Barry was waiting for Tom at the courts.
"Something tells me today's my day. I'm not going to let you cream me the way you usually do," Barry told him. It was a typical, cheerful comment, but Barry's voice sounded a little forced.
Tom laughed. "I'm sure you're right. Judging from the kind of day it's been, you'll probably take every game away from me."
The two played in silence for a while. By the second set, Tom was actually starting to relax and to enjoy himself. Barry, he noticed, was unusually subdued.
"You doing OK?" Tom asked him when they took a quick break.
"Yeah, I guess." Barry sighed. "I'm a little bummed out about this thing with Amy. I know it's dumb, but I really like her a lot."
Tom was quiet for a minute. He remembered what Jake had said, that sometimes it seemed as though everybody was in love with the wrong person. "Listen, have you tried telling her how you feel?" he asked.
Barry wiped his brow with a towel. "Tom, tell me the honest truth. You're not interested in her? Not at all?"
Tom laughed. "No, Barry. I promise. Not one bit."
"Really?" Barry's face brightened a little. "And you wouldn't mind if I told her how much I like her? See, I've been afraid to bring this up, because I thought, well, you know, that you just weren't interested in Amy right now, because of Jean. Once you're over Jean, I thought you might want, you know. . . ."
Tom couldn't believe his ears. Barry had been afraid to ask him about Amy. Suddenly it seemed so crazy to Tom how scared people were to admit their real feelings. "Listen, Barry," he said, almost before he realized what he was saying, "I'm not sure I'm interested in girls, period."
Barry stared at him. "Are you . . ." He broke off.
"I don't know, Barry. I just don't really know." Tom took a deep breath. "I'm telling you this because you're a good friend. I keep trying to figure out why things didn't work out with Jeanie. She's a fantastic girl. For a while I thought she was everything I ever wanted. But the relationship didn't hold together, for reasons I'm just beginning to understand."
"This is serious stuff, Tom," Barry said.
"Yeah, it is. But—" Tom remembered Kathy's warning. "But I don't expect a final answer anytime soon. All I'm saying is, don't worry about me and Amy, OK?" He tapped Barry on the arm with his racket. "Do yourself a favor and tell her how you feel. You'll never forgive yourself if you don't."
Barry nodded. "You're right." He waited a minute before speaking again. "Thanks for the advice. You're a pretty perceptive guy."
"And you're about to lose the last set unless you concentrate on the game," Tom joked.
Tom was glad he had been able to tell Barry what he was thinking. Barry had not reacted as if Tom had made a horrifying confession or revealed a terrible dark secret. Maybe he had not said everything he had wanted to, but more confidences would come with time.
Barry had not run away from Tom or treated him like a monster. As he took his place on the other side of the net he seemed every bit at ease with Tom as he had before. Enough at ease to fling his racket to the ground when Tom trounced him, two sets to one.
Jessica went to Lila's house after school on Wednesday afternoon to rehash the weekend. It had been harder than she had guessed to say goodbye to Jake, to accept the fact that nothing romantic was ever going to happen between them.
"I still think Jake's the cutest guy to have visited Sweet Valley in ages. If only he lived a little closer, I'm sure he'd come around," Jessica said thoughtfully as she thumbed through the latest issue of Ingenue magazine.
"I don't know about that. Persistence doesn't always pay off," Lila reminded her. "Look at Amy. She's only making things worse by pursuing Tom, and she doesn't even realize it."
"Lila, I hope you're not suggesting I'd ever be as crude as Amy's being," Jessica said. She was horrified. "I don't blame Tom for being scared off. Amy's just chasing him now. She could at least try to be a little more subtle," Jessica added.
"Yeah. She should have tried to make him jealous," Lila said slowly.
"Maybe. If I were her, I would have been really sympathetic about the breakup with Jean. You know, play the role of supportive friend for a while," Jessica mused. "Then, once he really trusted me, I would have pounced. But not before."
"You know, Amy really needs us. She can't help it if she's simpleminded sometimes," Lila declared nobly.
Jessica frowned. "I don't think she deserves help, to tell you the truth."
