Sky's Still Blue • Friday Night Lights

Chapter 9

"So after my mom called him for the fifth time yesterday, he finally picked up, only to hang up the second she told him the news." Anne explained to Julie that morning after the blonde came to pick her up. She was furious over what had happened the day before, when her father had made her mom cry once again.

"Twenty years of marriage and I don't even get a reaction?" Janice sobbed, the phone still in her hand. "This is exactly why I didn't want him to know!"

"I'm sorry, mom." Anne said regretfully. "I shouldn't have pushed you."

"It's not your fault, Annie." Janice promised. "Please don't blame yourself."

"Well, at least the truth is out now." Anne sighed. "Now I can focus on school and stop worrying about my dad's feelings for once."

"I'm really sorry, Anne." Julie said, reaching out for a second to squeeze Anne's hand gently. "If you and your mom need anything, you can come to me."

She fought off the tears, not wanting to cry in front of her friend. I already did that with Tim, and that was embarrassing enough. "Thanks, Julie."

"So..." The blonde started, her tone playful now. "What happened with Riggins?"

Anne rolled her eyes. Of course she wants to know about Tim. Oh well, at least we're changing the subject. "I told you over the phone that nothing happened, Jules. He took me to a bar, we talked a bit, and then he took me home. End of story."

Julie's expression turned disappointed. "That's it? No hug, no goodnight kiss?"

"Jesus, Julie!" Anne covered her face with her hands. "There was none of that."

Julie laughed. "Okay, I believe you. But just a heads up, half the school saw you two leaving together that night, which means everyone saw you leaving together."

The brunette rolled her eyes. "Let me guess. People are gonna be saying we slept together, right?"

"Pretty much." Her friend pursed her lips. "I'm sorry. It's the small town curse. Don't try to let it get to you. By the way, I applied for a job at Applebee's."

"That's great, Julie!" Anne exclaimed. "You'll be working with Tyra!"

"I'm very excited. Speaking of Tyra, the election results are today. Are you nervous?"

"Not really. But I hope we do win. It clearly means a lot to Tyra."

"Yeah, she's been working really hard on her grades and stuff. I'm proud of her." Julie said fondly. "She's come along way since I first met her."

"She's really sweet. I'm glad to have her in my corner. And you."

"Aww, thanks!"

It was true. Julie, Tyra, Matt, Landry, and Tim had been better friends to her in two weeks than Max and Kaylee had been in three years. She felt dumb, recalling all those times where she had let those girls make fun of her clothes or lack of experience with boys. It's all in the past now. Let it go.

"Oh, by the way." Anne spoke up, trying to get her ex-friends' faces out of her head. "I met Smash over the weekend. Nice guy."

"The school isn't the same without him." Julie pointed out. "I know the team really misses him on the field."

Julie spent the rest of the drive sharing stories with Anne. The blonde told her about the time she and Matt hung out with Smash and his girlfriend Waverly, where she had to lie to make Waverly believe Smash cared about stuff that wasn't football. She also told her about the days where Tim had lived in her house.