Southern Attraction (15 page)

             
“I will.  I’m sorry for bringing her home so late,” Jake said as he rushed to his truck to go home.

Chapter Twenty-Five

              Monday morning came way too early for Heather.  She pulled back her quilt and slid out of bed.  She could hear Mick banging pots and pans in the kitchen, and she realized that he must have been making breakfast. 

             
“Uncle Mick, don’t fix anything for me, I’m not hungry,” she said as she peeked her head out of the door.

             
“You can get a bite or two.  The school ain’t going no where,” Mick replied back.   

             
“Uncle Mick, I’m running late this morning.  I’ll eat something at lunch.  Don’t worry about me.  I can take care of myself,” she replied.

             
“You can carry a biscuit with ya when you leave,” Mick argued.

             
“Oh all right, if it will make you happy,” Heather said.

             
After putting on her clothes and grabbing a ham biscuit that Mick made her, she hurried out the door to go to school.  She didn’t think about having to talk to Shawn until she arrived at the school.  She saw him getting out of his truck as she pulled into the parking spot next to his.

             
Shawn stood by his truck as Heather got out of her car.  He stared at her without saying anything as she drew closer to him.

             
“Hi Shawn.  How was your weekend?” she asked.  Shawn was silent as he looked at her.

             
“Are you still not going to talk to me?” she asked.

             
“What do you want to talk to me about?” he asked.

             
“I asked you about your weekend,” she replied.

             
“I heard you but I think you want to talk to me about something else.  Don’t you?” he inquired.

             
“I don’t know what you are referring to,” Heather replied.

             
“I am re-ferring to your date with Jake.  Yea, I heard all about it,” Shawn said sarcastically.

             
Heather was confused.  She wondered how he could have heard about her date unless Jake had told him. 

             
“Who told you that I had a date with Jake?” she asked.

             
“That doesn’t matter.  Why don’t you quit beating around the bush and tell me what you wanted to tell me,” Shawn said.

             
“Yes, we need to talk, but I wanted to meet with you in private.  School is not the right place to talk.  Will you meet me at Sally’s diner tonight after school?” she inquired.

             
“Look, I know you like Jake.  I know you went out with him and now you want to break it to me gently.  Why don’t we just say that you did and leave it at that?  I don’t want to prolong all this.  Besides, I wanted to tell you that I had a date with someone this weekend too,” Shawn replied.

             
“You did?  Who with?” Heather asked.

             
“I’m going to let her tell you.  Let’s just say that I’m not going to hold any grudges against you or Jake.  I  still care about you but I know who you want to be with, so I’m going to try to move on,” Shawn said.

             
“Is this girl that you had a date with someone that I’m friends with?” Heather asked.

             
“I’m not going to tell you anything right now.  Just wait and you’ll find out sooner or later.  Let’s just forget everything that has happened between us and stay friends.  Is that fine with you?” he asked.

             
Heather walked over and gave Shawn a hug.  Jake was across the parking lot watching Heather and Shawn.  He couldn’t make out what she was saying but he saw Heather give Shawn a hug.

             
“That is perfectly fine with me.  I want all of us to be friends.  I don’t know who you are going out with, but I hope that you will be happy,” Heather replied.

             
“Good.  We better go inside before we are sent to the principal’s office again,” Shawn said as he smiled.

             
Heather looked back and smiled at him too.  She didn’t see Jake as she entered the school.

             
Heather waited for Jake to make it to class, but he never showed up.  She wondered what could have happened to him. 

             
Class after class passed without a word from Jake.  Shawn didn’t seem as unhappy as she thought he would be after their talk.  Heather saw Stephanie and Shawn talking throughout the day.  She wondered if Stephanie could be the one that Shawn went out with. 

             
The thought of Stephanie and Shawn together upset her a little but she was glad that he had someone.  When Stephanie and Heather were alone after class, Stephanie confessed to Heather about her date with Shawn.

             
“So how did your date go?” Heather inquired.

             
“It was good.  You aren’t mad are you?” Stephanie asked.

             
“No, I’m just glad he found someone.  I’m glad you have someone too,” Heather replied.

             
“Thanks Heather, I was so worried that you were going to be mad?” Stephanie said.

             
“No, I’m happy for you two.  How did you two end up going out together?” Heather inquired.

             
  “Well, let’s see.  He called me a few times after my father died and he seemed really sincere.  Then I talked with him a couple of times after some of the football games, and we seemed to hit it off.  I didn’t want to pursue anything, until I knew for sure that things weren’t going to work out with you two,” Stephanie replied.

             
“Well, I’m just glad that everything is working out between us.  School will be over before we know it, and I want us to remain friends,” Heather replied.

             
“I do too.  Thank you for understanding.  You are truly a special person,” Stephanie said.

             
“Thank you.  You’re sweet, and you are special too.  I know you have had it rough after your father passed away.  I’m glad Shawn was able to give you some comfort,” Heather replied.

