Chapter Eight

While Dawn and Mal were baby-sitting the ill Pike gang, Kristy had managed up the courage to call Alan. She and I had talked about it at lunch together while we were supposed to be studying for our English test.

We were sitting in the corner of the library and while I was reading, Kristy was staring off into space.

"Mary Anne…" Kristy ventured. I looked up.

"Yeah?"

"Never mind." Kristy went back to the book on her lap but when I looked up thirty seconds later, she was starring into space again.

"Kristy, what's wrong?" I asked. Kristy sighed.

"I can't get Alan out of my head. Is that normal, Mary Anne? The guy I despise most I'm worrying about."

I had to smile; it was rare to see a moment of weakness in Kristy, especially when she was feeling something for a guy who was sick.

"Sure, it's normal." I said, patting her hand. "I think it shows that you like him more than you want to admit. It's the same thing I felt with Logan. I was worried about him."

"I'm not exactly worried about him…more thinking. I'm sure someone of Alan's caliber will rebound. The thoughts of all the mean things he can do to me will egg him on to get better so he can come to school again and torment me."

"Why don't you call him and just say you're thinking of him and hope he gets well soon?" I suggested. I thought Kristy would've blown the idea right out the window. Her calling Alan; the idea was almost unheard of. However, Kristy surprised me.

"I may just do more than that." She said and then took off running. I grabbed my purse, and leaving our open books on the table, ran after her. I caught up to her when she was at the pay phone. She was looking up a number in the phone book and then slipped a couple quarters into the slot and dialed.

"Hello? Alan? This is Kristy…I was, um, wondering, if anyone was bringing you your homework?...Okay…I'll be by after school with it. 'Bye."

Kristy hung up the phone and looked at me. I couldn't tell if she wanted to laugh or cry.

"Good job, Kristy." I said.

"Good job for what?" Logan asked, coming up from behind me. He was out of breath and sweaty because he had been playing ball in the gym. I looked at Kristy and she shook her head slightly.

"Nothing. She reminded me of something to do." I said, turning to face Logan. He smiled at me and I was reminded of the feelings I had felt when Logan had looked that flushed and sweaty and not because of sports. I felt bad for Kristy and although I didn't tell her, the feelings were only going to get worse once she saw Alan.

*******

Kristy gripped my hand nervously. We were standing outside of Alan's house.

"Mary Anne? I'm nervous."

"Kristy. It's okay. You're just giving him his homework. He won't expect you to visit for long."

"I know. But I'm still nervous. I've never been in a boy's bedroom before."

"Sure you have. You've been in your brothers and what about all the boys we've baby-sat for? It's going to be fine, Kristy. Calm down."

Kristy took a few deep breathes and then went up the walk. She glanced at me one more time and I gave her an encouraging smile. She smiled back and rang the doorbell. I turned and walked towards Claudia's house. I knew she was home and Kristy planned to come as soon as she was done at Alan's and then stay until the meeting. I made it to Claudia's and rang the bell. Claudia was waiting to me and together we ran into her room and watched the street, waiting for Kristy to come. We waited so long that we got stiff necks and had to move. Claudia went under the bed and came up with a bag of Tortilla chips, which she opened and then she sat next to be on the bed.

"What do you think happened to her?" Claudia asked.

"I don't know. Kristy and Alan…interesting combination."

"Yeah. Kristy was so nervous to see him."

"Hard to see Kristy nervous." Claudia said and giggled.

"It is but I happen to know what she's feeling isn't the best. I felt the same way when Logan was sick."

"I hope she doesn't start the waterworks. It's so awkward when Kristy cries. No one knows what to say to her."

"No one knows what to say to who?"

Claudia and I both turned our heads towards the door. Kristy was standing with her hands on her hips.

"Kristy! You scared me!" Claudia said. "Who let you in?"

"I let myself in." Kristy said, grabbing some chips.

"How'd it go?" I asked. Kristy sighed.

"I understand how you felt now, Mary Anne. He just looked so vulnerable and, well, kind of cute. I've never seen that side of Alan."

"How are you feeling about him now?" Claudia asked, her eyes shining.

"Confused. I like him when he can't hurt me and when he's so weak and cute-looking but I can't stand him when he's pulling my hair and telling Mr. Peters that David Michael ate my homework."

"Well, maybe try to talk to him when he gets better." I said. "Or maybe wait and see what he does. He must have some feelings of his own."

"Good idea. Where is everyone? It's almost 5:30." Kristy commenting, closing the subject of Alan. I smiled and then looked at the record book.

"Well, Mal and Dawn aren't coming because they're sitting and Jessi has ballet this afternoon so she'll be either just in time or late. And Stacey-"

"What about Stacey?" Stacey asked, coming in.

"-is right there." I said, giggling. Stacey looked confused.

"Never mind." Claud said, passing Stacey some pretzels.

"Thanks." Stacey flopped onto the bed and before we knew it, the meeting had started.

"Did you guys do anything interesting in your classes?" Kristy asked. It was 5:45 and we had dealt with club business and the phone had only rung once.

"Nope."

"Nadda."

"I wouldn't know. I wasn't paying attention." We all laughed at what Claudia had said.

"I guess this flu thing is really hitting all of Stoneybrook."

"Guess what. When I was in like, fourth grade or something, there was this really bad spiel of the chicken pox going around. So many people from my school—staff included---got sick that they closed the school."

"Really? You think they'll do that here?" Claudia asked, her voice full of hope.

Stacey shrugged. "I don't know. Is there much point in opening the school when only 1/3 of the student body is there and less than half of the staff can teach?"

"I see you point." Kristy said. "But I don't think they'll do that too hastily."

"No, probably not." I put in. "Let's just hope it doesn't get that bad to begin with."

The rest of the meeting went without another single phone call.

A/N: I know a lot of you have been waiting for an update and I'm SO SORRY it took so long. I can't say when the next chapter's going to be up but thank you for your patience! Please review!!!