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From: "Impala" <impala@erols.com>
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Subject: REPOST RELUCANT GIRLFRIEND
Date: 5 Apr 1997 13:43:14 GMT
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<h3>"The Reluctant Girl Friend"</h3>
<p>
By<br>
<h4>Melanie Brown</h4>
<p>
Copyright 1992 Melanie Brown
</center>
<p>
"Before you ask, the answer is no!", I told my best friend Ed, =
in what I hoped was a stern
voice. Ed and I were still friends, even though he was 16 and was in =
High School and I had
another year to go in Jr. High. Most of the guys I knew who were =
either in or were going to
start High School in the fall, were already acting like I didn't =
exist.
<p>
"Whaddya mean, no?", Ed asked in an irritated voice. "You =
haven't even heard what I
was going to ask." He sat backwards in my desk chair and took a bite =
from the apple he
swiped from our refrigerator.
<p>
"Eddie, we've been friends since before the 1st grade. You've =
never asked me to do you
a favor that didn't require giving you money, or getting into =
trouble....or both." From where I
sat on my bed, I watched the June morning grow old and itched to get =
on my bike and head
down to the park.
<p>
"You got me all wrong, Chris. You're the only friend I got who =
can help me with this. It'll
be easy, you'll only have to do it for an hour, tops, and I'll give =
you fifty bucks." He tossed the
remains of the apple against the wall, and it ricocheted into my trash =
can.
<p>
I figured the park would still be there later and brushing the =
hair out of my eyes asked,
"What could be easy to do and worth fifty bucks, which you ain't got =
no how anyway?"
<p>
"Ah, I see I have the gent's curiosity piqued." Ed rolled the =
chair closer and his voice took
on a conspiratorial tone as he said, "Now this is gonna sound a =
little weird at first, but hear me
out, okay? And don't tell nobody about this, neither."
<p>
I nodded and Ed continued. "There's this party, ya know, =
tomorrow night at Lisa's. I
know, I know, whadda I care, right? After all, she just dumped me =
Saturday. I still ain't got
that one figger'd out. But I thought I'd still go to her party with =
another girl and show her I didn't
need her anyway.
<p>
"But you know what that little bitch did? She musta called =
every friggin' girl at school
and got them on her side. Not a single one would talk to me, much =
less go to the party with
me!"
<p>
"Did you ask Blanche Snoddgrass?", I said.
<p>
Ed pretended to poke his finger down his throat and said =
disgustedly, "I might be
desperate, but I ain't that desperate!" Ed paused a moment, then =
added, "Besides, she said `no'
too."
<p>
I knew I was going to regret asking this question, but I still =
said, "So, what's all this got to do
with me earning fifty bucks?"
<p>
Ed licked his lips and swallowed audibly, and after a few =
seconds hesitation said, "I
want you to pretend to be my date tomorrow night."
<p>
I just sat there a moment or two, probably looking stupid with =
my mouth gaping open. I
thought for sure that I misunderstood what he'd said. Then I was =
sure I hadn't
misunderstood and sputtered, "Are you outta your fuckin' mind!?" I =
was glad my mom was at
the grocery store. Otherwise, she would've been in my room in a =
heartbeat.
<p>
Ed just calmly said, "I kinda figger'd you'd feel that way, =
Chris. But the situation is not
without precedence." He leaned back and folded his arms.
<p>
I pushed myself a little bit away from Ed and glowered, "Just =
what do you mean by stupid
remark?"
<p>
Ed grinned like an idiot. "You couldn't have forgotten the =
Halloween party at Jamie's
last year, when you went dressed as Debbie Gibson. You could've =
been her twin, and all the
girls thought you were soooooo cute. Not to mention that on at least =
two occasions you
helped my sister make dresses by modeling for her."
<p>
"Hey, it was Mom's idea that I go as Debbie Gibson," I blurted, =
and naturally my voice
would have to break. "And I helped Gwen with her dresses for a =
Metallica concert ticket."
<p>
"Look, it probably won't even be for an hour. All you'll have =
to do is look cute and stand
next to me. Gwen's already agreed to dress you up. She thinks it'll =
be fun. Besides, I have
enough shit on you, that your parents will ground you 'till =
you're thirty."
<p>
Ed was right. Dad never did know how the leather seats got =
ripped or where the
dents in door came from on his not-even-24-hours old Porsche, =
had come from.
Nevermind the fact that Ed was usually the instigator, my dad would =
still blame me, because I
should've "just said `no'" to Ed's stupid ideas. I was a broken man.
<p>
"Okay Eddie," I mumbled. "But only for an hour! You've had =
some real shithead ideas
before, but this one really tops them all! But you better have fifty =
bucks!"
<p>
Ed reached back for his wallet, pulled it out and opened it, =
showing more than fifty
dollars. "Summer jobs are great. I guarantee it'll only be an =
hour. But listen dude, if you
wanna live to see that fifty, don't screw this up. If anyone finds out =
that you're a guy, they'll kick
me off the football team and my life will become a living hell."
<p>
Ed was always melodramatic, but this time he wasn't too far =
from the truth. If word of
this got out, both of us would be shunned by friends and nerds =
alike not to mention
becoming a target for humiliation. As Mom would say, kids could be so =
cruel.
<p>
<center>****</center>
<p>
My heart was in my throat as I walked up to Eddie's front door. =
Ordinarily on a sunny
summer afternoon, I'd be out riding my bike, or heading for the park to =
go to the pool. This
was one Friday afternoon that was going to be decidedly different.
<p>
The plan was simple enough. Gwen would perform the =
transformation. Ed and I
would make a brief appearance at Lisa's party. Lisa would become =
jealous and want Ed back.
Ed would take me home where I'd sneak into my bedroom window =
which I had conveniently
left unlocked and removed the screen.
<p>
Ed's mom and dad both worked, but often came home for lunch, so =
we decided I'd come
over at 1:00. We should be undisturbed all afternoon until around =
5:00. Ed's sister, Gwen,
didn't have to be at work at the movie theater until 6:00 on Fridays.
<p>
Gwen had decided to come home over the summer. She and my =
sister had both been
away at the same college, but my sister decided to stick around at =
college because she
wanted to be with some local jerk she'd met.
<p>
Feeling like I should be running away, I rang the doorbell. =
Gwen answered the door.
She took me by the hand and pulled me inside and then led me toward =
her room. Along the
way, between giggles, Gwen said, "I've sent Eddie away until 4:00. I =
figured he would only
make things worse for you if he was here. Chrissy, we're going to have =
so much fun today!"
<p>
"Come on, Gwen, lay off! It's bad enough as it is, without you =
calling me `Chrissy'. And
you don't have to be so jolly about it either", I said as she sat me =
down in front of her vanity
table.
<p>
For several minutes, she paced around me, biting her lower lip =
and "hmmmm"ing. She ran
her fingers through my long hair a couple of times. Then she told me to =
strip down to my shorts.
<p>
"Well, you don't have a lot of hair on your legs and underarms =
yet, but what's there's gotta
go", she said matter-of-factly. She felt my face. "Smooth as a baby's =
butt. That'll work out fine."
<p>
I didn't care for this at all. I thought again of the threat =
Eddie had made. At worst, Dad
would kill me and at the moment, I couldn't decide which was worse, =
being dead, or being
Eddie's date.
<p>
Gwen held up a furry object and said, "I was going to use this =
wig, but since your hair is so
long, I think I'll perm it. Don't get excited, Chrissy, I'm just going =
to add some wave and large
curls to it."
<p>
She then dragged me into the bathroom. She told me to take off =
my shorts and get in the
tub. I protested, but she just jerked the shorts off me anyway. I =
was nervous as hell, and
when she looked at my naked body, Gwen said, "This shouldn't be hard =
to pull off at all.