             
“I am too.  You know things usually work out one way or another.  I’m glad things are finally working out for both of us.  I’m glad we are friends,” Stephanie responded. “Me too,” Heather said as she gave Stephanie a hug.

Chapter Twenty-Six

              After school, Heather drove over to Jake’s house to check on him.  She expected to find him in bed sick but he was sitting in the living room when she arrived. 

             
“Jake, I’ve been worried about you.  I thought you were sick or something.  Has something happened that I don’t know about?” she inquired.

             
“No.  Why?” he asked.

             
“Jake.  You missed school today.  What’s the matter?”

             
“I was at the school this morning when I saw you talking to Shawn.  I guess you have decided to patch things up with him,” Jake said.

             
“No, I haven’t.  Whatever gave you that idea?” she asked.

             
“I saw the two of you in a tight embrace,” he replied.

             
“Jake, I gave him a hug.  That was it.  We talked things out, and he knows I want to be with you,” she answered.

             
“Is that so?” he asked.

             
“Yes.  Besides he is dating Stephanie now,” Heather replied.

             
Jake looked at Heather strangely then said, “What did you say?”

             
“Stephanie, I know.  It seems weird the two of them being together, but they both seem happy about it,” Heather said.

             
“When did that happen?” Jake inquired.

             
“This last weekend they went out.  I guess they have been talking for some time, and the decided to go out.  Weird how things work out,” Heather replied.

             
“So did you and Shawn work out everything?” Jake asked.

“
Yes, we decided to stay friends.  He doesn’t want to hold any grudges against me or you.  He wants us all to be friends,” Heather replied.

             
Jake got off his recliner and walked toward Heather. 

             
“I’m sorry I got so mad.  I thought you decided to go back with him.  I’m glad you didn’t, because I don’t know what I would have done if I lost you.  Look at everything that has happened to us this year.  A tornado blast through and about kills us.  Our school was blowed away.  I can’t believe how much we endured this year.”

             
“Yes, I know what you mean.  We made it though.  You had to deal with more than me, but you were able to defy all odds.  You came closer to death than anyone from that horrible storm.  I don‘t think I could have dealt with the things that you have,” Heather said.

             
“Heather you made it through the storm just like I did.  You showed more courage than anyone that I have ever met.  You not only dealt with the loss of your parents but dealt with the horror of a mighty tornado.  I’m glad that I met you and I’m glad that you chose to be with me.  You are one amazing girl.”

             
“Me,” she replied.

             
“Yes you.  You have been a rock to me and my mother through all of this.  Why do you think I fell so hard for you so fast?  I hit the jackpot when I met you,” he said.

             
“That’s so sweet of you to say, and I feel the same,” Heather replied.

             
“There is one more thing we are going to have to make it through,” Shawn said.

             
“What’s that?” she asked.

             
“We still have to make it to graduation.  So what did I miss today in class?” Jake asked.

             
“Oh, nothing that you can’t make up tomorrow.  Do you want to get out of the house for a little while?” she asked.

             
“Yes, I know the perfect place we can go.  Mom we’ll be back later,” Jake said as his mother walked into the room.

             
“So your not mad anymore?” Sue asked.

             
“No, it was just a misunderstanding.  Everything is better now,” Jake replied.

             
“I’m glad because I really like Heather.  I was afraid I was going to have to kick you out of the house, and have her move in with me,” Sue said.

             
“Funny mom.  See ya later,” Jake replied. 

Chapter Twenty-Seven

             
The most anticipated time of the year had finally arrived.  Heather couldn’t wait to go to prom with Jake.  She wasn’t able to attend her junior year prom due to a stomach infection that caused her to be incapacitated for two days.  She knew that nothing except vomiting or death was going to keep her from going this year.  She was excited that Shawn and Jake had nominated her for prom queen but she didn’t think she had a chance of making it.  After all, she was the new girl in town and didn’t know a lot of kids that she went to school with.

             
Heather and Stephanie made plans to go shopping for their prom dress together on Saturday at the
Something Blue Shoppe
.  Heather had in mind what type of dress she wanted.  She knew she wanted her dress to sparkle with some type of sequins. Stephanie told her that she didn’t know what kind of dress she wanted.  She just wanted it to look good on her.

             
Heather and Stephanie’s friendship seemed to grow strong again.  Stephanie regarded Heather’s taste in clothes and style so much that she relied on her friend’s opinion.  Stephanie wanted to be just like her friend.  If Heather bought a new purse, Stephanie bought one.  If Heather had her hair styled a certain way, Stephanie did the same. 

             
At first Heather didn’t notice Stephanie’s odd behavior; she just thought she was being a good friend.  Stephanie began to become obsessed with her friend,  more and more each new day.  Often she would break a date with Shawn to hang out with Heather.