I was right. Monday was everything I'd been afraid it'd be. I rode my bike to school like I always did and even though I kept my eyes straight ahead as I made my way to the bike rack, I could feel dozens of pairs of eyes watching me as I passed. I briefly debated joining my friends at the gum tree, but knew that I couldn't avoid this subject forever, so I might as well get it over with. Besides, there was always a chance they *hadn't* heard the rumor yet.
Shane Arrington, Mark Peters, Jon Smith and Joel Murphy were standing around the tree talking when I walked up.
"Hey," I said, giving them the chin-up.
"Hey," Shane replied, glancing at the other guys who all suddenly seemed interested in the grass, the tree, the sky... anything opposite of my direction. My heart sank and I looked down at my shoes. They HAD heard. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised though. I had forgotten the amazing gossip grapevine we had at Wacko. When I glanced up again, I realized that now all the guys were giving Mark pointed looks. I figured they wanted him to be the first one to say something since he had been one of my best friends for so long. Mark looked a little uncomfortable for a minute, then kind of shrugged.
"Heard about what happened at the library Saturday night," he said finally.
I shrugged back. "I'm not surprised. I thought you would."
"Tough break, man," Jon shook his head. "Talk about a surprise."
"Yeah, really."
Just then Derek Travelstead came jogging up. "Hey, Kirwan- I just heard from Melinda Thaler that Jana broke up with you to go with Keith Masterson and that's why he broke up with Beth- to go out with Jana! Melinda said that Elizabeth said she heard about some big fight at the library Saturday between Beth and Jana about Jana going with Keith from Sara Sawyer! Is it true?" He asked breathlessly.
Shane, Jon, Mark and Joel all looked at me, waiting for me to answer. I paused for a minute, wondering what to say. I wasn't POSITIVE that it was all true- about Jana and Keith breaking up with their steadies to date each other- and I hated spreading things around that weren't FOR SURE true.... but, you know- I guess the REAL truth was I was sick and tired of standing up for Jana always giving her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe she didn't deserve it.
"Yeah, it's true," I said stoutly, raising my chin. "I guess they've liked each other for awhile and couldn't wait any longer to go together so they planned the whole breakup."
Derek's eyes widened and he shook his head. "Wow. That's really something. I can't believe they'd do something like this! Wow. If I were you I'd be so mad!"
"Well, I can't say I'm happy." I frowned. There was another pause then Mark kind of shifted.
"We've heard some other things, too," he said slowly. I stared at him.
"Like what?"
"Well... It's Keith. He's been saying some things..."
I felt myself go cold. Oh, great, I thought. I was afraid to find out what Keith HAD been spreading around, but I figured I meant as well hear about it sooner then later.
"Yeah?" I prodded, raising my eyebrows at Mark.
But he didn't get a chance to reply- the bell rang and we all had to head for our lockers. Unfortunatly, just because school was going on didn't mean people didn't stop me in the halls and before classes to ask if the rumor they'd been hearing was correct. Even some 8th graders wanted to know what I thought about the whole thing! I hadn't realized Jana and I were such a popular couple. If we were still together, I wouldn't mind everyone knowing about us, but this...THIS I didn't enjoy. By gym class, I was ready to hit the next person who wanted to know 'if it was really true'. I hoped that the class today would be a real workout so I could just FORGET everything that had happened lately. Lord knew I deserved it. But, as always, I forgot one very important thing:
Keith was in my gym class.
I did have some classes with Keith earlier in the morning, but he was always seated somewhere behind me so I didn't have to look at him and half the time I forgot he was there. But it's hard to ignore someone when their locker in the locker room is three down from yours.
It took all the self-control I had to look away and concentrate on getting changed when I saw him coming over, a cocky grin on his face.
"Hey there, Kirwan. I suppose you've heard the news," he said right off the bat. Honestly! That's exactly what he said! Right to my face. Like he was declaring their wedding or something and I should rejoice in his happiness.
I shot him a back-off look and pulled my gym shirt on. Of course Keith continued, despite the fact I clearly didn't want to hear anymore.
"It wasn't the plan to get the whole thing out in the open like that, at the library in front of all those people and everything, but all for the better I guess. I mean, it was probably easiest. At least now Beth knows. That was the hardest part, we figured; breaking it to Beth. Girls get so upset over the littlest things, you know?"
I almost couldn't believe what I was hearing. What a jerk! 'The littlest things'?! Didn't he care about how Beth felt at all? What a self-centered, egotisical... JERK. What in the world did Jana see in him?
"Well, hooray. I'm glad things are going so great for you," I snapped.
He pretended to be offended.
"Why, Randy Kirwan, if I didn't know better I'd say you were upset with me. It wasn't all my decision, you know. Jana had a hand in this, too."
I glared at him and Scott Daly, who I hadn't realized was standing behind me, said coldly, "Lay off, Masterson. Don't you know when to quit?"
Keith's eyes narrowed. "Stay out of this, Daly. This doesn't concern you." Then Keith turned back to me and crossed his arms in front of his chest. "You're just sore because Jana picked me over you, Mr. Wonderful. You just can't stand losing, can you? You can't bear to think that someone might actually be better then you, huh?"
"That's not true!" I hissed, painfully aware that nearly everyone in the room was listening by now. What in the world was he talking about? "What's your problem, anyway?"
Keith pulled him gym shirt on and when his head popped out, his countenance had completely changed. He had a totally fake smile on now that almost made me sick.
"Oh, well. I suppose I should be thanking you really. Jana's terrific. You really know how to pick them- maybe I should start following your example all the time. Who knows what other pleasures I've been missing out on?"
I couldn't remember being so furious at someone. If we had been somewhere else, there might have been a different ending to this story. But it was possible that Coach Bledsoe could be in any minute to get us out on the floor and the last thing I needed was for him to come in and catch me fighting with someone and get detention.
"I can tell you now, you're going to have a hard time finding someone to take her place. She's really a lot of fun to be with. I mean, I had the BEST time Friday night," Keith continued, a gleam in his eyes.
Friday night?! Like, a date? Keith and Jana had gone on a date?! Already? I knew I had a look of shock on my face but I couldn't help it. THIS I hadn't expected. Jana and Keith were a lot more serious then I had thought. I looked over at Mark who was standing a few feet away. He gave me a look that clearly said, 'I was going to tell you...'
I looked back at Keith who was heading for the door to the gym, a satisfied look on his face. The second bell rang and everyone started following Keith out. I realized I hadn't put my gym shoes on yet and as I bent down to hurridly do so, I knew with an ache in my heart just what I had to do.