Our Story: His and Her Circumstances (Chapter Two)

They were smiling and laughing. But when they walked through the door of Mr. Brown's office, my friends knew something was wrong. Their eyes were on Jerry and I, expressions of worry clouded their faces. We all were silent. No one spoke. We just stared into each others' eyes and found a pathway to the soul.

Finally, Nate broke the silence. "What's up guys? Why are ya'll being so quiet? C'mon, I'm starving! Let's eat!"

Nate pulled a chair from one of the desks and sat next to me. Anton and Darren followed Nate's lead and sat down. Darren didn't take his eyes off me and worry was still washed over his face.

Again, the room was silent. Nate was either very oblivious to the fact that there was tension in the room or he just didn't want to acknowledge the fact that there was something wrong because he was in his own little world, chowing down on his meatball sandwich like there was no tomorrow.

Then, Anton spoke. "Guys! I can't take it anymore! You guys are hiding something from us! You can't do that! You both know that whatever is said in this group never leaves! So what's the problem? Tell us so we can help you! We're your best friends! We can't do anything to help if we don't even know what's going on!"

I could tell that Anton was really concerned. But there was nothing to be concerned about! I just couldn't tell them... They wouldn't understand like Jerry. They would laugh at her. They would make fun of me. I was okay with being made fun of, but it was her I was worried about. What would people say to her? They would tell her 'yeah, right' when she gushed about her eighth grade boyfriend. Her peers would think she was a liar and try to put her down. People would laugh at me for having a younger girlfriend. I could handle them, but they would make fun of her! I wouldn't be able to bear that.

Anton continued to stare at Jerry and I impatiently waiting for our response. Jerry looked at me with pleading eyes, but I stayed expressionless. I wouldn't do what Jerry wanted me to do. I wouldn't tell them about her. I wouldn't let them make fun of me. I wouldn't let them laugh at her.

"Fine. If you don't tell us, we'll guess. Is it a family issue? Did your dad pack up and leave?" Anton asked.

Why must everyone assume that my parents are having problems? What the heck? He knows perfectly well that my mother and father are still very much in love. My parents were the 'model couple' that we always looked up to. My friends and I had always wished for the perfect girl that my father had found in my mother. My parents practically adopted all of my friends. None of their parents were still married. So when they came over to my house (which was very often), my family treated them as a part of ours.

"Anton! You know that they are way too in love to get a divorce!" Nathan sprang up as he spoke and snapped out of his little trance. My parents were especially close to Nathan. When his mother died and his father went off to marry some girl that was half his age in Vegas, he came to my family for support. My mom comforted him while he cried and my dad tried his best to be the father- figure in his life.

"Is it your dog? Has he gone missing again?" Darrin piped up.

I shook my head and held back a laugh. Squirmy hasn't tried running away since the first time because this freakishly humongous cat was chasing him. Haha, I still remember how all five of us went looking for Squirmy then saw him zoom past us with a cat at his heels. Ah, the good times...

Suddenly, the lightbulb went on above Anton's head. "Is it... a... girl?"

My cheeks started burning and I was lost for words. I turned away, fearing that if they saw me blushing, they would know.

It was too late.

"Ooooh! Andrew! Who is it? Who's the girl?" Darrin said excitedly. He was a hopeless romantic. Hopeless.

Anton was making kissing noises in the background while Nate asked, "Is it that girl in Algebra who keeps writing your name all over her notebook and tells everyone that you two are getting married someday?"

I looked at him with a puzzled and disgusted expression. There was nothing wrong with that girl, it was just that she was a stalker. I wanted to say "Are you crazy?" but I remained silent.

Nate looked at me with an embarrassed expression and looked away. He looked out of the doorway that led out into the band room. He was watching the band playing their songs, getting ready for the most important music festival in our district.

The Golden Empire Music Festival was the most important festival for music players to go to. The bands participating in that festival worked extra hard to bring honor back to their schools.

Nate's eyes widened and he watched more intently than before. I couldn't resist, so I turned to look. The pink and red coloring returned to my cheeks as soon as I caught a glimpse of her face. As soon as I saw her, I began to blush rapidly again.

I turned around and asked Nathan, "What were you looking at?"

"Oh, nothing, just this one kid trying to play a solo. He got nothing on my playing skills!" Nate exclaimed.

"Andrew, why are you so red? Are you sick? Are you coming up with a fever?" Anton asked.

