Free The unspoken Rule by June Whitfield

what two months could do to you?
     
    "She needs you more than ever now."
     
    Maria needed me? I thought it was the other way around?
     
    Laura answered my thoughts. "She probably doesn't think she needs you, but she does. Something bad will happen to her if she keeps acting this way. We need to do something."
     
    "She doesn't want anything to do with me." I pointed out.
     
    "I know, so I've got a plan."
     
    And she explained in full detail. Laura definitely had thought on this a while.
     
    "It sounds perfect." I agreed.
     
    Laura gave me a devilish grin. "It has to work."
     

Chapter 17: Salad, Breadsticks, and Root Beer
     
    Jake's POV
     
    The plan had to work. Had to. If it went up in flames, then, my life would surely turn into a black hole.
     
    Nothing to live for, nothing to do. Just nothing .
     
    So, to say the least, it was absolutely vital Laura's idea went perfectly. She had everything planned accordingly, everything so specific. It made me believe that it could work. Would work.
     
    But there was always that doubt, lurking in the depths of my mind. It sat there like a predator watching its prey. There was always the possibility that Maria's randomness would mess everything up. That she would refuse to participate or just get angry and storm out. Or, the opposite. She would remain completely silent and not say a word.
     
    And so Laura set everything up; me just observing her careful process in making sure it was alright.
     
    Maria's POV
     
    1 day later, otherwise known as Friday
     
    I grunted, feeling my phone vibrate in my pocket. I sat my pencil down atop my notebook and whipped it out.
     
    1 new text message
     
    I rolled my eyes, couldn't they figure I was doing my homework now? I eyed my math homework suspiciously. Maybe I could use a little distraction. I opened up the text message, it was from Laura.
     
    Hey Maria,
     
    I'm sorry about some things I said yesterday, it wasn't my place to judge you. You're my friend, after all :)
     
    Listen, we should hang out sometime and catch up with each other. How about this Saturday at the Olive Garden? My treat :)
     
    I laid my phone on my bed. Laura seemed very sincere about her apology. And I wasn't really mad at her or anything, she was true about her statements. I was dressing differently, and it wasn't a change for the better. And my guy friends maybe weren't such a good thing, either.
     
    I couldn't pass up a free meal at Olive Garden. They had endless salad and bread sticks, right?
     
    I giggled to myself, no, the real reason I wanted to go was to chat with Laura. I hadn't realized how distant we were until our meet up at school yesterday. I had given up Jake to keep my friendship with her, and I still didn't want to lose her. I sent a quick text back saying I'd love to.
     
    Wait a second.
     
    This Saturday?
     
    Wasn't this Saturday the day I was supposed to see a movie with Zac?
     
    Crap. Looks like I double-booked myself. I stared guiltily at my phone, wondering if I should retract my text. I blew off the notion. No, Laura was my best friend. I had to save time for her, not guys.
     
    Jake's POV
     
    And Phase 1 begins.
     
    Laura stated that everything is going smoothly. And to her plans.
     
    This, I was a little impressed at, for I thought the initial phase would be difficult. Turns out I was wrong. I smiled at the thought of seeing Maria again, it'd be nice.
     
    Maria's POV
     
    Saturday
     
    I stared at my closet, willing the perfect outfit to spring out at me. Nothing happened.
     
    I wanted to look nice for the dinner, and Laura had insisted too. I chose a mid-thigh skirt with black leggings underneath and a sparkly gray baby doll top. Cute. After some chap stick and a matching head band, I was on my way.
     
    Laura had driven us, she said it was better for the environment if we car pooled.
     
    We pulled up to the restaurant and headed inside. The air was a little cool, considering it was in the middle of spring.
     
    Laura