Lady Of The Church

Gettin' To Know You

It was last period study hall Wednesday and Jill was kicking back and relaxing with Andy, the most relaxed, laid-back guy she knew.

"So, I'm coming to your performance tomorrow night," said Andy. "Gonna bring signs."

"Signs?" Jill asked with a laugh.

"Signs that all say 'Go, Jill!'. You're an aspiring actress. They're going to be all lit up, you'll see."

"I really hope you're kidding. Anyway, what are you doing over winter break?"

"Probably nothing. Oh yeah....Sherman Goody and you?" Andy asked. "Are you guys a thing?"

"Oh no," Jill said.

"But you're going to prom with him."

"Yeah, but I don't like him like that."

"I was going to say, Jill....trying to keep you away from people like him and Biq and other undesirables...."

Jill tried her best not to look upset by Andy's use of the word "undesirables". All because now she's choosing to surround herself with nice - not particularly attractive - people, others are concerned for her. Well, not really her as Jill Holland. More like her as...

"Lady Of The Church. Pageant queen. Not some kind of yuck. You gettin' that?" Andy said. "You're too smart-"

"I'm really not that smart anymore-"

"You're still too good. Goody's one lucky guy."

Adding to her social poop chute, Claire was already at Jill's locker when she got there. "Hurry up, Jill," Claire told her. "I want to go home!"

"Actually, I'm going to Lizzie's house after school today. Her step-dad's picking us up," Jill said nonchalantly.

"Elizabeth Ramsey?"

"Lizzie, yeah." Jill nodded. "What?"

"You're killing yourself, Jill." Claire walked off and found Sarah Rogers, who gladly took the lift home from her. Jill secretly feared that they were talking about her, then figured she was just paranoid.

Sherman came by her locker next. "Hey," he said.

"Guess who's house I'm going to today..."

"Lizzie's?! I already know. Yay, Jill! I told you that you guys would be friends if you gave her a chance," he rejoiced. "I've known her all my life. She's really sweet and religious and fun."

"Still gonna be awkward-"

"Just warning you, she doesn't really have any good female friends so don't be, like, scared away from her if she is awkward," Sherman informed her. "And she does have girl friends, they're just not exactly....Lady Of The Church material, if you catch my drift."

"I gotcha. I wish you could come with me but you have piano practice today. Grrrr. And here she comes."

"Have fun," Sherman said before he left. He gave the two girls, who were getting to know each other better, a smile and walked away.

Friendship, pass it on.

Within thirty minutes of meeting Lizzie and her step-dad at the main entrance of the school, Jill learned - and was quite surprised - a few things about this girl she's known existed for a few years but never gave the time of day.

The Ramsey's lived in Dunville down the road from the Goody's. Apparently, Sherman and Lizzie are the best of best of friends. Sherman was practically part of the Ramsey family, as Lizzie was practically a Goody.