~Chapter 5~

Monday morning I drove into the parking lot to see Amanda having a conversation with Adam by her car. It looked almost like Adam was unhappy, but as soon as he caught sight of my beat-up old car, he grabbed his bag from the passenger seat and walked away.

Amanda, pretending like nothing was going on, hollered, "Hey, I was wondering what was taking you so long this morning."

"Yeah, I had a long weekend because some crazy chick was dragging me to every shop she could think of." I replied with a smile.

"Yeah, well I think that you liked hanging out with the crazy chick."

"Eh, it wasn't so bad."

Amanda turned and walked toward her first class, and I quickly followed suit.

"So what was that about with Adam?" I asked as we walked to the school.

"Oh, it was nothing. He is just getting grumpy with me about Stephanie. She bombarded him this morning as he got out of the car about the dance. She is still insisting that he go with her and she will hear nothing else of it."

"Wow, is she diluted or what? I mean, he did say he wasn't going, so why is she getting her panties all in a bunch?"

"Well, I guess she overheard someone saying that Adam was going with someone to the dance and it kinda made her mad, especially since that someone wasn't her."

Beyond comprehension, I said the first thing that came to mind, without meaning to. "Well did that person say who he was going with?"

As soon as the words were out of my mouth I regretted them because Amanda just smiled at me as if she knew it bothered me. I seemed to give away too much of myself.

"No, that person didn't say."

"What's with the smile?"

"Nothing?" She winked at me and kept on walking with the big smile on her face all the way to first period. "I'll see you at lunch."

We parted at her first period class and I continued on to mine, Math. I didn't so much mind math, but this was also the class I had with Adam and with the conversation still fresh in my head, I walked into the classroom to see Adam sitting at his desk, looking a little more than agitated.

I walked timidly to my seat, not wanting to draw any undue attention to myself when he looked up and almost smiled. I saw almost because although he was so mad, it was like he couldn't help himself from smiling.

Well, at least he wasn't mad at me.

"Hey, how was your weekend?" I asked.

"Well, it could have been a lot worse, but not too bad."

We continued to talk for almost ten minutes about nothing in particular; Mr. Stupak was late for class.

As soon as Mr. Stupak walked in however, Adam stopped talking and pulled out his books for class. Guess we were done talking.

As I walked into the lunch room I could tell that Stephanie was still mad because she was sitting at the table complaining about Adam and his "date". I looked over at Amanda who was sitting next to me and she looked like she was trying to hide a smile. What did she find so amusing.

When I went to question her about it, she just smiled at me and shook her head and then said, "You will find out later. And trust me, when you do, you will find this moment as hilarious as I do."

I almost doubted that, but then again, Amanda did know me pretty well.

The rest of the day followed in the same fashion, with Stephanie upset at every mention of Adam and Amanda quietly laughing to herself. When I walked into business class, I walked to my seat next to Adam and sat down quietly. It looked like his earlier irritation was gone as he read over his paper that was due.

I didn't have a chance to talk to Adam because Mrs. Smith walked into the room just as I sat down.

"Hello class. We will be starting a new section this week that deals with businesses and their costs and how it affects the consumer. At the end of the week, you all with have a debate with one other person in the class in which you will debate your side of the exchange. The left side of the room will be on the side of the consumer, while the right side of the class will be the business. Please have your arguments in place before Wednesday as I want to review them with you. I want the entire class to get the most of this exercise."

I was actually excited about this assignment because I love business. Mrs. Smith went on with the rest of the class, bringing out her book to start the day's lecture.

I was surprised when class was over and I was on my way to English. I liked English, but this was the class that I had with the weird girl. She hadn't even so much as looked at me for the last week but she did when I walked into the room today. I don't know why, but the way she looked at me bothered me.

Miss Mowery called the class to attention and began talking about the newest assignment that she had set up for us.

