Funny

I was still walking on air Monday when I got to school- bowling Saturday night had been so much fun! Not only had I gotten several chances to talk to Mark, just the two of us, but afterwards he offered to drop me off at my house so that I wouldn't have to call my mom to come get me. Of course, the car ride was all of of 5 minutes, but we were both still pretty wound up and had a great time. I was kinda anxious to see him again today, and wondered if we would be able to jump right back into our kidding around, or if he wouldn't even look at me twice.

As I scanned the schoolyard for him, I happened to glance over towards the spot near the front door where The Fantastic Foursome often met before school to talk and giggle. I felt a twinge of guilt as I noticed Laura and Tammy standing there already, talking together. I hadn't talked to them since Friday at lunch which was *really* unusual. I had planned to call them, or at least Laura, yesterday afternoon, but had slept late and then gone to my grandma's for the day. I hoped that the girls weren't mad at me. They definitely didn't approve of The Fabulous Five and Mark wasn't much higher on the list. I knew they'd be pretty upset if they knew I went bowling with that group Saturday night- if they weren't aware of it already. Well, couldn't put off talking to them forever. I took a quick breath as I walked over to them and forced a smile on my face as I said hi.

You would have thought I'd popped a paper bag or something. They both jumped about three feet in the air and whipped towards me so fast I almost got smacked in the face by Laura's braid.

"Ohmigosh, Funny," Tammy cried, putting a hand over her heart. "Don't DO that to us! You scared me half to death. "

"Sorry!" I couldn't help laughing. "Next time I'll remember to put my bells on first."

Laura rolled her eyes.

"Right, that would be attractive," she paused a moment and darted a look at Tammy, then turned back to me. "So, what's up?"

I stared at her. What's up? Laura just about *never* asks that. Don't get me wrong- she's a caring friend, but usually only cares about hearing our news once she's shared her's. I began to get a sneaky suspicion that something was going on I didn't know about. It crossed my mind again that they were upset with me, but it really didn't *seem* like they were. I've had Laura and Tammy furious at me before and this was definitely not their 'we're mad at you and snubbing you' attitudes.

"Um, not much really. I just came over to say 'hi' since I didn't see you guys at all this weekend," I replied slowly.

"Oh, yeah," Tammy said. "The weekend went by really fast, huh?"

"Yeah," I repeated. "So, did you guys do anything special?"

"Not really," Laura said casually, adjusting her backpack straps.

"We didn't see much of each other either," Tammy added. "Just for a little while Saturday night when we met at my house and-"

"Oh, look!" Laura interjected loudly. "There's Melissa!" She started grinning broadly and waving enthusiastically to Melissa who was walking towards us.

Oookkkaayyy. Now I was sure something was going on, or else Laura and Tammy had had way too much sugar for breakfast. Sure, Melissa is one of our best friends, but Laura was acting like she hadn't seen her in 10 years. I could tell by the look on Melissa's face that she was a bit confused by Laura's behavior too.

"Hi, guys," Melissa said, eying Laura a bit suspiciously as she stepped up. "What are we talking about?"

"How fast the weekend went by," Tammy piped up. "Didn't you think it went by fast?" She asked Melissa.

"Don't," Melissa replied. "'*Don't* you think it went by fast'."

Tammy looked lost. "Yeah, that's just what I asked *you*. I already said I think it went by fast."

Melissa sighed and shook her head.

I rolled my eyes and absentmindedly gazed across the schoolyard, wondering if the girls would get annoyed with me if I excused myself before the bell rang. Conversation today was pretty pitiful and I kinda wanted to talk to Jana before homeroom, thank her again for setting up the bowling thing.

Just then I happened to glimpse Jana walking up the front steps of the school with Beth Barry and Christie Winchell. Maybe if I hurried, I could catch up with them.

"Hey, you guys," I said quickly, turning back to my friends. "I hate to, but I need to pick up a book I left in the yearbook room before the bell rings. I'll see you all later, ok? Save me a place at lunch."

"Sure," Laura said, and glanced at Tammy who looked a little disappointed. About what, I wasn't sure and I didn't dwell on it long. They were all acting so *weird* today anyway...

By the time I reached the front doors of the school, Jana and her friends had already disappeared, although I figured they had either gone to their lockers or the girls' room. I decided to check the restroom first and made a left at the first intersection, noticing how quiet the school building was at the moment, before all the students started pouring in after the first bell.

The restroom was as empty and silent as the rest of the school, making it immediately obvious that Jana and her friends weren't there. I sighed to myself and pulled a brush out of my purse. I knew that the bell would be ringing soon and I really wouldn't have time to look for the girls anymore. I'd just catch up with them at lunch or something. Anyway, might as well fix myself up a bit before homeroom since right after homeroom I had English Lit, where I'd see Mark. We never really talked before class or anything, but maybe today we would... if I could think of something intelligent to say.

After the homeroom period, I purposely got to English Lit early, so I could watch for Mark to arrive. I nervously arranged my books on my desk, all the while practicing what I'd say. Just casually say 'hi', mention the bowling, bring up some of the evening's hilarious moments... shouldn't be too hard. It's not like we'd have lots of time, though. But that was ok- I didn't want a super long convo. Just enough to remind him of what a fun person I was.

Kids soon started to filter into the room and I began to watch for Mark. He was never one of the first kids, but he was never the last either. I began to worry that today was going to be different and he wouldn't come in until the last bell... then I probably wouldn't have another chance to talk to him until lunch. But I hated the idea of talking to him in front of the entire 8th grade. Please, Mark, I silently begged. Get here, now!

And suddenly, there he was. His blonde hair was easy to pick out among the other students, not to mention his bright smile. I sat up straighter and got ready to flash a smile in his direction, just in case he looked my way. I knew it was almost time for the last bell, but if he would just hurry up and take his seat I could pretend to be walking over to the pencil sharpener- which was right near his seat- and then say hi. Hurry *up*, Mark!

As he walked through the door, though, it was then that I realized the reason he was taking so long- he was talking with someone. Not one of his usual guy friends, either, but with Jessica Lancaster, a pretty blonde who was known for her soccer skills... and I also knew she'd tried out for cheerleading earlier in the year. I'd never seen her around Mark before, but they certainly seemed to be getting along now- not just talking, but really joking around together. I bit my lip as I felt a wave of disappointment. Did Mark like Jessica? The thought that he liked someone else hadn't even crossed my mind. What if he was planning on asking Jessica to the dance, had been for weeks, and was just being polite to me because he was an old friend of Jana's? What if he knew I liked him and was laughing at me because I didn't have a chance? Suddenly I felt very self-concious, and very stupid. I tried not to stare as the last bell rang and Jessica and Mark said 'bye' to each other, still laughing, and headed for their seats. They didn't leave the classroom together when the period ended, but I still thought I saw Mark look her way as he left the room, which convinced me further that I *had* to talk to Jana as soon as possible. Maybe she would know something about this that I didn't.