Her Best Friend's Brother(11)

Libbylibbylibby: Thanks I am super excited about this.

I have never played any sports before. At first I just wanted to have an extracurricular for my colege apps this summer, but now I totaly want to win.

TMarchetti: that’s great lib. You sound happy. I’m sure it was al you, but I am glad you liked the stop watch.

They chatted about nothing in particular for almost 45 minutes. Libby floated into her bed that night.

Every couple of days she had come to expect an email or a text from Tony. Nothing particularly special or personal in content, but he always made her smile and occasionaly he had her laughing so hard her eyes would water. A week or so later she got a birthday card in the mail, and it joined her Christmas card in a place of honor above her dresser. That was their pattern. Light and occasionaly slightly flirtatious pen pals. It meant the world to Libby, but sometimes she had to wonder what, if anything, it meant to him.

Happy Birthday Lib. Mel says you are going to a movie? That sounds awfully tame for one of your parties! Do you remember the year when you two dragged us to The Little Mermaid on Ice ? You were so disappointed in Prince-What’s-his-Name. I hope you have fun.

-t-

It was Prince Eric! And the actor was all wrong.

the movie was fun. I guess we have just outgrown princesses and ice shows.

-L-

Wow. All state! Mel was so excited for you she barely spent any time talking about prom dress shopping. I was more interested in your news anyways.

Why didn’t you tell me last week when we talked?

-t-

Well I am pretty excited, but I figured I would wait and see how I actually place before I got all braggy about it. I didn’t want to have to tell you if I came in last – it would be too awful.

-L-

You’re dumb. That better be the last time you ever worry about having to tell me anything. Besides no way are you coming in last place. I wish I could make it home for the all state meet, but I really need all the study time I can get.

-t-

“Sam Tucker asked you to prom?” Mel was

out of breath as she ran into the bakery. “And you said NO!”

“Realy Mel, who is your informant? It hasn’t been more than an hour.” Sam had asked her right after school let out, and now 45 minutes later Mel was already in the know. “He wasn’t upset; it was more of an I-don’t-have-a-date-you-don’t-have-a-date sorta thing.” Mel puled a face. “You could have a date. I know you aren’t interested in Sam that way, but he is way hot and a good dancer. And at least you could go to the PROM!” Her eyes narrowed as Libby concentrated on arranging a tray of cup cakes. “You do want to go don’t you? You haven’t been out with anyone in ages. Actualy not since Christmas-- is this stil about Tony?” She could feel the color rushing to her cheeks.

“No. I just haven’t been out. What’s the big deal”? I have been way busy with training and the bakery.” Libby kept her eyes down and tried to keep her voice even and normal. A distraction. She needed a distraction to keep Mel’s mind away from Libby’s nonrelationship with Tony.

“So Cory huh? Are you sure you want to go there again?” Cory and Mel had the whole school talking at least once every six weeks. Were they together? Were they broken up? Did you hear about their fight in homeroom? Libby was more than a little convinced that the notoriety was a part of or even al of the attraction for her friend. And, much to Libby’s displeasure, Mel rarely missed out on an opportunity to dissect their dysfunctional relationship.

Mel flicked her wrist dismissively. “He’s a bit of a bad habit with me, but he is a great dancer, and he makes me laugh. Besides he is going to look great in pictures…” Her eyes widened. “You are changing the subject!”

“I am not.”

“I am not.”

“Last month you told me you had had it with al things Cory and you were boycotting al future references to him and our relationship. Am I supposed to believe you have suddenly regained interest? “

“Last month I had to drive across town to pick you up from that party at like midnight because you refused to let him take you home.”

“Helo! He was practicaly drooling on Sherri Munski. I was so humiliated and…STOP! This is not going to work. We have got to talk.” Mel wiggled a little on the stool at the counter as if to settle in. “I know I kind of encouraged you at Christmas, but that was when I thought Tony was going to come to his senses.” She took a deep breath. “And I don’t think he is.” She waited for that to sink in.

“He kissed me.” Libby hoped her words came out as nonchalant as possible.

“I saw. At the wedding and that looked like some kiss.” Mel’s face twitched thoughtfuly. “I think he’s too old for you.”