Chapter Three
Confrentations
When Saturday came Joshua called to make sure I could still go with him to the restraunt. "Clarissa," I asked,"is it still okay if I go to McDonalds with Joshua today for lunch?" "Of course you can. Ellie if you want to go somewhere just make sure your room is clean and that you have no homework, and of course if I am not going to take you somewhere, then you can go. Just be back before nine."
I called Joshua back and he said he would come pick me up around eleven-thirty for us to go to McDonalds. Clarissa on the other hand, was thinking that this was a date and actually started fussing over what I should wear and how I should do my hair. "Clarissa," I said, "it's lunch with Josh, your son's best friend and the only person at school I really like to talk to without feeling alienated." "I know," she said,"but you should at least wear something nicer than your sweat pants and a rather large t-shirt. Let me pick you something nice to wear and I will do your hair. Okay?" "Fine," I said, "you really like making a big deal out of things dont you?" "Yes," she confided, "I dont have a daughter so I feel like this might be the only chance I have to do something like this." I felt kind of bad when she said that so I said, "Why dont me and you do somthing together tomorrow then. Just the two of us, a female bonding thing. My mother never did so it would be fun for us."
So we discussed it and, Clarissa and I are going to spend a girls day out at the mall tomorrow, so we both could do something we dont get to do very often. When Josh came to pick me up he was very quiet when I answerd the door. Clarissa picked out a skirt and spagatti strap shirt with a button down white shirt over it for me, and left my hair hang loose, which I hardly ever do. "Wow, Ellie," Joshua said, "you look nice." "Thank you," I said shyly, "Clarissa picked it out and did my hair. I feel funny, don't you?" "No," he said, "I'm fine."
When we got to McDonalds most of the guys there were looking at Josh, like why is she with him, and one gut even came up to us. "Hey," he said, "why dont you ditch this guy and come with me?" "Because," I said, " what kind of girlfriend would I be if I ditched him?" That got the guy good, and he left. To make sure that he, or anyother annoying guy wouldn't innterupt us Joshua put his arm around my waist. That got alot of guys to look away. "That was a good one," Joshua said. "I had to find a way to get him out of my face, so that was the first thing that came to my mind," I told him simply. An hour later we were ready to leave after deciding that I should try and find a way to get a meeting with the Queen to discuss what I know.
On Sunday I was woken up by a loud knocking on my door. "Ellie," came Clarissa's voice, "it's time to get up. Breakfast is ready." So I slowly got up got some clothes together and headed to the bathroom to change. Ten minutes later I go downstairs to find Clarissa and Mark already there. "Well you finally put in your morning appearance," said Mark cheerily over the morning news. "How was your date with Joshua?" Clarissa asked. "It wasn't a date," I said,"we just wandered around town for a while and talked about nothing in general, just like we have every weekend that I have been here. Only this time we went to lunch." "Well I hope you had more in mind than wandering around for the day when we go into the city." I had almost forgotten. "What time are we going into the city again? I forgot." I asked. " One o'clock. That's if you still want to though." "Of course I do I said but I have to change than. I look like a mess."
At one o'clock Clarissa left with our wallets full of money ready to buy some new things. "Now this is something me and my mom never did back homem," I said," she only wanted to take me to the mall four days before I came here." "Well," said Clarissa, "If you need to talk to someone I'm here, and this is fun. I nnever had a daughter to do this with, so i think this is lovely." It indeed was too. We had fun together. Clarissa and I both got new clothes and other girly things. Some of the registers asked us if it was a mother-daughter day for us. We told them no that I was just a exchange student, and that we thought it would be good if both of us got to know each other better.
When we got back to the house the first person to greet us was Mark. "Ellie," he said, "I do believe that young Joshua fancies you." "Why do you say that?" I asked. "Well besides the fact that he called for you six times, and left four phone messages." I called Josh back while I was putting some of the things up in my room.
