Chapter 8
The next day was full of the typical last minute running around that occurs on the Sunday before school begins. Mom's Minnesota-wide rushed through school supply stores while their less than excited children dragged their feet behind them. Julie was up bright and early to see her sisters off at the airport, both going to L.A. where Melissa would begin her degree in Business and Jenn had to head back to her clients who had been without their beloved personal trainer for almost four weeks. Even as her sisters were preparing to get on the plane they continued to offer Julie advice.
"Don't rush things!"
"Don't forget, it's a team effort, you and him, not you doing everything he wants!"
"Only go as far as you are comfortable, he will not die from over-excitement!"
"Oh my god you two, knock it off!" Julie shushed her sisters as she gave them big hugs good-bye, "Mom and Dad are here for Pete's sake!"
With final hugs and kisses from Mom and Dad, Julie's sisters headed towards their departure gate and Julie felt the first anxious pangs about managing the whole 'Portman situation' by herself.
Neither she nor Dean had spoken yet that day. There was just too much happening with her sisters leaving and all the school preparations mothers feel necessary to go through. Thinking back to the night before, Julie could not believe it had actually happened. She and Dean had kissed, and it had been divine! The best part was, of course, that he felt the same way she did. Really, the only problem left was figuring out how to act toward each other now that everything had changed.
-
"Jules, it Connie!" her sing song voice ringing through the phone
"Hello, you're sounding a little on the hyper side Connie dear" Julie smiled; she could practically feel the vibrations coming off of Connie's body.
"Well duh, cuz you guys finally kissed and you're going to be the most adorable couple of all time! After Guy and I of course,"
"Naturally" Julie agreed.
"Anyways, what's your plan for this afternoon?"
Later that afternoon, when Connie and Julie were satisfied with their back-to-school outfits Julie decided to fess up her concerns to Connie regarding what was going to happen between her and Dean.
"I'm just not sure how to act towards him when I see him tomorrow you know?" Julie told Connie, "Do I kiss him, hug him, slug him in the arm?"
"Julie, this is not a crisis. Just do whatever makes you comfortable, though a punch to the arm might be weird. One request though? In the interest of good taste I would not recommend any tongue at school." The brunette advised.
"Eww no, that's nasty trailer trash behaviour" Julie shook her head in distaste
"Have you called him yet?" Connie asked
"No, his Mom is arriving today. He was pretty sure it was going to be a family focused day."
"Well don't sweat it chicky. You can always just take your cue from Dean." With that final advice Connie gathered her stuff together and headed home.
-
"Julie Ann! Phone!" Her Dad's voice bounced off the walls of the house
"OK!" Julie hollered back, "Hello?"
"Hi gorgeous" Dean's voice flowed out of the phone and Julie felt herself blushing. She fought to stifle the giggle in her throat.
"Hi you, what are you doing?"
"We're about to sit down to dinner but I wanted to call before it got too late," Julie could hear him smiling and she smiled back. "Can I pick you up on the way to school tomorrow?" Dean asked
"You're going to drive to school!" Julie hoped her voice did not betray her shock. "In who's car?"
"Mine actually," Dean answered. "The deal was if I got good grades last year and did well on my driving test that I would get my own car. Plus I think it makes it easier on Mom and Dad, they won't have to sacrifice a car for my hockey schedule."
"Fair enough. Well in that case I would love a ride to school Mr. Portman."
"Well then Miss Kitty Kat I will pick you up at 8am. Don't be late" the joking tone in Dean's voice made Julie relax, he was still the same Dean, thank goodness!
"Am I ever?" she enquired
"Oh god, don't get me started!" Dean rolled his eyes and laughed, "You are impossibly tardy; however I have to go for dinner. Just make sure your cute little butt is ready for 8, I'll be the stud in the black four-wheel drive"
"You are such a poser," Julie laughed, "See you tomorrow!"
When Julie hung up the phone she breathed a deep sigh of relief, everything would be ok. They would be ok.