"So, explain it one more time," Linda said. Mattie and Andy groaned as they walked down the sidewalk in downtown Smallville, their backpacks slung over their backs. "What? I've never heard of it. Remember me: home schooled, isolated?"
"Linda, it's not that hard of a concept," Mattie replied. "You get dressed up, you go, and you have a good time."
"But why?" Linda asked. "The whole thing is designed to welcome back people who have already graduated from the school. If anything, the party should be for my cousin and his friends, not us."
"Well, what about next week?" Andy asked, deciding to switch the subject. "You are gonna do Spirit Week, right?"
"Of course," Linda replied, smiling. "I have my costumes already planned for each day."
"Already?" Mattie said, amused. "Fast worker." She glanced at her friend conspiratorially. "So, about the dance…."
It was Linda's turn to groan. "Guys, I'm not going," she said. "Even if I wanted to go, who would I go with?"
"Come by yourself," Mattie answered. "That's what we're doing."
"Or we could set you up with someone," Andy replied, grinning.
"No, thank you," Linda said as they arrived at the Talon. She had heard horror stories about blind dates. "I'm not going with anyone I don't know."
"What about Dick?" Mattie asked, grinning.
"Not happening," Linda replied quickly, her cheeks turning red, as they walked into the building. The trio looked around and spotted Dick, Cutter, Wally, and Buzz already sitting at a table, three seats ready for the girls; the girls walked over and sat down.
"And how are you lovely ladies doing today?" Cutter asked.
"Trying to talk Linda into going to the homecoming dance," Andy replied, amused as she glanced at Dick. "You guys wanna help us out here?"
"Why don't you want to go?" Cutter asked.
"Why is everyone so concerned about me not going?" Linda asked. "I'm participating in Spirit Week; I don't know why I have to go to the dance."
"Because it's your first year here," Wally said. "You have to go."
"I don't remember 'attending Homecoming' as being one of my educational prerequisites or stipulations," Linda pointed out as Melody came over.
"Ladies, your usuals?" she asked the girls. They nodded in response.
"Dick, will you talk some sense into Linda?" Andy asked after Melody left.
"If Linda doesn't want to go to the dance," Dick said, shifting a little, "then that's her choice."
"Thank you, Dick," Linda replied.
"No problem," Dick said calmly.
"Look, guys, I'm sorry," Linda continued as she got up from the table, "but I really should get back to the farm. It's harvest time, and Mom and Dad need me to help out." She grabbed her bag and headed out of the Talon, leaving her friends confused. After a few moments, the kids looked at Dick.
"What?" he asked.
"Why didn't you ask her out?" Mattie asked, slightly annoyed. Dick sputtered, unable to form coherent words.
"Oh, stop with the sputtering," Cutter replied. "You've been doing it all week."
"Because you guys keep asking me," Dick said. "Stop asking me, and I'll stop sputtering."
"Dick, you like her," Andy replied. "Why don't you ask her out? Is it because you don't want her to find out about—"
"Look, just drop it, okay?" Dick snapped. "I gotta go." He grabbed his things and left the group, leaving his friends shocked as he headed out of the Talon.
"Okay," Cutter replied slowly. "What was that all about?"
"Not sure," Mattie answered, a concerned look on her face.
Martha and Jonathan were in the kitchen, preparing dinner when Linda blurred inside and up the stairs; she blurred back down and out, heading toward the barn, without stopping to talk to her parents. Jonathan and Martha glanced at each other, confused, before they stopped what they were doing and headed out of the house; they stopped on the porch and watched as the blur raced back and forth from the fields and barn; after a few seconds, the blur entered the barn and didn't leave.
"Not even a 'hello'?" Jonathan asked, confused.
"I know," Martha said.
"You think she's finally starting to behave like a normal, sullen teenager?" Jonathan asked.
Martha shrugged. "Not sure," she replied, "but I'll go talk to her." Jonathan watched as she headed down the porch stairs, then he turned and walked back into the house.
Linda leaned against the open loft window, numbly staring out into the world. She heard footsteps climbing the stairs, but she didn't turn around as she sighed.
"I'm fine," she said calmly.
"Why don't I believe that?" Martha asked as she walked over. "What's really bothering you?"
"Mattie and Andy and everyone are pestering me to go to the homecoming dance next week," Linda said.
"And you don't want to go?" Martha asked.
"I do," Linda answered, "and I wouldn't mind going alone, but…."
"But you'd rather go with someone instead?" Martha suggested. Linda nodded. "Would this be a certain person named Dick?" Linda hesitated, but nodded again. "He seems like a nice guy, and I know he likes you; what's the problem?"
"The problem is I wiped his memories," Linda answered, "and every day I see him, I'm reminded of that. I know it was probably for the best, but I have to pretend that everything is okay—and that I can deal with—but how can I go out with him and laugh and pretend to have a good time knowing I did that to him?"
Martha put a hand on Linda's shoulder. "Linda, you're right," she said gently, "and I know this has been a difficult time for you, but your father and I are really proud of how you've handled this." She paused, trying to choose her words carefully. "That being said, don't you think Dick should have a say in what he wants?"
"You think he wants someone who wiped his memories?" Linda asked. "How would he be able to ever trust me?"
"I think if he really cares about you," Martha answered, "then he might be upset, but he'd eventually understand." She shrugged. "But you're never going to know that unless you spend time with him, okay?" Linda nodded a little. "You want to stay out here until dinner?" Linda nodded again, and Martha smiled and kissed her forehead. "Alright." Linda watched her leave then she sighed as she looked back out the loft window, thinking about her mother had told her.
(End of Chapter 1)
