Sweet Reunion

by Melanie Shawn

  “Well, I'm just excited that I've decided to ignore the fact that I'm in training for this one night and enjoy some of Sue Ann's delicious home cooking!” Sam enthused.

  Amanda chimed in, “Well, if we're all listing off things we're happy about, let me just put in that it's fantastic to be enjoying an evening out with my very best friends!”

  They all echoed their agreement and started to study the menu.

  “Oh, pot roast,” Sam intoned lustily, “Or chili. With cheese and onions.”

  Karina handed her a napkin, and Sam returned a quizzical look.

  “For the drool,” Karina clarified.

  They all laughed, Sam included, and she shot back, “Hey, you try hardly ever eating anything but greens and grilled fish for ten years and see what your reaction is to the thought of a big, juicy cheeseburger and a chocolate shake!”

  Just then Kelly King slunk up to their table, carrying an order pad and wearing a curve-hugging stretchy T-shirt and a pair of jeans that looked as if they had been painted onto her skin. Her hair was teased out and sprayed to a volume that seemed physics should have defied, and her blusher and eyeshadow looked as if they had been applied with paint brushes rather than cosmetics brushes.

  “Take your order?” she inquired listlessly.

  “Where's your gum?” Karina asked in an innocent tone of voice.

  Kelly gave her a disdainful look, “What?”

  Karina shrugged, “I don't know, you just look like you should be popping gum, somehow. It would seem to complete the picture.”

  Amanda cringed inside at the sight of Kelly, who had been two years ahead of her at Hope Falls High. Amanda had never cared for her, not the least reason for which was that Justin had dated her off and on. Of course, it's not like that made her a member of an exclusive club. Justin had dated half of Hope Falls High off and on – and the remaining half had been male.

  But, Kelly had been different than the other girls. While most of Justin's conquests had tried to ingratiate themselves with Amanda as a way to further solidify their bond with Justin, Kelly had taken a different approach.

  When Justin had been in the room, sure, she had been all smiles and sweetness. But the instant Justin left the room, even if only to go and get a soda, she had treated Amanda like an annoying little bug to be squashed.

  Also, she had a very irritating habit of squealing when she saw Justin, a very sharp, high-pitched sound, with a distinctive cadence - “Oooooo, Justin!” It made Amanda's skin crawl.

  Kelly sighed dramatically and tapped her pencil impatiently against her pad, “Are you gonna gimme your orders or what?”

  Karina looked thoughtful, “Hmmm. Well, I know for sure that Sam's getting the steamed broccoli and grilled salmon plate. As for me...”

  “Like hell I am!” Sam laughed.

  Kelly did not look amused, and said flatly, “We don't have that.”

  Karina shrugged, “Just as well.”

  Kelly started tapping her foot, “Look, I've got other customers. Are you going to order or what?”

  Karina snorted, “Fine, buzzkill, way to put a damper on ladies night,” and then she singsonged, “I smell a 5% tiiiip...”

  Amanda rushed in to smooth things over, “Sorry, Kelly, we're ready...I'm going to have the roast chicken with mashed potatoes, and an iced tea.”

  Kelly rolled her eyes at Amanda, for no particular reason, and Amanda felt her pique start to rise. Without writing down Amanda's order, she turned to Lauren, “And for you?”

  Lauren smiled, the way she always smiled at her enemies. Blithely, but with a razor current of ice underneath.

  “The same,” she said sweetly, “Wouldn't you like to write it down?”

  Kelly smirked and made a big show of writing slowly as she said, “Sure. Here we go. T-H-E S-A-M-E. I think that's how you spell it.”

  “How unfortunate that you wouldn't be certain,” Lauren replied with faux sympathy.

  Kelly rolled her eyes, took their orders sullenly, and then turned and sulked off without saying another word.

  “Wow,” Karina said, “That's really the number one thing I miss about home, if I had to narrow it down. Forced to put my finger on it, I'd really say that how popular we are is the most charming part of being home in Hope Falls. Adoring fans can't match this kind of love!”

  “Oh, she's just still jealous of Amanda,” Lauren stated.

  “Jealous,” Amanda scoffed, “I don't think she was ever jealous of me, she just hated me.”

