So I'm a Double Threat (Double Threat Series) (6 page)

We didn’t even talk when we came in last night. Everyone got their PJs on and went to bed. Normally, we would stay up all night talking and laughing about who said what and who did what at the party. I know Keesh wanted to say something, but I asked her not to. I wasn’t sure what I was thinking yet, or what I wanted to say. I think I was afraid to say anything, so we just went to sleep.

“Last night I was. I wanted to rip your hair out, but now, I’m not angry. I’m more sad and disappointed, I guess.”

I don’t look at her. I stare at the ceiling, all bundled up in my blankets, and fixated on the faint signs of brush strokes from the last time Steph’s parents painted. I’m sure Keesha is dying, trying to keep her mouth shut. She is a sweet person, but if any of us are hurting, she is there to defend to the death, like a mother bear protecting her cubs.

“You know, it’s not like I went after him. I didn’t even know he broke up with Lydia. He came to me. He said since the day of Freshmen Orientation, he couldn’t stop thinking of me...”

“Damn, Amy. Would you just shut the hell up?” Keesh practically snarls at her. “You just have to rub it in, don’t you?”

“I’m not trying to rub it in. I’m just telling Meg what happened. He was so nice and I can’t believe he feels this way about me. I figured since he didn’t have feelings for her, she wouldn’t mind if I took a shot with him.”

Un-freakin’-believable.

“
Seriously
. You don’t even like him.” I could hit her right now. I really could.

“Well, I didn’t. But you never know what’ll happen. I think I like him,
now
.”

Keesha can’t keep quiet. “You
think
you like him. So, because you
think
you like him, you don’t mind stabbing one of your best friends in the back. You are such a
bit
...”

Amy doesn’t let her finish but we all know what she was going to say. “Wait a minute, I didn’t stab her in the back. It’s not like I stole him away. She never even had him. Really, Meg, you’ve only talked to him, nothing else. The only one who should be remotely pissed at me is Lydia. But she was so wasted last night, she probably doesn’t even know what happened yet.”

“You’re right, Amy. He
was
never mine. And sure, I’ve only talked to him, but isn’t that how it’s supposed to start? You knew I had feelings for him. That should count for something. But, oh well...hope you guys live happily ever after.” I turn my back to her and try to get warm again.

“Wow, really? Thanks, Meg. I knew you would be okay with this.” Amy gushes, not even recognizing my sarcasm.

“
Karma
,” I state, gritting my teeth.

“What?” Amy asks, confused.

“Karma. You know, what comes around goes around. You’ll see.”

Or at least, I hope she will.

We hear voices and Steph comes in.

“Did you find her?” Keesha sits up to ask.

“Yeah, we sure did,” Steph snickers.

“Where was she?” I ask, sitting up as well.

“In the bushes.” She laughs.

“What?” I’m confused. “Where?”

“At the party. You know how Corey’s house has those massive bushes all the way around his yard?” We nod. “Well, we found her passed out in the bushes—freakin’ lush.”

I put my hands to my mouth. “Oh, my God.”

“Seriously?” Keesha asks, surprised but amused.

“Seriously.” Steph is in tears from laughing. “She is so busted. We won’t be seeing her at any parties any time soon.”

––––––––

I
can’t believe I even rolled my ass out of bed to go to school this morning. Even though I’m on my way to first period, I actually contemplated staying home. The thought of dealing with Amy makes my head hurt.

All these visions keep popping up in my mind, like a slide show repeating over and over again. First, it’s an image of Amy and Alex kissing when we got out of the car Friday night. It plays in slow motion for a more terrorizing effect. Then, Amy says over and over, like a scratched CD, Alex doesn’t like me. Each time I hear the words, it’s like another stab through my heart, like she’s pushing pins through a voodoo doll. My favorite, and most torturous, is the mental picture of Amy and Alex holding hands. As they walk past me, Alex pats me on the head like I’m just a little kid—or worse, a little sister. The last scene hasn’t happened, and I hope it never will. I need to do something to stop this constant replay of painful images.

Steph is already standing outside our classroom, waiting. I’m tired and not in the mood for the talking head. I swear if Mrs. Caldwell gives us one more worksheet, I’m going to scream. Did anyone inform her this is an honors class? Does she know we’re capable of more than just filling in the blanks? Seriously, how can a teacher manage to take something as complex and exciting as the earth, the one thing in the universe that can sustain life—for better or worse—and turn it into the single most boring thing known to man? I can actually feel the life being sucked from my pores, as I get closer to the door.

