Chapter 8

A week later, I asked Jimmy why he still hadn't broken up with Cindy.

"You said you would."

I couldn't help but realize that I sounded like a brat.

"I will, Libby. Just a couple more days."

I sighed and glared at him with anger.

"You lied, Jimmy. You said you would do that last week. But noooo, you don't break up with Cindy when you said you would. I'll break up with her soon, you said. I promise, you said."

I began walking away, lugging my way too heavy backpack with me.

"Libs', wait!"

I heard him running after me. He grabbed my arm when he reached me.

"Would you rather I start talking like someone from Shakespeare's plays? 'Cause I will for you."

I stopped, screwing my face up, not knowing how or why that would help.

"Oh, Liberty Folfax, when I hath laid thy eyes on thou, I knoweth that thou would be thine lady for me."

Jimmy struck a dramatic pose, sticking his hand out while on his knees

"Please, oh fair maiden, taketh me back!"

I giggled.

"So, thine lady finds thou actions enjoyable."

I nodded, stifling my laughter before Jimmy swept me into his arms.

"I love you, Miss Liberty Folfax. Don't you forget that," he whispered.

I smiled, tears welling up inmy eyes. 'Why am I crying?'

Jimmy noticed my watery eyes.

"What's wrong?"

I shook my head and replied,"I don't... It's just that.. I don't know..."

He took my hands in his and looked into my brown eyes with his striking blue ones.

"Don't worry about getting caught, if that's what you're worried about."

I shook my head again. "It's not that... It's just..."

"Don't worry. Really. We'll do this without getting caught. I promise."

Silence hung in the air as I thought of what to say.

"Will you promise to break up with Cindy tomorrow?" I whispered.

He nodded and used his thumb to wipe my tears from my cheeks.

"It's going to be fine, Libs'," muttered Jimmy.

It was the next day, the moment of truth.

Had Jimmy really broken up with Cindy? Or had he told her about... Us?

I approached the school's front doors, seriously dreading what it would hold for me. I took a large breath and pushed the doors open.

There was Cindy, and Jimmy's arms wrapped around her shoulders.

I sighed angrily and stomped to my locker, not even bothering to say hello to my best friend.

It was no use, she just walked up to me after I had twirled in the combination.

"What's wrong, Libby?"

"Nothing."

"You seem angry though."

'Can she be any MORE clueless?'

"It's nothing. I just...I lost something this morning."

She swallowed my lie without hesitation.

"What'd you lose?"

I shrugged.

Jimmy came up to us.

"Hey Libby. What's up?"

I glared at him.

"Oh, nothing. Nothing at all. Absolutely nothing is wrong."

He blushed slightly, but dipped his head low before anyone else could see.

"Well, I hope you're not mad anymore," inquired Cindy.

'Clueless.'

"Okay," I replied, flashing her the most fake smile in the history of the world.

She smiled back, kissing Jimmy on the cheek before leaving.

Jimmy looked grim as he began talking.

"Look. Libby. it's not how it looks."

I practically snorted, not even remotely believing him.

"Seriously, Libby. It's not my fault. Cindy.. She doesn't believe me when I start talking about breaking up. She just laughs and changes the subject. You gotta understand, Libby."

I turned around, a fire burning in my eyes, and malice in my voice.

"I don't want to hear it, Nerdtron. I just want to forget it now. So, go screw yourself!"

I stormed off, leaving Jimmy surprised.

"That'll teach him," I muttered, not looking where I was going.

Apparently, telling Jimmy to screw himself did not teach him the lesson I had intended to.

My phone beeped. I had a private line, only connected to my room.

"Libby. It's me, Jimmy. Please pick up if you're there."

Silence. Then he continued.

"All right, I see you won't answer the phone, even if you are home."

I heard him sigh.

"Libby, trust me, I really tried to break up with her. Please believe me. I didn't do anything wrong."

I couldn't take it anymore, he sounded way too pathetic for me. I picked up the phone.

"What do you want, Jimmy?"

He sounded relieved that I had called him Jimmy.

"Libby! You finally picked up! About time! Anyway, I was hoping... I could see you. Tonight."

I shrugged to myself.

"I don't know if I can..."

"Awww... Even if your mom says no, you could sneak out."

I gulped, my heart thumping to the thought of sneaking out. Especially to meet a boy in the dead of night.

"Jimmy... I don't want to sneak out. If we're going to meet, why can't we meet tomorrow at the Candy Bar?"

More silence. He spoke again.

"Well... All right. I don't know if we shoul---"

I interuppted him.

"No. It's either a yes or no. If you love me, you do this for me. If you don't... Well, you can just run back to Cindy like the guy you are."

I heard him sigh again on the other line.

"Fine," he grumbled, "But do you think we could meet in the back area? Where the booths are more... Secluded?"

"What's with the secrecy? I mean, I know what we're doing is wrong, but if anyone catches us, we could just say it's a meeting between friends..."

"I don't know if what we're going to talk about is something most friends talk about..."

"Well, I guess... But..."

He cut me off.

"But what? I've thought about this, Libby. I'm pretty sure people would know what's happening between us if we talked without anyone else with us..."

"There areno other friends we could talk with. No one at all. Do you know why? 'Cause the only 'friend' that we both like, or maybe just you, is CINDY."

I knew this would hit a sensitive area. Dead silence on the other side.

"Libby... Come on... Just this last time. Okay?"

"Fine," I grumbled, "Just this last time. No other times."

"Okay. I'll see you at the Candy Bar tomorrow morning."

I sighed a breathy 'yeah' to the phone before setting it down.

"I hate secrets."

A/N: Well, that's that. No, just kidding. It's not over yet. But the next chapter will be the meeting at Candy Bar's. Just wait, cuz it'll get here sooner than you or I think.

Review please!

P.S. It turns out I didn't have writer's block... Just Barbara. Who bugs me a lot.