  “Because of jealousy, of course,” Lauren insisted placidly, “What else could have been behind such an immediate and intense vitriolic response, and especially where a man is involved? That's jealous, my friend!”

  Amanda shrugged, “Maybe she just finds me annoying.”

  Sam grimaced, looking towards the door, “Oh, God, speaking of annoying, I think we're about to be treated to the ear-splitting refrain of her favorite catchphrase...”

  Before Amanda even had a chance to be puzzled at this, she heard Kelly's voice, higher than usual in both pitch and volume, squealing, “Ooooooo, Justin!!”

  As Amanda turned around to witness the source of Kelly's caterwauling, she was just in time to see Kelly launch herself joyfully into Justin's arms, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist, and planting a big, juicy kiss square on his mouth.

  Feeling sick to her stomach, she whirled back around in her seat, not even realizing that her eyes were narrowed, her face was tight, and her mouth was pressed together in a thin line.

  Sam looked at her and laughed, “Well, I guess Kelly's not the only jealous one in the room.”

  Amanda gave her an affronted glance and huffed, “I certainly am not jealous! She can act like a little tramp all she likes. She can throw herself all over him for all I care. It's not like he's asking her to.”

  Lauren was still gazing at Kelly and Justin, her expression one of faint nausea, “No, but he's certainly not rushing to remove his hands from her cute little bubble butt, either.”

  Amanda turned again and looked at the pair. Yes, Justin did have his hands on her ass, one palm cupping each cheek, as she continued to cling to him and squeal.

  Amanda protested, somewhat lamely, “Well...it's not like he's just going to let her fall or something.”

  Lauren shook her head, “She's stuck to him like crazy glue. He could stick his arms out straight to the side and try to fly like a bird, that girl's not going anywhere.”

  Amanda glared at Lauren, “Thanks, that's helpful.”

  Lauren shrugged, “Hey, don't take it out on me. I'm not the one feeling up my ex in the middle of a cafe.”

  Kelly rushed over to their table, and said in a snotty tone, “Are you almost done? We have a very important party here that needs to be seated.”

  Lauren looked at her incredulously, “Are you kidding me, Kelly? You just took our orders not even five minutes ago!”

  Kelly bratted, “And?”

  Lauren glared, “You haven't even brought our food yet.”

  Karina said, feigning a helpful tone, “But, Kelly, if you'd like to just sit Justin and his buddies with us at our table, that would work. After all, since Justin's been STAYING with Amanda...”

  This was obviously news to Kelly, because she let her snotty mean-girl guise slip for a moment. Her true emotions showed through as she visibly paled, and hurt sparked in her eyes. This momentary lapse was short-lived, however, and she snapped, “What are you, an idiot? This is a four top.”

  Kelly flounced back to Justin and his crew, and Karina shook her head, causing her long, glossy black mane to shimmer. “It's just...the love, you know? Heartwarming.”

  At exactly that moment, the people at the table directly next to the Fabulous Four got up and left, and Justin's group began making their way over. Kelly rushed ahead of them and blocked their way, saying, “Oh, no, you guys don't want that table. It's the WORST table in the whole place.”

  Justin scooted around
her, plopping himself down in the chair which was in the closest proximity to Amanda's, winking at her. Amanda turned her back on him without acknowledging the wink.

  Justin turned to Kelly and said cheerfully, “Kelly, this table is fine. We'll be great here, don't worry.”

  Kelly started to turn away angrily, but Karina caught her arm, “Oh, Kelly, darling,” she said sweetly, “Just a reminder. I have a perfectly clear view of the counter where the plates are put out, through the entire route you will take while carrying them to our table. No funny business. And just as a precaution, how about you stay in my eyeline the whole time until our food gets to our table? No little trips back to the kitchen.”

  Kelly scowled at her sullenly, “I don't have to do what you say.”

  Karina met her scowl with a bright smile, “Oh, but you do! Unless you want me to have a good long talk with Sue Ann about the way we've been treated here tonight, and about the way that you were frenching Justin in full view of the other tables, who incidentally probably would have preferred you spend your time refilling their water glasses rather than playing public tonsil hockey, then you definitely do.”