When Keesha shows up and suggests an alternate plan, I’m oh so eager to concede.

“You two are not seriously considering
ditching
class? We’re honors students for cryin’ out loud, we’re not...
regular
kids.” Steph gestures to some of the students walking by.

“Why not? My brain cells die off exponentially every minute I’m forced to sit through another one of Mrs. C’s stupid lectures,” I say, trying to convince myself ditching class isn’t as bad as it sounds. “You know, we should probably be teaching the class for her. It’s a joke.”

Just because Mrs. Caldwell has been a teacher for like twenty years doesn’t mean she should be allowed to teach honors. Seriously, with her lack of teaching, we’ll never be prepared for biology next year.

“Steph, you don’t have to come,” Keesha adds. “You can actually give us the stupid handouts later.” She looks at me. “Better yet, Meggie, we can create our own and show her what
good
notes actually look like.”

“Sounds good, but are you sure no one
else
is coming?” Hopefully, we’ll be going alone.

“No. No one
else
is coming. You think I would tell Amy about this after Friday night? Besides she was chillin’ with Alex and his crew this morning. I know she saw me and she just looked away, so screw her. Looks like it’s just you and me, huh.”

“Okay, whatever. The bell is going to ring soon so let’s get outta here.” The jitters start to creep up my body.

“You guys, be careful. Wait, when are you gonna come back?” Steph sounds worried. Surprise, surprise.

“We’ll be back before lunch. Don’t trip, Steph. We wouldn’t make you eat lunch by yourself.” Keesha tries comforting our friend.

“Okay, late.” Steph walks away, shaking her head.

We make our way off the school grounds. Adrenaline begins to rush as we cross the street. My heart is beating like I’ve just had twenty blended coffee drinks topped with whipped cream. Then, fear begins to strike as I realize I have no idea where we’re going, and at the thought of getting caught. My parents will kill me if they find out. They would be devastated if they found out I did anything remotely wrong. I’m their sweet, innocent little girl. Psshh, I begin to chuckle inside. The thought of me being sweet and innocent is definitely funny. My parents obviously have a distorted view of their daughter.

I guess I should just chill and enjoy myself. What’s done is done, right?

I sure as hell have done a lot worse.

“So, where are we going?” I ask.

“You hungry?”

“Ha ha. That’s a dumb question.” I laugh.

“True. Let’s go to the
Steel Grill
. Biscuits and gravy sound good right now.” Keesha licks her lips and smacks them together.

“That does sound good. Hey, don’t you think we look a little obvious? Like, we look like ditchers. I mean, we have our backpacks and everything.” I feel like every car passing by is an undercover cop, like everybody is staring at us. I’m definitely paranoid.

“Well, I’m sure we look like we’re ditching ’cause we are. We could ditch the backpacks?” Keesha shrugs. “Maybe we won’t draw so much attention.”

“Uh, and where would you suggest we dump these suckers?” I shake my bag.

“Here.” She throws her backpack into some bushes near an old people’s home.

“No freakin’ way.”

I have a bad feeling about this.

“Who’s gonna look in the bushes on the off chance they might find a backpack full of class notes and an algebra two book?” Keesha’s words drip with sarcasm, as always.

“Whatever. Let’s just go.” I roll my eyes and toss my backpack beside hers in the brush. “It
better
be here when we get back.”

I’m such a pushover, especially for biscuits and gravy.

We get a table at the Steel Grill and I’m surprised to see we’re only two of many students who appear to be missing first period. We’ve managed to find the hangout for morning ditchers. Actually, this is one of the few places within walking distance. There aren’t a lot of options when you don’t have a car, or a license.

A waitress comes by to take our drink orders and gives us place settings. We order our food, biscuits and gravy with hash browns. The Steel Grill is definitely not a four-star restaurant. Maybe a one-star, if they’re lucky. The hard plastic cups are worn with actual bite marks around the rim. I’m not exaggerating this time. The silverware looks polka dotted with water spots. At least, this time there isn’t any leftover food crusted on them. The last time I was here I had to ask for a different fork twice before I got a semi-clean one.

