Chapter 10: Weirdness
"Well, that was weird."
Lil nodded. "But isn't she always?"
Tom nodded back. Then he clapped a friendly hand on Chuck's shoulder. Startled, Chuck jumped a little so Tom gave his friend a reassuring grin. "You having a good time, Chuck?"
"Sure!" Chuck ran a nervous hand through his thick red hair. He stared at the front door. "Of course I'm having a good time."
Tom didn't believe him for a second.
Chuck nodded towards the door. "Mind if I step out for a minute?" He gave an apologetic smile. "I need a smoke."
"Sure," said Tom, a little doubtfully. "Want some company?"
"Oh, no, no. No need to leave the party on my account."
Lil raised an eyebrow while Tom crossed his arms over his chest.
"I'll just be a minute," Chuck insisted.
As he watched his friend scurry off, Tom let out a deep sigh. "So much for the plan," he muttered, feeling defeated.
Lil nodded sympathetically. "Good try, though."
"Well! Guess it's just you and me." Tom frowned. "Haven't seen your brother in forever."
"Oh, Phil's fine. He probably just went to the bathroom and got lost on his way back."
Laughing, Tom shrugged his shoulders. "Could be. Wanna go get another beer?"
"Thought you'd never ask." Lil laughed too. As they pushed and slid their way through the throngs of fellow students towards the bar, Tom stole a glance in Lil's direction. She was wearing a turtleneck sweater in autumnal colors, with her rich brown hair swept up into a casual bun. No make-up, because years ago Lillian had grown tired with the maintenance it required. He wondered how such seeming carelessness could result in such incredible beauty.
Wait. Beauty? Where the hell had that thought come from?
Lil caught him staring at her and once again raised an eyebrow. That eyebrow, that wonderful sarcastic eyebrow, it really was something of a calling card for her. Tom flashed his widest grin, the grin that rendered even junior-year women weak in the knees. And Lillian, utterly immune, burst out laughing.
For a moment Tom's grin faltered, but then it came back twice as strong. He had to admire a girl who would laugh right in his face. Actually, he did admire that girl, he realized. He admired her much more than was entirely healthy for their long-time platonic friendship.
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Author's Notes: Tom and Lil are currently just friends … but for how much longer? Hmm.