I broke my “every two days” commitment, but here is the new installment. Things are getting complicated, and that makes telling the story a little more challenging. That’s not a good or bad thing, just a new exercise. I have three more chapters planned. Hope you enjoy.
“And what about you sir?” the clerk asked Mike while holding up the selection of vest colors.
“I don’t care, you pick.”
“The green would look ravishing, or possibly the silver?” The clerk held each vest up to Mike’s chest.
“The silver one. Are we done yet?”
Mike had not taken well to rejection. Over the last few days Kelso Baker had become his mortal enemy, and just the sight of Monica was enough to set him off. Adam and Jackson had started to keep an eye out for her to make sure Mike didn’t cross her path.
Being shot down sucked, but there was an underlying feeling of being double-crossed that made Mike sick to his stomach. He thought it was typical of girls, and especially those like Monica. Giving out phone numbers and going on dates was no big deal to them, but they never stopped to consider how their actions affected anyone else. When you’re that pretty you can do most whatever you want, or at least that’s how Mike felt.
Adam and Mike left the store with their suit reservations and got in the car.
“Thanks for going with Jessica to Homecoming.” Adam tried to make it sound positive. “The four of us going out together, it should be fun.”
“I can’t believe I’m spending over $100 to go with one of Marly’s friends I don’t even like. No offense, but I’m not expecting the time of my life.”
Mike’s attitude had started to grate on everyone around him. Adam understood he was bummed about Monica, and that was to be expected. But lately feeling sorry for himself wasn’t enough. Mike wouldn’t be satisfied until he brought everyone else down with him in a fireball of misery.
“You know, she didn’t really have a choice.” Adam was annoyed.
“What?”
“Monica, what did you expect her to do? It’s not her fault someone asked her before you got all lovey-dovey on her.” Adam was determined to talk some sense into him. “She’d already said yes, and you have to accept that.”
Mike wasn’t comfortable facing reality. “She didn’t have to say no. If she really wanted to go with me she could have ditched him. She made a choice, and it wasn’t me.”
“I don’t think it’s that simple.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Monica’s reaction had been quite different. While Mike found consolation in his anger, Monica felt like she was put in a difficult situation with no way out. She couldn’t undo her plans with Kelso, and she couldn’t go with both of them. The whole event was supposed to be enjoyable, but lately it was depressing.
“I’m pretty sure Mike hates me now.” Monica and Jen were looking at flowers. It was a week before the dance and they were finishing getting ready. “I see him in the hall and he automatically goes a different direction. It’s like I’ve got the plague.”
“He probably wishes you did.”
“Thanks, you’re real supportive.” Monica said with a roll of her eyes. “I wish he’d asked earlier. The timing of everything couldn’t be worse.”
Monica had wanted to say yes to Mike. She wanted to go with him, to find out more about this mysterious guy. She was stuck though. She’d said yes to Kelso Baker two weeks before and made plans already. She couldn’t back out on him, not this late in the game.
“Which one do you like?” Monica held up a a daisy and a rose corsage.
“I like the daisy, it’s sweet.” Jen smiled. “I bet Kelso likes you in either.”
Monica blushed.
Jen took the flowers and set them down. “Maybe you shouldn’t let the whole Mike thing get you down. Kelso Baker is a good looking guy, and you might as well enjoy your last Homecoming dance.”
Monica thought Jen had a point. After all, there was a reason she had said yes to Kelso to begin with. He seemed like a good guy, and he was easy on the eyes. If she was going to the dance with him, she might as well have a good time. Moping about circumstances out of her control was no fun.
“I suppose so. I wanted to go with him before the whole Mike fiasco, and I can still enjoying going with him now.”
“That a girl!”
Monica walked out of the flower shop feeling a little more upbeat than when she’d walked in. She wanted to enjoy Homecoming, but it was difficult when her feelings for Mike were still in limbo.
The Thursday before Homecoming Mike was leaving his English 12 class. Mrs. Widmeyer was having them write an essay on Hamlet that was due Monday. The entire class had complained that it was Homecoming weekend, but Mrs. Widmeyer failed to see their plight.
English and photo had wreaked havoc on Mike’s sanity. At the quad or in the halls, avoiding Monica was easy. But for these two periods of the day he had to be in the same room with her, and it drove him crazy. His jealousy wanted to yell obscene curse words, but his hormones wanted to kiss her passionately. The mixed signals tore him apart.
As the bell rang Mike got up and made his way out the door. Monica jogged up next to him and cut him off.
“Hey Mike, how’s it going?”
They hadn’t talked since that day on the phone. Monica knew he was upset, but she thought the silent treatment was a little childish.
“It’s OK, nothing too exciting.” Mike didn’t stop walking. Monica kept pace.
“I know you’re mad about Homecoming. I wish things could have been different.”
Mike thought about this for a moment and stopped. “I’m not mad,” he said, “just not how I pictured it working out I guess.” As much as he wanted to be, it was impossible to be mad at her. But hating Kelso Baker, that was easy.
“Are you going? To the dance I mean.” She wasn’t sure if he’d asked anyone else or not.
“Yeah, I’m going with one of Marly’s friends.” To Mike it felt like coming in second place, but he didn’t need to tell her that.
“See, things have a way of working themselves out in the end,” Monica said with a voice of reassurance. “See you at the dance Mike.”
Monica turned and left him standing in the hallway.
Yeah, see you at the dance making out with Kelso Baker. I can’t wait.
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