Chase & Adrienne

14

ADRIENNE

FRIDAY AFTERNOON

I look at the merciless face of the clock every five minutes, praying that time will move just a little faster. The sooner this craptastic week is over, the better. I cried all night after hearing Chase ripping my guts out in front of Carmen, of all people. I always had a suspicion that maybe he wasn't the biggest fan of me hanging out with Luke, but I never would've thought he'd stoop as low as he did yesterday. At least I know the truth now. I decided last night that the best thing to do was avoid Chase (and Carmen) at all costs. If he's done with me, I guess that means I'm done with him, too. I'm really not, but I'd never admit that to him.

The history class drags on, a terrible class to have during last period, and it's the only class I have with Carmen. She sits directly in front of me, and I've been shooting killer dirty looks at the back of her head for the last half hour. Twenty more minutes to go. I imagine her dark locks catching on fire from the furious laser beams coming out of my eyes. The days of whispered gossip and stealthy notes passed back and forth seem to be over. 

On Friday nights, the six always go to Mike's across the street and order pizza. We've become total regulars there, and Mike adores us. He doesn't shoo us away when Andre does a spur-of-the-moment stand-up comedy routine with the old microphone in the corner, and he treats us to free refills. For a sad moment, I wonder if I'll ever go to Mike's again. There is no way I'd be welcome tonight. Not after hearing what Chase had to say about me. Obviously, I meant nothing to him. Carmen didn't stand up for me either. Even though Renee's always somewhat of a neutralizing force for Carmen's boisterous attitude, I'm not sure where she stands on the "me" situation. I don't assume she's on my side. I imagine my best friends scarfing down a Meat Lover's pizza without me. My heart aches and my stomach growls at the thought.

With 10 minutes left of class, my phone buzzes in my pocket. It's from Luke. I hide it behind my bulky textbook when Mr. Resnick's back is turned.

Hey, beautiful. Meet me in the parking lot in 10. We're eating at Mike's.

I type back furiously, What about basketball practice?

Don't worry about it. is his response.

Immediately, my mind flies into a flurry of calculations. In the past, we'd never go to Mike's until after 5 because of Chase and Andre's basketball practice. If Luke and I went right after school, we could theoretically go to Mike's and come back completely undetected. The plan excites me, but I can't fully ignore the nagging feeling in my stomach as I look at Carmen rowdy curls. Am I really going to go to Mike's with Luke instead of with my friends? That pizza place feels sacred. I feel like I'm betraying them even when I go there just with my family. How am I supposed to go there with someone they so obviously disapprove of? And on a Friday?

But.

He called me beautiful. And they are pissed at me. And they don't want me there anyway. What choice do I have?

After an eternity, the bell finally rings. I stop by my locker before leaving, and I see Chase heading in my direction. Seeing him reminds me of the distain in his words yesterday, the passion in his rant. My stomach twists, and my heart aches for Luke. I have no idea where Chase and I stand anymore, and now is not the time to find out. For a second, I expect him to apologize to me, but I think my ignoring of his 26 missed calls last night gave him the signal he needed. He keeps walking, not stopping for a second by my locker. His eyes don't even wander over to me, a kind of ignoring I am so utterly not used to. It hits me full force. Is this really what I want? I shrug off my doubts and questions, promising to sort through my feelings about me and Chase's friendship later. I don't want to keep Luke waiting.