Chapter 3 3

MEL (2009)

Trish Howard was bragging in the locker room that Shane Keller personally invited her to the after-game party.

I rolled my eyes as I turned back to my locker - I could vomit any second.

"I'm going to fuck this guy tonight," She said confidently. "He will lose his head when he sees me wearing this."

She raised her arms and demonstrated lacy crimson lingerie to all the girls in the locker room.

Some of the girls whistled in approval, which only spurred Trish on.

Why do girls act like guys during a hormonal surge?

"She talks like she hit the lottery jackpot," I mumbled to Nancy quietly.

My friend chuckled.

"Let her be happy – this is probably her only opportunity to pull Keller's pants off."

"It's not that hard," I disagreed. "His pants fly off by themselves, as soon as the girl twists her butt in front of him."

"This trick doesn't work twice, though. In addition, he almost does not crap where he eats. Everyone knows that Shane prefers to woo the cheerleaders from the competitor's teams."

Nancy pulled on her sweater as I was pondering her words.

Either way, he's disgusting. I can't even believe that I was in love with him once. In my defense, I will say that I was ten years old then.

"Still, I don't know what to be proud of," I wrinkled my nose. "Is it really that worth it if he can't even memorize the name of the girls he is messing around with?"

"Because he's Shane Keller. For girls like Trish, that's the achievement of a lifetime. There will be something to tell the grandchildren."

We both busted out laughing.

"Well, if only this," I drawled doubtfully.

"Imagine if he becomes a division one star? She will earn money on this if she gives an interview to a couple of magazines. And in general: you got Ryan Polonsky himself. Most girls are ready to push you under the train for this."

I gave Nancy a little push, and she smiled. Maybe her words are not so far from the truth, but I knew that she herself does not think so. After Ryan and I became a couple at the end of last school year, I actually began to catch on myself the envious, malevolent glances of the girls who until recently smiled at me quite sincerely.

That's what it means to get the status of a girlfriend of one of the most desirable guys in school.

But that's not why I was with Ryan. He's cool, funny and kind. I feel good with him.

If it wasn't for his best friend...

I cringed at the thought of Keller. He can't stand me, though, what wrong have I done to him?

Ray says it's jealousy, and Shane will soon get used to me, but we've been together for six months, and his friend seems to have only become worse towards me.

"Erin is so pissed about Trish and Shane hooking up tonight" Skye informed us from the backseat, flicking her lighter.

Me, Nancy and Sky were heading to a party at Ryan's house. Today I am a sober driver, although I have nothing against it, because every time I get drunk, I feel terrible.

"Did Erin hope that Keller would remember her after a year and want to repeat everything?"

Nancy looked over her shoulder at Skyler.

Skye snorted:

"Probably."

"Skye, don't smoke in the car." I looked at her in the rearview mirror. "If parents find out, they will go nuts!"

I didn't know what pissed me off more, Skyler smoking in my car or this entire conversation about Keller and his girls.

Probably everything.

"Okay, I'll open the window!" Skye gave in.

"Just throw out the damn cigarette!" I yelled.

Nancy looked surprised.

"What's wrong?"

"It stinks, and the upholstery can deteriorate from the ashes," I justified.

I acted like a bitch. Why did it happen?

"Looks like you're jealous," Nancy said, then she took off her shoes and put her feet up on the dashboard.

I hardly let go of the steering wheel: what is she talking about?!

"What do you mean?" I looked at my best friend with indignation.

"You got pissed off after all this talk about Shane and Trish," She replied without blinking.

Skyler leaned forward.

"Is Mel jealous of Shane?" She giggled. "Come on!"

I could feel my cheeks getting hot from the blood rush.

"Are you two messing with me? Why would I be jealous of Keller? I don't even like him! Yes, let him fuck with whoever he wants!"

Nancy didn't take her eyes off me for a long time, which made me nervous, and then she started laughing.

I relaxed a little.

"Cool down! I was just messing with you."

I gave her the middle finger, which amused her even more. We all started laughing shortly after, and the tension left my body.

God, I'm jealous of Keller!

She has quite the imagination!

***

The party was almost over, only the most persistent party-heads remained.

Without waiting for everyone to leave, I went to the kitchen and started cleaning. I always help Ryan when he has parties at his place. And this does not happen so rarely, because the majority of the year his parents spend in Washington - Ray's father works in the White House administration. And for a mother the secular life of the capital seems more tempting than raising her only son.

I took a black bag and threw in all the garbage that was left after the party. Suddenly, I heard Trish's shrill laughter - the music was no longer playing, so I could hear it well. I was afraid that she might come into the kitchen, but she shouted to someone: "Bye!" and apparently left the house because she was no longer heard from.

It's not that I don't like Trish, we're not friends, but until tonight I hardly thought about her at all. And now I'm sick of her.

Ugh, what normal girl would share plans to "fuck" someone in front of everybody in a common locker room?

I made a disgusted face, I started cleaning up the milk spilled on the countertop (seriously, who drinks milk at a party?), when Keller entered the kitchen.

I mentally cursed: didn't he leave with Trish?

I pretended not to notice him as I continued cleaning. Shane took a bottle of water from the fridge, then leaned back against the counter and stared at me as he drank.

It made me nervous. I wanted to say something rude and offensive to him.

"What is your problem, Wallace?" He suddenly asked.

I froze with a paper towel in hand, and slowly raised my head.

"Sorry, what?"

Shane squinted.

"What is wrong with you?"

I urged myself not to throw a wet, dirty towel at him.

"Did you smoke too much weed, Keller?"

"I don't like you. Do you get it?" He muttered.

I blinked because this was the last thing I expected. And even though it doesn't matter, suddenly I'm... in pain.

"Okay. That feeling is mutual," My voice was completely indifferent.

"We'll never be friends," He continued, while stepping closer and looming over me. Every word he says breathed hate. "Don't even think that you can quarrel between me and Ray. You are a vanilla bitch, and soon he will understand that he will dump you instantly."

I was too shocked to respond.

Why does he have so much hate?

"Oh, throw that away!"

He tossed an empty bottle on the counter, turned and walked out of the kitchen.