You're just a little fella." Then she started giggling.
<p>
Sulking, I sat down in the tub and after she had me suds up, =
she handed me a razor and
told me to shave my legs and armpits. While I was busy with that, she =
would perm my hair. I
had shaved my legs before for my Halloween costume, but not my armpits. =
They felt sore when
I was done.
<p>
Over the next several hours, I endured a very humiliating and =
occasionally painful
"transformation". Instead of just putting makeup on me, Gwen =
insisted I do it myself. She
wanted me to be able to make "repairs" to my makeup if need be. She =
didn't seem to care that
I had no intention of "being a girl" any longer than it took to get to =
the party, say hello, and
leave.
<p>
She had me try on a variety of dresses, having me walk back and =
forth and rotate in front
her each time. She finally decided on a tight, black, minidress. I =
balked when she handed me
the shoes that went with the outfit. The heels were only about two =
inches, but that was two
inches more than I wanted.
<p>
"Look Chrissy, Eddie's expecting you to look pretty and sexy =
for him. And it's my job to
see that you do. You're going to spend the rest of the afternoon in =
those heels, so you can
get used to them."
<p>
No sir, I didn't like it. Gwen had me practicing walking, =
standing and sitting while we
were waiting for my hair to set. Being a girl was definitely a lot =
more work.
<p>
While Gwen was making a final inspection and fluffing my hair =
with a blow dryer, we
heard the front door open. Gwen set the dryer down and motioned for =
me to stay put.
<p>
"I'll make sure it's Ed. If it is, I don't want him to come in =
just yet." Then she left and closed
the door.
<p>
I just sat there for a moment, consciously keeping my knees =
together. I looked around
Gwen's room for a moment and saw the reflection of legs in her full =
length mirror. Up to this
point, I hadn't had much chance to see what had been done to me. I got =
up to examine the
damage.
<p>
Quite frankly, I was shocked. Instead of a 14 year old boy, I =
saw what looked like a 15 or
16 year old Robo-babe. The tight black dress was a perfect fit. =
With the black pantyhose,
black pumps, large silver hoop earrings and makeup, I had a difficult =
time forcing myself to
remember that that fox in the mirror was me.
<p>
When the door opened, I almost fell off my heels as I whirled =
around fearing I had been
discovered. I sighed with relief when Gwen came in.
<p>
"It's Ed all right. I told him to wait out in the hall until I =
say to come in." She motioned for
me to stand in front of the door. "Now, strike one of those sexy =
poses I taught you." As I did,
she called to Ed.
<p>
"Hey dude you take as long to get ready as a real g..." Ed =
stopped in mid-sentence as
he entered the room. He stood there for several seconds, looking =
me up and down with
one of the silliest expressions I've ever seen.
<p>
"Holy shit!" he finally managed to say as he walked slowly =
around me. "Gwen, I can't
believe what you did here! You didn't have to cut off any body parts =
did you?"=7F
<p>
"Wasn't all that hard", Gwen chimed in. "He already had =
delicate features. I just
emphasized them."
<p>=7F
"Oh, thanks a lot!" I was hoping she'd say how difficult it =
was to mask such obvious
masculinity.
<p>
Looking at me like I was a side of beef, Ed said, "You're =
perfect. This is just perfect! I
can't wait to see Lisa's face when we get to her party."
<p>
"What time is this party anyway?", I asked. "I don't want to =
stay dressed like this any
longer than I have to."
<p>
"Around 7 or so. But I didn't want to show up until around 8 =
to give all of Lisa's friends a
chance to get there."
<p>
"8 o'clock! It's only 4:30 now!"
<p>
"What are you going to do until then?", Gwen asked. "You can't =
stay here, unless you want
to introduce your new girlfriend to Mom an Dad."
<p>
Now wouldn't that be just peachy keen. There was a pause as Ed =
pondered this hole in his
otherwise perfect plan.
<p>
Gwen broke the silence by saying, "Why don't you just go to a =
movie first? I'll even sign
you in so you two can go for free."
<p>=7F
"Take Chris out on a date? No way!"
<p>
"So? You're taking Chrissy to a party as your date. What =
difference does it make?
Mom and Dad will be here soon."
<p>
"You're right. Okay. There's a movie I've been wanting to see =
anyway."
"Don't I get any say in this?", I asked.
<p>
"No." said Ed and Gwen at the same time.
<p>
Gwen picked up a small black purse and started dropping items =
in, like a compact,
lipstick and various other items. "Here, Chrissy. You'll need to =
take this with you." Then she
turned to Ed. "You better get going. Mom'll be home any minute."
<p>
We walked into the living room and Ed went into the kitchen and =
started dialing the phone.
Gwen and I followed him in.
<p>
"Just remembered I need to call Fritz and tell him what time to =
meet at the arcade
tomorrow. He's at work, so I'll just get his machine. It'll only take =
a minute", Ed said.
<p>
As Ed was standing there leaving his message to Fritz, the back =
door of the kitchen that
led to the garage suddenly opened. I turned and to my horror saw Ed's =
mother come through
the doorway.
<p>
"Hello!" Ed's mother said pleasantly to me. "Are you one of =
Gwen's friends?"
<p>
Ed almost broke the phone as he quickly hung up the receiver. =
"Mom!" Ed said excitedly.
He hesitated for a moment then said, "I'd like you to meet Chrissy." =
He put his arm around
my waist and continued talking. "We're going out for pizza, maybe a =
movie and maybe swing
by Lisa's party."
<p>
"Hi", was about all I could manage to say.
<p>
"Pleased to meet you!" Ed's mother beamed. "Ed didn't say =
anything about having a
date tonight."
<p>
Ed forced a chuckle and said, "Yeah, well, it was kinda on the =
spur of the moment.
Chrissy is Christopher's cousin from up state. She's here for the =
summer."
<p>
About that time, the front door opened and in walked Ed's dad. =
Oh Joy! It was becoming
more than I could take.
<p>
"Hi Dad", croaked Ed. "Gee, this is great, everyone is here at =
once."
<p>
"Hello everyone. Got out of there early for once", said Ed's =
dad. He hadn't taken his eyes
off me since the moment he stepped through the door, the dirty old man. =
"Gwen, is this a new
friend of yours?"
<p>
"Dad, meet Chrissy, Ed's date", Gwen beamed. "She's =
Christopher's cousin from up
state."
<p>
"Pleased to meet you!" Ed's dad looked at me like a grizzly =
sizing up a doe. "Where is
old Chris? Haven't seen him lately."
<p>
"Who knows", Ed said. "He's just a little kid anyway. =
Probably out playing with his
magic nose goblin collection."
<p>
Then Gwen said, "Hey, we should get going. Ed's going to treat =
us both to pizzas in
exchange for me letting them into the theater."
<p>
Ed shot Gwen a dirty look, but said, "That's right. We don't =
want to be late."
<p>
Before any of us could make a mad dash to the door, Ed's mom =
said, "Oh! Chrissy, I
have a necklace that would go just perfect with your outfit if you'd =
like to borrow it!"
<p>
"Well, I..." I started to say, then my voice just trailed =
away.
<p>
Then Gwen said, "Oh Mom, yeah! I know the one you're talking =
about! That'll look so
lovely! Go for it, Chrissy!"
<p>
"Sounds good, thanks", I squeaked.
<p>
As Ed's mother led Gwen and me down the hall, I could just =
barely hear Ed's dad say
to Ed, "Hey Tiger. You've caught yourself one hot little chick! =
She's a lot cuter than that Lisa
Whats-her-name." To think that my life would come to this.