"Now that we have finished reading Macbeth, we will be starting that project that I told you all about last week. I want everyone to prepare a presentation on Macbeth; the manner in which you choose to present this project is up to you. I will also be leaving the subject of the project up to you, as long as it pertains to the story. So, the partners will go as: Jessica Walters with Mark Matthews, Amanda Sinclair with Taylor Kennedy, Melanie Parker with Marie Claire, and Nicholas Smith with Nathan Charles…" she continued down the list of students.

I looked around curiously because I had no idea who Melanie Parker was. Then I realized it all too late, the weird girl was staring right at me.

All I could think about the rest of the class was how I was going to manage doing a project with this girl, when I didn't even really know her. Then again, she hadn't even given me a chance to know her.

The last bell rang for the day and I headed out to my car, to where Amanda was waiting for me.

"Why do you look so glum?" She asked as we walked toward the parking lot.

"Miss Mowery just gave us our Macbeth project."

"Ooh, I loved Macbeth."

"So do I." I told her.

"Then what's the problem?" with a clear look of confusion on her face.

"She partnered me with Melanie Parker."

Confusion was instantly wiped off her face, replaced with mild amusement.

"It's not funny." I cried.

We had reached the cars at this point and I was putting my bag into my front seat.
"You're right, it's not funny. It's hilarious."

After a minute or so of glaring at her, Amanda stopped laughing enough to say "there is really nothing wrong with her. She is quite nice. I am just laughing at you."

"Gee thanks." I said sarcastically.

"You still coming over?"

"Yeah, I might as well. I don't really have anything else better to do."

I got into my car and followed Amanda to her house, still not sure of the best way to get there.

The evening past by quickly enough and before I knew it, it was time for me to get home so my mother wouldn't be worried.

The week flew by in a blur, with excitement in the air as people found their last prospects for the Valentine's Day Dance and finished making plans on who was meeting what couple where. Stephanie continued her fit of madness of the complete lack of information on the "Adam's date to the dance" thing and soon even her own friends started tuning her out. All the while putting Amanda in a better mood.

But as all things go when you are dreading something, time seemed to speed up. The next thing I know was I was getting ready for school Friday morning. It was like a dooms day meeting since I knew the following morning I would be waking up to what I was dreading most.

I got ready for school methodically and walked out of the house and to my car without much thought as to what I was doing. I drove to the school and pulled into what now had become my usual spot. I saw Amanda in her usual good mood with a persistently stressed Adam walking away from her.

Amanda almost skipped to my car as I got out and greeted me in the most cheerful face I had seen her with all week.

"Good Morning, how did you sleep?" she asked with a smile on her face.

"Obviously not as well as you" I grimaced back to her.

"Are you still not in a good mood?"

"Are you going to tell me who I am going to this dance with?" I countered.

"Nope."

"Then no for me as well."

I stomped away towards first period and she just followed behind me at her own pace, which almost always matched mine because she was taller than me.

"So what time are you picking me up tomorrow?"

"Well, let's see. The dance starts at 7 P.M. and the guys are picking us up at 5 P.M. to go to dinner. So, let's just say that I'll be at your house at noon to pick you up. That way we have plenty of time to get ready."

"I would say, five hours to get ready. It's not a wedding Amanda, it's just a dance."

"Oh I know it's just a dance, if it was a wedding we would need at least six hours to get ready."

I was completely flabbergasted at her idea of perfect times for getting ready. At least six hours for a wedding and just five was plenty. I thought five was more than enough. Thank God I had no intention of getting married anytime soon.

Adam was happier when I walked into our first period together, although I had no idea why. I would have to ask Amanda during lunch.

"So, are you excited about tomorrow?" Adam asked as I sat down in my seat next to him.

"Hardly." I couldn't help but end up in a sour mood again at the mention of the dance.

"Why is that?" he asked genuinely curious.

"Did Amanda tell you what she did?"

"Yeah, she got you a date for the dance. I thought it was very generous of her."

"Hmm." That was the best answer I could come up with.

"So, you don't like who she picked for you?" His voice was almost detached and unemotional. It was almost as if he was regretting the answer but still had to know the truth.