"Hello," said Mrs. Townsend. "Hi, is Joshua there?" I asked. Hello," Joshua's voice came up on the line. "Hi," I said, "did you call me about six times today?" I asked. "Yea" he said, "Mark said you were in town with Clarissa. So I called back whenever I figured you would get back. Where were you two, anyways?" he asked. "We went into town for a girls day out thing. To get to know each other. It was actually fun." "Okay'' Josh said, '' well do you want to get together again next weekend and see a film in the cinima?" I told him yes but that I would call him back when I was done putting everything up and ate dinner.
School didn't start the same as usual. First I fall in mud going to school, so I had to go change my pants, then I lost my homework and have to do even more than I normally would. Not that Joshua is helping me, he just told me to watch where I step, and that I should keep my work more organized. "Well if you think I'm such a unorganized person than you should do everything for me. You seem to know what I should do and not do!" I said to him at lunch when I was looking for my biology homework in my bag. "I never said that you were unorganized," Joshua protested, "it's just that you seem uneasy today. I'm just worried." "Okay," I said, "I'm sorry I yelled at you, but today is just weird. It all started getting wierd after Saturday. Strange guys come up to me telling me that I should ditch you. Then I said I was your girlfriend, then on Sunday the check out girl thinks that, Clarissa is my mother and that we were on a mother-daughter shopping day. I feel like I'm loosing it. It is scary." "If you want I will help you sort this out too." He said in an offer of truce. "Okay," I said, "Just dont get all big brother type on me. It's freaky."
The rest of the day was good. I didn't make one mistake the rest of the day. "So I'll call you later okay?" Josh asked me. "Of course," I said. "Hey," he said, "do you ever think about when we were at McDonalds and we had to act like we were going out, just to keep that one guy from annoying you?" "All the time," I replied, "I dont know why but I keep thinking of that alot lately." "I do to," Josh said, "and I have to say this before I get too scared." "Okay," I said, "go ahead. I'm here if you need help with anything." "This is hard for me to say so I'll just get it out before it's too late. Iloveyou. Got to go. Bye," he said in a rush, and left.
I went inside very confused. I went to Clarissa and Mark's room and knocked. "Clarissa," I said through the door, "can we talk I nned some advice, and I don't know Katie's number or I would ask her." "Why dont you ask Josh. I'm sure he could help you better than I would," she said looking at me funny. "It's about Josh," I said slowly. "Well then that changes everything," she said cheerfully. "Sit down and tell me what's on your mind." ''Well," I started, "Josh walked home with me like usual, but then right when he was about to leave he told me he loves me, and I dont know what to do." "You dont return the feelings, huh?" Clarissa asked. "I like him, as more than a friend but I'm just very confused about it." "It seems you need to talk this through with Josh. You two could talk it over and then figure it out together, and see where you two stand. Or else you two will share awkward five minure phone calls thinking of what to say and then making up lies to eachother to get off the phone."
"JOSHUA TOWNSEND IT IS 8:30 IN THE NIGHT. YOUVE GOT ALOT OF EXPLAINING TO DO!" yelled Mrs. Townsend. "No mum," Josh said lamely, "I had some thoughts to sort through, and I still don't know what to do about what I said to her." "You two didn't get into a fight did you?" asked Mrs. Townsend. "No nothing like that," Josh said, looking at his mum with a curiouse expressiom, "Actually I was wondering if you could give me some advice on women, seeing as you are one." "Of course I'll help you. What is it?" she asked." "Well," Josh started, " today after school I told Ellie that I love her and then ran off leaving her with an odd, unreadable expression on her face. I don't know if she feels the same or whether she hates me now." "Well Josh all I can say is talk it over with Ellie, she's here right now." "WHAT?" Josh yelled, "WHAT IS SHE DOING HERE?" "She came over when I called asking if you were at her house. She was worried. She's in the living room right now."