<p>
A little over ten minutes later, wearing a necklace that I was =
now terrified of losing, and
after having to have Ed's and my picture taken with us holding hands =
(I kept wishing I was
dead), we were on our way to Pizza Hut in Ed's Suzuki Samurai. =
Actually it was his dad's
second car, but Ed got to wash it. The top was down and the wind was =
messing up my hair. I
kept trying to talk Ed into putting the top up - not because of my =
hair, but because I didn't want
anyone to see me.
<p>
Just as we pulled into the parking lot, a group of teens around =
Gwen and my sister's age, a
mix of boys and girls, were already making their way to the door. =
Several I recognized from
their visiting my sister. Gwen made the mistake of waving to one of =
them, so they stopped
and waited for us.
<p>
"Hey Gwen", said one of the boys in greeting. "Who's your =
friend?"
<p>
"Hi Stewart. Stew, everybody, meet Chrissy. She's visiting =
with her cousin this summer.
She got bored and decided to go out with my brother. You remember =
Ed." Ed shot Gwen a
withering glare, but nobody noticed.
<p>
"Well, if you ever get bored again, let me know!" said Stew, =
with a toothy grin.
Resembling the cast of Beverly Hills 90210, we all started to enter =
the Pizza Hut. Gwen
whispered something in Ed's ear and he grimaced. She seemed pretty =
adamant and so Ed
took my hand as we walked inside. I wanted to throw up.
<p>
As we were waiting to be seated, Gwen leaned over and whispered =
to me, "Sorry, but Ed
has to `claim his property' or else these other guys will spend the =
whole time trying to hit on
you. They might still do it anyway." Happy happy joy joy.
<p>
Of course we sat with Gwen's friends. At least Gwen thought to =
place me between herself
and Ed, much to Stew's chagrin. The hour we were there passed pretty =
much uneventfully
(thank the heavens!)
<p>
I watched Gwen and the other girls carefully and tried to emulate =
how they ate and wiped
their mouths with their napkins. Also, I usually pig-out on pizza, =
but after the second slice,
Gwen would poke me in the ribs if I tried to reach for another piece.
<p>
Gwen finally took a look at her watch and saw that she was =
about to be late to work, so
we said our good-byes and left. As we were walking across the parking =
lot to the car, I asked
Gwen, "I saw Stew asking you a lot of questions and looking at me. What =
was he saying? It was
so noisy, I couldn't hear." "Oh, he was just asking about you."
<p>
The thought of Stew asking about me made me nauseous. As we =
climbed into the
Suzuki, I asked, "Well?? What did he say? And what did you say?"
<p>
"He just asked about you. I told him you were starting high =
school in the fall and that you
were a cheerleader. He'll be at Lisa's party."
<p>
"A cheerleader!? Eddie, stop by the hospital first so I can =
get a lobotomy."
<p>
Gwen frowned. "Hey, your sister was a cheerleader."
<p>
"I rest my case."
<p>
"I'm just trying to help."
<p>
"I think you've helped enough."
<p>
We drove the rest of the way in silence. I was very conscious =
of guys in passing cars
looking at me and it made me feel very self-conscious. I was also =
aware of the wind in my
hair and the earrings dancing against my neck and the wind swirling =
around my legs.
<p>
We arrived at the theater without incident and with only a =
minute to spare for Gwen.
Gwen signed us in and at her insistence, Ed bought me a softdrink =
and box of popcorn that
we could both share.
<p>
During the movie, even though we sat in adjacent chairs, Ed sat =
as far away from me as
possible. That was okay. I was sitting as far from Ed as I could.
<p>
<center>****</center>
<p>
I was starting to feel really sick. Ed had parked the Suzuki =
in front of Lisa's house. Well,
as close as he could get. There must have been thirty cars crammed =
around Lisa's house. Yep,
Lisa really knew how to throw a party and her parents probably hated =
her for it. I know I did.
<p>
"Okay Chrissy. It's show time," said Ed. "I'm not so sure =
this is a good idea after all."
<p>
"Gee Eddie, and I was so looking forward to the party. But if =
you don't want to go, hey,
who am I to argue? Let's go home." I reached over and turned the =
ignition back on.
<p>
"Sorry dude...er dudette. We're here. We might as well go =
through with it." Ed turned
the ignition back off and removed the key. Then he smiled his evil =
grin. "If the reaction to you
so far is any indication, Lisa should shit bricks when she sees you."
<p>
He paused a moment then said, "If you could, flirt a little with =
that football jock she's started
dating."
<p>
"Flirt with a football jock?! No way!" I sputtered.
<p>
"Way. That should really get her riled. And don't yell. =
Geez, you're supposed to be my
girlfriend."
<p>
"That's right. I should be screaming at you."
<p>
Ed opened his door and said, "Cut the crap and let's get this =
over with."
<p>
Ed shut the door and started walking towards Lisa's house. I =
just sat there. It took him a
moment to notice I wasn't with him. He turned and said, "Well? Aren't =
you coming?"
<p>
"Aren't you going to open the door for me?" Without thinking, =
I pulled the compact out of
my purse, opened it and checked my makeup in the mirror.
<p>
Ed raised his arms in frustration and muttered, "Women!"
<p>
As we turned up the sidewalk, I suddenly noticed that I had =
gotten comfortable with the
clothes I was wearing. That really bothered me. Then I became aware =
of the clicking sound
my high heels were making on the sidewalk. Then Ed looked over at =
me, arched his
eyebrows, coughed uncomfortably, then put his arm around my waist.
<p>
We stood in front of the door and Ed pressed the doorbell. I =
clicked my heels three times
and said, "There's no place like home...There's no place..." then Ed =
pinched me and told me to
shut up.
<p>
As the door cracked open, we were suddenly blasted by the =
latest top 40 chart buster
at a decibel level exceeding a 747 at takeoff. Silhouetted in the door =
frame was a girl with long
blond hair and a short dress. There was a pause for a moment, then the =
girl stepped forward
into the glow of the fading sunlight and said, "Eddie? What a =
surprise."
<p>
"Hi Lisa," Ed grinned. "I wouldn't miss one of your parties!"
<p>
He pulled me closer to him and added, "Lisa, meet Chrissy."
<p>
Lisa looked me up and down and said, "Eddie, how could you ask =
Gwen to talk one of her
friends into coming with you?"
<p>
As Ed retold my story for the fortieth time, I sized up Lisa. =
I'd seen her before of course
and had always thought she was a babe and a half. Now I couldn't =
figure out what Ed saw in
her.
<p>
Ed finally said, "Well, Lisa. Are you gonna let us in or =
what?"
<p>
Lisa frowned but said, "Sure. Come in. Just don't fall in the =
dip this time." I wasn't sure,
but if looks could kill, I would have been a greasy spot on the porch.
<p>
Ever the gentleman, Ed held the door open and let me enter =
first. I was dreading this
moment from the first time Ed made his proposition. But I've never been =
so overwhelmed by
mixed feelings before at just entering a room. I was both terribly =
embarrassed and I surprised
myself by also being elated when just about every boy in the room =
turned to look at me. And
they smiled. I didn't know whether to be thrilled or hurl.
<p>
Being a little too polite, Lisa told me where to leave my purse =
and asked if I wanted a soda.
My throat felt dry and so I said I would. Too bad it was just soda. =
This was the first time I
wanted to get drunk. Then I looked around and saw all these guys =
looking at me and decided
maybe getting drunk wasn't a good idea.
<p>
"Chrissy!" rang a voice out from the noisy crowd. I looked up =
and saw Stew hurrying over
to greet me. I felt sick. He took me by the hand and said, "Hey, =
come on and meet the guys.
