Chapter 7

D.P. + R.S.

Part One

Three weeks later

Josh lay on his bed and checked the messages on his cell phone. Zero. The last time

he had talked to Mindy who gave the ubiquitous "I need some space" line and followed

the equally so "it's not you, it's me" hurt his very core. He was supposed to be working

on his latest entry in the science fair. He and Mindy were supposed to be co-project

partners but her transfer to Marian Catholic changed that. Maybe, she met someone

else and didn't have the guts to tell him?

Nah. Mindy was never afraid to voice her opinions. Josh let his phone fall to the floor.

He'd have asked Drake for his advice but instead of working on a guitar riff idea he

had, he just sat in his own bed, his red Fender strat strapped over his body, and clearly

daydreaming. A slight smile on his face meant that he was still enthralled over Rhoda

Simmons. He must have some deep feelings for her because he hasn't dated anyone

else for awhile even though Rhoda was still playing hard to get.

"Drake!" Josh shouted

"What?"

"Do you want to go to the Premiere? Free movies."

"I don't---no, yeah, let's go. What are the odds of Rhoda being there?"

"Man, you have it bad for her and you two aren't even going out."

"Yet, Josh. You forgot to add the 'yet'. I want to change into a better shirt."

"Why is Rhoda so important to you?" Those really weren't the words that Josh Nichols

wanted to say to his brother. Because he knew it was just a game of cat and mouse with

Drake and Rhoda or Tina or Danielle or anyone else. He was just attracted to Rhoda

more so than the others. What Josh and Mindy had was a real, true, and deep love

something that his brother could never grasp the concept of because he was always

content with playing the field.

Mindy was apparently bailing and that was breaking Josh's heart although no one in this

house (even his dad) noticed. He supposed it was because they had a "young love" and

a lot of adults think it is without merit due to their adolescent ages.

She couldn't even give a Josh a definite answer on when she would be done "needing

her space"; it was an obvious dump even if it was in shades of gray and not in stark

black and white terms.

"I don't know. Why is the sky blue?" Drake settled on a denim button down shirt and his

black blazer.

Just in case.

"I'll start the car."

"No, we'll take my car."

Walter's handed down to Josh silver colored Honda sedan was not an option for Drake.

"No, I'll drive my car."

"Whatever." The last thing that Josh wanted was to fight with his brother.

Besides Josh Nichols would rather been seen in the passenger side of a kick-ass

Corvette than in the driver's seat of a sensible Honda Civic.

Did everyone think that he actually wanted to be a nerd?

This was NOT the night to be seen. Mindy went to the Premiere because that and the

Pacific View Mall was where most of the teenage population of San Diego hung out.

She needed to be seen as in other people mentioning it around the Belleview halls

"guess who was at the Premiere?" but it was not the night to be seen by ex-boyfriend

Josh and especially when he was accompanied by Drake who was obviously dressed

up just incase Rhoda happened to be at the cinema. It was Josh's night off which was

why she was here. She wanted to bolt out of her chair and go up Drake in her own skin.

If only…

It was no surprise that as soon as Josh saw her he was going to go up to her. The only

thing that made her happy was seeing Drake in line trying to ignore some girl in a

Belleview High cheerleading uniform who was 'chatting him up'.

"Hello, Mindy."

"Josh." She drank her root beer.

"What's up?"

"Look," The skullcap and wig styled in the traditional Mindy cut were giving her a

headache, "I think it's best that we just be friends."

I hope you don't cry.

Drake, you look so handsome.

"Why? I thought we were going good."

"I don't want to go out with you anymore. I don't hate you. Please accept this and

whatever you do don't cry. Be a man, Josh."

"Who are you to decide who ends this relationship?"

"Goodbye." Mindy stood up, "I'm sorry, Josh."

I love Drake. Not you.

"Fine." He wasn't going to cry and give her the satisfaction, "Drake's waiting for me."

And with that she was rid of Josh Nichols. Mindy hoped that he wouldn't cry, because

Drake did love his brother and she didn't want him to hate her more than he already did.

When Drake and Josh went out of sight was when she ran out of the theater and

whipped out her cell phone.

"Hello Gigi, it's your sister—I need your help."

The night may have been over for Mindy, but it was just beginning for Rhoda.

To be continued…