"Well, I'm not sure our help would make any difference now. I think she's ruined her chances with Tom all on her own," Lila said. "But I do think Amy deserves a break. After all, she has been deprived of our wonderful company for over a week!"
"True," Jessica conceded. She had to admit she was beginning to miss Amy Sutton, just a little, "All right, I'll tell you what. After one more day of the silent treatment we'll give her another chance."
"Great idea!" Lila bounced off her bed. Her eyes sparkled. "I can't wait to hear Amy's version of her disastrous romance!"
Jessica groaned. One thing she had no illusions about was Amy's personal version of her pursuit of Tom McKay. Still, Jessica was a little curious to hear how Amy was handling this most recent spectacular rejection.
No doubt she would come crawling back to her friends, Jessica thought with pleasure. She would admit how silly she had been. And then Jessica and Lila would have the pleasure of telling Amy that they had told her so!
Eleven
Amy wandered into her parents' bedroom. It was the middle of the week already, Wednesday night. It had been a long and tiring day, and she had been hoping for a chance to talk to her mother alone. But so far, that hadn't happened.
"Sweetie, I've been so busy lately," her mother said, giving Amy a quick kiss as she scooped up some papers from her bedside table. "I've never seen things at the station this busy. And your father's been working like a maniac on his book." She looked at Amy and smiled sadly. "You must feel as if we've abandoned you."
Amy sighed. "That's OK, Mom. But I did want to ask for some advice. If you've got a minute."
"Of course I've got a minute!" her mother said, glancing quickly at the memo.
Amy took a deep breath. "What would you do if there was someone you really, really liked . . . I mean, not just a crush, but someone potentially serious?"
Her mother smiled. "What do you mean, what would I do? Do you have to do something?"
"Well, in this case, yes," Amy said unhappily. "I'm not sure he feels the same way as I do. He recently broke up with a girl. Maybe he just needs more time to get over her," she added.
Mrs. Sutton paid closer attention when she saw how distressed her daughter looked. "Is this someone at school?"
"You don't know him, but, yeah, he's a junior. He's a wonderful guy, Mom." Amy's eyes shone. "He's a great tennis player, and he's incredibly cute."
Mrs. Sutton raised her eyebrows. "But what's he like, Amy?"
Amy stared at her mother uncomprehendingly. Hadn't she just told her mother what Tom was like? "What do you mean? He's got blond hair," she said. "He's, I guess he's sort of a jock, if you know what I mean."
Mrs. Sutton laughed. "I'm not sure I do. You're not in love with someone just because he has blond hair and plays tennis, are you? Amy, what's his personality like? His character?"
Amy was surprised. She hadn't really thought much about Tom's personality. "He's popular," she began. "Kids at school like him a lot. He's . . ." Amy suddenly realized that she really didn't know Tom all that well. What was he like? Amy blushed. "You know, like I said before. Not just a jock. And popular, too."
Mrs. Sutton shook her head. "I don't think your labeling Tom as a jock or popular is going to help this relationship one bit, Amy. How do you suppose Tom would describe you?"
The question astonished her. How would Tom describe her? Hopefully, he would say she was pretty. Even beautiful. And popular. Or at least I was popular before my best friends abandoned me, she thought sadly.
Amy felt a bit unsteady. Cute and popular. That could be almost any girl at Sweet Valley High!
"My advice would be to get to know him," Mrs. Sutton said. "Become his friend. Sometimes a good friendship leads to a good romantic relationship." Mrs. Sutton gave her daughter an affectionate hug. "And if something romantic doesn't happen, at least you've got a new friend!"
Amy thought suddenly about Barry. Now, she could describe Barry's personality in a second! Funny, a little weird, very sensitive and caring, intelligent. But that was different. That wasn't the stuff of a romantic hero.
Was it?
Amy blinked. I must be losing my mind, she thought. She shook her head as if to clear it. What on earth would her friends say if she ever went out with someone like Barry?
"I think I just need to try harder," she mused, half to herself, half to her mother. "Mom, what do you think about girls asking guys out?"
Her mother laughed. "You're asking a woman sportscaster about traditional gender roles? Amy, didn't I ever tell you that I asked your father out on our first date?"
Amy's eyes brightened. Now, this was the kind of information she wanted to hear!
