Free The Road to L.A. by Gina Buchanan

she was doing and she said ‘never mind’ and hung up on me.”
    Carly wrinkled her brow in consternation and shook her head.  “I’ll call her later and find out what her problem is.” 
                  “You girls.  I just can’t figure you guys out.” 
    Jake then turned to look at her.  “Anyway, about our earlier conversation before the phone rang.”
    Carly could feel the dread washing over her and her inner coward took over.  It prompted an immediate need for retreat.  Grabbing her purse, Carly replied, "Yeah, I gotta go.  My parents want me home in time for dinner." 
                  “What?  It's not even close to dinner time?” Jake remarked.   
                  “We're eating early today."  She grinned mischievously. 
    Then an even more valid excuse popped into her mind and she said, "Besides, your jealous girlfriend is no doubt on her way to see you and I don't want to be around for that." 
    Jake shrugged and said, "Fine.  I'll call you later."  
    As Carly left Jake's house and walked the short distance to her own house she saw Susan’s red VW Beetle pulling into Jake’s driveway. 
    I left just in time she thought to herself.
    She was thankful for having avoided two headaches, explaining her outburst to Jake and running into Susan.  But she also hated the fact that she had to cut back on her time with Jake just to avoid Susan.  She prayed that Jake would come to his senses soon and end the relationship.  She had the distinct feeling that he would, but it was just a matter of time. 

Chapter Seven
    It was another Friday night filled with tension and bright stadium lights.  Carly and Amanda rode together to the football game. Following the strange behavior the twin had exhibited with Jake on the telephone, Carly confronted Amanda the next day.  At first Amanda had been a little standoffish, reluctantly allowing Carly to enter the house.  However, after some time reminiscing about Taylor’s party, she had begun to lighten up.  Carly still wasn’t able to determine exactly what had caused the twin to react so oddly on the telephone.  But Carly felt it was easier to just let it go. 
    Carly climbed out of the passenger seat of Amanda’s car and smoothed the folds of her cheerleading uniform.  She hurriedly pulled her long hair into a ponytail.  Several feet away, she could see crowds of people hanging around the stadium bleachers, talking and laughing excitedly.  Everyone knew the Panthers needed to win this game tonight in order to make it to the playoffs.  Carly wondered how Jake was feeling at the moment, the weight of the game heaviest on him.  She knew the coach wouldn’t expect anything less than a win tonight, and everyone in Clanton was counting on the quarterback to send the Panthers to the playoffs.  The electric charge was heaviest nearer the stadium and Carly felt it wholly.  This prompted a strange apprehension she had never felt before.  She looked around her and suddenly felt dizzy.  Amanda looked at her friend and placed her hand on Carly’s shoulder.
                  “You alright?” Amanda asked.  
    Carly nodded, but was uncertain whether this was the complete truth.  The fact of the matter was, Carly had no idea if she was okay. 
                  “I think I need to go to the bathroom,” Carly said meekly.  She excused herself and hurried to the public restrooms.   
    She was immensely thankful that no one else was in the restroom at the moment.  She leaned against one of the sinks and stared at herself in the mirror.  She lifted her hands and noticed her fingers were shaking slightly.  Turning the cold water on, she splashed some of the cool liquid on her face.  Before lifting her face to look at herself in the mirror again, Carly took a few deep breaths and suddenly heard female voices reverberating on the other side of the restroom door.  She quickly swiped a paper towel from