Free The Improbable by Tiara James

spotlight on me? I needed some alcohol, I felt so
awkward. I waved to the women who were smiling and giggling to each other.
“Nice to meet you ladies.”
               
“You as well,” the two girls said simultaneously.
               
The redhead stepped forward and held her hand out. “I’m Sarah.”
               
“And I’m Rita.” She held her hand out as well.
               
Timmy’s girlfriend was the only one smirking at me with her hands on her hips.
“Oh we know who he is.”
               
I looked at her with furrowed eyebrows.
               
Timmy laughed nervously and tugged her along.
               
I shook her comment off and followed the group through the woods. The rest of
them talked and joked with each other as we made our way through the branches
and leaves. I, on the other hand, fell toward the back and didn’t speak to
anyone. I knew the girls most likely thought I was socially awkward – they kept
looking back and staring at me and then bursting into fits of laughter. Kathryn
had to have something against me but I couldn’t guess what I possibly could’ve
done to her to make her dislike me.
               
“Here we are my friends. I present to you, the field.” Timmy announced as we
entered a massive clearing in the woods. The moonlight streamed down,
illuminating the entire field. It was a sight to see.
               
“As our first timer, I believe that you do deserve the first drink my friend.”
Chris said in a dramatic tone as he handed me a beer.
               
“Good lookin ’ out,” I thanked him.
               
“Oh he doesn’t deserve a thing.” Kathryn snorted, opening her own can of
alcohol. Timmy was out of earshot to hear how his girlfriend was acting.
               
I had to remember to keep control of myself when I spoke to her. “Kathryn –”
               
“It’s Kate.” She told me dryly.
               
“Kate.” I corrected myself. “Did I do something to you to make you hate me?”
               
She exhaled loudly after taking a long sip from her can. “How do I explain
this?” Kate came a few steps closer to me. “I know who your best friend is.”
               
I wondered where she was going with her explanation. “Of course you do…you’re
dating him.”
               
“Okay. If I hurt him you wouldn’t be so fond of me, now would ya ?” She asked.
               
“No I suppose not.” I answered.
               
“Exactly. Mr. Finley, do you know who my best friend is?” She eyed me.
               
Everything began to click in my mind as I remembered Timmy telling me that Kate
was Eva-Marie’s best friend. I nodded in understanding. “I see what you’re
getting at.”
               
Kate took another sip and sighed. “I just don’t understand why you’ve gotta be so rude, David. I had faith in you after you saved
her life!”
               
I shrugged. “I’m working on myself…What do you mean you had faith in me?”
               
She held her index finger. “That’s beside the point. What I’m gettin ’ at is you both are in our group of friends. Y’all
are gonna have to get over it at some point. Whatever
‘it’ is.”
               
I looked down at her blue eyes that looked truly concerned. “I know.”
               
Kate squealed and hopped up and down excitedly. “Thank you for bein ’ so understanding my darlin’! It’s too bad she won’t
be here tonight…” She trailed off.
               
“Why not?” I asked.
               
Kate raised her eyebrows and didn’t say anything or look at me.
               
I sighed. “Is it because of me?”
               
“Oh I may have mentioned you were comin ’…”
               
“Does