In the hour and a half that I was at Bumpers that evening, only ten minutes of it was spent one-on-one with Tony Sanchez. Barely had we gotten our drinks and found a booth when Laura McCall and Melissa McConnell came and sat down with us. I was kinda suprised they'd just come and join us because I'm not really good friends with either, mainly as they are two of Jana's least favorite people in school and so we don't interact too often on a social basis. I let Tony do most of the flirting for the first bit, but as I got more relaxed I joined in too. Why not? I had told myself earlier that I wasn't going to let Jana see me upset that she had a date, and besides- she was the one who thought up this whole dating other people buisness anyway, so I certainly had a right to flirt if I wanted. Then barely had Laura and Melissa left when Sara Sawyer, Melinda Thaler and Marcie Bee came and sat with us. They spent over half and hour laughing and flirting with Tony and me- all of them except for Sara Sawyer, who had stationed herself on my left and totally ignored the others and talked only to me. At first it surprised me and I wondered what made me so interesting, but as the night wore on, it began to dawn on me that it might be possible that Sara had a crush on me. It hadn't really crossed my mind before, but as I noticed that way she looked at me and hung onto every word I said, it became clear that she must. I have to admit I was flattered, but I also felt bad- insincere- flirting with her because I had no intention of asking her out. I did like Sara as a friend, but NOT a dating friend. I couldn't imagine doing things and going places with her like I used to with Jana. So, the night wore on, and I continued to flirt, but it felt so hollow that I really wasn't having much fun. No one seemed to notice the great acting job I was doing. Maybe I should go out for the Drama Club, I thought to myself. I could get an acadmey award for this one. And the hardest part didn't even come until after I went to get a refill of my drink and who did I step in line behind, but Parker Donovan. Immediatly, I looked around for Jana, but she was no where in sight. Was it possible she had canceled on him? And he had come alone? But my hopes were dashed when I caught a bit of his conversation with Craig Meachem, who was in line in front of him.
"--history all over with. Man, she's such a little student! When I told her about how you just look up the answers in the chapter for a the test, you know, without reading the whole freaking chapter geez, you should have seen her face! Like I had just suggested we go rob a bank or something."
He and Craig laughed and I glared at the back of Parker's head. The way he talked, it made you think that there was something wrong with Jana for not wanting to cheat. I was furious at him for talking her into doing something like that. How dare he try to undermine her good character? Who did he think he was anyway? I was getting madder by the minute and was sincerely glad when Parker got his order- two root beers (when did Jana start liking root beer??)- and moved on towards a table near the door. I quickly placed my own order so I could get back to the table without Jana seeing me and having us meet eyes or something totally embarrassing.
I had a hard time concentrating on my conversation with Sara after that. (we ended up being the only two left in the booth) I kept looking around to catch a glimpse of Jana and Parker when they left, but I missed them. Finally, I realized how late it was getting, and told Sara I needed to get home. Since it was getting dark, I told her I'd walk her back to her house which seemed to suit her fine. She chattered the whole way back about school and friends and her trying out for softball next month, and I tried to listen, but I was still drifting off to other thoughts and I barely noticed when we got to her house and she went in. Only 3 more weeks. I told myself as I walked the rest of the way home. Then Jana and I had our date where we could talk things out and I could convince her to get back together. If she hadn't found Parker too charming, that is. I kept wondering if she had really had had fun on the date. More fun then she had with me I had a lot of questions skidding around in my mind, too. What had they talked about? How many people saw them on a date? And most horrible to think about- had he kissed her goodnight? The thought made me furious- he had no right to kiss MY girlfriend! But what could I do about it? I thought helplessly as I trudged up to my room. Nothing.
I had a hard time falling asleep that night.