~~~~~~~~~~*************************************~~~~~~~~~~
"Elise, did I just hear the rumor that could ruin your whole crush on Chris?" I heard Caitlin gasp as we walked to lunch.
"Yeah, unfortunately I have to say you heard right," I said, as I saw Chris walk by, barely making eye contact with me.
"What did you do?" she asked, saying exactly what I was thinking.
"I don't know, I don't know," I said, trying really hard not to cry.
"Elise, you better go talk to someone, me, Adam, Chris, anyone. You've gotta solve this!" she exclaimed, reminding me of my best friend Adam. I'd known him since... well, forever. He was my best guy friend, and Caitlin, my best girl friend. I could trust him with anything, but I needed to talk to Chris first.
"Save me a seat?" I asked, as I gave Caitlin my lunch, and jogged out to find Chris. I made it to the hall just in time to see him walk into the bathroom. I looked around, hoping no one would walk in. I could definitely get detention for this. I stormed into the bathroom as Chris looked up from the sink.
"Elise, ya know.. you could..." he started, before I cut him off with my lips connecting with his.
When we parted, I smiled. "Sorry, I was never one to hide my feelings."
"Don't think kissing me will get you outta this," he said, glaring at me.
"Chris, just listen, please," I said, as I locked the door.
"Why, so you can just rip my heart out even more? I mean, as if it wasn't bad enough that you like Ryan, but the whole SCHOOL knows," he said.
"Chris, listen, he's nothing. I've had a crush on you for so long, and I don't know what I was thinking. I guess it was just one of those 5-second crushes, ya know?" I asked.
"Actually, I don't. And it's those 5-second crushes that could really get you hurt. About our date next Friday to the dance, forget about it. Try finding someone else stupider than me. We're through," he said, pushing past me to unlock the door and leave before I could say another word.
I watched as he left, tears streaming down my cheeks. I couldn't hold back my emotions any longer. "Good job Elise," I groaned to myself, as I left the room.
~~~~~~~~~~************************************~~~~~~~~~~
I walked home by myself, planning on going straight up to my room. This day just got from bad to worse, and I needed a guy's opinion. "I can't believe Ian told his friends!" I heard Whitney exclaim behind me.
"Congratulations," I said, sarcastically spinning around. I saw Jen lean towards Nikki, and they both glared at me. I stormed away, tired of seeing them. They were all teaming up against me, and I was stuck by myself. Why did I have to be the lone one out? Why was everyone with the one they loved. The only person who could relate to me was Nikki, but she was about as easy to talk to as Jen was now. No one understood, and I was alone.
"I need a party, you guys, I mean, tonight. It's Friday, mom and dad are coming home tomorrow, and I need something to DO," I said, stopping to wait for my sisters.
"Tell Elise that as long as she keeps her hands off my boyfriend, that sounds like a good idea," Jen growled.
"Fine, I will, I'llstay in my room, and we all know how much Jen and Becky love parties. C'mon guys, what do you say?" I asked.
"Fine, sounds good to me," Becky said, as everyone else nodded.
"Good, I'll use the phone first," I said,running home.
**************************************
"Adam?" I asked, as someone picked up the phone.
"El, is that you?" he asked, as I tried to control my crying.
"Yeah, I need your help," I said.
"Ssshhh.. calm down, what's up? Does it have to do with the rumor that's running around school?" he asked
"Kinda," I said.
"Okay, I'm listening," he said.
"Adam, don't tell anyone that I'm calling you, it will just bring you into my horrible rumors. Oh, and don't tell anyone what I'm about to tell you, nothing, promise?" I asked, stalling.
I heard him take a deep breath over the phone. "Elise Marie, have I ever told ANYONE what you tell me?" he asked.
"No, but I'm just checking," I said, as I started to talk.
"Oh Adam, it was horrible. I mean, I went to talk to Ryan to hook him up with Nicole, but I saw him, and I don't know why, but he looked so cute. I ended up talking about myself, not Nicole. That was my whole plan, and I ruined it. And, ya know what sucks? He's so off limits for me, and I knew it too!! And the fact that I have Chris makes it even worse. I mean, does everyone know that he broke up with me during lunch. So now, not only am I hurt, but I'm alone too," I said.
