Chapter
8
Song: Tangled Up in Me by Skye Sweetnam
"Kate!" a voice called excitedly. Kate turned and saw Libby running down the hallway, towards her.
"Hey, what's up?" They walked together towards the lunch room.
"You haven't heard yet?" Libby replied.
"No, what's going on?"
Libby grinned. "They just announced there's going to be a Valentine's dance on February 10th."
Kate stopped suddenly and turned. "Are you serious?" she asked slowly.
"Yeah," Libby spoke, "Is that a problem or something?"
"Well," Kate began, "this kind of complicates things," Kate was cut off abruptly by Tom's appearance in front of her.
"Hey Kate."
Libby grinned and decided to make herself scarce. "I'll see you later." She winked at Kate and left the area.
"Umm…hey Tom." Kate scowled at Libby for leaving her in the position. "How've you been? I haven't seen you much lately."
"I've been alright." He was silent for a moment, and then began again. "Hey Kate? Have you heard about the dance?" Kate glanced around awkwardly.
"Yeah, Libby just mentioned it."
Tom looked at her in anticipation, a shy smile playing on his face. He waited silently, looking for an answer in her eyes. "Well?" he asked.
Kate raised an eyebrow. "Well what?"
"Well…do you want to go with me?"
"What about Lindsey?" Kate questioned. "Isn't she still your girlfriend?"
"Oh, her." Tom shook his head. "I broke up with her this morning."
Kate tried to hide her shock. She smirked. "But you looked so cutetogether," she replied sarcastically.
Tom rolled his eyes. "Yeah, we got that a lot. But you haven't answered my question. Will you go with me?"
Kate was silent for a moment. "Um…can you give me a day to think about it?"
Tom frowned, but recovered quickly. "Yeah, sure, of course. Take your time." He smiled. 'It's not like anybody else is going to ask her anyway,' he thought. 'They know her family's history.'
"Thanks," Kate replied, trying to ignore the self-assured grin on his face.
"No problem," he replied. "Look, I'll talk to you later, I've got something to take care of."
"So what did he say?" Libby asked excitedly, coming up from behind Kate.
Kate sighed. "He asked me to the dance."
"Uh-oh. Looks like you could have a little problem. I-uh-happened to overhear James talking to Michael earlier…and he plans on asking you, too."
Kate's mouth dropped open. "Seriously? Are you sure?'
"Positive," Libby replied. She grinned, "And Michael already asked me."
Kate began walking quickly down the hallway. Libby followed eagerly. "Congrats on the invite Libby, but I have to go find Lindsey."
"Why do you need to find Lindsey?" Libby asked, obviously perplexed.
"Because Tom told me he broke up with her," Kate replied quickly, "But I have my doubts that she knows about it."
They walked into the cafeteria. "Lindsey!" Kate called. She gestured for her to come over.
"What's wrong?" Lindsey asked, concerned, making her way over.
"Um…this is a bit awkward, but…are you and Tom still an item?"
Lindsey stared at her questioningly. "Yeah, as far as I know. Why?"
Kate glanced at the ground, a pained look crossing her face. She started to say something, but stopped, not wanting to hurt Lindsey.
"Because he asked Kate out," Libby replied, obviously enjoying herself.
"What." Lindsey stated.
"Hey ladies," Tom said cheerfully as he walked up to their group.
"Tom," Lindsey said threateningly. "Did you just ask Kate to the dance?"
"Well, um, I, see, it's like…" he trailed off as Kate and Lindsey both looked at him with a pair of menacing glares.
"You know what," Lindsey asked, drawing herself up. "We were over a long time ago."
Kate spoke. "Tom, I don't appreciate being lied to. So to answer your question: No. I'm not going with you."
Tom froze and shot her a look of disgust, then turned and walked away, hanging his head in defeat.
The cafeteria was silent for a moment. Slowly the clapping began, as all the girls Tom had dated before cheered.
A voice drawled in Kate's ear, "Well that was a bit harsh, Freckles."
She turned and found James grinning down at her.
"It was no more than he deserved," Lindsey replied for her.
"So," James began, "Now that the entire school knows you're not going with that jackass, how 'bout you go with a real southern gentleman?"
Kate grinned, "I'd be happy to, if you could kindly tell me where to find one."
Libby rolled her eyes. "Cut the banter. Just say yes already. We all know you want to."
Kate glared at Libby, but blushed. She turned back to James. "Sure."
James grinned as the bell rang. "Well, come on Sweetcheeks, we better head to class."
Kate and James walked off together as Lindsey and Libby smiled.
"Well that's all fine and dandy," Lindsey began, "But now where am I going to find a date?"
"As a matter of fact, I think I might know someone who was planning on asking you."
Lindsay turned to Libby and rolled her eyes. "And who would that be, Miss Gossip Queen?"
"Nathan Montgomery," she replied pointedly.
Lindsey squealed and hugged Libby tightly. "How do you know?"
"I have my sources." Libby grinned and the two walked off to class.