“So, did he call?” Keesha asks. I was wondering when this was going to come up.

We haven’t talked since Saturday afternoon when we left Steph’s house. Amy was probably too embarrassed to call any of us. It was either that, or she didn’t want to hear any of the crap we were likely to dish out. Keesha and I kept missing each other. Steph is on somewhat of a lockdown. Since Lydia is in trouble, it kinda trickles down to Steph as well. That sucks because she’s the good one—out of all of us.

“Uh. Who?” I hesitate. I know whom she’s asking about, but I don’t know where to begin.

“Don’t be stupid.” Keesh lowers her eyes at me. “You
know
who I’m talking about. So what’d he say?”

“Alex or Ben?” I throw it out there, knowing this will make her wild with questions.

Keesha’s eye widen, confused, yet intrigued. “Wait. Alex called you? And who is Ben?”

“Yeah, Alex called.” I begin. “And, B.J. is Ben.”

“Speak to me, please. Make me understand ’cause I may have a 4.0, but I don’t get what the hell you’re talking about.”

“You want Alex or Ben first?”

“Uh...Alex.” Keesha digs in to eat her food. When you order biscuits and gravy, your order comes super fast. They probably have a barrel of gravy in the kitchen.

“So, Alex called yesterday. I was surprised. He didn’t even have my number, but guess who gave it to him?”

I take a bite, enjoying the creaminess of the gravy...and the biscuits, you can never go wrong with bread.

“Amy or B.J., Ben, whatever.” I can tell she is anxious to hear the juicy details.

I hurry to swallow my food and continue. “Amy. She was upset ’cause she thought we’d be mean to her. She thought we were going to gang up on her or something. Alex asked her what was wrong and she freakin’ told him I liked him, and that I was pissed at her ’cause they hooked up.”

“She told him? She’s such a...blahhhh sometimes.” Keesh grunts.

“So yeah. She is. I felt like such a dumbass. I didn’t know what to say. I can’t even believe he called to talk to me about it.” I cringe, still embarrassed by the conversation I had with Alex. I stab a piece of biscuit with my fork and shove it into my mouth.

“So, what did he say?”

Keesha waits while I chew slowly, dragging out the suspense.

“He said he was sorry he didn’t have those kind of feelings for me. He said he didn’t know I had those kinds of feelings for him.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. What else?” Keesh motions quickly with her hands, as if to say “give me more.”

“Anyway, he said he thought I was funny at the party and he liked talking to me. He said I’m way too nice for him and he’s not good enough for someone like me, which was nice, I guess. But what does that say for Amy?”

“That she is a backstabbing
beeyotch
of a friend, so it doesn’t matter if she gets with this ass who is probably gonna screw her over anyway.”

“Wow. A little harsh,” I say, surprised. Keesh blurted out the words like she’d practiced them for days. “Anyway, he said he wants to be friends and hopes he can still talk to me without leading me on. He said I seem like a fun person to be around, so I told him okay.” I stab at another biscuit and hold it up. “It’s all gravy.”

“You’re such a goof, Meggie. So, you’re still going to talk to him? Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

“Why not?” I shrug. “That’s what I liked about him in the first place. He’s fun to talk to. Maybe he’s just better off as a friend than a boyfriend. I mean, look, he was nice enough to call. Most guys would’ve been like ‘whatever,’ but he called.”

I smile thinking about being friends with Alex.

“Hmm. If you’re sure, but he better not hurt you or I’m gonna kick his cute ass. You know that, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do Keesh. Thanks, Mommy.” I giggle. “You know, it wasn’t too bad talking to him. Kind of nice, really. Like talking to you or Steph. I felt like I’d talked to him a million times before. I just wonder what’s going to happen with him and Amy.”

“Yeah. I wonder what she’s gonna be like at lunch today.” Keesha nibbles on the inside of her cheek while she takes a moment to think. “You think she’ll sit with him or us?”

I pause, picturing more PDA between Amy and Alex during lunch. My stomach turns sour just thinking about it.

“I guess we’ll see later.”

“Wait a minute.” Keesha’s widens her eyes. “Tell me about B.J., or Ben...whatever his name is.”

Oh yeah. At least this story will take my mind off the last thought long enough for me to hold down my breakfast.