"It's not like I know who it is." I glowered.

Surprise. "Oh, you don't know who she picked for you?"

"No, she won't tell me." He had a complete look of shock on his face.

"Wow. I thought for sure she wouldn't be able to keep this a secret for long. Amanda isn't one for secrets."

"Wait, you know who it is?" I can't believe this; she told her brother but won't tell me. Like he cares who is going to the dance.

"Yes I do in fact. Which is why I am so surprised to find out that she hasn't told you. Like I said, she isn't one for secrets."

I could only just look at him.

"What? What did I say?"

"Are you going to tell me or just keep it a secret?"

"Oh, I'm going to keep it a secret." Was that a smug look in his face?

I just couldn't believe this. It looks like the only other person in the entire school who has any idea who I am going with won't tell me either. Perfect!

"Why can't you just tell me?"

"Because, I want to see the look on your face when you see who it is that's taking you to the dance."

In my head the only thing I could think of was that he was going to be at the house when we were leaving for the dance. I really shouldn't think of him at all since he has shown absolutely no interest in anyone here in the school but there was the thought, implanted before I could reject it.

I didn't have a chance to reply to his statement, not that I could have had a coherent thought at that moment, because Mr. Stupak walked into the room and was eager to start class.

As usual, as soon as class was over, Adam got up and walked quickly out of the room. I wonder what always made him so impatient to leave this class.

During lunch I sat at the usual table with everyone who was talking avidly about tomorrow's dance. The excitement in the lunch room was tangible. Everyone was talking about who they were taking and the girls were gushing about their dresses and comparing whose dress sounded better than whom.

I felt a little left out that I was the only person who was sulking about the dance. But then a sudden thought lifted my spirits. I wasn't the only person sulking. There was always Stephanie.

I walked into my last class to find Melissa already sitting at her desk reading over her notes about Macbeth. As I passed her desk, she looked at me and smiled. I wonder if she thought her smile was welcoming, instead of intimidating?

When I sat down at my desk, she walked towards me and sat down in Jessica Monroe's seat, the girl who sat next to me.

"I was wondering if you would like to get together tomorrow and start on our Macbeth project. I honestly don't want to get behind." She said this all matter-of-factly, like we had been friends for ages rather than this being our first conversation.

"Umm, the dance is tomorrow?" I stated it as a question rather than a statement because this fact should have been obvious.

"Oh, it is?"

Or at least it should have been obvious.

"Yeah, it is. Maybe we can do it Sunday."

"No, Sunday doesn't work for me. Well, what about today after school, this way we can have something ready for Monday?"

"Sure, sounds good." I can't help but hesitate; this just goes against the grain. "Uh, where did you want to meet?"

"Well, we could either do your place or mine." Again with the nonchalance.

"Well, my house is still crazy because of the move, so I guess we could do your house."

"Sounds good, here is my address, should be easy to find, its right across move the old library on the south side of town. So, should we say 4 o'clock?"

She had my head reeling, "sure."

At the end of the day, Amanda met me at my car, as has become custom.

"Hey, you want to go check out a movie or something?"

"No, I can't. Apparently Melanie wants to get started on our project and I don't really want to make any waves with her just yet."

"Okay. That's fine. I should really go home and get started on my homework too. I know I won't get it done any other way."

"What time are we getting together tomorrow to get ready?"

"Umm. I will pick you up around noon. Sound good?"

"Sure. See you tomorrow afternoon." I turned to and put my bag in my car and then started the engine. I looked back to say good-bye to Amanda to realize that I was almost standing face to face with Adam.

It was like my mind turned to puddy and my legs to Jello. I couldn't form a coherent thought, or more my now stupid muscles.

At loud noise broke the trance. I realized a minute too late that we were still standing in the middle of the school parking lot and that Amanda blown the horn to get Adam's attention.

Adam turned around, got in the car and drove away without another backward glance.

I got into my car and drove out of the parking lot, toward Melanie's house in a daze.

