“I’d love that. What time should I be there?”
I look at Mom and Dad. “Dinner the usual time?”
They both nod in agreement.
“Dinner is at six. Why don’t you come around four, and we can get started on the lit project.”
“Sounds perfect,” he says, and I give him my address. “Wow, you just live around the block from me.” He chuckles. “See you tomorrow.”
As I hang up the phone, two thoughts enter my head.He called me his best friend,andWhat happened to Melissa?
Chapter 2
September 1978 – 1982
Jake
I can’t believe tomorrow is the first day of school. More importantly, I can’t believe I’m starting eighth grade. Two more years and my class will be in high school. It’s so cool. No more am I a lowly seventh grader.
Jayden and I spent the majority of the summer together, not doing much of anything besides hanging out. Our friendship has really turned out to be something special. All my friends keep telling me I can’t be friends with a girl; sex always gets in the way. That’s not the case with Jayden. She’s like this cool sister who is fun, and most of the time I prefer her company above everyone else’s. Who thinks about sex at our age, other than ignorant curiosity?
Melissa and I quickly fizzled out. I mean, how can a seventh grader really “go steady”? Frankly, I don’t think that was the issue at all. Melissa’s jealousy over Jayden got to be too much. It got annoying and to the point where I dreaded spending time with Melissa. I tried to explain to her that what Jayden and I shared was nothing more than a brother/sister type of friendship, but she disagreed. She said she could tell by the way I looked at Jayden and the way she looked at me that we had boyfriend/girlfriend feelings for each other. Sometimes I don’t get girls. I never saw anything like what she was referring to.
Which brings me back to Jayden. That’s one of the reasons why I think she’s so cool. She’s not like other girls. She doesn’t get jealous at all, over anything. She is a go-with-the-flow kind of girl and never wants to be the center of attention, like most girls our age. She just wants to be, and that is so rare. She is perfectly content with doing something fun as much as she is content with hanging out and listening to music. Sometimes, we don’t even have to keep a conversation going, and that’s okay.
I spent the last hour making sure I have everything I need for school tomorrow. I really should get to bed; I’ve spent too much time this summer staying up late and sleeping in. Six o’clock is going to come really early. I punch my pillow to get it just right and crawl into bed. Just then the phone rings, and I answer it on the second ring.
“Hey, Jake, it’s Jayden.”
“Hey, JJ,” I say with smile. I’ve been calling her JJ for a while now, and I like it. It’s like my special pet name for her that only she and I share. And speaking about Jayden, another cool thing is it doesn’t bother her to call me. She’s not under this crazy notion that girls have to sit and wait for guys to call them, even when they are friends. Maybe it’s because we don’t have that awkwardness of “going steady” and really are just friends. All those preconceived notions about boyfriends and girlfriends and dating don’t come into play with us. It totally rocks, and I cherish our relationship every day. I’m one lucky guy, that is for sure. I need to find out who the douchebag was who knocked her down her first day, ’cause I need to thank him or her.
“I’m sorry for calling so late, but I had to tell you! I mean, I’m so excited, I can’t believe it. And if I don’t tell someone now, I’m going to combust!”
“Whoa, girl, slow down,” I say with a giggle. She’s talking so fast, it’s a wonder she hasn’t had to stop to catch her breath. I love seeing her so happy.
“Jake, you’re not gonna believe who just called me!” She pauses, waiting for me to answer.
An uneasy feeling comes over me, and suddenly, I don’t like where this conversation is going. Because I know what is going to come out of her mouth next, and I don’t want to hear it. When I don’t respond, she continues anyway.
“Randy Jackson!”
My stomach literally drops to the floor as my heart constricts in my chest. I had a feeling this was coming. There had been a rumor going around through summer that Randy was gonna ask Jayden out, and from the excitement in her voice, I’m guessing he has. My heart hurts.But we’re just friends,my subconscious reminds me in a sarcastic, calling-me-a-liar kind of way.
Jayden has had a crush on Randy since the middle of summer. I think it started when he and a few of his friends sat with us to watch the fireworks on the Fourth of July. She sat next to him and talked to him all night. She hardly spoke to me, and when she found out he worked at Skyway, her summer plans changed. She always wanted to go there and eat. Needless to say, we spent a lot of time there.
I’m lost in thought when she continues. “He’s asked me to go get something to eat with him after the first football game next Friday night!”
“You’re not going!” I snap and realize my anger is uncalled for.
She snaps back, “I called you because you are my best friend. You know how much I like him and that I have been waiting for him to ask me out. I thought you would be happy for me. Sorry I bothered you, Jake!” And before I can respond, she hangs up on me.
Ouch, that hurts. She is right. I should be happy for her. Isn’t that how friends should be with each other? But I’m not. I’m angry. No, I don’t even know what I’m feeling. I’m just sick and mad, and I have to think of a reason she shouldn’t go with him.
You’re jealous, Jake, my subconscious says. Jealous? No, I can’t be jealous. JJ and I don’t have that type of relationship. She is a friend. She’s my best friend.You’re in denial, Jake.I shake my head no. No, no, no. It’s not like that.
I ignore my thoughts and debate on whether I should call her back now or apologize tomorrow. After careful thought, I decide I better call her. I don’t want my first day of school to be spent with my best bud mad at me. I look at the clock on my nightstand. It’s 9:15 p.m. It’s not too late. I know her parents stay up and watch the late-night news. I dial her number. It rings two, three, four times. She is really mad at me. Five, six rings… and then finally she picks up. “Hello.”
I don’t even identify myself. I am pretty sure she knows it’s me by the curt way she answered the phone. “I’m sorry, JJ. I was out of line, and yes, I’m very happy for you. All I want is for you to be happy.” As her friend, I mean every word, but my heart doesn’t understand.