Josh entered the living room, and sure enough there was Ellie sitting on the couch looking very uncomfortable. "Hi," Josh said. "Hi. Where were you. When your mom called asking if I knew where you were I told her I didn't. I went to find you and couldn't so then I came over here to stay with your mom while your dad went to look for you. He's still out. WHERE WERE YOU I WAS SO WORRIED" Ellie said quickly. "I was at McDonalds, thinking," Josh explained. ''Look Josh, I dont know why you told me like that and then left," Ellie said standing, "but I do want you to tell me when you are going to spring something on me, Okay?" "Sure," he said, '' I'm sorry, and I'll understand if you dont feel the same." "Josh I do feel the same. It's not as deep as love, but I do care about you, not in a sisterly way, but more than friendship way."
Josh was supprised so all he could say was, "Really? You like me in the same way I like you?" "Of course," I said, '' it wouldn't be any other way."
On Monday Josh and I were acting strange around each other, and everyone took notice. "Did you two have a fight or something like that?" asked Katie when Josh had said something to Ellie and made her jump. "or is it that you two finally figured out that you guys are so clueless about eacheother untill recently?" Alison asked. "The second one," I said, "so please dont tell anyone. Okay? I feel weird as it is I dont want it to be anymore awkward than it already is." "Okay," the sisters said in unision. "Why dont you two go out then and see if you get through that without jumping when Josh looks at you," Katie told me.
"What were you and Katie whispering about at lunch?" Josh asked me later that day in Shop class. "She said since we figured out our obvious feelings for each other that we should take it to the second step." I explained. "You mean go out?" Josh squeaked, "as in a date?" "Yea," I said, ''I know it sounds wierd but I think she's right." "Okay, then lets do it," Josh said, "what's the worst that could happen?" "We could ruin our friendship if it goes wrong," I supplied, "but if you think it could work out then lets do it. Let's go out and see what happens."
"So are you and Josh going to go out or not?" Katie asked Ellie in the girls locker room after Shop class. "Yes we are, happy?" I said as we went outside, '' or do you want to know when and where too?" "That would be nice," Katie said, "so I could help you get ready." "When I tell Clarissa I'll have more than enough help getting ready. But if you want you could come over ( it's Saturday at five P.M.) and help her torture me," I told her as we got on the track for a few warm up laps.
"Ellie, Katie" called Josh when he spotted us, "hold on." Katie and I stopped and waited for Josh. When he got to us she said, "I'll leave you two alone to talk," and she ran off. I really wish she hadn't done that, now I will have to talk and I dont know what to say. "So," Josh said, "you told Katie?" "Yes," I said, "she was being very pesty about it and said that she would tell the rest of the school, not just her sister,'' I explained. "Okay he said, "it would be better if not many people know until we find out if this will work." I nodded in agreement. We jogged for a while and when our teachers called us to different parts of the field we both went our ways. I am still confused about this whole 'relationship' Josh and I have going on.
During class I kept looking over at the boy's and actually caught Josh looking over at my class alot too. Katie say's that since Josh and I have become good friends we should be past this awkward stage by now. I think she is right, but I don't know what to do. Josh tries to make conversation, but it does not make any sense at all, or mabe it is because he is always stuttering. I am so confused.
I dont know why Ellie is acting the way she is. She is acting like she has nothing to say, which I know she always has something to say. Mabe it's me, when I try to make conversation I stutter and sound like a thick headed moron. In P.E. today whenever I would look over at Ellie's class I saw her looking at mine, and we both quickly looked away. I don't know what to do at all. plus I have to tell Ellie that my cousin got that interview ready for two weeks from Wednsday.
I am so scared now. I actually have the chance to meet the Queen of England and I am so scared I cant think of anything else. Josh says I should calm down and try to get the meeting off my mind. He suggested that we catch a film at the cinema this weekend. "I have to ask Clarissa, but I'm sure I can go though," I told him as we were walking to lunch. "Well if you cant it's okay, but I think it would be good for you to get out, an get the meeting off your mind." I thanked him, and told him that I appreciated his concern, but I was sure that I could go.
