First Time, Worst Time, Best Time

Weakened Resolve

When the phone rang later that night, I jumped, hoping it was Brad.

"Hello."

"Hey, Bryonna," greeted Tina.

"Hi. What's up?" I asked.

"Not a lot. I just wondered if you wanted to hang out tonight. Are you and Brad doing something?"

"I'm not sure. We were supposed to do something, but I'm waiting to hear from him."

"That's cool. I'm going to run to town with my mom and we'll just stop by on our way back home. Do you think you'll know by then?"

"Sure. But call first, just in case I can't make it. I don't want you to make a special trip for nothing."

"Okay. I'll talk to you later."

We hung up and I saw Misti watching from the kitchen table.

"What are you doing tonight?" I asked her.

"I don't know. Rick's getting on my nerves, so I think I might just hang out with Jerri," she explained.

"Oh. Tina might stop by later. She said something about having me spend the night."

"Are you going to?"

"I don't know. Brad was supposed to call; I'm kind of waiting on him." I could tell by her face that she was dying to lecture me on waiting by the phone. "Don't start."

"I'm not saying a word," she said raising her hands defensively.

"But you're thinking it and I can see it all over your face."

"Alright. I'll take my face elsewhere," she said smiling.

My phone rang as she left the room. I answered it before the second ring was complete.

"Yeah!" I said not thinking.

"Nice greeting!" teased Brad.

"Hey! I was hoping it was you," I said.

"Sorry it took so long. I've been talking to Lance. He wants me to run to town with him for a minute."

"Oh, okay," I said trying to hide the disappointment. "Tina wanted me to spend the night with her anyway. I guess we can get together tomorrow."

"Not so fast! I still plan on coming to see you. I won't be long with Lance. I can be there by nine," he explained.

"Oh, that's great! I'll just tell Tina we'll have to do it another time."

"Cool. Thanks for understanding, Babe."

"No problem. Be careful and I'll see you later."

"So, he's coming by?" asked Misti from behind me.

"Yeah," I said beaming with pride.

"That's cool, but why doesn't he want to take you out?" she asked.

"Please don't do this, Misti," I said before heading to my room.

Jerri and Amber arrived shortly after I changed clothes to pick up Misti.

"You look nice," Amber said.

"Thanks. Brad's coming over in a little bit."

"Yeah, Misti told us. I hope everything goes well," she said.

"Are you ready?" asked Jerri coming in from Misti's room.

"Sure."

"I won't be home until late, Bryonna," said Misti.