Free Talisman by S.E. Akers Page B

“boyfriend”.  At least it appeared that way last night at the Drive-In.  I hadn’t heard any rumors of a break-up.  “You don’t think Ty wanted to ask me to the dance… Do you?”   I could hardly say it out loud, let alone think it.
    Katie smacked me on the head.  “You think?”   She grabbed my hand and led me over to the one of the seats she’d saved.
    I lowered myself into the padded chair in daze.  As I replayed Ty’s comment in my head, I couldn’t help but wonder, If he wanted to ask me to the dance, then why the heck didn’t he?   I pondered that one simple question, over and over in silence, while I sipped on my Diet Coke.
    I ’d heard Katie’s voice calling me, but my mind was helplessly adrift.  I snapped out of my trance as soon as she pressed her icy soda can against my arm.
    “Oh, I’m sorry, Katie.  What did you say?”
    “You’re intimidating,” Katie replied casually.
    Confused, I looked at her like she’d lost her mind. “ What?   What are you talking about?”
    Katie cleared her throat.  “You’re sitting there thinking, ‘Why didn’t he ask me to the dance?’ and I’m telling you — it’s because you’re kind of intimidating .”
    “That’s ridiculous!” I laughed.
    “Oh, is it? ” Katie posed with an arched brow.  “Well, let’s see — for starters, you’re super smart, and your kindness goes without saying.  Your only flaw is your own guilt, which is probably why you can’t say ‘no’ to anyone.  You don’t care what anyone thinks about you.  You run around town, sportin’ your college sweatshirts and jeans, without any makeup on, your hair in the same old ponytail you’ve had since kindergarten, and you hardly ever wear perfume — while the rest of us spend hours trying to pull ourselves together, mind you.  With all that , you’re still one of the most naturally beautiful girls around.  It’s rather sickening ,” Katie added as she snarled her nose and grinned.  “Like I said… You’re intimidating .”
    Stunned had now been replaced with uncomfortable .
    “Thanks for taking my mind off the mine .”  Katie was doing what a true best friend was supposed to — build you up.  I shook my head and laughed off her assessment.  “Katie, if I was all that , guys would be hanging all over me.”
    “You really don’t see it, do you?  Ugh!   You’re so delusional.”  Katie threw her arms up in the air, suggesting she was surrendering to what she considered to be “utter insanity”.  “I stand by my original assessment.  You’re intimidating.  Deep down, they’re too scared to approach you.  Maybe it’s because they think you’re too good and it makes them realize how crappy they are — I don’t know .  You come across as pretty tough sometimes… Maybe they think you’ll kick their asses? ” she proposed with a devilish laugh.
    This conversation was becoming unbearable at an alarming rate.  “Change of subject… Please? ” I begged.
    “Fine … Intimidator .”  Katie threw her arms up to halt my apparent discomfort.  “Have you talked to Mike yet?”
    “I sure did.”  I really didn’t particularly care for this topic either.
    “So, did you two lovers hammer out all the details?”  Katie couldn’t contain her amusement.
    “Oh, trust me.  H e hammered away ,” I grumbled.
    Katie giggled, feeling my sarcasm.
    “Can you PLEASE keep the ‘Mike-cracks’ to a minimum?” I pleaded.  “I know it would be impossible for you to shut up completely.”
    Katie draped her arm around my shoulder.  “Understood,” she agreed and gave me a firm hug.  “Oh!” Katie exclaimed as her eyes lit up.  “I do have some gossip about the M-I-N-E .”
    I wouldn’t have to ask her to spill it.  She looked like a balloon bursting to “pop”.
    “The company that’s meeting with Mr. Riverside today is out of New York, but they have offices all over the world … Xcavare Enterprises ,” Katie revealed.