"So if I did something like invite him to a concert, you think it would be OK?"
"Why not?" Mrs. Sutton smiled. "The worst that could happen is that he'd say no. But chances are that he'd be thrilled."
A shadow of doubt crossed Amy's mind. Would Tom be thrilled? She wished she could be sure!
"What do you have available for Saturday?" Amy asked the young woman in the ticket booth. It was Thursday afternoon, still early enough to get tickets for a great show this weekend. A show Tom could not say no to.
"Well, let's see." The woman studied her computer screen. "I've got two seats left for the Number One concert." The Number One was one of the most popular bands in California.
"Great!" she exclaimed. "How much are they?"
"They're very good seats. The tickets are thirty dollars each," the woman replied.
Amy couldn't believe it. Sixty dollars for two tickets?
"What else is on?" she asked uncertainly.
"Not much. Oh, there's a folk festival at the Civic Center," the woman replied.
Amy dug out her wallet. "I'll take the tickets for the Number One," she said. She couldn't believe she was spending so much money, but she had no idea whether Tom would enjoy the folk festival. Now at least I know he'll want to go. Who wouldn't, with great tickets like these? she reasoned.
Amy turned away from the counter and slipped the two tickets into her wallet. She heard someone call her name. Barry Rork was crossing the street, a big smile on his face.
"Amy, hi! I didn't think I'd run into you. Are you going to the clinic?"
Amy nodded. "Yeah. I had to buy some tickets first."
Amy fell into step beside him.
"What tickets?" he asked her.
"I got two tickets to hear the Number One this Saturday night. Center aisle, four rows back," she said, grinning triumphantly. "Barry, I'm going to ask Tom to go with me. Do you think he'll be up for it?" Amy had not intended to tell Barry about her plan, but she was so excited she had to tell someone. Besides, she trusted Barry's opinion as one of Tom's good friends.
A frown crossed Barry's face. Barry stopped and looked straight at her. "Can I tell you what I really think? You won't get upset?"
Amy stared back. "You can say whatever you want to," she answered, a little defensively.
"I don't think Tom's going to want to go to the concert," Barry said simply.
"How do you know?" Amy's voice shook slightly.
"I just . . . well, it's just this feeling I have," Barry answered somewhat weakly.
"You're just saying that," Amy snapped. "You don't have any reason for thinking he won't go."
"Trust me, Amy. He's not interested," Barry said bluntly. "I wouldn't say this if I didn't . . . if I weren't your friend."
"Thanks a lot for the information," Amy said coldly.
"Amy, please don't be angry at me," Barry pleaded, reaching for her hand.
Amy snatched it away. Still, she tried her best not to let Barry see how really upset she was. Had Tom said something to Barry about her? Her face red and her eyes flashing, Amy marched ahead of Barry until they reached the clinic. She had another training session, then joined him at the phones. For the rest of the afternoon she ignored him. And when he asked if he could take her out for a soda after work, she spat out the words "No thanks."
Amy had planned to ask Tom to the concert sometime before lunch on Friday. But she never got the chance. She was going to have to wait until lunchtime.
Much to Amy's surprise, Jessica and Lila approached her as she sat at a table by herself.
"Can we sit here?" Jessica asked.
Lila put her tray down before Amy could say a word. "We've been wondering about you. How's it going with Tom?" she asked, giving Jessica a sly look.
Amy looked from one to the other. "Fine," she said coolly.
"Yeah? He didn't look as if he was really all that interested last weekend," Jessica commented.
"In fact," Amy said, ignoring Jessica's remark, "I'm taking him to the Number One concert on Saturday night." Again, Amy had not meant to tell anyone about her plan. But seeing her friends' awed faces, she thought she had done the right thing.
Jessica looked impressed. "You're kidding. You got tickets to the concert? Who did you bribe?"
"And Tom's going with you?" Lila demanded.
"Well . . ." Amy couldn't exactly lie. "He hasn't said yes yet."
"Ah ha!" Lila cried.
"Because I haven't asked him yet," Amy continued. "But I'm going to. In fact, I was planning to ask him at lunch, but then you guys came over." Amy frowned at her friends.