Confrentations
When Saturday came Joshua called to make sure I could still go with him to the restraunt. "Clarissa," I asked,"is it still okay if I go to McDonalds with Joshua today for lunch?" "Of course you can. Ellie if you want to go somewhere just make sure your room is clean and that you have no homework, and of course if I am not going to take you somewhere, then you can go. Just be back before nine."
I called Joshua back and he said he would come pick me up around eleven-thirty for us to go to McDonalds. Clarissa on the other hand, was thinking that this was a date and actually started fussing over what I should wear and how I should do my hair. "Clarissa," I said, "it's lunch with Josh, your son's best friend and the only person at school I really like to talk to without feeling alienated." "I know," she said,"but you should at least wear something nicer than your sweat pants and a rather large t-shirt. Let me pick you something nice to wear and I will do your hair. Okay?" "Fine," I said, "you really like making a big deal out of things dont you?" "Yes," she confided, "I dont have a daughter so I feel like this might be the only chance I have to do something like this." I felt kind of bad when she said that so I said, "Why dont me and you do somthing together tomorrow then. Just the two of us, a female bonding thing. My mother never did so it would be fun for us."
So we discussed it and, Clarissa and I are going to spend a girls day out at the mall tomorrow, so we both could do something we dont get to do very often. When Josh came to pick me up he was very quiet when I answerd the door. Clarissa picked out a skirt and spagatti strap shirt with a button down white shirt over it for me, and left my hair hang loose, which I hardly ever do. "Wow, Ellie," Joshua said, "you look nice." "Thank you," I said shyly, "Clarissa picked it out and did my hair. I feel funny, don't you?" "No," he said, "I'm fine."
When we got to McDonalds most of the guys there were looking at Josh, like why is she with him, and one gut even came up to us. "Hey," he said, "why dont you ditch this guy and come with me?" "Because," I said, " what kind of girlfriend would I be if I ditched him?" That got the guy good, and he left. To make sure that he, or anyother annoying guy wouldn't innterupt us Joshua put his arm around my waist. That got alot of guys to look away. "That was a good one," Joshua said. "I had to find a way to get him out of my face, so that was the first thing that came to my mind," I told him simply. An hour later we were ready to leave after deciding that I should try and find a way to get a meeting with the Queen to discuss what I know.
On Sunday I was woken up by a loud knocking on my door. "Ellie," came Clarissa's voice, "it's time to get up. Breakfast is ready." So I slowly got up got some clothes together and headed to the bathroom to change. Ten minutes later I go downstairs to find Clarissa and Mark already there. "Well you finally put in your morning appearance," said Mark cheerily over the morning news. "How was your date with Joshua?" Clarissa asked. "It wasn't a date," I said,"we just wandered around town for a while and talked about nothing in general, just like we have every weekend that I have been here. Only this time we went to lunch." "Well I hope you had more in mind than wandering around for the day when we go into the city." I had almost forgotten. "What time are we going into the city again? I forgot." I asked. " One o'clock. That's if you still want to though." "Of course I do I said but I have to change than. I look like a mess."
At one o'clock Clarissa left with our wallets full of money ready to buy some new things. "Now this is something me and my mom never did back homem," I said," she only wanted to take me to the mall four days before I came here." "Well," said Clarissa, "If you need to talk to someone I'm here, and this is fun. I nnever had a daughter to do this with, so i think this is lovely." It indeed was too. We had fun together. Clarissa and I both got new clothes and other girly things. Some of the registers asked us if it was a mother-daughter day for us. We told them no that I was just a exchange student, and that we thought it would be good if both of us got to know each other better.
When we got back to the house the first person to greet us was Mark. "Ellie," he said, "I do believe that young Joshua fancies you." "Why do you say that?" I asked. "Well besides the fact that he called for you six times, and left four phone messages." I called Josh back while I was putting some of the things up in my room.
