all the info's the same as before...no need to say it all again. Though, there is an additional disclaimer.
Disclaimer: For future and present reference, so I don't get sued or something ridiculous...I also don't own any TV show, movie, restaurant, book, song, blah blah etc that has been or will be mentioned in this story. Okie day?
"So, what's the story with you and John?" Abby asked the next morning, settling down next to Susan on the bus.
"It's quite simple, really. See, it's the story of a lovely lady, who was bringing up three very lovely girls–"
Abby, who had known Susan for a total of about 20 hours now, was already getting used to the girl's off-beat sense of humor. "Susan..." she groaned.
Susan grinned and shrugged. "Not a whole lot to tell. We met by accident, I guess. When we were five, just before we started kindergarten. We were at the same park, playing in the same sandbox, and I guess we bonded. Not that bonding at that age takes a whole hell of a lot. He had the good graham crackers, you know? Before we left the park, we made our parents exchange numbers so we could play again, played in his backyard a few times before school started, and went our separate ways...briefly. I was in the same school system I'm in now, but he was supposed to go to private school. Well, he did, for a couple of weeks, until we got together one weekend and I told him about how great public school was, yadda yadda yadda. He whined to his parents until they couldn't stand it anymore, and they enrolled him in my elementary school. We've been partners in crime ever since. I mean, I'm sure there's more to it than that, at least from his parents' point of view, but that's all I know."
Abby couldn't help but chuckle a little. "Private school, huh? Yeah, I kinda figured he must have some sort of money, judging by the limo that he calls his 'ride.'"
"Yeah, that is a pretty big tip off. Speaking of which, I can't believe you wanted to ride the bus this morning. Wouldn't you rather pull up to school in a limo or Town Car than a bus?"
"I felt weird bumming a ride off of him this early on. Besides, I probably need to give my mom some time to get used to the idea of me hitching a ride with someone. You didn't have to ride with me, though. It's okay."
"Yeah, I know. But John's not new to the school. You are. And I don't imagine it's any fun riding the bus by yourself. And since we're neighbors, it's not really that much of a hassle. I just hope we don't make a habit out of this," Susan added with a wink.
Abby paused, unsure of how to broach the next topic. "So...have you two ever, you know...dated?"
"Ewww! You're kidding, right? That'd be, like, incest. I've known him since I was old enough to know which side of the playpen smelled the worst. Dating him would just be...too weird." Susan looked at her, as though something was clicking in her mind. "Why do you ask?"
"No reason. Curious, I guess."
"You interested?"
"Of course I'm interested. I asked, didn't I? Asking generally implies interest in the topic."
"No, I mean, are you interested in John?"
"What? How can I be interested in the guy? I don't even know him. I spent, what? Three hours with you guys last night?"
"So what? You don't have to know someone to be interested. That's what being interested is all about." Susan nudged her and waggled her eyebrows. "Come on. You can tell me."
Abby huffed out a mock-irritated sigh. "Honestly, Susan, I don't know. He's cute, yeah, but that's about all I can say about him at the moment. He didn't say much last night."
"That's probably because the two of us monopolized the conversation. That's what happens when you put two teenage girls together in the same room, though." She looked thoughtful for a moment. "You think he's cute?"
Abby buried her face in her hands and shook her head. "Dude, it's too early in the morning to be having this discussion. I don't even have any caffeine in my system yet."
Susan grabbed Abby's shoulder and pulled her back into a more upright position. "No, seriously. I've never really thought about it before. He's always kinda been...John to me."
"Yeah. Yeah, he's definitely an attractive guy. He's nice, too, so that helps."
"Hmm. Interesting."
"What's interesting?"
"Having a different perspective."
The two sat in silence for a few minutes. Okay, he's cute, but I established that the first moment I saw him. It's a bit early to be thinking about dating him. I really don't even know if I like him. And I don't know if Susan's teasing me about this, or if she thinks something could actually happen. Abby looked at her newfound friend out of the corner of her eye. Give it some time. Wait until you've known this guy for longer than a day before you make any plans for the future.
"You know," Susan said, shaking Abby out of her thoughts. "If you do like him, I could always try to find out if he likes you, too. We do have that kind of relationship where we can talk about that kind of thing."
