Part 2- Motion Unstoppable

December 24, 1998

It was Christmas Eve... and Julie's birthday. Julia was bundled up in a parka and winter gear, and Tim was in his trenchcoat. They had been outside, throwing snowballs at each other, when Julia's toes went numb and she had to go inside to warm up. Tim escorted her up the stairs and into his room.

"Put on some dry socks. Top drawer. I'll be right back."

"Okay," Julia said as she hunted for a pair of socks in her boyfriend's bureau. While searching, she came across a smallish blue packet. When Julia realized what the packet was, her face turned a bright red with a mixture of anger, embarrassment, and surprise. Just then, Tim came back in his bedroom with two mugs of hot cocoa. Julia took her mug and held up the blue packet.

"What is this?" Julia spat.

"Where'd you get that?"

"What are you doing in your spare time?"

"Why are you asking me that?"

"Why are you hiding this in your dresser?"

"Why are you making such a big deal out of it?"

"Because I have a very shrewd idea why you have this!"

"And what's your idea?"

"I don't even wanna say it!"

"Then I'll say it- you think I have that because I use it!"

"Or you wanna use it!"

"I do!"

"Well, so do I!"

"It's flavored!"

"Bring it on!"

Tim's face turned purple and Julia laughed, taking off her socks. She threw the dry pair of socks aside and pulled the packet away from Tim.

"So.. that makes two of us, huh?"

"I guess so."

"Shut the door. Lock it."

"Okay. Are you sure about this?"

"I'm positive. Now get your lips over here."

For once, Tim kissed Julia with such passion that it was all she could do to brace herself. She barely had the strength to stand anymore. Surrendering to the consuming passion, Julia laid on the bed. After an hour or so of their between-the-sheets romping, Julia looked out the window to see snowflakes falling from the heavens. She lit a cigarette and sat at the foot of the bed. Though Tim was still awake, he didn't say anything.

"What? Why so silent?"

"I dunno. I feel kinda..."

"Dirty?"

"That's it. Dirty. Like I've just done something I shouldn't have."

"You were fine. I'll give you a hint: Next time, don't make so much noise."

"Why?"

"It's a really good thing your mom went to the store. I could've heard you from Katie's house on the other side of town!"

"Are you serious?"

"No. I'm kidding. You were actually quiet for the most part, at least until.."

"I screamed."

"Yeah," Julia said.

"Happy birthday, Juliebean."

The next day was Christmas. Tim had bought Julia a Mariah Carey CD (Butterfly) and had been itching to get it to her for three weeks. Julia and Tim didn't talk about the previous night's events, for they were too busy cuddled up on the couch. The Jensens were hosting a Christmas party, and Julia, Katie, Tyler, Tim, Alex, Tod, Clear, Matt, Carter, and Terry all attended. Jennifer had to work, so she was missed. The only other peron who knew what had gone down last night was Katie, and that was without Julia telling her. She could read it in her actions and expressions. Katie had a "sixth sense" that enabled her to read even the most subconscious body language to a dangerous degree. Katie pulled Julia aside when the guests were doing the Secret Santa drawings.

"What do you want?"

"I know you fucked Tim."

"And just how in the hell do you know that?"

"I saw you looking at him earlier. You can't even look at Tim straight."

"What makes you think I'd do that?"

"You sound different. Like you're covering it up or something..."

"Katie, don't tell..."

"Oh, no! You have my honest word, Julie! I would not do that to you! Secret's safe with me."

The next Friday, Julia came to school in the pouring rain. Jennifer had driven Tim and Julia to school early that morning, since she was on the breakfast shift run now. Katie was already there, sitting in the cafeteria with Alex, Julia's cousin Terry, and Tyler Phillips. Julia sat down on Katie's right.

"Julia, I talked to Jen yesterday. She said that she wants the dresses in purple or red," Terry said.

"She told me tangerine."

"She was kidding you, Julie. I'm taking you home later because Jen and me are going to look at dresses."

"Oh, no- don't say she wants me to come too."

"I think she does. Why? You have plans?"

"Well, yeah, I sorta did."

"You tell her that. She'll be so crushed, Julie!"

