“Michael did say nicely,” Max pointed out as he passed around cups he had rummaged from under the bed. “I think you’ve been more forceful than nice.”
“Just have an honest conversation with her,” Michael accepted a cup. “I’m sure you can manage to let her down gently.”
“She has a list,” grumbled Gabe.
“A list?” frowned Henry as he poured out drinks.
“A list of all the reasons they should be together,” said Max gleefully. “She calls it her compatibility list. Every time he starts to tell her why he doesn’t want to be her boyfriend Brit pulls it out and starts spouting about how much they have in common. It’s laminated.”
“She is determined,” commented Michael, a little surprised at the girl’s tenacity.
“You don’t know the half of it,” sighed Gabe. “I can’t go anywhere without her popping up. The mall, the movies, the beach! She goes everywhere I go. I’m surprised she’s not ringing the doorbell right now.”
They all froze as they heard the tell-tale chime from the front door.
“No way…” breathed Jake.
Gabe peeled away the pillow, staring at the bedroom door in trepidation as they all strained to hear who might be at the front entryway.
Michael checked his watch. “It’s likely the caterers. They usually come around now to set up.”
“What if it isn’t?” Noah quirked an eyebrow. “Or what if Britney got a part-time job with the catering company just so she could come here to chase Gabe?”
Gabe threw the pillow at Noah causing him to spill his drink.
“Paper towels are under the bed,” remarked Michael dryly amongst the rest of the boys’ laughter.
∞∞∞
“Maybe you should tone it down a little,” said Tara doubtfully. “Guys like to do the chasing.”
“Where did you hear that?” puffed Britney as she vigorously peddled the spin bike.
“Only in every woman’s magazine ever written,” replied Tara as she checked the stopwatch to see how long Britney had to go. “Two minutes.”
“I don’t have time for magazines,” Britney focused on powering through. “I have three more exams, all my club activities and a co-Valedictorian speech to write. Besides, I thought proximity was supposed to win people over.”
“Not in Gabe’s case,” Tara eyed the sweating Britney. “Although lately it has become more of a competition between both of you to see who can get better grades, better career paths, better everything. I was shocked when they announced the both of you were going to be Valedictorians together. Even the professors can feel the animosity between the both of you.”
“It’s not my fault he’s too dumb to see I would be perfect for him,” huffed Britney. “I’m getting to the point where I just want to finish college and get into the professional world. I need to leave my childish infatuation of Gabe Ramesly behind where it belongs. Fairytales and happily-ever-afters just aren’t reality.”
“Well, they do say absence makes the heart grow fonder,” said Tara doubtfully.
“Do you think so?” Britney looked a little hopeful at the prospect.
“In your case, no. I think absence will help you both to move on,” Tara clicked the stopwatch. “You’re done.”
“Thank you,” Britney slumped over the bike, dragging in deep breaths.
“He’s watching you,” Tara snuck a look at Gabe and his friends.
Immediately Britney straightened up, grabbing her water bottle and towel, trying to act like her workout had been no big deal.
“I’m going over to talk to them,” decided Tara.
“What? No! Why?” Britney grabbed her friend’s arm in alarm.
“To see if they are going to the year-end party Kim is throwing,” gently Tara explained. “She has a pool, her parents are away and it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