They're all dying to meet you!"
<p>
I looked over my shoulder at Ed, hoping he'd come to my rescue, =
but he was leaning
against the wall, talking to Lisa. I got to meet the guys and the =
girls. I had my story down pat by
now and was able to lie convincingly. Actually, I was starting to have =
fun. I floated from group
to group, the girls accepting me as an equal and guys slobbering over =
themselves. One part of
my brain stared in shock disapproval as I found myself flirting and =
giggling.
<p>
I didn't really pay attention to it at the time, but one guy =
there was not only watching me,
but was watching Ed talk to Lisa. This guy, who towered above the =
other guys and looked like a
wall of muscle, finally walked up to me and introduced himself. Except =
for the fact that I wasn't
supposed to know him, his introduction was unnecessary. He was =
"Tank", the star football
player and Lisa's latest squeeze.
<p>
"Hey babe", he said after introductions. "Let's dance." I =
looked up at him and felt very
tiny. He could kill me with a spit ball.
<p>
"S..sure." was about all I could manage.
<p>
There was a clear spot (sort of) in the middle of the room =
where some other kids were
dancing. Tank cleared a spot for us and we started dancing. I was =
just glad it wasn't a slow
dance. We danced for several songs, then he wanted to sit down and =
talk. We sat on a couch,
and Tank sat close and put his arm around my shoulder.
<p>
"What's a fine babe like you doing hangin' out with a slime =
ball like Ed?" Tank is no Fred
Astair.
<p>
"Well, I've only just met that slime ba..I mean Eddie." =
I swallowed hard before
continuing. "He seems like a nice guy to me."
<p>
"Look at him." Tank pointed to where Ed was talking to Lisa. =
"He's spent the whole time
here talking with Lisa. He's ignored you completely." He ran a finger =
down my cheek and said,
"Now, if I was with a babe like you, I wouldn't be ignoring you."
<p>
I'm sure Tank thought that that statement would make me =
incensed against Ed.
Actually, up until that moment, I had been having too much fun being =
popular to even think
about Ed. I glanced down at my dainty lady's watch and was shocked =
to see we had been here
for almost two hours!
<p>
Tank was pulling me closer and was starting to nuzzle me. I =
said, "I want to dance!"
<p>
Tank frowned, but helped me up and we stepped back out on the =
"dance floor." We
danced as before for the rest of the song that was playing. Then a =
slow song started. Tank
pulled me to him and put his arms around me. We started swaying back =
and forth. He put his
head down next to mine. I tried to disengage myself, but Tank is a big =
guy. Then he placed his
hand on my butt and I felt something wet on my neck! I tried harder to =
push myself away.
<p>
"Tank, stop it", I tried to whisper to him. He just held me =
closer. "Tank, please...don't", I
said a little louder.
<p>
Suddenly, Tank let go and I stepped back. There was Ed. He =
had pushed Tank around
and was looking really pissed.
<p>
"That's my girl, ass hole!" Then he pushed Tank back.
<p>
"You little shit...", Tank started to say as he took a step =
towards Ed.
<p>
I yelled, "Eddie!"
<p>
Tank took a swipe at Ed and missed. But Ed landed one solid =
punch on Tank's jaw and
Tank fell back on the couch. Everyone stood there, staring with =
disbelief. Nobody, and I
mean nobody, had ever decked Tank.
<p>
Ed took me by the arm and said, "Come on Chrissy, this party's =
a drag." He led me
through the crowd of kids standing around to the door. Lisa's =
expression looked as though
someone has skewered her with a hot poker. Without a word, we left =
Lisa's party.
<p>
"Thanks Eddie", I said softly.
<p>
"Shut up", snapped Ed. "It wasn't your ass I was trying to =
save...it was mine! I told you
to flirt with Tank, not pick him up."
<p>
"I didn't! I..."
<p>
"Just when I thought I might have talked Lisa into giving me =
another chance, you had to
start coming on to Tank!"
<p>
"I wasn't! I..."
<p>
"Do you realize what would have happened to us if he had =
started fondling you?
What's wrong with you?"
<p>=7F
"I...I..."
<p>
"Shit! Now Lisa thinks I care more about you than her!"
<p>
Before we got to the Suzuki, we heard running footsteps behind =
us. I was sure it was Tank
coming to finish off both of us. Ed turned around, but I couldn't.
<p>
"Hey Ed. Where you going?" It wasn't Tank. It was just one =
of Ed's friends.
<p>
"I dunno. I guess I'll just take Chrissy home. The night's =
kinda ruined anyway."
<p>
Ed's friend said, "Don't do that. That party was getting dull =
anyway. A bunch of us are
going to go to Harvey's. Why don't ya come too?"
<p>
Harvey's was a teen hangout, with a dance floor and loud music, =
video and pinball games.
Ed always referred to it as a training bar.
<p>
I figured Ed would turn down the offer, but instead said, "That sounds =
good. Sure, we'll meet you
there."
<p>
"Eddie!", I said in a shocked whisper. "Are you nuts?"
<p>
"Maybe." He started leading me back to the Suzuki. "Did you =
see the way those guys
looked at me?" I shook my head. "For the first time, those clowns =
were looking at me with
respect!"
<p>
I waited impatiently as Ed tried to unlock my door, which =
wasn't locked (and the top was
still down). "Eddie...I don't want to go to Harvey's. I want my $50 =
and I wanna go home! My
feet hurt."
<p>
Ed jumped into the driver's seat without opening the door.
<p>
"Sorry babe. But I have to go bask in my glory! That wuss Tank =
had just better watch his
step from now on!"
<p>
"Eddie, I'd be careful if I were you. Next time, Tank might =
not be drunk, tired from
dancing and trying to give someone a hickie."
<p>
"Naah! He's toast."
<p>
I was feeling pretty miserable as we drove off. I never =
would've thought that I'd be the
cause of two guys fighting. It was awful. This was taking much longer =
than planned and the
party had been a disaster. I felt some tears well up and when I wiped =
my eye, I saw the black
smear on my finger. I opened my purse and started digging around for a =
tissue and my
compact.
<p>
We drove in silence, and in a few minutes we arrived at =
Harvey's. From the looks of
the parking lot, ol' Harve was raking in the cash from us poor, jobless =
teens. The place was
packed. Ed and I stood in the entranceway for a few moments surveying =
the mass of pimpled
humanity. I was no longer self-conscious about how I looked and had =
become complacent
about being mentally undressed by all these pubescent perverts.
<p>
Someone called out, "Hey Ed!" and we turned in the direction of =
the pinball machines. A
group of guys gave Ed a thumbs up. You could actually see Ed's hat =
size increasing.
<p>
"Come on, let's dance!" Ed said as he pulled me to the dance =
floor. As we danced
through the crowd, people who just yesterday wouldn't even have =
wasted spit on Ed were
greeting him like life-long friends. Girls told me how lucky I was =
to have a guy like Ed. I
started to feel sorry for Tank. All this time, I'd thought he was =
popular.
<p>
We danced several times and during the slow dances, I was =
starting to feel kinda
dreamy. I had always been considered a dweeb, but now I felt =
intoxicated by all the
attention I was getting.
<p>
After we had finished with a dance session, Ed looked down at =
his watch and said, "Guess
we better get, if I'm to get you home by midnight."
<p>
"Do we have to?" I whined. "I'm having too much fun!"
<p>
Ed grinned, "And you were the one who didn't want to come. But =
I think we'd better go."
<p>
<center>****</center>
<p>
We were both silent on the way to my house. The events of the =
day kept playing through
my head and I kept finding it hard to believe any of it had =
actually happened. I just sat there
and enjoyed the summer night as the wind blew through my hair. Ed =
put the radio on the
classical music station. I think they were playing the Bee Gees.