"Terry, she's just going to look at dresses. I was going to Katie's later, and then we were going to play Final Fantasy." This was a lie. She had really planned to go to Tim's and talk to him about what happened on her birthday.

"It's not for me to decide. It's Jenny's call."

"Oh, that's just great," Julia snapped. Tim and Katie exchanged surprised glances. Julia rarely ever acted like this.

That day at lunch, Tim, Katie, and Tyler approached Julia in the commons area, where she was completing her Geometry homework.

"Julie, what's going on?"

"What? What do you mean?"

"How you acted this morning," Katie answered. Tim sat on the picnic table and draped his arms over Julia.

"What? She pissed me off. She always does."

"She's your cousin."

"I know that, Kate."

"But why'd you get so snappy?"

"I don't know. I just got mad. Don't read too much into it." Tyler took Katie's hand and they left. Tim contemplated going with them, but he stayed with Julia.

"Tim," Julia said with a quavering tone and watery eyes.

"What?"

"Are they against me now?"

"I don't think they're against you. Nobody knows yet, right?"

"Katie knows. She figured it out on her own. You won't turn against me, right?" Julia asked. Tim fell silent for a moment, startled that Julia would even think that for one moment.

"I won't. I promise. Can I ask you something?"

"Yeah, sure."

"How come you don't like Chelsea Moliere?"

"I like her just fine. It's she who does not like me."

"But why?"

"I don't really know. You ask her if it matters so much."

"You know, you've been awfully moody today. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

The lunch shift bell rang and Tim and Julia went back to their Geometry class. Julia felt like she owed Terry an apology, but she wasn't very good at apologies. When Julia left early that afternoon, Tim seized the opportunity to talk to Chelsea.

"Hey, Chelsea, can I talk to you for a second?"

"Yeah. What's up?"

"It's about Julia."

"Oh, yeah. I heard you two were going out. Good luck to you."

"Why's that?"

"Julia... Julia Jensen... You're gonna have a hard time holding her back from other guys. She thinks she can have anything- or anyone- she wants."

"How come you two aren't friends anymore?"

"Only two words answer that: Kathryn Fenwick."

"Katie? Why Katie?"

"Look, are you writing a book on this?"

"Chelsea, you know me. Come on. You can tell me."

"It was when Katie moved here that Julia turned into a whore and stole my boyfriend."

"Who was that?"

"Josh Singer."

"HUH? Chelsea, Julia didn't steal him. Nobody stole him!"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Josh came out of the closet over the summer vacation. Where were you!"

"Texas. My God. I thought Julia stole him."

"I think you should apologize. I can get her to listen."

"Julia Jensen? Listening to anyone? Timmy, that is the funniest thing I've heard all year."

"It's true, Chelsea. Give her a chance. We'll talk this out on three-way tonight."

"I have flute lessons tonight."

"Well then listen, call me soon and I will call Julia."

"Okay, then."

While they talked, Terry was driving way out of their way. She stopped at an apartment building closer to New York City than Mt. Abraham. This was Evan's apartment. Jennifer must be here, she thought.

"I thought we were going to the mall," Julia said, wondering why they were going to Evan's apartment. Jennifer and Evan were already there, and when Julia walked in the room, Evan looked at her with goggling eyes.

"Julie, I have a surprise for you. OKAY, YOU CAN COME OUT NOW!" Jennifer yelled. In the kitchen stood Richard Jensen, the oldest child of the family, and Julia and Jennifer's older brother. Julia shrieked in delight and leapt into Richard's arms. They hadn't seen him since he had graduated High School in 1995.

"I'm living here now with Evan until these two lovebirds move outta here."

"Moving out? To where?"

"We were gonna tell you soon. Evan and I plan to move to Manhattan."

"That's a two hour drive from home!"

"Julie, let it go. It's only a temporary thing. We're not getting hitched yet. It'll probably be sometime in the next year or so."

"Why?"

"Because of the rate we're going with the money, or the lack thereof. We won't have enough until about then for a decent wedding."

"Oh."

Julia, Jennifer, Rick, Terry, and Evan sat around and talked about wedding arrangements for a while. Jennifer had to go to work and so Terry drove Julia home. Julia was about to get out of the car, but Terry locked the doors.

