Leslie's Journal - Allan Stratton [5]
Katie even made me come and hear her and Ashley the first time they performed in the church’s junior choir. I almost puked watching Ashley flounce around in her polyester choir robe, like she was a big deal or something.
Last summer was worst of all. Ashley got Katie to go with her to the church youth leadership training camp, so for two whole weeks I was stuck on my own. “You could’ve come,” Katie said. “The youth group’s always looking for new members.”
Yeah, right. New members who are nice and lovely and just about perfect.
God, I hate Ashley. I told Katie, but she said I shouldn’t be mean because Ashley has problems too.
“Like what?”
“Dermatitis.”
“Dermatitis?” I laughed. “You mean she’s all scaly.”
“Leslie, don’t make me choose sides.”
“Is that a warning?”
“Just don’t.” Katie turned on her heel and walked off. I felt lost. She never used to get mad at me. What happened?
Life doesn’t make sense. It’s against the law for somebody to steal your bike, but apparently it doesn’t matter if somebody tries to steal your best friend. Well, you can always get a new bike. But how do you replace a best friend?
Four
Today is Friday. At lunch I go into the cafeteria, and see Katie and Ashley A-hole with a bunch of other girls clumped by the window. Katie and I used to have lunch alone, only now her table’s turned into Girl Central. They’re always in a group, pointing and whispering and generally being embarrassing. Right now, they’re staring at the track.
“What’s the big deal?” I say.
“Leslie, look. By the goalposts,” squeals Katie. “He’s just transferred and his name is Jason McCready and he’s a senior and he has a motorcycle and ohmigod!” She sighs and does this fake fainting routine like I’m supposed to be impressed she’s got hormones.
When I look out, I see it’s him, the guy from the office. And come to think of it, he is pretty cute, slouched all alone against the goalpost, one knee slightly bent, hands in his back pockets, head back to catch some rays. He looks like an underwear model with clothes on.
“Oh, him,” I say casually, as I stuff my face with the last bit of my tuna sandwich. “We’ve already met.”
“No way.”
“Not my type,” I yawn, and I turn away like he’s the last thing on my mind.
“Liar,” Ashley sneers. “I’ll bet you’ve never even seen him before.”
“Oh, no? Well, I’ve not only seen him before, I’ve given him the finger.”
Katie gasps. “What did he do?” Her eyes are like pies.
“Nothing. He just smiled.”
Katie is in awe. “Smiled? You mean he likes you?”
The idea hadn’t crossed my mind, but I’m not going to say no and look stupid in front of Ashley. So instead, I check my nails. “Some of us have what it takes.”
“Liar,” Ashley sneers. “If you and Jason are such good friends, let’s see you go out and talk to him. He’ll tell you to get lost.”
I’m trapped. But I’m not going to let Ashley show me up.
“Candy from a baby,” I laugh, and I head out to the track, praying by the time I get there he’ll be gone.
He isn’t. When I get within range, I slow down. Stop. I can tell he knows someone’s there, but he keeps his eyes closed and lets the breeze play through his curly brown hair. His shirt’s hanging out and open, and under it he’s got on this incredibly tight T-shirt. Can I breathe?
I can feel the girls stare at me. There’s no turning back. “Hi. You must be Jason.”
A pause. “If you say so.” His eyes are still closed.
“We, uh, we met in the office.”
He opens his eyes. They are sooo blue. “Then you must be the principal.”
For a second, I don’t get it. “Uh ...” I want to run. But I’m frozen.
“Are those your friends?” He nods towards the caf.
The girls have their faces squashed against the window like they’re in kindergarten. They look demento, especially Katie, who’s waving her hand so fast I’m surprised it doesn’t fall off.
“Friends? I’ve never seen them before.”
He smiles. His teeth