"Hello," said Mrs. Townsend. "Hi, is Joshua there?" I asked. Hello," Joshua's voice came up on the line. "Hi," I said, "did you call me about six times today?" I asked. "Yea" he said, "Mark said you were in town with Clarissa. So I called back whenever I figured you would get back. Where were you two, anyways?" he asked. "We went into town for a girls day out thing. To get to know each other. It was actually fun." "Okay'' Josh said, '' well do you want to get together again next weekend and see a film in the cinima?" I told him yes but that I would call him back when I was done putting everything up and ate dinner.
School didn't start the same as usual. First I fall in mud going to school, so I had to go change my pants, then I lost my homework and have to do even more than I normally would. Not that Joshua is helping me, he just told me to watch where I step, and that I should keep my work more organized. "Well if you think I'm such a unorganized person than you should do everything for me. You seem to know what I should do and not do!" I said to him at lunch when I was looking for my biology homework in my bag. "I never said that you were unorganized," Joshua protested, "it's just that you seem uneasy today. I'm just worried." "Okay," I said, "I'm sorry I yelled at you, but today is just weird. It all started getting wierd after Saturday. Strange guys come up to me telling me that I should ditch you. Then I said I was your girlfriend, then on Sunday the check out girl thinks that, Clarissa is my mother and that we were on a mother-daughter shopping day. I feel like I'm loosing it. It is scary." "If you want I will help you sort this out too." He said in an offer of truce. "Okay," I said, "Just dont get all big brother type on me. It's freaky."
The rest of the day was good. I didn't make one mistake the rest of the day. "So I'll call you later okay?" Josh asked me. "Of course," I said. "Hey," he said, "do you ever think about when we were at McDonalds and we had to act like we were going out, just to keep that one guy from annoying you?" "All the time," I replied, "I dont know why but I keep thinking of that alot lately." "I do to," Josh said, "and I have to say this before I get too scared." "Okay," I said, "go ahead. I'm here if you need help with anything." "This is hard for me to say so I'll just get it out before it's too late. Iloveyou. Got to go. Bye," he said in a rush, and left.
I went inside very confused. I went to Clarissa and Mark's room and knocked. "Clarissa," I said through the door, "can we talk I nned some advice, and I don't know Katie's number or I would ask her." "Why dont you ask Josh. I'm sure he could help you better than I would," she said looking at me funny. "It's about Josh," I said slowly. "Well then that changes everything," she said cheerfully. "Sit down and tell me what's on your mind." ''Well," I started, "Josh walked home with me like usual, but then right when he was about to leave he told me he loves me, and I dont know what to do." "You dont return the feelings, huh?" Clarissa asked. "I like him, as more than a friend but I'm just very confused about it." "It seems you need to talk this through with Josh. You two could talk it over and then figure it out together, and see where you two stand. Or else you two will share awkward five minure phone calls thinking of what to say and then making up lies to eachother to get off the phone."
"JOSHUA TOWNSEND IT IS 8:30 IN THE NIGHT. YOUVE GOT ALOT OF EXPLAINING TO DO!" yelled Mrs. Townsend. "No mum," Josh said lamely, "I had some thoughts to sort through, and I still don't know what to do about what I said to her." "You two didn't get into a fight did you?" asked Mrs. Townsend. "No nothing like that," Josh said, looking at his mum with a curiouse expressiom, "Actually I was wondering if you could give me some advice on women, seeing as you are one." "Of course I'll help you. What is it?" she asked." "Well," Josh started, " today after school I told Ellie that I love her and then ran off leaving her with an odd, unreadable expression on her face. I don't know if she feels the same or whether she hates me now." "Well Josh all I can say is talk it over with Ellie, she's here right now." "WHAT?" Josh yelled, "WHAT IS SHE DOING HERE?" "She came over when I called asking if you were at her house. She was worried. She's in the living room right now."