"I heard a rumor that you and Alex had something going on. Is that true?"

"No! Me and Alex had something going on? Come on! That's BS!"

"But do you wanna have something going on with Alex?"

"I thought he had a girlfriend."

"That boy hasn't had a girlfriend since- what does it matter? He's single."

"I have a boyfriend already."

"Oh, that Tim guy?"

"Yeah. I won't break up with my boyfriend because of Alex. I don't even like him that much."

Julia ran upstairs while Terry talked with her Aunt Diana about graduation. Julia called Katie and put on the Nirvana CD she had borrowed from Alex.

"Hello?" answered a voice that was not Katie's.

"Is Katie there?"

"Who's calling?"

"Julia."

"Hello?" Katie answered.

"Katie, did you know that Alex was single?"

"Yeah, I knew. I thought you wouldn't want to hear it, what with being Tim's girlfriend and all."

"True, but Terry told me a while ago, and she thought I wanted to go with him."

"He likes you, Julie. Try him out.. take him for a test ride," Katie said, imitating a whip cracking.

"What the f is your problem? Is everyone trying to break us up?"

"No, no. Just me and Terry."

"WHA-"

"JULIE, I'M KIDDING!"

"I'll look to like, if looking liking move, but I'll endart mine eye no more than your consent gives strength to make it fly."

"You read too much."

"You can never read too much."

"Whatever, Julie. You're such a dork."

"You're the dorkiest of dorks."

"And don't you forget it, Under-dork."

"Yes, Grand Poobah Dork. I'll see ya later."

"Adios."

Julia wanted to talk some more, so she called up Alex, who answered the phone himself.

"Hello?"

"Alex?"

"Hey, who's this?"

"Julia."

"Oh, you sounded like Jennifer for a minute. I was thinking 'Why is Jennifer Jensen calling me?' for a minute there."

"How do you know my sister?"

"Your sister is the one who helped me pass French II in ninth grade."

"Really? I didn't know that."

"She could speak French a mile a minute, like it was English. Haven't you heard her?"

"She talks plain English to me."

"Ask her one of these days to sing in French. She can sing any song you like in French. It's funny. Plus, she has a pretty voice."

"So, I guess I should tell you why I really called, huh?"

"Might help."

"I heard from a lot of people you wanted to go out with me. Is it true?"

"Yeah, you caught me. It's pretty much the truth, so if you're free, we could do something."

"I g- Hold on, I have a beep," Julia said, answering the call on the other line.

"Julie?"

"Tim, what's up?"

"Did you wanna go for pizza tonight?"

"Uh, I don't know. I have to ask my mom."

"Are you on the other line? It took forever for you to pick up."

"Oh, yeah. Katie's on the other line."

"Mmm," Tim said, suspiciously. At the same time, he was on the internet, and Katie was online.

"What?"

"Nothing. Hold on. I'ma put you on hold for a minute."

"Okay."

Julia went back to her conversation with Alex while Tim consulted Katie on AIM.

Katie & Tim's instant messaging conversation.

"Katie," he typed, "r u on da phone w/Julia?"

"No. I wuz on da phone earlier w/her. Maybe she's talking to Alyssa. Whats it matter?"

"idk," he typed back. "I heard a rumor abt her & Alex 2day."

"U serious?"

"Yeah. Said she wuz sneakin ovr 2 his house & they were mor than just friends."

"Whoah."

"Whoah indeed, Katie. Julia wouldn't do dat would she?"

"idts."

"?"

"I DON'T THINK SO!"

"Ahh. Hold on."

"Why fors?"

"shogunmangalores8488's away message: I'm on the toilet. BRB."

"Very funny away msg."

"Glad u think so. GTG. C U l8r."

"bi bi now. Smootchys."

"Kill it. Don't say that anymore."

"dancindivasdelight05's away message: How many special people change, how many lives are living strange? Where were you while we were getting high? No, seriously, where were you, dude? Ima go eat a pint of cookie dough ice cream and gain 50 pounds, then lose it on the Subway diet like Jared. lyl. I'll be back..."

Tim signed off and went back to Julia.

"Katie said she wasn't on the phone with you. So, do you wanna go for some pizza or not?"

