Robbie pulled up to the building where it was being held. He got out of the car and ran to the other side to open the door for Tammy. He held out his hand to help her out. They walked about half way to the doors and stopped.
"You wanna take a walk before we go in?" – Robbie
"Sure." – Tammy
"Ok." – Robbie. So they turned and headed to the courtyard. Robbie took her hand and led her to the gate. They walked slowly amongst the bushes and shrubs and both sided of the walkway.
"I’m glad you said you’d come with me. " – Robbie
"I’m glad I came with you. " – Tammy. Robbie smiled and squeezed her hand slightly.
"I don’t know why JC came with Haylee if he knew you had history with her. I’m surprised he didn’t ask you." – Robbie
"I dunno. It is his life he can do what he wants." – Tammy
"I guess. So you’re not mad at him?" – Robbie
"No, a little confused maybe but not mad." – Tammy. Robbie nodded and they continued in silence.
Laney, Lance, JC, Haylee and Joey were all standing in a group outside the building. Chris was inside working the turntables. Haylee gripped JC’s arm to get his attention but his eyes were somewhere else. You could see the courtyard when you stood at the top of the steps outside the building. JC leaned over to Joey and whispered, "It’s not working." – JC
"I know let me think." – Joey
" You can think?" – JC
"Shut up." – Joey
"Sorry." – JC
"JC, you wanna , Uhh go somewhere, to be—alone." – Haylee said with a hint of attitude in her voice. JC looked helplessly at Joey then at Lance who shrugged in response.
"Uhh, ook." – JC. Haylee yanked him in the direction of the courtyard, ’Oh man. She’s hurting my arm.’ --
"Look who’s coming." Robbie said slightly turning.
"Oh brother." – Tammy
"It doesn’t’ look like JC is enjoying himself." – Robbie
"Who can with her clamped to their arm." – Tammy
"Good point. I have to go to the restroom. You gunna be ok out here?" – Robbie
"Yea, I’ll stay out here and wait for you." – Tammy
"Ok." Robbie turned and headed toward the building. Meanwhile JC was having troubles of his own.
"Uh, Haylee, I think we should go in now." JC said trying to brush her off his arm.
"No, it’s much nicer out here. Common let’s sit." She pulled on his arm leading him over to a nearby bench. She left no space between them when they sat down. JC scooted over but Haylee closed the gap. JC sighed in defeat.
"Isn’t it beautiful?" – Haylee
"Yea, beautiful," he said half heatedly. He paused for a moment then said thoughtfully," Tell me about Tammy."
"Heh, what do you want to know about her for? She’s a conceited little whore." – Haylee. JC stood up, anger in his face.
"I think you have it backwards. I only came with you to see if Tammy cared because if she did then maybe she’d have some interest in me. But that doesn’t even matter to me now. You of all people have no right to call Tammy or anyone else for that matter a whore. I don’t’ know what you did to her but you leave her alone or you’re gunna have trouble with me. I’m tired of people like you who think they are better than everyone else and have more rights than others." JC took a deep breath in. Haylee stood up from the bench.
"I didn’t like you anyway." Haylee said and stomped off.
"Like you’ve liked any guy you were with!" he shouted after her. JC stood there and ran his fingers through his hair. He sighed. JC went looking for Tammy.
Robbie came back to find Tammy with a distraught look on her face.
"You ok?" – Robbie
"Yea." – Tammy
"You wanna go in now? I told my friends I’d meet them in there." – Robbie
"You can go. I’ll meet up with you later." – Tammy
"Ok, I’ll see you later then." – Robbie
"Ok." – Tammy. He kissed her lightly on the cheek and left. She placed her hand over the cheek he had kissed. ‘I hope I’m doing the right thing,’ she said to herself as she continued down the pathway. She came to a bridge. It was made of wood with a pond below it. The sound of the water was soft against the chirping crickets. The bridge was lit up with lanterns on both ends.
Tammy walked slowly and stopped in the middle of the bridge. She leaned against the wood railing and looked out at the water. She stood there in silence as the breeze blew gently across her face. A twig snapped. Tammy jerked her head in the direction of the sound.
"What do you want?" she said tuning back to the water.
"A second chance," he said suggestively.
"JC you don’t belong with me." – Tammy
"You’re wrong. Tammy I don’t belong with them. " He walked closer to her and stopped about 3 feet away. "Tammy you’re the most amazing person I’ve ever met. I don’t know how you put up with it all, Haylee, Kailie’s death, Laney."- JC. Tammy turned and looked into his deep soft blue eyes. "Tammy I don’t know how I can put it any other way but I – I love you." JC. Tammy smiled slighted and let out a sigh as she turned back to the water. IT fell silent.
"JC I’ve never been so confused in my life. I’ve tried to prevent myself from falling for you but I know now that I have failed. I was afraid for being hurt again." One tear rolled over her cheek.
"You don’t have to be afraid anymore." – JC lifted his hand to her face and wipe the tear away with his thumb. He leaned down and gently pressed his lips against hers. After the parted she looked in his eyes. Tammy threw her arms around his waist. JC held her.
"Thanks for telling Haylee off." – Tammy. JC looked down surprised but smiled.
"I still don't know what she did," JC added. Tammy grinned and squeezed him slightly. The crickets chimed in softly against the sound of the trickling water.
The End - Finally!