<p>
Ed pulled the Suzuki to the curb in front of my house and =
turned off the ignition. He
looked out the windshield a moment then said, "Well, I certainly had a =
good time tonight."
<p>
I was looking at my hands in my lap, then looked up at Ed as I =
said, "Yeah, me too." Then
I looked back down at my hands.
<p>
Ed moved closer to me and in sudden horror, I thought, oh no! =
He's gonna kiss me!
There was a long pause, and I was shocked to find myself thinking, oh =
no! He's *not* gonna
kiss me! I looked up at Ed and then his lips were pressed briefly =
against mine. At first I thought
I was seeing stars, but as Ed pulled away, I saw that it was just a =
passing car. Ed smiled shyly,
looked into my eyes, then kissed me again. Longer this time.
<p>
It was a kiss like no other. There was a flood of =
contradictory emotions. I've
kissed girls before, but they had been nothing like this.
<p>
Ed finally pulled away, slowly, and began an intense study of =
the steering wheel. He
said, "Well, I guess I had better get home."
<p>
I looked at Ed for a moment, not sure what to say or do. I =
said, "Okay, Eddie. I really
enjoyed tonight."
<p>
"Yeah, me too."
<p>
We told each other goodnight, and I got out of the car and =
watched Ed drive away.
Feeling both giddy and dreamy, I walked up to our front door, opened it =
and went inside.
<p>
I'm not sure, but I think it was the expression on my dad more =
than the one on my mom
that belatedly reminded me of my plan to sneak back in through my =
bedroom window. My dad
sputtered a few times in a vain attempt to say something. My mom didn't =
even try.
<p>
It was a Maalox moment.
------=_NextPart_000_01BC419D.FFAC8AE0
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<center>
<h3>"The Reluctant Girlfriend"<br>
(Part 2)</h3>
<p>
<h4>By<br>
Melanie Brown</h4>
</center>
<p>
Copyright 1993 Melanie Brown
<p>
We stood in silence, my mom, dad, and I, for what seemed like =
forever. Well, not in complete silence. My dad was making =
incoherent gurgling noises. The trickle of sweat sliding down my sides =
from shaven armpits suggested that Teen Spirit isn't made for =
stressful moments.
<p>
Finally, Mom said, "Christopher, do you have an explanation for=20
this?"
<p>
"Explanation for what, Mom?" I asked innocently.
<p>
"Answer your mother." My dad finally found his voice. "I want =
to know why my son looks like he just stepped off the cover of =
`Vogue'."
<p>
"Well, you see, uh, Eddie and me, uh we were just playing a =
little game." I don't know why, but I was starting to feel a =
little sassy. A tiny voice in the back of my mind was whispering that =
I was turning into my sister.=20
<p>
"Where did you get that dress?" Mom asked.
<p>
"What? This old thing? Just something I slipped on..."
<p>
"Cut the crap Christopher!" The shout from my dad took the curls =
out of my hair.
<p>
"Okay, okay! Eddie wanted me to pretend to be his date for =
Lisa's party so he could show her he could still get a date =
without her." I flipped the hair out of my eyes and added, "Don't ask =
me what he sees in her!"
<p>
Dad stammered, "You... you went to a party...out in =
public...dressed like ... like ... like that?"
<p>
"Don't get your bowels in an uproar, Dad. Chill! Everything was =
cool. Everyone thought I was a girl and Eddie was making Lisa jealous. =
Everything was going great until Eddie punched out Tank." =20
<p>
I guess I should have left out that last part.
<p>
"How could...I mean, why did Ed punch out Tank?" Mom asked.
<p>
"Well, Tank was trying to give me a hickie..."
<p>
Dad was standing there with both his hands on his head, =
alternating between stretching and squeezing movements. He said, =
"That's it. That's all I can take for one night. I can't deal with =
this now. Just wait 'till I talk to Ed's father! And you, take off =
that dress!"
<p>
"Daddy!" I squealed, "Don't tell Eddie's dad! If this gets out, =
we're dead meat! It was just a joke. It's over!"
<p>
"We'll discuss it in the morning!" and with that, Dad turned on his =
heel and walked away. I think he was upset. Mom was looking at me =
kind of funny, which was a good trick considering she'd been looking =
at me kind of funny since I first walked in the door. She brushed the =
hair out of my eyes and then with a finger under my chin, lifted my =
face up a little, and turned my head slightly from side to =
side. She said, "Christopher, why is your lipstick smeared like =
that?" Her tone of voice suggested she knew exactly how lipstick gets =
smeared that way.
<p>
"Gee Mom, I don't know." I looked down and studied my feet for a few =
moments.
Mom's expression softened a little and then she said, "I think you'd =
best go wash your face and get to bed. I have a feeling it's going =
to be a long day tomorrow." =20
<p>
I nodded and walked down the hall to my room, the clicking of my =
heels sounding extremely loud. I shut the bedroom door behind me, =
leaned against it, and closed my eyes. What a disaster! If only I =
had remembered to climb through that stupid window, my parents would =
never have known about my little adventure.
<p>
I stepped out of the high heels and padded over to the bed and sat =
down. I removed the dress, bra, and pantyhose. I left the panties =
on as I left my room to go across the hall to the bathroom to wash my =
face.
<p>
It was still a shock to see myself in the mirror. As I cocked my =
head from side to side, I still couldn't get over that robo-babe =
who was staring back at me. I noticed I still had the earrings on, so =
I took them off before washing. I also noticed my shaped, polished =
nails. I'd have to ask Mom tomorrow how to get the polish off. =
Before I could ponder on how I would have gotten the polish off =
without Mom's help, I saw my bare neck in the mirror.
The necklace! Ed's mother's necklace was gone! Would the =
disaster never end? Just great! Wonderful! I supposed that =
tomorrow, I'd find out I was pregnant too.
Frantically, I searched the bathroom, my room, the hall, and even =
unthinkingly darted outside while still wearing panties and makeup. =
The necklace was nowhere to be found. Oh, the humanity!
<p>
When I started to re-enter the house, Dad jerked me in through the =
door, his eyes glancing nervously up and down the street. Then he =
slammed the door shut.=20
"My god, Chris! ", Dad cried with a look of horror on his face. =
"What if the neighbors saw you like that? What were you doing out =
there? Don't you ever think? See these gray hairs? I didn't have =
them ten minutes ago!" he lectured as he followed me down the hall to =
the bathroom.
<p>
"I thought I lost an earring. Oh! Here it is in the bathroom! =
Silly me!" I held up an earring and smiled back at Dad. He just =
groaned and turned away. I felt sick. How was I ever going to =
explain, to Dad's satisfaction, about the dress, make Mom forget about =
the smeared lipstick, and tell Ed's Mom about the necklace? =20
<p> =20
And Ed didn't give me the promised $50 either.
<p> =20
Feeling utterly depressed, I finally cleaned up and climbed into =
bed. With the lights off, images from the evening played across my =
closed eyes. I was shocked when I found myself smiling when I thought =
of the goodnight kiss. Feeling wonderfully gooey inside and mentally =
confused, I drifted softly off to sleep.
<p>
<center>
* * *
</center>
<p>
I awoke amid the gentle vocals of Anthrax playing softly from =
my clock alarm. Saturday morning. The morning light, sifting =
through the blinds, sparkled off dust motes. A perfectly normal =
summer Saturday morning. Thank goodness it was only a dream! I slid =
my hand down to satisfy an itch and felt the smoothness of the =
panties. I held up my hand and saw the painted nails. =20
<p>
Groan. Yesterday, which seemed a million years ago, was reality =
after all. Rats. No...damn! Sliding out of bed, I noticed the dress =
and bra draped over the chair, and the pantyhose and heels laying =
on the floor. I stumbled across the hall to the bathroom to take a =
shower.
