Saving Face (a young adult romance)

by Dell, T. J.

  “So did you really want to race?” Brent slung his camera over one shoulder as he climbed out of the car.

  “Nah, but let’s get some hot chocolate before we go in. It’s freezing out here.” She wasn’t wrong. Halloween was still a two and a half weeks away but the temperature was dipping dangerously closer to icy every morning.

  “Ooh yeah, and some of those cinnamon roasted cashews too.” Draping his free arm around her neck they headed off for their snacks.

  The line for hot chocolate was pretty long, so they agreed Brent would go get the roasted cashews and come back. “Au revoir Chere” Brent winked at her and walked off towards another line.

  “Alyssa! Who’s the French guy?”

  Alyssa turned around to find Jennifer Pastings and another girl from school waiting in line behind her. Jennifer was the biggest gossip—and she had had a front row seat to the previous night’s events.

  “Hey Jenn, what French guy?”

  “Don’t play coy with me Alyssa Maddow! You’ve been holding out—he’s a hottie.”

  Alyssa smiled. Brent was pretty hot these days, and she was happy for him. “Yeah he is. You remember Brent. He went to middle school with us.”

  “That’s Brent Carter? No way! He’s sure been eating his Wheaties.” Both girls turned their heads straining to find him in the crowd.

  “That is super sexy. Chere is ‘sweet’ right? I didn’t even know he was French.” The other girl, who Alyssa couldn’t have named if her English grade depended on it, spoke up.

  “Not French, ladies,—Cajun.” Brent reappeared holding a large paper cone filled to the brim with sweet smelling roasted cashews. “And I’m not—it’s just my little pet name for Lyssa. Sort of an old joke we have.” Brent gave them an amiable look while he offered around the snack. “How are you Jenny? Sue?”

  Sue! Of course that was her name.

  “Bre-ent” Jennifer was purring. “What have you been up to?”

  “Same as you I imagine. Just in a jacket and tie. I’m at Hillfield.” Jennifer was flirting—and Brent was flirting back! Alyssa very much wished the corn maze was closer so she could hide. As it was, sprinting 50 yards before darting into the stalks would probably make a spectacle.

  When they’d paid for their hot chocolates Alyssa and Brent headed for the corn maze. It was fairly obvious that Jennifer wanted to tag along, but Alyssa didn’t invite her. Inside, the corn stalks were tall enough to throw them into shadows. Wind was kept at bay by the thick growth making the pathways warmer. Not take off your hats and gloves warm, but more comfortable than the open fields. Alyssa took the lead and they walked in silence awhile with her making sure turns and Brent snapping occasional photos. Alyssa considered asking him what the visual appeal of a bunch of dried up old corn could be, but she knew better than to question his muse.

  “You were flirting with Jenn.” Alyssa said after several minutes.

  “Was I?”

  “You know you were. I just want to know why. She’s not a very nice person—actually she’s kind of a bitch.”

  “I remember.” Brent sighed. “I wasn’t flirting Lyssa. I was just saying hello. Why are you being so weird? You’re not jealous are you?”

  Alyssa stopped short and reversed directions past the last fork they had taken. Wisely, Brent followed. “No.” She answered honestly. “I’m not being weird. I’m just trying to think. I have to go to school with those girls on Monday, they were both at the party last night, and they are pretty major tongue waggers.”

  “I think you are worrying too much Lyssa. Maybe you should try and care a little less about what other people are thinking or saying.”

  Alyssa snorted. “Boys.” She shook her head. “Don’t people talk at that school of yours?”

  “Of course, but I don’t have to listen. You know I hate gossip; aren’t we getting too old for that crap?”

  Typical Brent, Alyssa thought. And she decided to give up. He either couldn’t or wouldn’t understand the all consuming awfulness of an entire school knowing the intimate details of your rejection. To punish him for not understanding, Alyssa took three extra wrong turns.

  By the time they reached the exit gates she had forgiven him—mostly because he let her finish the last of the cashews. “Hay ride? Or there’s pumpkin bowling this year.” Brent crumpled their garbage and tossed it into a nearby trash barrel.

  “Pumpkin bowling?” Alyssa inquired doubtfully.

