The Love Story #20

Lee felt hurt, she couldn’t explain why but his words stung. She stayed quiet all the way to the deli. Without a word, she got out of the car and sauntered inside not bothering to give him a final glance. She stopped when she met Maria and Ann at the counter.
“Hi, Lee, how was the ride from school?” Ann was smiling. Lee automatically knew she was behind this.
“It was your bright idea then?” She looked at Ann, acid in her mouth. “I don’t want either of you playing matchmaker. Please don’t do me any favors.” She marched passed them and into the kitchen.
The ride home and the night were spent in complete silence. Lee went straight to bed without saying a word to either of them. She woke up feeling guilty. She knew she was wrong to blame Ann for what happened. She was only trying to help. Ash didn’t want her. It wasn’t Ann’s fault it was hers for not being enough for him. She wasn’t sure if it was a good or bad thing that he was richer than she was. No one drove a car like that if they weren’t rich. Money made Steve stay. With Ash she didn’t know his weakness.
She woke up early and made them an apology breakfast. Food was the best way to say sorry, at least when it came to Ann and Maria.
“Ann, Lee has been guilty cooking again.”
She turned to find Maria standing by the table. Lee placed the plates on the table and stood next to the table full of food smiling innocently. Ann walked in with a wide grin on her face.
“Morning, I just wanted to say I’m sorry for yesterday—”
Ann waved her quiet and sat down at the table. Maria was already serving herself a plate. “Forget about it. I shouldn’t have interfered anyway. Do you mind if I asked what happened?”
Lee swallowed the bitter lump in her throat. She was still trying to get used to the fact that Ash didn’t want anything to do with her. She wasn’t dumb enough to believe her age was the reason behind it. That never stopped Steve. She was sure there was something more. After seeing Jane, he might have decided going for the princess and not the tomboy was way better. For the first time in six months since she joined Edgeview High, Lee got left on the sidelines for her.
“Twenty year olds aren’t supposed to be in high school.” She pressed her lips in a tight smile, trying to sound casual. She walked to the living room and picked up her bag and reached for the door.
Ann laughed. “You lied about your age! Why didn’t you tell us, I would have sent him to the diner and not your school?”
Lee shrugged her shoulders. “It wouldn’t have worked out anyway.”
“Wait, we’ll drop you off.” Maria stood up and tapped Ann on the shoulder to hurry up.
“No, I’ll walk. Guess we have to start saving for two cars now, huh?”
“My baby isn’t dead yet!” Ann called out from the table.
“Denial is the first step of grieving, don’t worry you’ll get to acceptance soon.” Lee opened the door and walked out waving to them before she shut the door behind her.

****

“Lee, Lee!” she turned to face Jane running down the hall toward her. She wasn’t feeling sociable today, especially to the beauty queen.
“Hi, Jane.” Her cheeks were hurting from all the fake smiles she had on today.
“Hi. I thought we’d have lunch together, since you can’t hide in your car today. Where is it anyway?”
“My sisters are using it,” Lee answered, hiding the annoyance she was feeling. Jane always had to know every single detail. They walked into the cafeteria and lined up to get lunch. She pulled out her wallet to pay for her tray but Jane beat her to it.
“I got it.” She handed the lunch lady her credit card. Lee never understood why she wasn’t at some high-class private school with all the money she flashed around.
“Thanks.” Lee walked to the empty table next to some guys from their class.
“Hi, Lee.” George turned around on his chair.
“Hi.” She placed the tray down on the table and pulled the seat that was back to back with him. Maybe he would get the hint and not ask her out today.
“I heard you broke up with your boyfriend.” He sounded delighted. “You don’t have that excuse to say no to me anymore.” His face lit up and his grin widened.
“Lucky you,” Lee snapped at him. She knew George would hound her all day with this and it annoyed her. No meant maybe to George, it was like an invitation to keep nagging until he gets a yes.