~Erin’s point of view~
We got back to AJ’s house. He and Amy hadn’t spoken to each other the entire way. I was too into my own troubles to worry about theirs. So as selfish as I was being, I didn’t even ask what had happened to them today. When we got inside, AJ went straight upstairs to his room.
“I’m sleeping with you guys tonight,” Amy told Tracy, before going up to the girls guestroom. With the rain currently pouring outside, I didn’t know where I’d sleep. Though they had thought I’d been joking, I had the hammock in the backyard, with perfect view of the stars. Of course, I might not even sleep at all tonight, I reminded myself.
“Who’s here?” I asked, sitting down across from Tracy in the living room.
“Heather and Nick are still out, Howie is upstairs, AJ is now in his room, Amy in mine. And Brian, Kevin, and Jennifer are still out. What happened with them? Another fight?”
“Yeah, I think so. But I don’t know what about. I just happened to get a ride home with them.”
“Me and Kevin will be like that soon if things keep going the same way as they have.”
“You have nothing to worry about, Tracy, I was wrong.”
“Wrong about what?”
I sighed. “I thought something was going on between Kevin and Jennifer, ever since I caught them in the bathroom on the bus together. But it turns out, its Brian and Jennifer who are back together…” I told her about the kitchen conversation, him having something to do tonight, and the whole Cracker Barrel incident.
“Oh my gosh… I’m so sorry!”
“Yeah, me too. This whole summer seems to be one bad thing after another,” I concluded. “Oh well, it’s almost over now.”
The front door opened. Brian walked in, drenched, like he’d been standing outside for a minute or two before deciding to come inside. “Erin, we need to talk.”
“Fine, talk. I’m listening.”
“Tracy, could you leave us alone for a minute, please?” he asked her.
She got up to leave, but I motioned for her to site back down. “Anything you need to tell me, you can say in front of her. I already told her about everything.”
The look on his face surprised me.
“Man, the cable’s out because of the storm,” Howie came downstairs looking a little angry.
Just then, the front door opened and in walked Kevin and Jennifer, also wet. But I couldn’t stand to look at Jennifer. Not after what I knew about her and Brian. They looked around the room.
“What’s going on?” Kevin finally asked. Howie didn’t answer, not knowing what we’d been talking about. I didn’t feel like explaining to him the whole incident again. Brian froze, looking like he was trying to figure something out and then what to say about it.
Tracy broke the silence saying, “we were talking about Cracker Barrel,” she shot a mean look at Brian.
“Look, I can explain about me and Jennifer…” Kevin said.
“You and Jennifer?” I hopped up. Brian put his head in his hands.
“You and Jennifer?” Tracy repeated.
“Huh?” came a confused Howie.
“Didn’t you know?” Kevin asked them.
“You mean you weren’t with Brian?” I turned to Jennifer, reanalyzing all the facts in my head.
“Man, the cable’s out,” AJ came downstairs.
“Tracy, do you have…” Amy followed with perfect timing, but stopped and sneered when she saw AJ.
The front door opened and the rest of the gang joined us.
“Guess what everyone!” Heather said happily. “We’re going out.”
“So now all ten of us are together,” Nick joined in, smiling as well.
It was the most awkward moment in my life. Heather and Nick had been happy until they noticed everyone, then they, too, looked worried. AJ and Amy were making an effort to have their backs facing each other, both with they’re faces twisted in anger. Jennifer and Kevin were looking guilty, Kevin cursing himself for opening his mouth. Howie looked hurt, not yet knowing what exactly he was hurt about. And not knowing many facts yet. Tracy, too, didn’t know much of what was going on, but had taken what I had said about Brian and transferred it to Kevin. Brian was looking at the ceiling, with a “oh my gosh” expression on his face, probably thinking how awful chance was working right now. And me? I was in the mood to hit myself for doubting my wonderful boyfriend.
It was during that awkward moment that the power decided to go out.
My Favorite Web sites
Chapter 52
Chapter 54
As Time Goes
Frick's Fairytales