MASH

Chapter 29: Just Another Stage

I still felt the heavy weight of embarrassment weigh down on me like it was just yesterday. I didn't think I had to go to extreme measures to even do random dancing by myself! Let alone dance with nobody during the slow dance session. I buried my face deeper into the sleeve of my warm hoodie as I tried to wash out the words that ran to and fro through my mind,"I...I like you ok!" I groaned inwardly, pushing my lunch tray aside. as if things couldn't get any more confusing. I peeked up and realized that Jaryl was staring at me his eyes for once, yes for once, filled with concern. I felt an uncomfortable feeling churn within me. And I quickly looked away it was then I realized I had set my eyes down on Ye Kai. His face was buried in a comic book his eyes showing a tint of sadness though he didn't show much of it. He had one hand supporting his cheek while his penetrating grey eyes skimmed through the comic book. It was weird, my heart beating faster at the sight of my childhood friend. My BEST friend. Would this actually work out? But the real question that bugged me, who would I choose?

"Hey Clare." a high pitched voice reached my ears which caused me to look up. "Tiffany." I answered back a tinge of reluctance lacing my words. It was when I took a good look at her did I realize she wasn't dressed in her typical blue mini skirt, with dangling necklaces with her hair tied into two pigtails pined with the enormously large polka dot bows that probably made her gain a few pounds. She had her hair tied up into a simple bun, dressed in tattered jeans wearing a shirt too large for her size with a belt laced around her waist but most importantly she didn't have her note book. "Urm, Tiffany are you okay?" She glanced up at me and shrugged her shoulders. "Let's just say, we all change for a reason." I nodded in agreement and glanced across at Jaryl and Ye Kai who were busy in their own things. "It's a boy isn't it?" I stated before I could process my words. I only needed to see Tiffany turn a slight pink did I confirm my suspicion. "So who is it?" she looked up at me her eyes filled with-sorrow? Before she replied,"some guy, but he likes some other girl." she waved her hand like it was no big deal. But truthfully if a boy managed to turn this gossip girl into an average one it had to mean a lot. Before I could further question Tiffany, she answered," Well, I do know that you aren't looking fine." I glanced at her I knew she knew. I mean she was the gossip queen in the school. "oh don't lie Tiffany, I know you know what's happening." oddly Tiffany laughed and raised her hand in surrender," yes I know, about how Jaryl and Ye Kai both like you." I signed heavily and placed my face back into my original position. "I'm just confused. Its right now where I just don't know who to choose!" I muffled, I could not believe Tiffany was actually still here. It was after a long pause before she answered,"well, do you like Jaryl?" I nodded my head feeling slightly uncomfortable. "Do you like Ye Kai?" I nodded once again. "Now answer this question truthfully, who do you love the most?" this question stumped me for a second. But I simply shrugged my shoulders, "truth is Clarice, I may not have a lot of experience but the closest thing I can tell you is well to just follow your heart. You may feel like a complete idiot at first but after a while the fog will clear and soon you will finally be able to see who you truly love." at this she pulled her knees up to her chest and stared down at her lunch tray where she shaped her peas into a shape of a heart. "Love is an odd thing, some call it ways of attraction, some call it a waste of time, some says it's the best feeling in their life. To me, love is a stage where we all go through and the best thing about this stage is you can take your time." I stared at Tiffany puzzled. Wow this boy must really meant a lot to her. Just then the bell sounded ending our conversation, but as I got up I saw Tiffany staring at me her eyes filled either the same concern. It was then it struck me, "by any chance is the boy you like-" "Hey Clare." Kristle came running to me, she probably thought I was in need of a saving. "I hope your ears aren't bleeding yet." she whispered into my ear, I had to bite back a grin just to wave at Tiffany. It was then when I stared at her hands did I realized they were rubbing each others knuckles something Tiffany rarely did, they were either twirling a pen or jotting some gossip into her notebook.