The Dude's a Girl

Chapter 7: Minnesota Mischief Maker

"Ugh, Kayla, you don't understand anything. Just break them up!"

"Bu-" She hung up the line, so I walked over to Sam's room. I heard sobbing and sniffing coming from the bathroom.

"Um, Sam?" I called. No response. "Don't worry, I know your secret."

"Huh?" He-I mean she- replied.

"I know you're a girl. Why're you sad?" I asked her.

"How'd you know I'm a girl?"

"Just...forget that. I'm asking again, why're you sad?"

"I broke up with Tom."

I thought for a while. Tom deserved someone better than Ranie. He deserved someone that actually cared about their grades and someone that didn't spray paint bad words on walls. After chatting to Sam about ignoring my sister and getting back together with Tom, I went downstairs to talk to him.

"Hey, I heard that Sam and you broke up. I also heard that she's a girl." I sat beside him.

"Yeah, I think it's 'cause of Matt. He likes her." He responded. I furrowed my eyebrows and sat there, deep in thought. If Matt liked Sam, she might like him back, which will mean that her and Tom won't get back together, and he might start liking Ranie. Oh no. We need Matt to either not like Sam anymore, which is way too long, or...get him to like someone else. Someone like...me.

"Er, are you just gonna sit there in silence?" Tom asked me, chuckling to himself.

"Huh? Urm, oh sorry! I was just thinking."

"Of what?"

"That, er, you and Sam should get back together again."

"Yeah, but it seems she likes Matt now."

We talked for a bit, then I went to my room. I changed into my favorite dress and tried to look my best.

I strutted down to Matt's room and took a deep breath before knocking in the door. Matt came to open it and looked amazed when he saw me.

"Wow, you look great! What's the occasion, Kayla?"

"Occasion? Occasion?! Does there have to- um, oh thanks... I'm just going to the theatre." I mentioned the theatre because I heard from Selena that he loved the theatre. I guess it is a pretty cool place.

"Theatre? I love the theatre! Can I tag along?" He smirked as his eyes lit up.

"Course!" I giggled and squealed. I guess my plan was working. He escorted me out the dorm, down the stairs, out the school and into the theatre.

"If you look like this whenever you go to the theatre, remember to tell me." He winked jokingly at me and grinned. I smiled back. "So, what are we watching?"

"Lion King is on in five minutes." I told him, squinting at a small piece of paper. We both took a seat and realised that there were only, like, seven other people in the audience. A lovey dovey couple that were sharing a drink, a young girl with her parents and two identical girls that I suspected were twin sisters. Then there was us. So nine people in total.

I looked over at Matt after two minutes of awkward silence.

"So, do you like football?" I asked him. I loved it, but if he hated it, I didn't mind telling a lie or two.

"Yes! I love the Red Sox!" He responded.

"Oh, so you're from Boston?"

"Yep. And you?"

"Minnesota."

"Okay then. So, do you like football?" He said it as if he already knew the answer.

"Actually, I do. I used to always watch it with my dad until he- You know what, this is supposed to be an evening of happiness, not sorrow."

He nodded and gave me a reassuring smile, looking into my eyes. My eyes began prickling with tears. He hugged me and held my head to his chest as I took deep breaths. This wasn't just a way for him to like me, I really, truly missed my parents. At home, it was just Ranie and me, not including my best friends, Penny and Shane that were always there for me, from start to end.

The music started up and the curtains opened. We watched the performance together, me on his shoulder. Halfway through, he put his arm around me and kissed my head. I softly smiled and gave him a huge hug, burying my head into his shoulder. By the end, I closed my eyes and fell asleep.

***

"Kayla! Kay! Kayla! Get up already!" Sam yelled, as she shook me. I slowly opened my eyes, to find I was in Sam's room, on her bed. "Hurry up and go to your room! I need to sleep!"

I jumped up, rubbed my eyes and crawled over to my room, saying goodbye to Tom, Matt and Sam. I twisted the doorknob and entered my room. Selena was sitting there, looking at me. She looked me up and down and frowned.

"Where have you been, Kay? And dressed like that..." Selena scowled at me.

"I, er, was at the theatre." I looked down, as I slumped onto my bed.

"Alone?" She asked me, squinting at my clothes.

"Not exactly," I told her. "I was with Matt..."

"Matt? Matt Riley?"

"Uh, I guess so. I didn't tell him to come, he wanted to, so I let him. I couldn't say no, could I?"

She furrowed her eyebrows, closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"You know what? Do what you want, I don't care!" She jumped into her duvet and hid her head under the covers. I changed into my pyjamas and went to sleep.

Knock, knock, knock.

I yawned and rubbed my eyes after hearing someone knocking on the door. I struggled to crawl out of bed, but after minutes of hard work, I managed to open the door. Oh, god. It was my ex, Dylan. What did he want? At this time of morning, too!

"I want you back, Kay." He mumbled. I was frozen. At first, I broke up with him because he wasn't serious about our relationship, but then got back together. That time, he was so clingy and rude to everybody, so I dumped him again.

"Why should I?" I cocked an eyebrow and loudly yawned.

"Because I feel empty without you. Losing you was the worst thing that ever happened to me. I'm feeling lonely and upset. Trust me, I'm a whole different person from before." I squinted at him, then chuckled.

"No, you're not. I see how you act with other students. Same old Dylan the villain. I will never go out with you in a billion years." With that, I turned around and slammed the door in his face.

"We will be together soon." He yelled. I sighed as I jumped back to bed. Ugh, Dylan, take a hint!