<p>
As I washed, my anger towards Ed grew. Because of him, I was now =
in some really hot water with my parents. If Tank ever found out who =
I really was, he'd pulverize me. If word ever got out around =
school...well, let's just say I'd pray to just be a geek again! And =
then add the fact that he actually kissed me! Kissed me! Right on the =
lips. And, after all that, Ed didn't even pay me! What a sleaze!
<p>
A few minutes later, the shower finished, I started to feel a bit =
better. As I dried off with a big fluffy towel, I noticed that Gwen =
had not been completely truthful with me. My hair was still permed. =
Great, I'll probably have to shave my head.
<p>
While brushing my teeth, I heard a car drive up in front of the =
house and the car doors slam. It was only 9am, so I knew it =
wasn't Ed. I looked out the bathroom window and saw several of the =
girls from Lisa's party walking towards the house. What now?! Why were =
they coming here?
<p>
My breathing stopped the same instant the doorbell rang. The =
only thing worse than this would be Stew showing up with candy and =
flowers. No, on second thought, the worst thing would be Tank =
showing up with brass knuckles.
<p>
Mom answered the door. I imagined Dad was still vapor-locked. =
I couldn't hear what was being said, but a moment later, Mom came down =
the hall and called with exaggerated cheerfulness , "Oh Chrissy! =
Some friends are hear to see you!"
<p>
I stuck my head out of the bathroom door and whispered between =
clinched teeth, "Mom! Are you crazy!? Why didn't you tell them =
Chrissy had moved to Africa or something?"
<p>
Mom just giggled for a second, then added, "Hey, you got =
yourself into this mess. Maybe you'll learn a valuable lesson from =
it." With that, she turned and headed towards the kitchen.
<p>
Growling, I wrapped a towel around me in the same manner I've =
seen Mom and my sister do and then walked hesitantly down the hall.
<p>
"Hi Chrissy!" called one of the girls. "Remember me, Gina, =
from Lisa's party? Well, anyway, we thought you might like to have =
this." She pulled a necklace out of her purse. Not just "a" necklace. =
THE necklace!
<p>
"Wow, I thought I'd lost that for good!" I squealed as the =
necklace was placed unceremoniously in my outstretched hand. =
"Where did you ever find it?"
<p>
"We found it on the couch at Lisa's where you and Tank had been =
sitting. We were going to try to find you at Harvey's, but the guys =
we were with wanted to go to a movie. We saw Gwen at the theater =
and she told us where you were staying for the summer."
<p>
"You should've just given the necklace to Gwen", I said. I =
thought, I could have put all this behind me by now if you ditsy girls =
had just given Gwen the necklace and not shown up here.
<p>
"Oh, we didn't tell her about the necklace. We just asked =
where you lived."
<p>
"Gee, I'll have to remember to thank her..."
<p>
"Anyway", the girl continued, "we were going to stop by last =
night after the movie, but we saw that you and Eddie, well, um, were =
kinda busy! So we didn't stop."
<p>
My parents were just a room away, and I heard Dad start =
coughing up his Total through his nose, and Mom dropped something in =
the kitchen. I heard Dad start to get up, but Mom whispered =
something to him and he sat back down.
<p>
The girl wasn't through destroying my day. "Also, we were =
going to like, go hang out at the mall, and wanted to ask you if you, =
like, wanted to come with us!" I could tell from the way she =
talked, that she felt she was bestowing a great honor upon me.
<p>
"Well, gee, you know..." I started to say.
<p>
Then Mom floated into the foyer and said, "That's a great idea, =
Chrissy! You don't want to hang around here all day."
<p>
From the other room, I could hear Dad barely managing to say, =
"Honey, could I talk with you for a moment?"
<p>
"Just a moment dear! Girls, you're welcome to watch some TV =
while Chrissy gets ready. Go on Chrissy, you don't want to keep them =
waiting."
<p>
Mom had clearly blown a gasket. I looked at her with one of my =
many stupid expressions, and she just shooed me away. I could hear =
Dad moaning again. He was just as stuck as I was now. If word got =
out about this now, his life would be ruined. Mine would be over.
<p>
Lucky for me (or not), when my sister left for college, she =
just had to have a completely new wardrobe. She didn't want to look =
like a highschooler at college, so her closet was still crammed =
with clothes. Also, I was pretty close to her size.
<p>
Not wanting to create suspicion by dawdling over what to wear, =
I started frantically searching through my sister's closet. I =
suddenly stopped and giggled. I said to myself that I had to start =
`thinking girl.' Nobody is going to expect a teenage girl to get =
ready to go in two minutes. I slowed down and tried to remember how =
Gwen or my sister dressed on weekends.
<p>
Eventually, I selected a black and white top, black denim =
miniskirt, ankle socks and tennies, and appropriate undies. Since all =
my sister's earrings were for pierced ears, I grabbed the clip-on =
hoops I wore the night before. I kept the makeup minimal, but did =
remember to go get the purse I used last night to find the lipstick that =
matched my nails. I also found a couple of plastic bracelets in my =
sister's dresser that matched my top, so I added those for good =
measure.
<p>
I stepped back from the mirror to inspect the damage. I still =
could not believe it. How a wiry, geeky, junior high brat could be =
transformed into gorgeous (if I do say so myself) high school babe was =
beyond me. =20
<p>
I grabbed a denim purse and as I started filling it with =
essentials, mostly just transferring the contents of the other purse =
into it, I could hear Dad out in the backyard, mowing the lawn. It =
was the third time this morning.
<p>
<center>
* * *
</center>
<p>
I felt like a spy. There I was, in the back seat of Gina's =
car, surrounded by a gaggle of giggly girls, their perfumes =
clashing. I had been admitted to the inner sanctum.
<p>
The trip to the mall would complete my indoctrination into the =
teen female world. Including me, there was six girls in the car and =
at a minimum, eight to ten different conversations going on at once. =
Most of these conversations were devoted to making viscous comments =
about any girl not currently in the car. The topic of boys, hair, =
and zits came up too, and not necessarily in that order.
<p>
The girls' names were Gina, Megan, Tammi, Sheri, and Amy. And =
me.
<p>
"So Chrissy, how long have you known Eddie?" asked Megan from =
the front passenger seat. Four expectant heads turned towards me and =
Gina was looking in her rearview mirror.
<p>
"Only for a day."
<p>
"He sure isn't wasting any time", said Gina, smiling at me =
through the rearview mirror.
<p>
"Do you like him?" asked Tammi, who was sitting to my right.
<p>
I wanted to say I hated his stinking putrid guts and after I =
blew him away with my dad's AK-47, I would happily dance upon his =
grave. But instead, I said, "Yes, I do like him. He seems very =
nice."
<p>
The other girls giggled and shared a knowing look. Well, Gina =
at least had seen Ed kissing me. The kiss of death...
<p>
Megan then said, "Lisa always said that Eddie was a stupid =
little dweeb."
<p>
"And also that he was the poster boy for birth control", chimed =
in Gina.
<p>
I wondered if Ed knew all that. Still, I said, "Who cares what =
Lisa thinks? He likes me now." What was I saying?! Well, I did have =
to keep up the act. Still, I was really starting to resent how he'd =
turned my life upside down.
<p>
"Well", started Tammi, "after last night, we all think Eddie's =
pretty cool. I didn't even notice that he was cute before!"
<p>
"I thought he was cute the first time I saw him!" I laughed. =
On the inside, I needed a barf bag.
