Free Love and Fandoms by CJ Zane Page B

the chance of
either of those happening is about as high as Yorba's final score." She
sighed. "I wish we didn't have to go. I hate these things."
    "Yeah.
They're about as much fun as my left foot."
    "Your left
foot?" Mandy said with a laugh.
    "It's not
very fun to be on the receiving end of it, is it?"
    "As your
sparing partner, I can attest to that being true. I'm guessing Johnny would also
agree."
    "You know it.
I still can't believe how polite the little monster has been since the
incident. Not only to Ricky, but to everyone. He didn't even get into any
trouble this week at school. That may be a first."
    "Good for
him. Maybe all he ever needed was a swift kick to the gut. And the reading material
your mom's been feeding him."
    "Hopefully
it's that and he's not biding his time for a big blow up. I wouldn't put it
past him. Anyway, we could always skip this and go get some ice cream or catch
a movie or something."
    "I promised
Alex. Not that he'll care. Maybe we could stay a few minutes until he's well on
his way to getting wasted, and then leave. We might be able to catch up to
Wyatt, Kareem, and Allyssa Shaw. Sounds like they planned on going to get ice
cream after the game. Did I tell you Wyatt asked her out?"
    "Allyssa
Shaw? I didn't know you knew her."
    "She joined
our study group. I think it was to get closer to Wyatt. She obviously likes him
a lot. She and Kareem had to basically force him to ask her out, but that's for
the best." She tried to give a light laugh, and hoped none of her jealousy
shone through. Not that she had any reason to be jealous, she kept reminding
herself, but if it showed, Luci would notice.
    "I don't know
her well, but she does seem like a great match for him. Almost as good as
you."
    Mandy's eyes shot
wide open, and she turned to Luci to see a huge grin on her face. "No,
what do you mean? There's nothing between us. Besides, I'm very happy with
Alex. Or I will be once we talk about our problems." But her stomach felt
fuzzy just thinking about Wyatt. Was she really that transparent? Hopefully
only to Luci.
    "I know. I
didn't say anything different. You two go back a long way is all. Anyway, I'm
happy for him. He and Allyssa will make a cute couple. And if you want to go
hang out with them tonight, I'm all in. Besides, I wouldn't mind getting with
Kareem. Underneath that geeky exterior, he's still totally geeky, but he's also
pretty hot." She nudged Mandy. "Like Wyatt. Who you protest too much
about." She gave an evil laugh.
    Mandy rolled her
eyes. "Drop it. But you're out of luck with Kareem. He has an almost
girlfriend in his church group."
    "Actually, he
doesn't. He thinks he does, but I know her side of the story."
    "Wait, what?
How?"
    Before Luci could
answer, she grumbled something under her breath. Mandy saw bright headlights
shining in the rearview mirror and both side mirrors. She turned in her seat
and recognized Alex's truck gaining fast on them. Sure, it might be someone
else, as the glare of the lights made it hard to see, but she knew. She
recognized the roar of the engine. Great. Not even drunk and he was already
acting like an idiot. They needed to have their talk sooner rather than later.
    "Your
boyfriend," Luci said as he sped up and passed them. "I should have
known." Alex and the Pigs waved obnoxiously. A few seconds later, Luci
pulled into the driveway right behind his truck. They were the last ones in, so
as long as no one blocked the driveway from the street, they had a clear shot
out.
    "Let's get
this over with," Mandy said.
    "I agree. But
isn't it funny? Most people go to a party to have fun."
    "Parties were
more fun when they were cake and ice cream rather than beer and drugs and
whatever."
    They got out of
the car as Alex and the Pigs climbed down from his truck. Mandy went around the
front to meet him. She was about to tease him on his driving and how Luci
didn't appreciate him coming up on them so fast, but before she could get any
words out, he grabbed her and