this school, so don’t worry. Now get the hell out of my way before I make you.” I shoved past her without giving her a chance to reply and stormed out of the school.