First Time, Worst Time, Best Time

New Directions

"Who?"

"Max. That's who's on the phone," she said.

"I don't know, you must have heard wrong. It's a guy?"

"Yeah, I think that's pretty obvious!" she said sarcastically.

"Hello."

"Hey, Bree, it's me," said Josh on the other end.

"Oh, hi," I said smiling.

I stopped short when Misti walked in front of me glaring. I quickly covered the phone and mouthed that I would tell her later. She studied my face for a minute and then grudgingly exited the room. I reached to shut the door behind her and sat down on the bed.

"Ok, sorry about that. I was waiting for Misti to leave. What's with the alias?" I asked.

"I don't know; I figured it was nobody's business I was calling you. So, if you ever get messages from Max, you'll know it's me."

"Whatever you say, Josh," I replied. "I think I like Max better anyway."

"Oh, so you want to fight, huh?" he said with a smile in his voice. "Josh is my dad's name I'll have you know."

"I would hope so. That's the only excuse that would make any sense. I didn't figure your parents hated you or anything," I teased.

"Okay, I see how it is," he said.

"So, how'd you like the game?" I asked.

"We won. I guess I can't complain too much. Football's just not my thing."

"I know what you mean, give me a basketball game any day," I agreed.

"November can't come soon enough," he said referring to the first game of the season.

"So, what did you do this weekend?" I asked.

"Not a lot, I came home after the game and called Brittany. We talked for a while and then I went out with Jessica last night, she was home from college and we went and saw a movie."

Jessica graduated the same year as Hamilton Curry and Rick.  Other than watching her play basketball before I left, I really didn't know her.

"Cool. Have you talked to Brittany today?"

"Yeah. I just hung up with her right before I called you."

"Did something happen?" I asked.

"Not really. I think we're just both getting frustrated with the distance. She told me about some party she went to last night and I got jealous. She said I couldn't expect her to stay at home by herself every weekend."

"She kind of has a point, Josh. You go out with the guys sometimes, too."

"I know," he whined. "Hey, you're supposed to be on my side, remember?"

"I'll always be on your side," I said quietly. "I'm just trying to reason it out with you."

"Okay, I didn't mean to be harsh. I just miss her."

"I know you do. And she misses you just as much. That party was nothing to her."

"How can you be so sure?" he asked.

"Because I'm a girl."

"Here we go, that "girl thing" again," he moaned. "So, what about you?"

"What do you mean?"

"What have you been up to all weekend?"

"Oh, you wouldn't believe it if I told you. It's completely lame," I said.