One of the Boys

Chapter 10

“So… would you like some ice cream?” he asks.

“Hmm?  Um yeah.” I say.

I’m sitting with Jordan at the end of the jetty, our feet dangling above the water.  There’s only one word to describe how our ‘date’ is going, and that word is awkward.  I can tell he’s trying, but I’m just not doing the same.  My mind keeps wandering back to what Zac said yesterday night.  Why hasn’t Jordan told me the whole story about his father?  What if he really is only dating me to get to Zac?  But how would dating me get to Zac anyway?  I don’t know.

“Ally?  Allyyy?”

“Huh?  Sorry what?” I say, only just realising that Jordan is trying to ask me something.

“I asked what flavour ice cream you want.”

“Chocolate please.” I say with a cheeky smile.  “Double scoop.”

“Wow.  You sure eat more than any other girl I’ve dated.”  Well, yeah.  That’s cos other girls aspire to be sticks, picking at their disgusting salads all day.  Zac would never comment on how much I eat.  He knows I eat loads already.

I give Jordan one last smile before he walks to the little ice cream shop at the other end of the jetty.  I lift my legs up horizontal so I can examine my white flip flops.  Apparently my old brown ones were ‘too clunky’ so Lindsey gave me one of her old pairs.  These ones are so flimsy they barely support my feet.  Although I do admit, they look very nice with my newly painted toes.

“Liking your new shoes?”

I look up and shield my eyes, bringing a smiling Lindsey into view.  “Lindsey!  What are you doing here?”

“Oh nothing.  I was just coming to find Zac, but he doesn’t seem to be here.”

“Why would Zac be at the jetty?”  Zac would never be caught dead here.  He says too many chasing girls come here to look for him, and there’s not even anything to do here.  I couldn’t agree more.  I mean, all Jordan and I have done is sat at the end of the jetty.  The ocean is right there, but there are no waves to surf, or in my case boogie board.  There aren’t even any boats, because they’re all at the harbour.

“I don’t know.  Doesn’t everybody come here?  I mean, all the shops are literally just over there.” she says, pointing in the direction of the small ice cream shop, which is next to a strip of more shops.  I’m starting to see why girls always come here to look for Zac.  “So why are you here?”

“I’m on a date with Jordan.”

“Omigosh!  You are?” she squeals.  “That’s so sweet!  Where is he?”

Actually, where is Jordan?  He went to get the ice cream over 15 minutes ago.  He should be back by now.  My chocolate ice cream will have started melting already.  “I’m actually not sure.” I say.  “He went to get ice cream but…”

“Yeah, I don’t see him at the ice cream shop.  How about I help look for him?  Maybe we’ll find Zac too.”  I seriously doubt we’ll find Zac, but I do want Lindsey’s company while looking for Jordan.

“Sure.” I say, lifting my hands up.  She grabs them and pulls me to my feet.  I brush my hands on my jeans shorts.

“Don’t wipe your hands on your pants!” Lindsey exclaims.  “Use a tissue like normal people!”

“Okay okay.” I say, not really meaning it.  Where am I even supposed to get a tissue?

Lindsey and I walk towards the ice cream shop and I see that she’s right.  Jordan doesn’t seem to be inside.  “He probably went to the bathroom.” Lindsey says when we get inside and there’s no sign of Jordan.  “Excuse me!  Janelle!”