The Summer of 1996. The Saga Continues....
Okay, okay, so maybe I did like Luke a little. Okay, I liked Luke a lot. The last thing I wanted to hear was a big fat, "Told you so!" from my friends, so I decided to sneak the fact in during conversation. Luckily, no one said anything.
When Katie and I got back to my house, we giggled over the fact that I used to hate him, and now I sort of liked him. I made her swear that she would never tell Katie and Michelle because they would never approve of my current crush. Afterall, he was so different from us. Here I was, wearing Nike running t shirts and shorts from the Limited Too, while he was decked out with his chain wallet.
We then decided I needed a new look. I took my hair out of my pony tail, parted it down the middle and put two baby barettes on each side of my head. We were on a mission. We then convinced her mom to drive us to the mall. I ended up buying a couple of ringer t shirts, some more barettes, belly chains, and pop bottle best friends necklaces. After all, Katie and I were true best friends. Who would help eachother out on such a mission? Best friends of course.
Katie's mom then dropped us off at my house and we began putting outfits together. We even tied up my golden retriever's choker collar to the side of my pants (Bear, rest in peace--he was truly man and woman's best friend). My new look was then complete. We were so excited that we decided to call Paul and tell him all about it.
"Oh, Alison, he will like you for sure! Can I please say something to him?!"
"No Paul, you can't!"
I then became mortified. Paul couldn't say anything! I wanted to suprise him with my new look.
That morning before band camp, I rose extra early so I could look my best. I took a shower, dried my hair, and did my hair the same way I did yesterday; with the baby barettes on each side of my head. I put on my purple striped ringer t-shirt with and attached the dog collar to my jeans. I looked in the mirror. I sure to get Luke's attention.
I arrived to band camp with a pit in my stomach. I had already started to turn heads and the other kids were starting to whisper about me. I simply ignored them and sat down in my chair. Immediately, Katie and Michelle came up to me.
"Alison, what's the deal?" questioned Michelle.
"I kind of like it," said Katie. "I can't believe how long your hair is!"
I then felt awkward. Is it really that noticeable? Do I really look that different? I mean, a girl goes through a thousand looks, why can't I change just this once without the whole world freaking out?
Then Paul noticed. He then came up to where Katie, Michelle and Myself were standing
"Whoa Baby!" he exclaimed. "Luke will dig you for sure!"
"LUKE!" Michelle shouted. "That boy is bad news!"
"and he smokes!" chimed Katie
Luke then entered the room. Katie and Michelle immediately ran for their seats. He retrieved his instrument from the shelves and sat down in his seat.
"What's up, motormouth," he said.
I then began to fidget. "Had he noticed? Did he like the way I looked? Or did I look incredibly silly?"
"Oh, nice chain by the way," he mummbled.
I stammered out a "thank you," and began to analyze what he said. "Did he notice? What did he mean?"
I then began with my bantering chatter. "Do you want to know something neat and interresting? This note blah bl blah bl blah."
He interrupted me and said, "Well, I already know something neat and interesting."
I completely ignored him and continued to babble. I mean, what could be more "neat and interesting" than what I had to say at that very second. Besides, talking calmed my nerves down. I just kept talking, and talking, and talking...
"Alison, I know.." he said
"Know what?"
"Know about you, know your story, I know that you like me."
"Well, kinda. Wait....how did you....when did you?"
"Paul told me."
Flamming red mad, I looked back at Paul and he began to wave vigerously. How in the world could he do this? I trusted him with this information, and ...and....he took it and ran. Some friends I have....
"Well, great, now you know," I replied.
"Yep, now I know."
He smiled and we decided to start the day off with a quick game of hangman.
Part four is on the way....