When I got to Melanie's, I was almost regretting saying that I would work on the project tonight. I knew that my mind would be elsewhere, plus I wasn't exactly in the mood for weird conversation.

I grabbed my Macbeth book and a pencil and paper to take some notes on, and headed toward her house.

I looked at her house closely as I walked up the front walk. She had a small one story white house with pretty blue shutters and a blue front door. I could tell instantly that whoever tended the garden had a green thumb because there were dozens of different types of flowers gently swaying in the breeze.

At first glance, I saw roses, tulips, carnations and even daisies and baby's breaths. There were also some that I didn't recognize, some flowers that I had never seen before.

I would have to ask whoever worked the garden about them, they were simply beautiful. Petals with the most exquisite colors of lavender, lilac and freesia. Although there didn't seem to be a rhyme or reason to the order of the flowers, it all flowed beautifully, filling me with a calm that I didn't exactly feel at this moment, but something I couldn't fight.

It honestly was kind of scary to have no control over my feelings, but I just let it go. For some reason, it also felt natural.

Before I actually got to the door, it opened scaring me. There in the doorway stood a short but beautiful woman. She had the most gorgeous auburn hair that went half way down her back in flowing cascades that surrounded the most perfect face. It was completely flawless and angular. She could and should have been a runway model.

There was the slightest hint of aging around her knowing eyes, but I would have said she couldn't be over forty.

She greeted with a smile on her face, and in her voice. "Hi, you must be Marie. Melanie told me that you would be coming over after school. It is so nice to meet you."

Even after that brief statement, I could tell that she was sincere when she said it was nice to meet me. She was a kind soul.

"It's nice to meet you as well. You have a beautiful home. Who tends the flowers?"

"Oh, I do. It's a little hobby of mine."

"It is quite a hobby. Your flowers look fantastic."

"You like flowers do you?" She looked a little surprised.

"Oh, I love flowers. I worked in a nursery in Phoenix."

"Well, that is wonderful. I think Melanie is in the family room waiting for you. I wouldn't want to keep you any longer."

She moved silently out of the doorway and showed me to the family room, then walked away without another word.

"Hi Marie." She said, without looking up at from her book.

"Hi Melanie." I sat on the chair opposite of her and waited for her to say something more. Yup, this was going to be interesting.

She looked up from her book and wasted no time with pleasantries.

"So, I was thinking we could do a slideshow presentation and discuss how the witches prophesy set in motion a future which would not have happened if they hadn't appeared at the moor. It only has to be like ten or fifteen minutes, so this should be a cakewalk." She sat back snuggly, like all the world was just as easy as the explanation she just gave.

"Honestly, that sounds pretty good. Where do you want to start?"

As she sat there thinking, I became a little fidgety, so I began to play with my necklace like I always do when I'm nervous.

It caught me off guard when I was all of a sudden sprayed with liquid. I look up to see Melanie holding a cup in her right hand, wiping her mouth with her left, with a look of complete astonishment.

"I am so sorry. There was something in my cup, and I realized it too late. Let me get you a towel to clean off with."

Melanie almost ran into another room, while I sat there uncomprehending.

Something in her cup? Who would spit something across the room if there was something in their cup? Why not just spit it back into the cup?

It was a few minutes later when she returned, holding a small blue hand towel. "I really am sorry about that. I should have turned away." She said as she sat back down across from me.

"Umm, its ok I guess."

"So, I saw your necklace. It's very pretty. Where did you get it?"

After she just spit on me, she wants to know about my necklace?

"Um, I don't remember honestly. I've had it since I was a baby."

"Oh, did your mom give it to you?"

Why was she so interested in my necklace?

"No, it was given to me before she adopted me. It was the only request that my birthmother left with the agency."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..."

"No, it's okay."

She sat quietly across from me again for another minute. The longer we sat there, the stranger the room got until I couldn't take it anymore.

"So, umm, I think I should go home and change. This stuff is starting to dry. Maybe we can pick up again Monday after school?"

"Oh, yeah. Monday." She continued to sit there in her chair so I stood up and let myself out.