Chapter 11
The figure was standing with their legs firmly spaced apart, arms crossed at their torso and a mighty fierce scowl on their face. Julie was worried; this wasn't going to end well. Tim, on the other hand, looked relatively unconcerned. Julie wondered why, the figure (and boy did she have one) of Tyra loomed unnaturally over Julie and Tim as they were making their way up the hallway. Julie felt a relief that it wasn't the Coach or his missus. Tyra came a close second to the parents in the scary-meter. More Glamazonian than high schooler, Tyra could have easily been a model or a professional wrester. Strength oozed out of her every pore.
"What the hell is going on here?" Tyra hollered not caring for volume, propriety or really anything. Neither of them answered, it wasn't any of her business. "Tim?" he responded to her question by changing his stance, running a hand through his hair (now tangle-free) and smirking. Julie sighed, Tyra looked infuriated. "Julie?"
Julie's glance snapped back from Tim, when had the attention turned to her? She was going to crack, she could feel it. She slid a look to Tim and could see clearly he wasn't going to help her out here.
"Tyra, not that it is any of your business, but Tim's truck broke down on the way here so we needed to make a temporary stop," Julie made sure she responded in a snotty tone. A good offense was spectacular defence.
"Bull." Tyra leaned forward "You guys look like you've been doing who knows what," her look of disgust said much more than her words did. They were busted. Julie felt heat creeping up her neck and across her face. She just wanted to get away from Tyra, sit in class and perhaps try writing Julie Riggins a couple of hundred times in the back of her book. Childish she knew, but inordinately more fun and safe than standing in front of quite possibly the tallest female in the world.
"Well you're wrong Tyra and we've got to get to class," Tim finally helped out and Julie decided he could deal with Tyra and scampered off. He had created an opening and she was going to run with it. When she was further up the hall, she looked back to see Tim and Tyra having a rather intense conversation. Actually Tyra was having a tense conversation with her arms swinging out wildly and Tim was listening with a disinterested look on his face. She needed a version of that face of her own, it worked wonders.
Julie went to the bathroom and looked at her reflection. There was no mistaking what she'd been up to. Her hair was wild and mussed, her usually fleshy lips were looking more plump than normal and she did look, well kind of out of it. Julie quickly made the repairs necessary and slipped into class and listened to her teacher drone on about something or other. She'd have to speak to Tyra and clear this up. No one could know. While the situation wouldn't be great for her, if would be worse for Tim. He'd be out of favour with the Coach, out of a home and he would hate her. She'd have to speak to her asap.
The day dragged by and she didn't see Tim once during the day. She found it bizarre that the day she had chosen to ignore him, he was everywhere and yet when she longed to see him, he was nowhere. She was rummaging through her locker when a hand grabbed her on the shoulder. Spinning around with a huge grin on he face
"Tim I --," it was then she realised that it was Matt. She kept the smile on her face as he had been witness to her most humiliating experience and he'd helped her out when she'd been her most petty. "Hey, how are you?"
Matt leaned forward, bringing his face to her level. He was staring her straight in the eyes, concern in his gaze
"How's the toe?" he asked. His gaze intent on her face, searching for the answer. He really was her friend she realised. Impulsively she gave him a hug and whispered in his ear
"I'm doing okay. Thanks for checking on me." If anyone were her brother, it seems it was Matt, not Tim. She chuckled as that thought flew into her head and hugged him tight. She was glad that were back to normal, well without the kissing anyway. She looked up and saw Tim for the first time that day. He just stood there looking. He cocked his head to the side, shrugged like he'd been expecting something and strode off at his languid pace. Julie disengaged from the hug and apologised to Matt, running off after Tim. Did he think she and Matt were back together?
Julie ran as fast as she could when an arm came out and grabbed her by the upper arm. It was Tyra. Julie swore under her breath, she didn't have time for this crap and she wanted to talk to Tim. What did he think? Was he jealous? She tossed that idea aside, Tim Riggins doesn't get jealous, he moves on to greener pastures.
"Julie Taylor what are you thinking?' Tyra bellowed at her. She appeared to be experiencing more volume issues.
"Why do people keep on asking me that?" Julie asked in a pissy voice. "Anyway it is none of your business. Nothing happened."
"Nothing happened my ass. You're making doe eyes at Riggins and you both look like you've broken in a couch." Julie had to chuckle, they pretty much had.
"Fine. It's nothing serious. We are having fun and we make each other laugh" Julie stated.
"Laugh? Riggins doesn't laugh," Tyra retorted "and Julie you are not the girl that just has fun. You're the girl that had the same boyfriend through high school. You're not me Julie."
"Well he laughs with me and we are just having fun. I'm not you and he's not with you either so stay out of it." Julie verbally pushed Tyra 'cause she knew Tyra would pummel her ass if she actually pushed her.
Tyra looked contrite "Jules, I am just worried that you are going to get hurt. He doesn't mean to do it, it just happens and you still can't hate him for it," she looked sad saying this, obviously speaking from past experience. "I can see that you like him and being with him can be absolutely divine but long term Jules, this isn't going to go the way you want." Julie nodded. Her friend was just trying to protect her but there were too many reasons to keep this thing with Tim going.
"I like him a lot," she said quietly.
"I know. When I talked to him I threatened to beat his ass if he hurt you. He didn't like that much. He knows this is not going to go well." Tyra gave Julie a hug. At the last part Julie straightened. She didn't like the sound of that at all
Note – Came into work for a meeting, yeah Sunday I know. Consider yourselves lucky that I cannot leave this story alone. Hope you are having an ace weekend. Cheers from Down Under.