<p>
We cruised on down the drag towards the mall, the Mecca of teen =
girls. Gina drove amazingly well considering she never once =
watched the road. Cute guys would honk and wave at us as we =
weaved across the lanes. I mentally slapped myself for noticing if =
the guys were cute or not.
<p>
As we pulled into the mall parking lot, Gina said to me, "You'd =
better be sure to tell Eddie to be on the lookout. We hear Tank is =
going to be looking for him."
<p>
"Eddie can take care of himself!", I said. If Ed had any =
active brain cells, he'd be on his way to Canada right now. =20
<p>
We entered the mall like a pack of velociraptors on the prowl. =
There wasn't going to be one dress, shoe, or jewelry store that would =
be left unturned. If we ever got that far. Megan had to use the =
phone five seconds after entering the mall. But I don't think it was =
any accident she picked the phone right outside the video arcade.
<p>
While clustered around Megan, the other girls kept a sharp =
watch on who entered and left the arcade. Suddenly Tammi's eyes went =
wide and she giggled and nudged Gina who was looking in the opposite =
direction. That's when Shane Daniels, the captain of the football team, =
and every girl's fantasy, walked from behind the phone stall.
<p>
"Hello, Gina", said Shane. He eyed us like a cougar scanning a =
valley of lambs. And his eyes rested on me.
<p>
"Hi Shane", Gina cooed. "Whatcha up to?"
<p>
"Not much...just thought I'd get in a little pin ball with the =
guys." He focused his attention back on me again. Oh, just =
wonderful. Then he asked, "Who's your friend here? I don't =
believe we've met."
<p>
Gina was visibly agitated by the question, but said, "Oh. =
Shane, meet Chrissy. She's Eddie's girlfriend." Then she hastily =
added, "She's just here for the summer."=20
<p>
An incredulous expression flashed across Shane's unblemished =
face as he asked, "Eddie's girlfriend?"
<p>
If I had been smart, I would have just said yes and left it at =
that, but instead I stupidly said, "Oh, we just met yesterday." And =
then I was shocked to find myself actually enjoying being bathed in =
the glow of his smile.
<p>
From the direction of the arcade, one of Shane's cohorts called =
out, "Hey Shane, you gonna play or what?" =20
<p>
Shane looked over at his friend, frowned, and started to walk =
towards the arcade. But then, he turned towards me, touched my arm, =
and drew me to one side. He then dropped a neutron bomb on me as he =
said, "Chrissy, ah, you're one of the prettiest girls I've ever met." =
He paused for effect while he bathed me in that smile of his. His =
comment triggered a riot of emotions through me. I could feel my face =
flush as I looked down at my feet. =20
<p>
"And so I was wondering", Shane continued, "if you'd be =
interested in going to the Aerosmith concert with me next =
Saturday?" =20
<p>
I was shocked, stunned, flattered, offended, elated, horrified, =
stupefied, and just about any other emotion you could think of. Most =
girls at school would consider a date with Shane as a "to die for" and =
here he was, offering me a date, and telling me I'm the prettiest! =
Someone get this guy a pair of glasses!
<p>
Going out with Shane, or any guy for that matter, was strictly =
out of the question! From the looks I was getting from the other =
girls, I knew they overheard and were anxiously awaiting my reply. I had =
to get out of this situation gracefully and in a way that would keep =
Shane from hounding me and stay consistent with all the lies I had been =
telling.
<p>
At first I looked at my hands as I started to reply, then =
looked up straight into his eyes. Those eyes were very blue, too. =
Anyway, I said, "Thank you for asking, but I probably should give Eddie =
a chance to ask me that. I'm sure he's going to go."
<p>
I could tell some of the wind had been knocked out of Shane's =
sails. He's not used to being turned down. But instead of being mad, =
he said, "Well, I hope you change your mind because I'd much rather go =
to the concert with the most beautiful girl in town. But if you =
wait too long, I'll have to ask someone else." He smiled, then =
turned and walked into the arcade.
<p>
"Are you crazy?", squealed Amy when Shane was out of earshot. =
"How could you turn down a date with Shane Daniels?"
<p>
Just a shade indignant, I said, "Well, because Eddie's my =
boyfriend. I'm sure he'll take me to the concert." What was I going =
to tell her? That I never date anyone who could borrow my jock strap? =
=20
<p>
It was obvious that Gina was pissed. I knew that she'd been =
trying for some time now to get Shane's attention, and I got it in about =
5 nanoseconds without even trying.
<p>
We finally started walking towards the interior of the mall. =
The first stop would be one of the music stores. As we rounded the =
corner, just coming out of the music store was Tank! He was drooling =
over some bimbette and hadn't looked in our direction yet. The =
other girls looked over at me.
<p>
"Hey guys. Why don't you just go on into the music store. I =
wanna check something out in here first", I said, pointing into a dress =
store. They all (except Gina) nodded knowingly and continued =
on their way. I went over to the edge of the entrance and peered =
around the corner to watch.
<p>
As they were about to enter, Tank saw them and said something =
to them. They all shook their heads, except for Gina who looked in my =
direction. She frowned, then shook her head too. Then they went into =
the store. I thought for sure that Gina was going to spill the =
beans. I just hoped Tank hadn't noticed Gina looking at me.=20
<p>
Then Tank started lumbering in my direction. Quickly, I darted =
into the dress store. I didn't look and ran right into something, and =
almost knocked it over. I looked up in horror to see it was Mrs. =
Bently, a member of my mom's bridge club. I just said, "Oh, sorry", =
and started to casually go on my way. =20
<p>
"Now look here young lady, I think...", she started, then =
paused. She looked at me quizzically for a few seconds. Then she said, =
"Christopher! What on earth are you doing dressed like that?" She =
grabbed hold of my arm.
<p>
Geez! How could she have possibly recognized me? "Eddie dared =
me to do it." What's one more lie after so many? "He said he'd give =
me fifty bucks if I did." Okay, now it was less of a lie. I might =
actually remember it if I had to.
<p>
"You young people today! Why, when I was your age, we didn't =
have time for shenanigans like this!", she scolded. While she was =
talking, Tank stepped in front of the entrance! He was glancing from =
left to right.
<p>
"Does your mother know you're dressed like this, young man?", =
asked Mrs. Bently.
<p>
"Yes she does, ma'am.", I said with a forced smile. I had to =
get away from here. =20
<p>
"Don't try to fib to me, Christopher! I know your mother would =
do no such thing! It's just not shameful, why it's immoral for you =
to be dressed like that!"
<p>
Tank entered the store. Mrs. Bently was between us. I tugged =
at her grip and said, "Mrs. Bently, I have to go..."
<p>
"We're going to call your mother! I'm sure she'd be shocked to =
know how you're looking!"
<p>
"She sent me here! Look, I really must go!" I grinned and =
pointed over my shoulder with my free hand and said, "They're =
having a bra sale over in Lingerie and I don't want to miss out!" Tank =
was right behind Mrs. Bently, looking away from us. I tugged harder to =
get away.
<p>
"Christopher! Stop that and come with me!" she snapped. At =
the sound of my name, Tank turned around. Before he could get a good =
look at me, I slipped from Mrs. Bently's grasp and fellheadlong =
into a dress rack, designer fashions flying in a riot of summer colors.
<p>
I got quickly to my feet, and none too gracefully. During the =
brief confusion caused by Mrs. Bently fussing over the fallen =
dresses, I weaved my way through the clothes racks and made my way =
outside the store.
<p>
I was facing the direction opposite the music store and turned =
around quickly, only to bump my nose into Tank's chest. He took my =
hand and almost crushed it and as he led me towards the music store, =
he said into my ear, "Hey bitch, I was looking for you!"