"Susan, really...I'm starting my second day at a new school. I just want to get to know people for now. I don't think I'm looking to date anyone yet."
She shrugged. "Okay. I can't force you to like him. But we do hang out a lot, so if you at least want to get to know him, as a friend," she added, before Abby could make any objections, "then you're welcome to chill out with us. I mean, it's not as if we do something terribly exciting every day, but we have fun."
"What do you guys do?"
"Excuse me?"
"Sorry, that probably came out wrong. I just meant, what do you guys do when you hang out?"
"Homework, sometimes, if it's during the school year. Watch TV or movies. Go swimming, while it's warm. He has a pool, you know."
Abby shook her head. "No, I didn't know."
"Yeah, it's pretty nice. Our options are pretty limited, though, since neither of us can drive yet, and won't be able to drive for a while. We're pretty much restricted to my house or his house. Except on weekends, when we can usually talk someone into taking us somewhere. But even then, it's just the mall or a bookstore or something like that. Speaking of driving, though, when's your birthday?"
Abby just blinked, trying to keep up. "Nice transition. January tenth."
"Awesome! You'll be the first of us who can drive."
"That doesn't mean I'm going to have a car I can drive."
Susan just waved her hand. "The car I'm not worried about. John's family has quite a few cars. We just need a licensed driver. My birthday's not 'til March, and John's isn't until the end of May. And two learner's permits do not equal a whole license."
"Watch Clueless much?"
Susan grinned. "Once or twice. I'm guessing you've seen it before, if you caught the reference."
"Uh-uh. I'm pleading the fifth on that one. That's my personal business."
"I like to make John watch it. He always whines about how it's a chick flick, but then he gets more engrossed in it than I do. He could probably quote the entire movie, if the need ever arose."
Abby grinned in return. "I think the need should arise. I don't know how we could manage it, but the opportunity should definitely present itself in the near future."
"Oh, there's one little quirk you should know about us. We have sleepovers. I know what you're thinking, but they stole the idea from us."
"Huh? Who stole the idea?"
"You've seen Dawson's Creek, haven't you?"
"Ohhhh. Yeah, I've seen it."
"Well, we do that. But we did that long before that show ever reared its ugly head. And we don't have the whole Dawson-Joey sexual tension thing going, either. I don't get insanely jealous when he goes out with another girl, and he doesn't randomly see me in a new light and want to date me. We just wind up falling asleep. Our parents are used to it by now, though. It started off with a mid-afternoon nap here and there, and it just kind of escalated. I think we've been friends too long for anyone to worry about something insidious happening."
Abby was slightly impressed. "Your parents really let you get away with that?"
"Well, we're not really getting away with anything, but yeah, they do. His bed's really comfortable, though. And huge. I think it's a king size. Definitely room for the three of us, should we manage to not send you running off into the sunset."
"I don't know if I'm ready for co-ed sleepovers just yet."
"Totally understandable. I'd probably find it weird if I was in your position, too. Hell, you probably think it's a little weird how I'm telling you all of this and inviting you join in on all of our reindeer games."
"I don't know if I find it weird so much as...unexpected."
"Yeah, I can see that. Most people who've known each other for so long don't usually let new people into the 'fold,' so to speak. I don't know. You're just You're easy to talk to, and you have a kind of dry sense of humor, which works well with the two of us. Not to mention that it's nice to have someone else to talk to. I don't know if John and I have ever run out of things to say to each other, but you bring a new dimension to it all. If I am being pushy, let me know."
"No, it's not that." Abby let out a sigh and rested her head against the seat. "Yesterday, I was just hoping to make it to graduation. I didn't think anyone would really want to make the effort to get to know someone new this late in the game. And today, I have a couple of people who want to spend time with me. It's a little disconcerting, but not in a bad way."
"There's a good way to be disconcerted?"
"As of this moment, yes."
"And since when do you make all the rules?"
"Since I'm the oldest," Abby answered, turning her head slightly to give Susan a superior look.
"Oh, you're gonna play that card, are you? I see how it is."
"Hey, it's the only card I have right now. The best thing about the 'I'm older' card is that I can use it more than once."