"I asked my mom. She said yes. What time?"

"Eight."

"Eight? That's in ten minutes!"

"Get ready quick, then. Eight."

"Okay, bye."

Julia hung up once and Alex was still waiting for her.

"I am SO STUPID! Why did I just accept a date from Tim?"

"I thought you were coming over here!"

"Tomorrow?"

"Saturday... hmm... what time do you plan to come and be outta here?"

"I don't know, Alex! Why, it's not like we're gonna get all freaky or nothing..."

There was a long, awkward silence.

"Oh my God... you wanna f, don't you!"

"Maybe."

"You think you'll get some?"

"From you? Not really."

"We'll see about that. Down, boy," Julia teased. She hung up.

"AW, COME ON!" Alex yelled to himself. Julia was deliberately teasing him.

Julia waited for Tim to pick her up, which he did at the set time. She didn't say much during their outing- a rare occurrence.

"What's going on, Julia? First you're feisty, then you're quiet, and these long conversations... what's going on?"

"Katie told you."

"No, she didn't. She told me there were rumors flying around, and they involve you."

"Is this about Alex?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, let me just ask you first, why do you think I would cheat on you, second, why do you think I'd cheat on you with Alex?"

"You like him."

"Well, duh. Like it wasn't obvious before. But just because I like someone and flirt a bit don't mean I'm seeing him."

"I know it doesn't, but people said you were sneaking over to his house."

"You do know that he lives closer to Katie than anyone I know, right?"

"I know where he lives."

"Yeah, it'd be impossible for me to sneak over there and back again past curfew without getting caught. Use your head."

"You look a lot like Jennifer, you know."

"Jennifer would be driving if she were going to Alex's. And the more obvious point is that she's engaged."

"Hasn't she graduated?"

"Yeah, last year. Who said I was sneaking to Alex's?"

"Nobody you'd know."

"No, I think I may know this person. WHO?"

"Chelsea Moliere."

"Mole? Who knew Mole would be a real mole."

"Chelsea Moliere told Katie and Katie got all pissed. That's why she thought you were being so defensive this morning. Her and Tyler assumed that you and Alex had something going on."

"We would have, but you came and..."

"What, I did this?"

"Tim, don't blame yourself. I liked Alex but I wanted someone who not only could love, but would love. Alex is a pretty well-known guy. You aren't. I figured going out with Alex would cause me to be the center of attention for a while. Going out with you would let me live my life and not have everyone jealous of me."

"Or him."

"Good point."

"Thank you. But what I don't get is this: You love being the center of attention. What happened? Lost your liking for the limelight?"

"Exactly. I hated everyone being all up in my grill about what I eat for breakfast and such just because they want to be like me. That's how my life was for all of Junior High. It sucks."

"Popularity isn't all that, you say?"

"I say it sucks."

"Julia, welcome to the Other Side."

"What's that?"

"The Nerds, Geeks, Burnouts, Anorexics, and Homos."

"Don't joke on homosexuals. They rock."

"Oh, I know they do. One of my best friends turned out to be gay, but he hasn't tried to hit on me or anything."

"Who? Does he go here?"

"Yeah. Josh Singer."

"You're shitting me, right?"

"I kid you not."

"Oh my fucking GOD! I dated him last year!"

"I know. He said you've changed a lot."

"How so?"

"He said you were a bitch, and that you were kinda..."

"Slutty?"

"I won't say that, but that's what he meant."

"He was right. I have changed a lot. I've done a few things, but believe it or not, I was a virgin until Christmas Eve."

"Are you serious?"

"I am dead serious. You were my first."

"I'm glad the rumor isn't true," Tim said, kissing Julia's mouth. "And I talked to Chelsea. She blames you for stealing Josh."

"She stole him, but he's gay, so what does it matter?"

"It doesn't, which is why you two need to get back together."

At that moment, Julia wished she had never met Tim, or Alex, or Josh, or Chelsea. She wished she was alone. Then she wouldn't be burdened with this immense guilt. She wouldn't have to tell Alex she didn't love him, and she wouldn't have to tell Tim she was secretly having a fling with one of his best friends.

End of Part 2