8/8 (more)

The suspense is killing me! What happened next?? Ha, I got carried away. I already know what happened next. Oh yes, it just got better from there, didn’t it?

There was Gray, standing right in front of me, big as life, and twice as cute. He only wasted two seconds staring back at me (while our team was screaming at him to HURRY UP), then he quickly donned the clothes in the bag. I must admit he had a totally unfair advantage, since half of the items he had been wearing all summer (at least he sure put them on like he knew what he was doing….and even looked the way I had fantasized pictured in my head…..except for the stupid hat and the lipstick, of course). Anyway, we won the game, but since I walked away while everyone was cheering, I have no idea what the prize was.

I had so many strong emotions churning in my head and heart, that for a few minutes I couldn’t sort them out. I walked down to a quiet spot on the little lake and just stood at the edge with my arms crossed over my chest, staring at the sparkle of the late afternoon sun on the water. My first thought was…What is he doing home? He’s not supposed to be back until late tomorrow night….followed quickly by…..What is he doing at my party? How did he even know about it?….Huh, that was a no-brainer….Sophie. She must have found out through Jon that Gray was going to be home a day earlier and invited him to come today. That explained why she was insisting the party be today and not yesterday. Come to think of it, she’s been pretty careful not to let me touch her the last couple of weeks (except when she wants to tell me something silently, that is). Secrets….that girl has kept a major secret from me, but why? Why would she do that? She had some major explaining to do. I supposed the next question had to be…Why did he come? Why did he go along with her plan?….He could have just said, No thank you, Sophie. I don’t think that’s a thing I would like to do.

All that turmoil of hurt and embarrassment and confusion, solidified into one emotion that I felt strongly above all the others….anger. I was so angry with Gray for rejecting and hurting me that if he had been standing in front of me at that moment, I think I would have punched him in that cute face of his (if I could reach it). I no longer wanted to see him or talk to him, even though that’s what I’ve been longing for, for so many weeks. I was about as angry as I’ve ever been, and I was really angry with Sophie too. I so wanted to tell her off, but I knew I probably wouldn’t get the chance until after the party. The steam was seeping out of my ears……I could wait. [side note: I realize now that some of those strong emotions were from the concussion....it was one of the aftereffects mentioned in the pamphlet....very strong emotions, some of them inappropriate to the circumstances even]

As I stood there seething, I heard the crack of twigs as someone came up behind me. I glanced back to see that it was Cooper, more unsure of himself than I’ve ever seen him, slowly walking toward me with his hands stuffed in his cargo shorts pockets.

Me: (turning back to the water) Go away, okay? I really don’t feel like talking right now.
Cooper: (talking softly, like I’m a skittish horse or something) I’m yours for the day, remember? I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.
Me: (refusing to look at him as he joins me in looking at the water) I’m fine. Go back and tell my parents I’m fine, and I’ll be back in a few minutes. I just need a little time to myself.
Cooper: (I guess he’s going to ignore what I want….so much for being the master today) I talked for a bit with Gray. He seems like a really nice guy. I can see why you like him so much.
Me: (cutting my narrowed eyes his way briefly) Why did you talk to him? I don’t like Gray. Gray who?
Cooper: (small sigh) Look, Jon told me about you and Gray, but I ignored him, so I guess some of this mess is my fault. But I don’t regret trying to get to know you this summer. (he turns to face me and puts his hand on my shoulder, gently turns me so I’m facing him…I watch the front of his shirt) I’ll just come out and say it…I like you Carly. I think you’re cute and funny, and I’d like to know more of whatever goes on in that quirky head of yours. And I’m happy just to be friends with you, if that’s all you want, or until you figure out if you still want to be Gray’s girlfriend. (I look up into his face, and he’s not wearing that mischievous grin, just a nice smile)
Me: (still frowning) I don’t think that’s up to me.
Cooper: Hmmm. I think you’re wrong about that, but you’ll have to have that conversation with Gray. (I give a small snort) Anyway, I’m not going anywhere. What do you say? Friends? (he sticks out his hand, like he did on July the fourth)

I looked at his face for a moment, with that sincere smile that I haven’t seen much of, then I glanced down at his hand. In that instant I decided to take a chance on a friendship, just a friendship for now…and I put my hand in his…….I thought she was gonna leave me hanging again….soft hands….sad eyes….cute freckles…..how can I get her to smile…..what’s going on in that closed brain of hers….I want her trust…..and a warm feeling. I don’t think I can describe it any better than that. He has a warm and comforting feeling toward me.

Me: (smiling) Yes, Cooper, we can be friends.

I’ll relate the brutal and gruesome murders of Sophie and Gray (JK) after my shower.