"Well, why should we stop you?" Lila suggested.
Amy blushed. "I don't want to ask him in front of a lot of people. It might embarrass him." She fiddled with her napkin.
"It won't embarrass him," Lila insisted. "Look, there he is."
Tom McKay and several members of the tennis team, including Barry Rork and Kirk Anderson, were heading toward a nearby table. Lila waved them over. "Come over here, guys. We've got lots of room," she called brightly.
Tom looked anxiously at Amy and glanced at his friends who were already pulling extra chairs up to the table. "Uh, OK," he mumbled.
Jessica poked Amy under the table. "Go on," she hissed. "Ask him."
Amy cringed. This was not the setting she had had in mind, but she seemed to have no choice. She might not be able to get Tom alone at all after lunch. "Tom, I was looking for you," Amy said coyly.
"Really?"
"I've been dying to tell you about my surprise for Saturday night. I managed to get fourth-row seats for the Number One concert at the Atrium!"
Tom looked at his food. His face turned slightly pink.
"And I wondered if you would go with me," Amy added quickly.
Tom picked up his sandwich. "I don't think so, Amy. But thanks, anyway."
Lila gave Amy a jab under the table and Amy felt her cheeks burn. She had never been so humiliated. This could not be happening. Lila and Jessica would never let her live this down! They would tell everyone she was a complete jerk. They would tease her, probably even kick her out of the sorority for being such a drip.
"Tom, you have to." Amy could not believe she was begging.
"I, uh, Amy, I can't," Tom said again. "I'm sorry.
Amy could feel Barry's compassionate gaze on her. It made her feel even worse than Jessica's and Lila's amused smirks.
"Oh, don't be such a killjoy," she said to Tom lightly, but a little pleadingly as well. "You can't miss the best concert of the year. They've got a great group opening for them, too."
Kirk Anderson rolled his eyes. "Tom, I think you're going to have to spell it out for her. N O means no. You know, Amy's not exactly a rocket scientist." He laughed meanly. "What else can you expect from a dumb blonde."
"Cut it out, Anders
on," Barry said angrily.
Amy felt tears sting her eyes. Never in her whole life had anyone said anything that insulting about her. What made it worse was that he had said it right to her face, as if she had absolutely no feelings. Amy felt as if she had been slapped. Dumb blonde! How could Kirk have called her that?
"I've got to go," she said. She could feel herself trembling as she got to her feet.
"Amy, wait," Tom said.
"Don't listen to Kirk. He's a fool," Barry added.
Even Lila and Jessica looked sympathetic. But Amy refused to listen. She had had it, with every single one of them. Some friends, she thought miserably. Jessica and Lila had actually enjoyed watching Tom make a fool of her.
Amy knew exactly how little everyone thought of her. And that being the case, she was much better off alone!
Well, forget them. Amy stormed out of the lunchroom and raced to the library. She could be sure neither Jessica nor Lila would follow her there. As for Tom, she was never going to speak to him again.
Twelve
The rest of the day was a blur. Amy tried to block out the memory of the humiliating scene at lunch, but it refused to stay hidden. Jessica and Lila would never let her live it down. She could just imagine what the two of them were saying about her right now. And Tom and Barry . . .
Amy couldn't help but remember what her mother had asked her. How would Tom describe her? As a dumb blonde, Amy thought, furious tears springing into her eyes. Someone too stupid to understand when she was being rejected.
What a jerk I've been. Amy sighed. She walked to her locker to put her books away after the final bell.
An envelope was taped to her locker door. "For Amy," it said. Inside was a note from Tom.
Dear Amy,
I'm really sorry I can't go to the concert with you this weekend. I'm going through a hard time right now and I don't think I'd be very good company. But thanks for asking me.
Barry and I took care of Kirk. He's an idiot sometimes! Don't pay any attention to what he said, OK?
Tom
Amy bit her lip. That was nice of him, she conceded. He didn't have to write her an apology letter. Maybe, just maybe, the fact that he wasn't interested in her romantically right now didn't mean he didn't like her as a person. Maybe he didn't think she was a dumb blonde, after all.
Amy's True Love (Sweet Valley High Book 75) Page 8
