Lies.
“And Jared sorta just started waiting for me after my classes and acting like that on his own. I mean, he’s cool and all, but I’m pretty sure we’re just friends.”
“Mmm. I see,” she says like she doesn’t believe me in the slightest. I hadn’t bothered to put the time in to delve into what’s happening between Jared and me. Maybe it’s worth investigating… I am single after all, and he does seem interested.
“Well, regardless of what’s actually happening, it’s pretty obvious he likes you. Do you like him back?”
“What’s with the third degree, Shirl?” I snap with a bite in my tone. Being interrogated about my personal life is not something I’m up for with her nor anyone else right now.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to hit a trigger. I was only curious. Jared’s never dated any girls at our school, so I find it interesting is all.”
I nervously play with the drawstrings on the bosom of my dress, contemplating what to say.
“No,” I pause. “We’re not dating. Honestly, I have no idea what’s going on. As far as I’m aware, we’re just friends, even though wehavegotten closer this week…”
“Girrrrl. No one is interested in beingjustfriends when they act like that. Especially when they walk you to your car every day and are all over you all the time. I mean, youhavenoticed how he looks at you, haven’t you?”
Yes, but not really? There’s a small bit of intensity to it, but it’s not like it’s all the time.
Sigh.
Being out of touch with my emotions is getting really inconvenient. I shouldn’t be this oblivious to everything everyone else can see, especially when it makes me sit here clueless.
“I mean, I have noticed he’s looked at me… differently, but I don’t know. Nothing’s happened.”
“All I know is that if Jared was looking atmelike that, I’d be all over him. You should be flattered. Like I said, he’s never chosen any girls here to go out with. You’re the first.”
“Chosen? Are there literally girls lining up to date him or something?”
“Yes! How’ve you never noticed?”
Well, because I only paid attention to the girls who always went after Ben, which always seemed to be a lot.I forgot about other guys who might be tagged as desirable, yet unreachable.
“I don’t know. I’ve uh, never been in this situation before, I guess.”
Shirley rolls her eyes.
“Always so innocent, Charlotte.” She chuckles trying to play it off, but I swear it sounded snarky like she was annoyed.
“Was that supposed to be a dig at me?” I retort, not caring if she registers my snark back. The comment she made is rude and meant to hurt me on purpose.
Her eyes narrow for a second, flashing her true feelings. Then it hits me.
“Do you like Jared? Is that what this is about? Are you jealous?”
She scoffs, defensively crossing her arms and stands. “No. I was just curious to find out if the rumors of you two dating were true, but I didn’t expect you to be so oblivious about it.”
“Listen Shirl, I don’t care if I date him or not. I can put in a good word for you if you want? I don’t want any drama or to have you be mad at me for no good reason. Like I said, I didn’t even think much about dating him. If he likes me as you say, then I’m sure he’d hear me out if I said I wasn’t interested and hyped you up instead.”
A small twitch of emotion flickers under the surface, her eyes darting to the side slowly as she contemplates my offer. She finally meets my gaze with a smile.
“Really?” she mutters quietly, relaxing her body and sitting back down.
“Absolutely, Shirl.” I mean it too.
I place a comforting hand on her shoulder to prove I’m not a threat. Jared’s affections don’t mean that much. Sure, it’s been fun the last week, but since Shirley’s always liked him a lot, then I don’t care to step aside. If I never talk to Jared after his graduation party, that’d be fine with me.
“Why didn’t you tell me this before? I could’ve put in a word for you sooner or at least stopped the behavior if it was making you uncomfortable.”
