Conceited and Cruel

T W E N T Y - S I X

I know, I just know, that Darren still thinks about me like how I think about him. He keeps giving me these side glances when things are said that could remind him. He watches me when I get nervous, waits for the right moment to jump in and save me.

My cheeks are red as Corey, Raleigh, and Stacy talk endlessly about New Guy Darren. I take myself out of the conversation, refusing to listen. But sometimes it's not my choice because my stupid ears perk up and listen anyway.

     I try hard to block them out, stare out the window. I hum to myself, but the only song coming to mind reminds me of him, and I find myself clicking my tongue loudly.

     "Hey, you alright back there, Tee?"

     I nod, not sure if Stacy can even see me, but they just keep talking anyway. After a short while, they stop talking long enough for me to intervene.

"Hey, Stacy," I say, fluffing my hair. "When's the next school dance?"

She beams, her face turning a bright red. "Um, December -- the Senior Winter formal. Why?"

I can't stop myself from thinking of Lila, and her talent for glitter art, and every art. The way she easily created beautiful glittering silver snowflakes. I frown, but quickly replace it with a surreptitious grin when I catch Stacy staring at me, her flushed cheeks puffing out.

"Why?" She repeats, quirking an eyebrow.

Raleigh turns to me. "Got your eye on someone?"

I shake my head, grinning from ear to ear. "Nah." I lean real close to Stacy. "I was just wondering if you'd like me to set you up with Darren."

She tries to stifle a giggle, but it doesn't work very well, and she's blushing even more red now. Her cheeks match her hair, and her eyes are bulging.

"Stacy," Corey says, ignoring the girl talk, "it's green. Go."

"Oh!" She turns abruptly, and slams hard on the gas, sending all of us lurching forward, grabbing whatever's near.

"Stacy!" Raleigh squeals, clutching her headrest. "You trying to kill us?"

     Stacy only laughs as we slow down a little. "Babies."

As soon as the word comes out of her mouth, I'm reminded of when she was freaking out over almost getting into a car wreck. I squint, turning my attention to the window as it gets comfortably quiet, Corey humming softly.

Raleigh and Corey are dropped off in the town square, Corey tripping on his way out, and Raleigh teasing him about it. He pushes her, then watches as she runs around a corner to get to the diner. Corey turns to the car, sees us laughing, and sticks out his tongue before jogging into the Strojvaski's cafe.

     "Alright. Time to go home. Finally. Today felt like a lifetime!" Stacy says, softly pulling her red hair out of her eyes and behind her ear. She turns to look at me. "But it was pretty cool. You know, with your old friend coming and all." 

    I smile. "Okay, what do you want to know?" I ask, shifting in my seat to better face her as she starts pulling out of the square.

     But the second the words fall off my tongue, I realize I know basically nothing about Darren. And we're not really friends.

     "What's his hobbies? Favourite colour? Full name? Oh, geesh, I sound like a stalker! I'm not, I promise. I just want to know more about him than do right now."

     I bite my lip, trying to think of anything to help me with these questions. "Well .     .     . " I tap my chin, remembering how he told me he was in an Anti-Bullying program when he was in England. "He is a people person. And he worked for an Anti-Bullying program when he lived across the Atlantic. He also is probably going to take Marilyn off her throne. It's what he lives for."

     Stacy gasps. "That's so cool! He's so sweet! I had no idea." She sighs, then asks about his favourite colour again.

     I take myself back to the day he was in my bedroom. "So, this is your room, huh? I'm guessing green is your favourite colour?" My nod that follows, shoveling some of my sesame chicken into my mouth. "I personally like orange." Darren smiling his dazzling little smile.

"Orange," I say, nodding to myself.

"And his name?"

"Darren Williams."

"I knew that," she says, flipping her hair over her shoulder and studying the road before her, trying to figure out how to change lanes. "I meant his middle name."

Why do you care? I sigh, emitting the first thought that comes to mind. "Sperry's."

My eyes go wide when I hear my voice. Oh. That's not his name. Stacy cocks her head, red hair falling down her shoulder. "You sure? That's kinda funny. Maybe just Sperry."

I slap myself in the face, then instantly regret it. I'm stronger than I thought, and caused a loud clap to echo in the car. "You okay?" Stacy asks.

I nod, turning to the window. "I don't actually know his middle name. It's just what I call him. It's a long story."

"Ooh, history!" Stacy sings, pulling into our neighbourhood. "You must tell me all about it, and soon!"

I wince, not liking the idea. "Okay, sure." Lie. I'm going to dodge that as long as I live.

Stacy pulls into her driveway, we say goodbye, and I walk down to my house, only two away from hers.

* * *

I run into my dad's arms, and he picks me up and swings me around. "Hey, baby!" He says, setting me down to squeeze me.

"Hi, Daddy!" I exclaim, hugging him back. "I'm glad you're finally here."

"Me too. I sure do love our new house." He nods to confirm it, and then leads me into the sitting room where my mom awaits, her smile bigger than Texas.

She waves. "Hey, Tara. So, to celebrate your Dad's return, did you wanna go out tonight?"

I turn to my dad, watching him smile at my mom with unconditional love as she smiles at me. I nod. "Definitely."

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Dad exclaims, clapping his hands together. "Let's eat!"

Mom and I laugh, all three of us rushing out to the carport. As we exit the neighbourhood, I see Stacy with her nephew, teaching him to ride a bike. Her brother is nine years older than her, and has a little boy that's three years old and a wife that spoils Stacy like nobody's business.

"Who's that?" Dad asks, catching my greeting.

"My friend Stacy Jordan. She's pretty awesome."

"Is that her natural hair?" He asks, and I laugh, nodding. He whistles. "Dang."

Mom laughs. "She also has a lanky weird guy friend named Corey who works in that cozy café I was telling you about. And some really adorable friend named Raleigh who works in the diner I would like to try."

Dad raised his eyebrows. "My little social butterfly."

I smile proudly at him, glad to know I have real friends. Glad to hear my mother's explanations. Not 'that really tall and hot basketball player' and 'the really sweet dirty-blonde headed dainty girl that loves art'. I think those days are over. No more Marc and Lila.

Now it's real friends. And their names are Stacy, Corey, and Raleigh. And possibly Darren Williams.

* * *