  “Come on Chere, where’s your sense of adventure?” Brent grabbed her wrist and towed her off in the direction of the makeshift bowling lanes.

  “Alyssa?”

  Brent and Alyssa both turned around to find Pete trotting over to them. Behind him stood a group of guys from the football team, all laughing and shouting after him.

  “Alyssa! Let’s talk.” Pete was slightly out of breath when he reached them. “I was a little drunk last night. I think I could have been nicer.”

  Alyssa fixed him with a disbelieving look.

  “Okay. I was a lot drunk. But I didn’t mean for you to find out about Lisa that way. I just thought … you know homecoming is in a few weeks.”

  “You were waiting to tell me after homecoming!” Shock spurred her into speaking.

  “It’s not like you left me much choice, babe. Two months is a long time to wait for you to get comfortable. Or maybe you really have been more comfortable than I thought.” His eyes settled on Brent’s hand still wrapped around her wrist.

  “Pete—I didn’t…” Alyssa trailed off too angry and hurt to keep talking.

  “Oh! Pete!” Brent made an exaggerated gesture as if just realizing who this guy was. Dropping Alyssa’s wrist Brent held out his hand. “Brent Carter. Nice to meet you.”

  Pete shook hands with a shocked expression that only got more shocked when Brent withdrew his arm and wrapped it across Alyssa’s shoulders. “Yeah—I know we went to middle school together.” Pete found his voice.

  “Did we?” Brent responded as he began twisting a section of Alyssa’s hair. “Sorry. I don’t remember.”

  “Sure you do. Pete Edser? I play football?” Pete puffed himself up a bit as he recovered. “Or maybe you don’t, you always seemed to be buried in a comic book.”

  “Hmm?” Brent was nuzzling Alyssa’s ear. “Oh yeah, I did have quite the comic book collection.” He didn’t even turn his head when he answered. “How bout that pumpkin bowling? I’ll win you a prize.” He whispered to Alyssa—loud enough for Pete to know the conversation had come to an end.

  Brent steered a still stunned Alyssa back around walking her toward the pumpkin bowling. Pete stared after them.

  “I have always hated that guy.” Brent bit off when they were out of ear shot.

  “And I thought you didn’t recognize him.” Alyssa elbowed him teasingly. “You were perfect! What happened to being too old for gossip and not caring what others think?”

  “I don’t Lyssa. But that doesn’t mean I want you to sign up for doormat classes either. What were you doing with that guy?”

  “Not much—that was the problem, remember?”

  Brent didn’t respond. Suddenly he needed all his attention to be focused on the small pumpkin barreling down the lane towards pins painted to look like corn cobs. It must have worked because when they left that afternoon Alyssa had two big stuffed bears.

  Chapter Four

  Monday morning Alyssa dragged her feet. It took her twice as long as usual to shower and dry her hair, and then she needed to find the perfect how-could-anyone-want-Lisa-more-than-me outfit. The result was worth the extra effort though. Her clingy knee length chocolate colored skirt made the most of her legs—not that anyone would be looking at her legs while she was wearing her burnt gold sweater with the extra scoopy scoop neck. She was totally an autumn.

  It wasn’t really her style to be so dressy for a Monday and she would surely be regretting her skinny heel ankle boots by fourth period, but if people were going to be staring she was going to give them s
omething worth staring at. Feeling pretty good about herself, she didn’t even let the rain bother her as she dashed to her car. Her mood however took a quick plunge when she couldn’t start her car. It was the third time this month. Maybe she should buy a new battery? Hers was the only car in the drive—her dad must have left for work already. Frustrated, Alyssa screamed and banged her fists against the steering wheel.

  “Okay in there?” There was a knock on the driver’s window. Brent was bent over witnessing her melt down. Even though he was holding an umbrella she could tell he was getting wet. The maroon of his Hillfield blazer was spotted along his back with rain drops.

  She opened the door two inches. “I think the battery died… what do you know about cars?”

  “Not a lot. Come on I’ll give you a lift.” Alyssa climbed out of her car and huddled under his umbrella as they walked to his.

  “Won’t you be late?” She asked when she’d climbed into the passenger seat.

