"Oh come on Emma. It won't be that bad." I just look at my dad. I'm being dragged to Jackie's banquet against my will. And I'm making sure my dad knows it.
"You know I hate these things, dad. Why on earth would you make me come when you know I'm gonna be miserable?" My dad sighs and runs a hand throw his hair. Or lack thereof.
"This is important to Brenda and Jackie and you could show a little support."
"What happened to free will? Jackie has never once gone to one of my things, why am I stuck going to hers?"
"Shush." I glare at Brenda as she shush's me. She either doesn't notice or she ignores me. After a few speeches, all of which are boring, the food is finally served. Most of it sucks. The only thing that's half good is the cranberry sauce, which is saying a lot, considering I hate cranberries. The only thing that looks like it'd be good is the fruit salad. And I can't eat it cause I'm allergic to cherries. What fun this night is for me.
I sigh as I think about what I could be doing. I could be at home, not staring at my new neighbour boy, wondering if he's got a girlfriend. Just then this old lady comes up to our table. "Jackie, you've been wonderful this year!" Jackie gives her this big fake grin.
"Thank you, Mrs Combs!" I snort into my drink which results in a warning look from my dad. I roll my eyes to myself and jump when my cell vibrates. It's a text from Lyssa.
"Going to the bathroom."
"Hurry up because we're leaving soon." I openly roll my eyes at Brenda. Like I'm gonna spend an hour in there, pffft. I find my way to the lady's bathroom and slip into a stall. "hi u. decided not 2 go out. stopped by ur house n u werent there. ran into neighbor boi. he asked for u. told him ud stop by when u got home. luv u. lyss." I stare at my cell for a few seconds before replying.
"r u crazy!? whats wrong with u. now he expects me to talk to him. ill call u when i get home. em." Ugh, she's an idiot. I send it and step back out of the stall, shaking my head as I exit the bathroom while tucking my cell back into my pocket. I don't get far, however, because I end up running into a big, solid, body. "Oh gosh, I'm sorry. I didn't see you."
"No harm, no foul." I look up and my jaw almost drops. It's my new neighbour boy. Lyssa would freak.
"Erm, uh, yeah, sorry." He smiles and I suddenly think I've seen him before. "You look really familiar. Have you been around town?" He sticks his hands in his pockets.
"Does this help: Looking for a new car or van? Come on down to Mill's Motors. We've got the right vehicle for you." Holy mother of pete. He's Philip Mill's son?! I've had the biggest crush on him since their new commercial came out last Spring. "I'm Adrian, by the way." I stare for a few more seconds before I realize I'm supposed to answer him.
"I'm Emma."
"Hi, Emma."
"I didn't know Mrs Findlay had any kids."
"She and my grandpa divorced over 15 years ago. Family complications, I haven't been here since I was 3."
"Oh." Oh, my God, I'm so boring.
"Emma! Come on! Quit doddling and hurry up." I roll my eyes and sigh. I glance around Adrian to see Bren putting her jacket on. That woman wears a jacket in 35 degree weather, she's crazy.
"Sorry, gotta go, I'll see you later." I step around Adrian and rush after everyone, following them to the car. It's quiet most of the way home.
"So how did you like the dinner, Emma?" I roll my eyes at the back of Brenda's annoyingly big head.
"It was so great, I loved it." She turns back to me from the front seat and smiles.
"See? You just have to give them a chance. It's a pity it's taken you this long to really appreciate them." She turns back around while my dad looks at me in the rear view mirror, shaking with silent laughter.
"I know! Such a pity. If I wasn't leaving in September I'd help you plan and do all of the one's for next year, too." My dad suddenly falls into a coughing fit, which I know is covered up laughter.
"Honey, you all right?" He composes himself enough to speak.
"Yep, I'm just great." I grin at him and he smiles back at me. Once home I go up to my room and flop down on my bed. I make it a point not to look over at the house next door even though I know he can't possibly be home yet. Not unless he's got some super-human-cleaning-up-getting-home-really-fast super power. Not likely.
I turn on my t.v and flip through the channels. Nothing is ever on. What's the point in having a stupid t.v up here with cable if I can't ever find anything to watch? Ugh. I turn the t.v off and toss the remote onto the bed by my leg and sigh. I almost have a heart attack when my cell rings. It's Alyssa.
"Hi."
"Hey, whatcha doing?"
"Laying here bored out of my mind."
"Sucks."
"Yup."
"Yeah so sorry about earlier. I seriously wasn't thinking."
"No worries. You'll never guessed who I literally ran into at Jackie's dinner thing."
"Who?"
"My new neighbour. And you'll never guess who he is."
"Omigosh! Who?"
"Adrian Mill." I jerk the phone away from my hear as she screams. "Lyss, shut up."
"Sorry. But Omigod! What happened! I want full details!" I roll my eyes but smile.
"Okay so when I got your text I went into the bathroom and after I sent mine I ran into him, like actually ran into him. I almost fell down. I asked him if I'd seen him around and he recited that stupid commercial line and then I recognized who he was. Apparently he's Mrs Findlay's grandson and hasn't been here since he was like 3. Anyway, then Bren yelled at me to hurry up and I left."
"That's it? Tell me everything. What was he wearing?"
"That's really it. And I don't remember. Pants and a shirt, I think." I can almost hear Lyssa roll her eyes.
"Em you're so oblivious! You know you're supposed to take count of every single little detail."
"You have a boyfriend, Alyssa."
"Which is why I need to live vicariously through you, didn't you know."
"And besides, I'm not that observant. Remember how long it took me to finally notice that Brenda had bought a new couch? Like, two months."
"You're hopeless, this is true. Did he say "see you later" or anything?"
"No, but I told him "see you later" when I left."
"Emma! Why didn't you tell me!"
"Alyssa I swear you act 15 years old sometimes."
"Well sorry I'm not all old and boring as some people I know." I smile.
"You're forgiven."
"Emma, you're truly hopeless. He's going to expect to see you later. You can't ditch him, that's not nice."
"We didn't set a date or anything. And also besides, we live beside eachother. We're probably going to run into eachother lots over the summer."
"Which is why you need my help! Do you think it's too late to go over?" I look over at the clock.
"No, but he's probably not back yet. I think he was volunteering at the dinner thing. He was wearing one of those clippy name tags."
"Perfect. Gives me time to get over there and dress you."
"Oh come on, you're not coming over."
"You're always so hopeless when it comes to this stuff. I honestly don't know how you manage without me."
"You are not coming here."
"I'll see you in 10 minutes."
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