"What some help?" A kind voice asked me. I turned around to see my brother's best friend and my crush's face and his umbrella over my head.
"Thanks Max." I smiled up at him.
"So, what's up? You don't seem very happy." He said, concerned.
"Oh, I'm sure Stan told you about the fight we had with our dad this weekend."
"Yeah. He did. Don't worry about him, Sandy. He just doesn't know how lucky he is to have a daughter like you." He smiled at me. "You're special, you know that?"
"You're too sweet, Max." I laughed. We talked more about school games and upcoming events until we got to school.
"Well, see you this afternoon, Sandy."
"What?"
"Didn't Stan tell you? I'm staying over for the week until my parents get back from Europe. My dad has a business trip he is going on and my mom is going with him." He smiled. "Don't worry; it will be like I'm not even there."
I laughed. 'Yeah right. I won't even be able to breathe with you there…' I thought. "Well," I started, "I guess I'll see you this afternoon then." We waved goodbye and went our separate ways down the halls of this social prison.
"Hey, Sandy!" Bijou, my best friend greeted me as I walked into homeroom.
"Hey, Bijou. How are you?" I asked as I sat down in the desk next to her
"Good, and you? I heard you and you-know-who were walking together to school today…" She smiled.
"Bijou, it was raining and all I had was my jacket. It was nothing special. Just a friendly gesture…" I explained.
"Oh? Really? Well, now that that is all cleared up, what did you two talk about?"
"Nothing really. Just stuff. And apparently he is going to be staying over this week." I acted like it was nothing, but inside my stomach and heart were floating.
"Oh my God! That is SOOOO cool, Sandy. Do you understand what this means?"
"Uh, no…"
She looked at me as if I was an idiot. "It means… that you can dress all sexy and flirt with him!"
"No, Bijou, really. That's completely out of the question. I can't waste my time on a guy. I have sports and studying. Not to mention I have a job."
"Excuses, excuses. You know you want to. Look at it this way; you will have a reason to go out now. You won't have to stay in all the time." She smiled, "And I am going to help you first thing after school. When does your mom get home from work?"
"About 6-ish, why?" I asked eyeballing her. She was up to something.
"Maybe I can sleep over a few nights this week, that way I can make sure you do as I say."
"Bijou…"
"Unless you don't want me to…"
"Ugh, fine. But nothing to drastic!" I stated.
"Good, now, what were you planning on doing after soccer practice?"