It's My Life - Melody Carlson [1]
Anyway, back to the world going totally nuts. Or is it me? You see, I've been working at my dad's advertising firm (actually I'm just a part-time receptionist, and not doing such a bad job if I do say so myself). But lately it seems like all these older guys have been hitting on me. Okay, now I know that sounds all narcissistic (a word I just read in a magazine, which means you think the whole world revolves around you, which I don't really think, by the way). But I don't think I'm imagining it either. I mean, Todd Alberts (who's probably at least twenty-five) even asked me if I wanted to go get coffee with him today. Now, it's not that I'm not flattered (because, believe me, I am!). But sheesh, I'm only sixteen (well, almost seventeen) for Pete's sake! But in Todd's defense, I doubt that he even knows my age, and he's probably just being friendly. And I'm sure if he knew I was still in high school he'd run the other way–and fast. But here's the honest truth–it feels pretty good to be noticed like that. And yet at the same time, it bugs me that it feels good. You know, like I should be above those sorts of feelings. Especially after making my vow to God about sex and dating. It's like I just wish those feelings (you know, feeling interested in a cute guy) would all just go away, once and for all. But they don't. So why is that?
Well, to make a long story short, I nicely told Todd thanks but no thanks (not in those exact words!). And now I feel kind of bad because he actually looked sort of hurt and disappointed. But maybe someone in the corporation will set him straight about me and how old guys like him shouldn't go around hitting on high school girls. Big laugh!
But now that I've vented over something pretty unimportant, let me get to what's really bugging me. It's Beanie Jacobs, my supposedly best friend. I say supposedly because lately she's been treating me like I've got smallpox or something. I mean, every single time I call her to invite her to go do something, she makes some totally lame excuse not to come. Okay, I know she's pregnant and not feeling too cool lately, but it's not like it's my fault, and all I'm trying to do is to be the good friend that I've promised her I would be.
Like tonight, for instance, I just wanted someone to hang with. You know, go to the mall or something simple like that, and she says, “Sorry, I can't.” Just like that. Not even an explanation, apology–nada, nothing. Well, instead of me grilling her like I usually do, I just said, “Well, fine!” and hung up–bam! Which, to tell the truth, left me feeling pretty rotten inside. Because I know she doesn't need that from me or anyone else right now.
But, I ask you, how far backwards is a person supposed to bend for her these days? I mean, it's not like she's a whole lot of fun to be with right now. And now she's all worried about putting on weight and getting fat, which, if you ask me, she should've considered before she got all hot and heavy with Zach last spring! Okay, there I go getting all preachy and judgmental again. And Beanie accuses me of doing that a lot lately. In fact, she even sarcastically calls me “Sister Caitlin” sometimes, which totally fries me!
So anyway, I called up Andrea LeMarsh, after being turned down by Beanie, and we went to the mall and hung out and had a really fun time (at least when I wasn't feeling guilty about Beanie). Andrea and I both got these totally cool Hawaiian print bikinis–and we imagined ourselves wearing them on some sandy beach in Mexico next month when the youth group goes on their missions trip. (Okay, I know we're primarily going there to help poor people and stuff, but we plan to have some fun along the way too!) But the whole time we're shopping and joking around and having a