  Brent checked the clock as he pulled onto the road. “It’ll be close, but we start later than you and my homeroom teacher likes me, so it’s cool.” He glanced over and gave her kind of an up-down with his eyes. “What’s up? Is it dress up day at school or something?”

  “No. Do I look good?”

  He ignored her question. “Is this about Pete? You think a fancy dress is gonna have him crawling back?”

  “It’s a skirt, not a dress. And no—I don’t want Pete to come crawling back. Well the crawling bit would be fun to watch, but I’m no one’s doormat.”

  Brent smiled. “Good. But why so dressed up?”

  “This is just how I’m dressed. You are used to a school with uniforms.”

  “Ok—ay.” He was smirking at her.

  “It’s true!”

  “Lyssa, you ate breakfast at my house last Monday.”

  “So?”

  “So. You were wearing a busted old pair of blue jeans, and your Flyers tee shirt.”

  “Shut up.”

  Brent did. And he stayed that way until he pulled in front of her school.

  “Where are you going?” Alyssa asked when she saw him reach for his door handle.

  “You don’t have an umbrella.” He said simply as he opened his and walked to the around the passenger side. “Shake a leg Maddow—I’m gonna be late.”

  Alyssa would have said something smart back, but she could tell he was joking. And she really didn’t want to get any wetter than necessary. Safely underneath the overhang of the school’s entrance, Alyssa turned to face him. “Thanks. I’ll get a ride home with Beth.” She was on the squad with Alyssa, and they had practice together after school anyway.

  Brent nodded. “Rent a movie later? I’ll cook.”

  “Hockey game’s on at seven. But if you’re still willing to cook you can come watch it on our big screen. Dad’s been ordering a lot of pizza. I am in serious danger of turning into a pepperoni.”

  “Pittsburgh’s playing—you hate Pittsburgh.”

  “I know, I wanna watch ‘em lose.” Alyssa flashed her brightest smile.

  Brent chuckled. “kay. See ya around 6:15.” He tweaked a strand of her hair and hurried back to his car.

  Alyssa turned around to see half a dozen kids from her class trying to look as though they weren’t staring. Not bothering to pretend about staring was Jenn, and she was headed straight for her.

  “Alyssa! Wow. He’s even hotter in that uniform. I might have to get me a Hillfield man. I never would have thought you could trade up from Pete Edser, but I think I’ve been fishing in the wrong pond.”

  “Jenn, you know Brent and I have been friends forever.” Alyssa tried to move past her.

  “Oh no, you don’t. I could tell something was going on when I saw you two together Saturday, and now he’s driving you to school? Well I’m glad you didn’t waste any time. It could have made things awkward you know—with Pete and Lisa together and you all alone.” Jennifer’s sugar sweet voice was probably supposed to sound sympathetic, but piranhas tend to have a hard time pulling off sympathetic. “And don’t you look nice. Dressed up for you new man? I’m glad. All those sportsy clothes? Not really a good look for you.”

  “I think it’s romantic.” Alyssa hadn’t even noticed Sue until she spoke up. She practically melted into Jenn’s shadow. No wonder Alyssa’d had trouble remembering the girl’s name. “Him pining away for you all these years, and now you’re available, and he got all sexy and stuff.”

  “Is that how it was?” Jenn was talking again. “I bet he looks yummy in a suit. It will be a tight fit in the limo, but I’m glad things worked out for you.”

  “What?” Alyssa was getting a head ache.

  “The homecoming dance silly. Or don’t you think you’ll be able to keep him that long?” There were the teeth Alyssa had come to expect from Jenn.

  “Of course we’ll be at the dance. I just hadn’t decided if we wanted to share a limo. I suppose we will though. If there is a problem with space I can just sit in Brent’s lap.” Alyssa walked away. Not as fast as too be running away. But fast enough to keep from hyperventilating in front of her friends. Brent was really not gonna like this.

  At 6:15 on the dot Brent showed up at Alyssa’s back door carrying a grocery bag. He wasn’t in a good mood though. Alyssa needed to ask him to ask her to the homecoming dance, but this was clearly not the time. He was all but silent as he made the pasta and chopped veggies for the salad. When Alyssa asked him what he’d like to drink, he pretty much growled his answer. Definitely not the time to ask for a favor.