"True that. And we'll be at your mercy once you get your license." Just then, the bus started to slow down as their high school came into view and Susan let out an irritated sigh. "Man, if I had a dollar for every day I came here...well, I'd only have about $180, but it's still a pretty decent chunk of change. But look!" Susan pointed toward the main entrance of the school. "There's John, and it looks like he has a bag of food. I think it's...do you see golden arches?"
"I see golden arches."
"The boy is a god. Unless he only got food for himself. In which case, I shall shun him all day until he has learned his lesson."
"And then what?"
Susan pretended to look confused. "'And then what?' You mean, I'm supposed to have some kind of plan beyond the shunning? I thought the shunning was pretty good."
"I think it only sounds good because you're calling it 'shunning.' That's right up there with the 'uncouth' John pulled on us yesterday."
"I don't think anything could be 'uncouth.' That was a new one, even to me."
"Maybe he really is learning some new words this year."
Susan laughed as they made their way off the bus. "See? This is why I like you, Abby. You give as good as you get."
"My wit has cat-like reflexes. Sadly, sometimes it's like a declawed cat but...it works for me."
"Morning, ladies," John called, sauntering over to them. "How was public transportation?"
Susan ignored the comment and held out her hand. "Hand over the bag, and no one gets hurt."
"What, am I supposed to provide you with meals, now? Puh. Feed yourself."
"Johhhhhn."
"Fine, fine." He dug through the bag, then pulled out a little sandwich. "Sausage, egg, and cheese McGriddle. Hashbrown's in the bag. And, Abby."
She was a little startled. "Yes?"
"I didn't know what you liked, so I just got a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit and a hash brown. That cool?"
"Yeah, more than cool. Especially since you didn't have to buy me anything at all."
"Well, what kind of person would I be if I brought breakfast for one person, but not the other? That's just tacky."
"Your mom's tacky," Susan mumbled around a mouthful of food.
"Yeah, that's what I said to your mom last night. Now be quiet and eat."
Abby was digging around in her pockets. "I don't think I have any extra money on me, but I'll pay you back after school, okay?"
"It's on the house."
"No, it's okay..."
"Really, don't worry about it. It's just breakfast. I'm known for doing this kind of thing."
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely."
"It just doesn't seem fair that you bought me breakfast and I've got a whole lot of nothing in return."
"Abby, really. It's not that big of a deal. I'm not even gonna go all Godfather on you and ask that you return the favor one day. But for future reference, does B.E.C. work for you?"
"B.E.C..." Abby asked, puzzled for a moment before she understood the abbreviation. "Oh. Yeah, it works. Thank you."
"No problem."
"It took you that long to work out B.E.C?" Susan asked teasingly, her mouth a little less full this time. "Come on, Abby..."
"Hey, I told you that I haven't had any caffeine yet. You can't expect great things from me without caffeine," Abby told her, sticking her nose in the air.
"Oh, if only caffeine could help Susan give us great things..."
"Shut up!" Susan exclaimed, pushing John's shoulder.
"Clever. I've never heard 'shut up' before. You've left me speechless."
"Yeah, well..." she looked around and noticed that Abby was heading up the stairs already. "Hey! Where do you think you're going?"
"You guys are too lame for my game," Abby called down to them. "Even without caffeine I can banter better than that." Still, she paused and waited for them to catch up. But before any of them could attempt more banter, the first bell rang, and a wave of students came rushing at the door.
"Crap," Susan muttered, then grabbed Abby's arm. "Let's go. I'll see you in history, John. We can't be late." She then put her mouth closer to Abby's ear so she wouldn't have to yell over the crowd. "Our English teacher is psychotic about being on time. I heard horror stories about her when I was in middle school." And with that, Abby was swept into her second day of school.
Brief Author's Notes...I suck at trying to format this, so the stuff that's supposed to be in bold, italics, whatever, isn't showing up. If I ever figure out how to fix it, I'll do so. Until then, deal ;) And one more thing...totally appreciated the outpouring of support I got for the first chapter. If I get responses like that from every chapter, I'll be one happy little girl. But even if I don't, I'll survive :)