Josh entered the living room, and sure enough there was Ellie sitting on the couch looking very uncomfortable. "Hi," Josh said. "Hi. Where were you. When your mom called asking if I knew where you were I told her I didn't. I went to find you and couldn't so then I came over here to stay with your mom while your dad went to look for you. He's still out. WHERE WERE YOU I WAS SO WORRIED" Ellie said quickly. "I was at McDonalds, thinking," Josh explained. ''Look Josh, I dont know why you told me like that and then left," Ellie said standing, "but I do want you to tell me when you are going to spring something on me, Okay?" "Sure," he said, '' I'm sorry, and I'll understand if you dont feel the same." "Josh I do feel the same. It's not as deep as love, but I do care about you, not in a sisterly way, but more than friendship way."
Josh was supprised so all he could say was, "Really? You like me in the same way I like you?" "Of course," I said, '' it wouldn't be any other way."
On Monday Josh and I were acting strange around each other, and everyone took notice. "Did you two have a fight or something like that?" asked Katie when Josh had said something to Ellie and made her jump. "or is it that you two finally figured out that you guys are so clueless about eacheother untill recently?" Alison asked. "The second one," I said, "so please dont tell anyone. Okay? I feel weird as it is I dont want it to be anymore awkward than it already is." "Okay," the sisters said in unision. "Why dont you two go out then and see if you get through that without jumping when Josh looks at you," Katie told me.
"What were you and Katie whispering about at lunch?" Josh asked me later that day in Shop class. "She said since we figured out our obvious feelings for each other that we should take it to the second step." I explained. "You mean go out?" Josh squeaked, "as in a date?" "Yea," I said, ''I know it sounds wierd but I think she's right." "Okay, then lets do it," Josh said, "what's the worst that could happen?" "We could ruin our friendship if it goes wrong," I supplied, "but if you think it could work out then lets do it. Let's go out and see what happens."
"So are you and Josh going to go out or not?" Katie asked Ellie in the girls locker room after Shop class. "Yes we are, happy?" I said as we went outside, '' or do you want to know when and where too?" "That would be nice," Katie said, "so I could help you get ready." "When I tell Clarissa I'll have more than enough help getting ready. But if you want you could come over ( it's Saturday at five P.M.) and help her torture me," I told her as we got on the track for a few warm up laps.
"Ellie, Katie" called Josh when he spotted us, "hold on." Katie and I stopped and waited for Josh. When he got to us she said, "I'll leave you two alone to talk," and she ran off. I really wish she hadn't done that, now I will have to talk and I dont know what to say. "So," Josh said, "you told Katie?" "Yes," I said, "she was being very pesty about it and said that she would tell the rest of the school, not just her sister,'' I explained. "Okay he said, "it would be better if not many people know until we find out if this will work." I nodded in agreement. We jogged for a while and when our teachers called us to different parts of the field we both went our ways. I am still confused about this whole 'relationship' Josh and I have going on.
During class I kept looking over at the boy's and actually caught Josh looking over at my class alot too. Katie say's that since Josh and I have become good friends we should be past this awkward stage by now. I think she is right, but I don't know what to do. Josh tries to make conversation, but it does not make any sense at all, or mabe it is because he is always stuttering. I am so confused.
I dont know why Ellie is acting the way she is. She is acting like she has nothing to say, which I know she always has something to say. Mabe it's me, when I try to make conversation I stutter and sound like a thick headed moron. In P.E. today whenever I would look over at Ellie's class I saw her looking at mine, and we both quickly looked away. I don't know what to do at all. plus I have to tell Ellie that my cousin got that interview ready for two weeks from Wednsday.
I am so scared now. I actually have the chance to meet the Queen of England and I am so scared I cant think of anything else. Josh says I should calm down and try to get the meeting off my mind. He suggested that we catch a film at the cinema this weekend. "I have to ask Clarissa, but I'm sure I can go though," I told him as we were walking to lunch. "Well if you cant it's okay, but I think it would be good for you to get out, an get the meeting off your mind." I thanked him, and told him that I appreciated his concern, but I was sure that I could go.