  Kelly rolled her eyes. Sam said, “Careful, you do that too much, they might stay that way.”

  Suddenly, Kelly's sullen demeanor got a pick me up. She said, “You want me to stay where you can see me? Fine.”

  And with that, she stepped over to Justin's chair, planted herself firmly in his lap, and began playing with his hair.

  Sam turned to Karina, “What was that?”

  Karina shrugged, “What? I played a lot of little clubs when I was coming up. A lot of them served bar food. I've seen how it works when a server hates you.”

  Just then, they heard the shrill peal of Kelly's laugh from the next table and looked over. Kelly had her head thrown back in a faux carefree way, which pressed her breasts up towards Justin's face, almost at eye level – and he definitely wasn't averting his eyes, much to Amanda's chagrin.

  “Oooooo, Justin, you're so funny!” Kelly squeaked.

  “God, that sound is like nails on a chalkboard,” Amanda grumbled.

  Sam smiled, “Jeaaaalous,” she sing-songed, drawing out the first syllable, “Jealous, jealous, jealous.”

  Amanda drew herself up with dignity, “I can find her annoying without being jealous of her.”

  Sam agreed readily, “Oh, for sure, definitely you can. But she was being equally annoying before he came in, and you were trying to keep the peace. Now, Justin's here, and suddenly her level of annoyingness – while impressive, I grant you – seem to be affecting you quite a bit more.”

  Lauren smiled slyly and chimed in, “Yep. That's the green eyed monster. Firm diagnosis, doctor.”

  Karina laughed, “Amanda, are you blushing? Blushing, my dear? Yet another symptom. Defensiveness and blushing when diagnosis is made. Oh, yes. It's jealousy.”

  The girls laughed as Amanda buried her face in her hands, and were still getting a kick out of their joke when Kelly slammed their plates in front of them, making the table rattle.

  “Here's your food,” she said hostilely to Karina, “am I free to go where I want now?”

  Karina shrugged, “Do what you like.”

  Amanda started digging in before the other three had even unwrapped their silverware from their napkins.

  “Hungry much?” Lauren teased.

  Sam added with a chuckle, “Wow, and I thought I was desperate for a home cooked meal!”

  Amanda said determinedly, “I just want to get out of here as soon as possible. Jealousy, annoyance...call it what you will, but the sound of her voice is like acid in my veins...”

  “I call it jealousy,” Karina replied, “What? You said call it what you will.”

  As the four of them ate, Amanda's angst at Kelly's antics was tempered by her gratitude for having such great friends. Sure, they may tease her. They may joke a little just to get a rise. But when push came to shove, they had her back, as evidenced by the fact that they were scarfing down their meals like lumberjacks who hadn't eaten in a week. And when their bellies were full, they hustled her out of there like the place was on fire, leaving Kelly only a penny trapped below an upside down glass filled with water for a tip.

  Amanda sighed. If, like some posited, there was no better gauge for friendship than the blind willingness to band together against the other's enemy – then if nothing else, tonight had showed her who her friends really were. Sadly, it seemed that Justin was not among them.

  Chapter 15

  The next morning, Amanda dragged herself miserably down the stairs to the kitchen, desperate for a cup of coffee. She had tossed and turned all night long, unable to achieve even a modicum of peace. Every time she started to drift off, she would be jerked awake by the shrill sound of Kelly's voice in her memory.

  The refrain of, “Oooooo, Justin!” replaying over and over again in her mind had kept Amanda up all night long, completely against her will. This morning, she found herself bleary eyed, grumpy, and utterly resentful of that fact.

  When she entered the kitchen, she saw that she was actually the last one in the house to find her way down there that morning – a testament to her sleepless night. She stumbled over to the coffee pot and poured herself a cup of the fresh, steaming brew. She took a long, glorious slug of the magical elixir as she shuffled over to the kitchen table, setting it down and collapsing roughly into the chair in front of it, dropping her head into her folded arms on the tabletop.

  “Rough night?” Justin teased.

  “Wouldn't you like to know,” she mumbled.

  “Hmmmm....testy,” he continued lightly, “This wouldn't have anything to do with dinner last night, would it?”