  “Food’s good. Thanks.” Alyssa broke the silence after they’d been sitting at her kitchen table for several uncomfortable moments.

  He grunted.

  “Something wrong grouchy pants?” She decided to tease him out of his bad mood.

  “How was school today Lyssa?”

  “Erm… not as bad as I expected?” Was she busted?

  “I got an interesting phone call a little while ago. Betsy Mink doesn’t think it’s a good idea for her and I to go to a movie this weekend after all—but she is happy for us. Anything you want to tell me?” Yup. She was busted.

  “Mink? As in Theresa Mink?” Theresa was in Alyssa’s chemistry class.

  “I think that’s her cousin. What’s going on Lyssa?”

  “Sorry!” Alyssa moaned and dropped her head into her hands. “Jennifer kind of had the idea that we were a couple. And she just kept going on and on about how great it was that I wasn’t going to make things awkward for Pete and Lisa. And she thinks you’re hot!”

  Brent shot her a look that clearly said he could care less about the last part. So Alyssa hurried on.

  “It’s your fault anyway! All that touchy-feely stuff at the corn maze, and then holding the umbrella this morning…”

  “Okay, I may have given Pete the wrong impression to take him down a peg or two, and yeah I held your umbrella—which I would have done for anybody dumb enough to go out in the rain without their own umbrella—but you could have set her straight.”

  “Did you really like Betsy?”

  “What? No. That’s fine, but I don’t like her thinking I asked her out and then hooked up with you a couple days later.”

  “Please do this for me Brent. Going to homecoming alone would be worse than not going at all. And not going is not an option!”

  “I would have taken you to the damn dance Lyssa! I just don’t see why we have to pretend it’s something it isn’t.”

  “I don’t want people thinking I’m alone that’s all.”

  “Yeah, I can see where that would be a real tragedy.” Brent fixed her with a condescending look. “Look, I could care less about the game. I’ve got homework to do.” He got up to leave.

  “Brent!”

  “Its fine Lyssa, I’ll take you to the dance. I will even play prince charming if you think that will make you happy.”

  “Thanks. But actually I was going to ask you for a ride to school in the morning. Dad took my car
to the mechanic.”

  “Yeah, okay. I don’t want to be late though so we’ll have to leave early. ‘Night.” Brent left, and Alyssa tried to watch the game alone. The Penguins got crushed, but she couldn’t really enjoy it.

  Chapter Five

  Brent ended up dropping Alyssa off at school the rest of the week. He was polite and sometimes even funny, but for the first time in 17 years things were awkward between them. She hadn’t spent so many evenings alone since the tenth grade when she was banned from the Carter household until Brent recovered from mono. Even then he had called her every day. Suddenly Brent had too much homework to do any hanging out with her.

  “There’s a football game tonight, right?” Brent was pulling into a spot at her school on Friday morning. “I thought I would come and watch you cheer.”

  “Oh. Okay, thanks. The game’s at 5:00, but… you don’t have too.”

  “Well I don’t have a date anymore—remember?” Brent tossed her a smile, but it didn’t make her laugh. It wasn’t his real smile.

  “Umm… there’s a party too.”

  “I figured as much. Lyssa, are you sure this is what you want? Wouldn’t it be easier to stop all this pretending?”

  “Not really.” Alyssa muttered and got out of the car. She didn’t want to give him a chance to change his mind.

  Alyssa plastered on her brightest smile during the game. She cheered and jumped for all she was worth—even when Pete made two touch downs, and she would rather have booed. Brent spent most of the game propped against a railing, cheering when they scored, chatting occasionally with other kids, and generally playing the good boyfriend. For some reason it made Alyssa feel even worse when he smiled and waved at her after their halftime routine.

  The party was a little better. Alyssa and Brent had been to tons of parties together. And even though he hadn’t seen a lot of these people in several years Brent had no problem fitting in and making conversation. Alyssa really envied that about him. He was comfortable in just about any situation. Everywhere they went he seemed to make friends. It was no different in a house full of teenagers that, Alyssa knew, would turn on him in a second if it benefitted them socially.