I could see Darrin trying to comprehend everything. He was trying extremely hard to read between the lines. Then he suddenly shot up like a rubber band flying towards the ceiling and exclaimed, "I know!"

All of my friends looked at him with expressions on their faces as if they were saying, "What in the world are you talking about?".

Darrin said in an irritated tone, "Finish your sentence!"

"Geez.... Talk about touchy... Okay. Did you notice that when Andrew looked at the Advanced Band his face turned red?" Darrin asked.

"Yeah, so?" Nate responded in an impatient tone.

"Maybe Andrew's sick of them. Maybe that's why he turned red." Anton said as he punched me playfully in the arm.

"No, stupid! Andrew turns red because he's blushing, or really constipated, so that means..." Darrin said, waiting for someone to finish his setence.

"Oh! So that means he really has to go to the bathroom and looking at the Advanced Band calms his 'gotta go' sensation!" Nate exclaimed.

I gave them all the 'how could you say that' look and said, "That's not it! If I had to go, I would've already went! I don't wait 'til the last minute like yo do!"

"I do not wait until the la-" Nate began to protest.

"Guys! We're getting off subject! Okay, ket me just say it, plain and simple. Andrew likes a girl out there in the Advanced Band!" Darrin said as he smiled in satisfaction because he figured it out himself.

Everyone in the room was silent. Mr. Brown gave us 'the look' warning us that we are being too noisy. Oops, we forgot to shut the door...

I got up to close it and quickly sat down.

Then Anton whispered, "But there aren't any eighth grade girls out there... Wait. You like a seventh grader?"

I nodded, flushed with red in my cheeks again.

Nate started to laugh hysterically. "Hahaha, funny joke, man! Where'd you come up with that?"

We all gave him a stare, Then I said, "That's not funny, Nate. It isn't a joke."

Noticing that I wasn't joking, Nate abruptly ended his laugh and cleared his throat. "Okay then, who is it? Is she hot? Cause if she is, I'll have to steal her away from you!" He began snickering at his own joke. But we all ignored him.

"So who is it? C'mon, you can't tell us half of the story and leave us hanging!" Darrin exclaimed.

"Her name is... Lennie." I said in a low whisper.

Everyone in the room became silent. "Are you serious?" Anton asked in a careful tone.

"I've never been more serious in my life." I said. I knew this would mean trouble. They weren't taking all of this seriously...

"Guys, chill. It's just a crush. He'll get over her in a week or so. Just give him time." Nate said as he tried to ease the tension that just came up again.

No. He was wrong. I knew what he was trying to say. He wanted me to get over Lennie and forget all about her.

No one understood. They didn't know how I felt about her! How could they expect me to forget about a girl that could possibly change my life? Why didn't they support me? They are my best friends. And we are supposed to support each other...

I came back down to Earth when Anton waved his hand in front of my face.

"Okay. Okay! I'm awake!" I said as I shook my head wildly.

"So... What are you waiting for?" Darrin asked impatiently.

"What are you talking about?" I asked while still in a daze. I knew I shouldn't have told them. But the words just absentmindedly crawled out of my mouth.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about! Now show us! Which one is she? This 'Lennie' girl. The tall blonde that plays the trumpet? Awww... A girl after your own heart... Or one of the flute players? I have to admit, all of those flutists are pretty good looking..." Anton said with a sarcastic tone.

I shook my head until it really hurt. Did they know my kind of taste? Lennie wasn't one of those girls. She was very... conservative. All of those flute players wore mini- skirts and really thin tank tops. But that's what I liked most about her. Lennie didn't feel like she had to prove herself to anyone. She just wanted to be enough for herself.

"Then who is it? Ugh, I'm tired of playing games with you, Andrew. Is it that dork that plays the keyboard?" Anton went on, "Dude, you can do so much better. There are other fish in the sea."

"But I want Lennie! She's different! She's real! She isn't one of those plastics that wear brand names to be in the cool crowd!" I tried to explain calmly but broke down.

"Andrew. You'll forget about her in no time. Come on! There'll be lots of chics to choose from once we get to the high school. You can pick which one you want first. Just please, forget about Lennie. Don't settle for someone lower than you." Nate stated as he looked me straight in the eye.

"Lower than me? What are you trying to say, Nate? That Lennie's stupid? I'm leaving. You guys are supposed to support me. Some friends you guys are..." I grabbed my belongings and stormed out of the office.

I made sure not to make a big scene. I gently closed the door behind me, (although it would have been nice to slam it) and started to walk towards the door leading to the outside.

But something made me stop.