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~Chapter Two of Junior High Love Story!!~



7:30 AM Tuesday, February 10th

I went to the bus stop the next day, not knowing who I would see, Dane or Tanner. I touched the plastic heart that Tanner had given me the day before. I had hung it on a black string and had it around my neck. Then, someone rounded the corner to the bus stop. I saw it was Dane.

"Hey Jamie," he greeted me, putting his arm around my shoulder. "How goes it?"

"Um, ok," I said, unsure of what he'd just asked me.

"Let's sit together on the bus. I have something I want to talk about with you. So I followed Dane onto the bus and sat down in the back row. He sat by the window.

"Ok, I'm gonna let you in on a few secrets. First, about Tanner. He's got a shady reputation for taking pretty girls like you in, chewing them up, and spitting them out. Second, if he ever calls you, he'll be at your house in 5 seconds, staring up at your bedroom window like the stalker he is. Third-"

I felt my face grow hot with anger.

"Stop right there, Dane," I glared. "Tanner's my friend. He wouldn't do that to me."

Dane leaned in close to my face and whispered, "I just don't want to see you get hurt."
The bus pulled up to the school just then. "I'll see you in homeroom!" He flashed me another one of his sly smiles as he dashed down the aisle and off the bus.

I slumped in my seat. What if what he'd said about Tanner was true? What if... I shook my head. Tanner would never do that kind of stuff.

I saw Tanner on the way to my locker. "Hi Jamie," he said. "Can I carry your backpack for you? It looks kinda heavy."

"Why thank you, Slave," I joked. "Now, fetch me some water and polish my shoes. Also, tell me I'm pretty."

"You're pretty," he grinned, then made a motion for the water fountain.

I grabbed Tanner's arm. "I was kidding," I laughed. "I really don't need any water."

The bell rang to mark the 30 seconds you had to get in your seat before you were late.
"Shall we?" Tanner asked as he grabbed my arm. I blushed for a second and did a small smile. He was holding my arm!

After passing note after note with Tanner and gasping for breath time and again after Dane’s hugs, the lunch bell rang. Tanner was still in class so I headed over to the cafeteria alone. I was starved. Once I was seated at a table, Dane called to me from the next table over. I reluctantly gathered my food tray and stood up. Taking slow easy strides to Dane’s table I saw Tanner enter the cafeteria. Obviously, he was looking for me. I wanted to call him over, but seeing that Dana and Tanner were probably enemies, I didn’t want to arouse trouble. Dane patted the open seat next to him. I sat down with a small plop.
A boy with a tight black t-shirt said, “So, you're the infamous Jamie. Congratulations on your latest achievement-landing Dane."

"Nobody's done that since 6th grade, when Angel dumped him for that baseball player," a girl with way too much eyeliner remarked as she smacked on her bubble gum.

Dane was obviously embarrassed. "Come on you guys, she's not my girlfriend," he protested. He turned to me. "Jamie, this is Alex," The boy in the t-shirt jerked his head back slightly to say 'hey', "This is Tamara," the girl smiled and popped the gum that she was blowing at that time, "And this is Joey." Another boy wearing a Volcom hat made a peace sign with his fingers.

"It's nice to meet you guys," I said. "I don't have very many friends."

"Nonsense, you have us," Dane smiled.
I smiled uneasily. Suddenly I heard a shout. Tanner had spotted me. Not good. Before he could rush over and tear me away from Dane, I whispered to Dane, “Uh, I gotta go…to the bathroom! Be right back!” and sprinted out of the cafeteria. I ran all the way to the courtyard and cried. It would be really hard if I always had to run away from Dane if Tanner was around. Then I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up and saw Tanner. My face sizzled up. I was bright red. Letting Tanner see me cry was too embarrassing! I turned away.
“What’s wrong Jamie?” Tanner softly asked.
I couldn’t tell him why. He just wouldn’t understand. When I didn’t reply, he did the unthinkable. He hugged me. Yeah, I’ve had tons and tons of hugs from him, but those were friend hugs. This hug was different. I could feel it. It was like he actually understood how I felt. Like he… liked me! I blushed so hard I could see that the tip of my nose was red. I was kinda disappointed when he let go.
As he stared into my eyes he whispered, “I’m here for you.”
Later that night, I flopped onto my bed, exhausted from all that had happened. My heart was still beating fast from when Tanner hugged me. I giggled remembering the feeling. All of the sudden, I had the urge to call him. I slowly picked up the phone and started to dial Tanner's number, but the phone rang in my hands.
I drew a quick breath and asked, "Hello?"
"Jamie? Hi, it's me, Dane," the voice replied. Omigod! What was Dane calling me for?
"Hi Dane," I said.
“Um, do you want to go to the prom with me? It’s this Friday.”
The prom?! When did that piece of info slip past me at school?! Maybe it was when I was passing notes to Tanner…Hmmm...
“The prom? This Friday?”
“Yeah, remember? The Valentine’s Day prom?”
“Oh. Well, if I go, what should I wear?”
“Well, this year’s theme is classical. So you should probably wear a dress with your hair up, I guess.”

I laughed. "Ok, I’ll go with you."

"Sweet! So what time should I pick you up?"

"Should I meet you there at, say, 6:00?"

"Ok. See you then, Jamie!" Then he hung up.
I dropped the phone and started squealing like crazy. I couldn't help it. I was going to a real-live prom with Dane!!! I could never get a date in California! Florida is awesome!! Just then I stopped abruptly. I needed to get an outfit!