<p>
"Me?" I squeaked. Partly from the pain in my mangled hand, and =
partly from being scared shitless, tears welled up in my eyes. Just =
great. Not only would I get get beat up, but my mascara was going to =
run, too.
<p>
But Tank let go of my hand and said, "Now don't start ballin'. =
I'm not mad at you." Awww. The big lug. "I'm just looking for that =
shit-for-brains boyfriend of yours."
<p>
"I don't know where he is", I whimpered. "Besides, do you =
expect me to tell you anyway? I don't want you to beat him up!" No, =
I want you to kill him!
<p>
That was clearly an angle that hadn't crossed Tank's synapses. =
He back up a step, as if he was about to leave, but said, "When you =
see that slime-ball pussy, tell him his days are numbered." With =
that, he turned and headed towards the arcade.
<p>
Visibly shaken, I walked meekly into the music store. I walked =
up to the guys. Megan said, "Are you okay? We saw Tank talking to =
you."
<p>
"Yeah. I'm fine. He's looking for Eddie. I'm really worried, =
guys." Yeah. If Tank kills Ed, I'll never get my $50.
<p>
"Maybe you'd better call him", suggested Gina.
<p>
"That's a good idea, Gina."
<p>
We headed, en masse, to the nearest phone that wasn't anywhere =
near the arcade. I dialed Ed's number, and after a few rings, his =
answering machine started playing the theme to "Mr. Ed". I hung up.
<p>
Amy said, "Maybe he's here at the mall?"
<p>
"That's right!" I suddenly remembered. Ed was going to be =
meeting his friend Fritz at the arcade this morning. The arcade! Tank =
was in there. Ed may be a total goober, but he's been my best =
friend for years. I just couldn't let him walk into the lion's =
den. I told the girls that I'd remembered that he was going to be =
here. We decided to do a stake-out.
<p>
We didn't have long to wait. About ten minutes passed and then =
here came Ed. But Ed wasn't with Fritz. He was strolling through the =
mall, hand-in-hand, with Lisa! What was he doing with HER!? =20
<p>
He hadn't seen us sitting there, so I stood up when he got =
close and said, "Eddie!"
<p>
He stopped, surprised, with a puzzled look on his face. He =
looked at me for a moment as if he didn't know me. Then his eyes went =
wide and he blurted, "Chris?? Chris, wha..what the hell are you doing =
here?" He looked from me over to my friends who were all sitting =
there shocked. He looked over at Lisa, whose claws were started to =
extend. =20
<p>
To Lisa, Ed said, "Wait just a sec, babe." He then grabbed my =
arm and pulled me to one side. To me he hissed, "What the fuck are =
you doing? What's with the dress? And why are you with Gina and those =
stuck up bitches?"
<p>
Shocked, I said loudly, "Don't call my friends bitches!" The =
guys all stood up and glowered at Ed. In a heartbeat, he'd gone from =
hero to zero. In a voice dripping with acid and sounding just like =
my sister when she talked to her soon-to-be former boyfriends, I =
said, "Speaking of bitches, what are you doing here with *her*?" and I =
pointed to Lisa, unable to utter her name.
<p>
Ed shook his head in amazement. He pulled me a little further =
away and said in a low voice, "Are you high? Are you nuts!? You =
stupid little shit, you're going to ruin everything! Last night =
worked. Lisa got jealous. She came back to me! Is any of this =
sinking in?"
<p>
"You actually want to go back to her? What was last night =
about then? The dancing and the...the...the..." My voice trailed away =
at the thought of the kiss.
<p>
Ed blushed a deep red and looked at his feet. "Look, I lost =
touch with reality for a few seconds. Everyone was suddenly =
liking me..." =20
<p>
"Eddie!" the shrill voice of Lisa called out. "Are you going =
to waste all day talking to *her*?" She came up and stood right =
beside him. Ed unconsciously put his arm around her and she =
pulled herself closer to him.
<p>
He said, "Chris...I have to go."
<p>
"Fine! You just do that! Go. Take that slut with you!"
<p>
"We'll talk about this later..."
<p>
"I don't want you talking to her anymore!" Lisa hissed.
<p>
Ed and Lisa started to walk on towards the music store and I =
said, "Oh, Eddie...Fritz is in the arcade waiting for you..." and then =
I motioned for Gina and the girls to follow and I turned and walked =
away. =20
<p>
<center>
* * *
</center>
<p>
I actually cried. I felt so stupid about it too. I was =
overwhelmed by the emotional overload. Subconsciously I knew it was =
ridiculous for me to feel the way I was feeling. But I didn't care. =
Gina and the others were sitting with me at Chick Fillet, trying to be =
encouraging.
<p>
Finally, I got cried out and calmed down some. I pulled out a =
mirror from my purse and repaired my makeup.
<p>
"Let's do some shopping", suggested Tammi. "It'll cheer you =
up!"
<p>
We went into a couple of dress stores and tried on various =
dresses. I did make sure no one could see me change, for some =
strange reason. We had a blast! Going from store to store!
<p>
We stopped at an earring boutique because Amy was looking for =
some new earrings. While we were looking, I heard a cough come from =
behind me. A shaft of pain when through my spine as I wondered =
what that jerk Ed wanted now. I turned and swallowed hard. It was =
Shane.
<p>
"Hi again, Chrissy", he said. "I was on my way out and saw you =
over here. I just wanted to tell you the news about your =
boyfriend."
<p>
Guilt bolted though me, but I said, "He's not my boyfriend."
<p>
He raised an eyebrow at that. He said, "Well then, your =
ex-boyfriend almost got the living shinola beat out of him in the =
arcade by Tank. I stopped it though."
<p>
"That's good, I guess." I looked down at my fingers. There =
was an uncomfortable pause.
<p>
Shane just stood there looking at me for a moment in silence. =
He pulled an earring off the display rack, brushed aside my hair with =
a finger, and held the earring by my earlobe. "Hmmm... These would look =
really good on you, I think."=0C<p>
I let out a short, soft laugh and smiled, "Well, I don't have =
pierced ears."
<p>
"Oh...that's too bad." He paused a second, then said, "Well, I =
guess I should be going..." He turned to leave.
<p>
"Shane?"
<p>
He turned back towards me and asked, "Yes?"
<p>
"Is your concert invitation still good?"
<p>
He smiled.
<p>
<center>
* * *
</center>
<p>
I felt really strange as I watched Gina and the others drive =
away from my house. It was late afternoon, and I'd spent =
practically the whole day at the mall. I was really tired too. =
That's why I decided to just stay home instead of going to =
Harvey's with the other girls. All my emotions had been spent =
today.
<p>
As I closed the front door, Mom called out, "Is that you =
Chris?"
<p>
"Yeah."
<p>
"Well, better get washed up, honey. We'll be having supper =
soon. How was your day?"
<p>
"It was...okay."
<p>
"I got an interesting call from Mrs. Bently today."=0C<p>
"Yeah...we were looking at dresses together."=0C<p>
I walked into the kitchen where Mom was frying something and =
Dad was scrubbing his hands with steel wool. He turned and looked at =
me.
<p>
He said, "Christopher, take off that dress and get changed into =
something normal for supper."
<p>
"It's a skirt, not a dress, Daddy."
<p>
"Don't get smart with me, young lady...I mean...jesus..."
<p>
Dad started to turn back to his scrubbing as I was started to =
leave the kitchen. Then he turned back to look at me. He said, =
"Chris, just hold it a second." He then walked up to me and took a =
close look.
<p>
To Mom, Dad groaned, "Honey, Christopher has his ears pierced."
<p>
<center>
* * *
<p>
End of Part 2
</center>
<P>
<hr>
<P>
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