  Amanda sat up, pushing her hair back from her face, and putting on a stoic front. “I have no idea what you mean, “she said loftily, “Dinner last night was lovely.”

  “Oh, yes,” Justin said, giving her a thumbs up, “I could tell you were enjoying it by the way that you didn't pause to breathe between bites.”

  Karina let out a bark of laughter at that remark, and Sam and Lauren swatted at her.

  “What? That was funny!” Karina defended herself.

  Amanda pretended not to notice Karina's small outburst. She turned her attention instead to Justin, saying, “Well, I noticed that you were having quite the time.”

  Justin feigned innocence, the only thing giving him away was the small wink that he gave Amanda as he said, “I have no idea what you're talking about.”

  Amanda tried to sound as nonchalant as she could, but was unable to completely keep the tightness from her voice as she said, “Well, you seemed to be enjoying the service, so to speak.”

  “Oh!” Justin said, making a big show of feigning sudden realization of what she was talking about, “Do you mean Kelly? Oh, yeah. Catching up with her was fun. She's a great waitress.”

  Amanda spluttered out a disbelieving, “Fun?!” at the same time that Karina burst out incredulously, “A great waitress?!”

  Justin chuckled, “Amanda, if I didn't know better, I'd say you were a little jealous...”

  Amanda drew herself up in the kitchen chair, trying to project as refined an aura of dignity as it is possible to achieve while wearing faded plaid pajama bottoms, bunny slippers, and an “I <3 Nerds” T-shirt. “I haven't the slightest idea what you might be talking about.”

  “Oh, good,” Justin parried back with a cocky grin, “because I was thinking of heading down there again tonight. Maybe she'll have another shift. Or, who knows? Maybe it'll be another one of my exes. I'm pretty sure they all remember me...well...fondly, I guess is the word.”

  “Hornily?” Karina supplied, and when Lauren flicked her in the ear, she said, “Whatever, semantics. Continue.”

  Justin grinned wider, “Might be fun to catch up with them, too.”

  Amanda got up from the kitchen table, crossing to the toaster and putting two slices of wheat bread into it. “Do what you like,” she said tightly,
“It makes no difference to me.”

  Justin laughed heartily, throwing his head back. Amanda looked at him with a mixture of suspicion and irritation, and a sneaking feeling that she was being played. “What?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.

  Justin shook his head, “Oh, nothing. Just that watching you make toast with your super straight back and your choppy little movements, and then listening to your strained tone of voice, the only conclusion that keeps running through my head is – that girl is definitely NOT jealous! You've convinced me, Amanda! Mission accomplished.”

  He started to chuckle again, and the girls joined in, melting Amanda's reserves. “Fine,” she admitted, grinning ruefully as she spread butter on her toast. A blush climbed her cheeks as she said, “I will admit that I didn't appreciate her treating me like crap, only for her to then immediately settle herself down into your oh-so-welcoming lap.”

  Justin put his hands out in front of him entreatingly, palms up, and smiled one of his trademark smiles. Amanda recognized this one. It was #243, the carefree-little-boy-lost one, the one that projected a 'hey, I'm just so irresistible, what do you expect me to do about it?' vibe.

  “What could I do?” he asked innocently.

  Karina jumped in, “I gotta say, bud. I'm with Amanda on this one. There was a very distinct line in the sand drawn last night. You could have chosen Team Friends or Team Boobs, and you definitely planted yourself firmly in the Team Boobs camp. Well, I mean, I heard you come in before ten o'clock, so you didn't plant yourself too firmly in Team Boobs, but you get what I'm saying.”

  “She needed a place to sit!” he protested, “I couldn't very well just shove her off onto the floor!”

  Amanda looked like she was considering this, “Well, I suppose,” she said with a sly half smile, “that as much as that would have been an exceedingly satisfying visual, one that I would have cherished close to my heart for all eternity, it probably wasn't a very viable course of action.”

  “And besides,” Justin said placatingly, but with a tinge of heat to his voice, “If I had been choosing someone to sit on my lap for this Team Boobs thing of Karina's, believe me, she is not the one that would have been there.”