November Rain

Chapter 23

(AN: In this story, the characters will have cell phones despite that the story is right now in the late 1980s. In the above photo, this is how Amanda and Duff are dressed for the double date.)

Amanda

I just got done with my shift. I went to the locker room in the back of the store so I could get my purse before Duff comes and picks me up. My cell phone starts ringing as soon as I grab my purse. This was a surprise. Stephanie's name showed up on the screen. I haven't heard from her in a while since she's been so busy with her new boyfriend. I can't really criticize her because I've been busy with my boyfriend too.

"Hello." Amanda said.

"Hey, Amanda. How are you?" Stephanie said. She sounded very cheerful.

"I've been good. Been busy with work and college. I'm sorry that I haven't called you in a while. I've just been so busy. My classes have been so demanding lately." Amanda explained what her routine consists of lately.

"College? Wow, it really has been too long since I've heard from you. What's your major? What college are you attending?" Stephanie was curious now. They have not kept in touch for so long. Her best friend was moving on up in the world.

"I attend the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising College. My major is fashion, but I also have a minor in business. My mom insisted on the latter one. I guess she thinks that someday I will start my own business just like my dad. I guess better to be safe than sorry. Anyway, I feel like I've been reading nonstop for my classes. I swear the textbooks for my business classes are as thick as encyclopedias. I don't know how the professors expect me to read all these books in just four months. Anyway, enough about my boring life, what's going on with you? I didn't expect a phone call from you." Amanda realized she was going off on a tangent.

"I was wondering if you and Duff would want to double date with me and my new boyfriend." Stephanie suggested.

"New boyfriend? Wow, now I feel like a bad friend. How did I not know about this?" Amanda was surprised at how much she has missed about what was going on in Stephanie's life.

"Don't worry about it. I've not heard from you in months, but I've been busy with my new boyfriend. He's so charismatic and dangerous in a very sexy way." It sounded like Stephanie was happy with her new boyfriend. That's how I felt when I started dating Duff. "I'm sure Duff has kept you busy too."

"Yeah, he has. He's great." Amanda gushed about him. It still surprises Amanda how much she and Duff get each other.

"So, do you want to double date tonight?" Stephanie asked her question again.

"Let me just check in with my parents and I'll call you back." Amanda said.

"All right. I'll be waiting." Stephanie said as she hung up.

Amanda dialed her home phone number and waited while the phone was ringing.

"Hello?" Steven asked.

"Hey dad. It's me." Amanda said.

"Hey sweetie. Did you finish work?" Steven asked.

"Yeah, I did. I have something to ask you."

"Sure, what is it?" Steven asked.

"My friend Stephanie called me just a few minutes ago. She wants me to go on a double date with her. She has a new boyfriend and she wants me and Duff to go with them tonight. Is that okay or should I come home first?" Amanda felt a bit silly calling her dad, but she didn't want to worry him and her mom.

"Sure, I trust you. Stephanie is a nice girl. I don't see a reason why you shouldn't go." Steven explained his reasoning. He thought Stephanie was a nice girl with a good head on her shoulders. She was an ambitious girl. Amanda told him that she left San Diego and came to Los Angeles so she can pursue her career. Steven respected that. He was originally from Chicago and he moved to Los Angeles to study accounting. "Just don't stay out too late despite that it's Saturday. You can't fall behind on your readings for your classes." Steven reminded Amanda.