It was a while before Adam started to talk again. "Elise, your situation really sucks. But, for as long as I've known you, you've always been stubborn. You've stuck up for yourself and what you believe in," he started.
"Adam, what the hell does that have to do with this? If you're trying to make me feel better, it isn't working," I said.
"Let me finish. You've always gone after what you've wanted. And, right now, you've taken on two things. I believe in you Elise, and I know that you'll make up your mind on which one you truly love. It might take time, but eventually, you're heart will tell you where to go," Adam said.
"Adam?" I asked, remembering the other heart break that had happened the past couple of weeks.
"Yeah?" he asked.
"There's something else," I said.
"What's up?" he asked.
"Listen, you're the only one to know this, I've convinced everyone in the family that I got into UVA," I started.
"But you didn't," he guessed, sighing.
"Yeah, how'd you know? Not even Caitlin knows," I said, as I told him everything I got from UVA.
********************************
MEANWHILE.. downstairs..
"So Jen, I'm assuming that you found out who was the one ditching about you
to your boyfriend, huh?" Becky said.
"You could say that. How'd you know?? Jen asked, smirking.
"Well... for one, you have this look that says you found out, and second, you would've been bitching about it.. so who was the guilty sister? Whitney, Nikki, or Elise?" she asked.
"Why don't you go upstairs, I assure you the guilty one will be up there," Jen said, smiling mischeiviously.
"Well... I guess we'll see," Becky said, walking upstairs.
*****************************
"Adam," I said, finishing our conversation, "Did I tell you that Jen's not talking to me? And the fact that we're having a party tonight is not gonna be pretty?" I asked.
"Well... we'll all have to expect to see hell break lose," he said chuckling to himself.
"Ad, it's not funny. Oh my God! I have an awesome idea! If Chris won't see me volentarily, then we'll have to trick him!!" I exclaimed.
"Oh no, what are you thinking now?" Adam groaned.
"No, this is perfect, but I need your help. Tell Chris we're having a party, but I'm gonna be over Caitlin's house. But, of course, I'll be here. Tell him something, I don't care, just get him up the my room, where I'll be waiting. Adam, this is really important to me! You've gotta help me get back together with him," I begged.
"But I thought you liked Ryan," Adam said.
"Well.. in the past 30 minutes, I've realized how much I love Chris, and I'm not gonna let him get away that quickly," I said, "Please help?"
"Okay, okay, you've got me, happy?" Adam asked.
"You know you want to help," I giggled, as I heard the door open, and Becky standing in the doorway, her mouth gaping open.
"Adam, you know Allison's lucky to have you," I said, reminding him of his girlfriend.
"Well, I am wonderful," he teased, "But Chris will be lucky to have you."
"Adam, I've gotta go, one snoopy sister in my room. Listen, don't forget, call Chris, and I'll see you tonight, promise?" I asked.
"Yup, see ya," Adam said, hanging up. I looked up at Becky who hadn't moved since she came in.
"I know, I know, I look like shit, but that's what happens when you cry too much," I said.
"Crying over what? Because three things turned you down, Ryan, Chris and UVA?" she asked accusingly, suddenly realizing her mistake.
"What did you say?" I asked, my eyes growing wide.
"Nothing, I meant 2 things, Ryan and Chris," she said, quickly fixing her mistake.
"No you said UVA.. Oh my god..." I said, my voice trailing off, "You didn't."
"Did what?" she asked.
"You snooped through my mail, and you found it," I gasped.
"No I didn't!!" she laughed.
"Bullshit, that's how you know I got turned down," I said.
"Now that's a funny one," she said.
"No, it's not. And I'm right aren't I? Aren't I?!" I shouted, hoping everyone heard.
"Well... no.. I mean.." she started.
"Don't you EVER talk to me again. EVER. You've just lost all the trust I held in you," I said, storming out of the room and out of the house, leaving Becky alone in my room.
Do you like it? Well.. it was definitely hard to follow a chapter that was so good.. written by Jen! Anyway.. hope you guys like it... I left Becky to deal with the party, and the whole setup between Elise and Chris! LOL! And then, she's gotta deal with like 3 different fights! Good luck hon! ~~Becky Long
