I pulled Krissa aside and asked what was up with Kylie knowing Jack. Krissa rolled her eyes and looked over her shoulder before sharing.
“Well,” Krissa started, “Kylie and Jack dated last year. It was pretty serious until our mom found out and had a fit. She didn’t want Kylie involved with anyone who did drugs, much less even looked like he did drugs.”
“Do you think he still dabbles?” I whispered.
“I don’t know, but I’ll bet Aria does. Anyway, let’s go enjoy ourselves. Let Aria deal with her new boyfriend’s habits.” Krissa pulled me toward the dance floor.
The deejay began playing Snow’s Lady with the Red Dress On, and Krissa cried out how she loved the song. She wanted me to dance with her because there were probably no guys there who would ask us. I jokingly scoffed and we both started dancing to the music. Aria joined in a few minutes later without Jack, explaining between verses that he wouldn’t dance unless the song was slow. I suddenly wondered what kind of music Kyle liked, and if he danced at all.
The song ended much too quickly and Krissa wanted to know if I was hungry. I said that I could use a Diet Coke, and the two of us went to stand in line at the school’s store, leaving Aria to go and cuddle up with Jack.
“So, anything new with Kyle?” Krissa had kept her silence on the subject the whole week and I could tell it was eating her up. She was a much better friend in that respect than Aria. She didn’t like to rub salt in fresh wounds.
“Not really. We walked down the street at lunch today, but he didn’t say much.”
“Who initiated the walk, you or him?”
“He asked me, but it was weird.”
“How so?”
I nudged Krissa as the line was moving and then answered her. “Well, he said he had to go and walked off, so naturally I thought he was just ditching me again. When I turned to walk away, he asked if I was coming with him.”
“Wow, like you can read minds?” She had her hands on her hips and her brow was furrowed.
“I know; my thought exactly!”
I pointed Krissa on as we were up. She gave an order for pizza and a Dr. Pepper, and then pointed to me. I just ordered a Diet Coke since I had already eaten before we came. We had our order within a few minutes and sat on the outskirts of the commons on the floor, both eating in silence and people-watching. Every now and then, Krissa would snicker at someone’s awkward dance moves and I would counter with a smile. After we finished, instead of dancing again right away, we sat cross-legged and watched people slow-dancing to Queensryche.
“I love Silent Lucidity. Wish I had someone to dance with,” Krissa said, looking around.
“What about that guy you were sitting on at lunch?” I suddenly recalled what I’d seen.
“Oh, Dean Anderson? We were just flirting; we do that. We’re not an item, you know, and he’s not here anyway.”
We caught sight of Aria and Jack, swaying to the music. They melted into each other as Aria played with his shoulder-length hair. He held her by the small of her back, pulling her as close as he could get away with by the chaperone’s standards.
“So, tell me what else happened with Kyle.”
“Well, I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I sort of asked him out on a date,” I whispered.
“You did? That’s awesome! I’m hearing a ‘but’ in there.”
“Well, that’s the thing. He didn’t really answer me. His friend called him over and he left.” Krissa bit her lip, mulling over what I’d just told her. She didn’t say much and appeared to be deep in thought. Like a true friend who knows when to let it go, she didn’t comment any further on the situation. I’m sure the look on my face had something to do with her reaction as well. Eventually, the fast music came back on and we were able to rejoin the dancing ranks.
After the dance, Krissa and I found ourselves waiting outside by Kylie’s car and dancing around to keep warm. Krissa soon spotted Kylie up by the school, but she was not alone. I strained to recognize whose body Kylie’s was entangled with, and was shocked to see that it was the guy who had picked Kyle up after lunch. I told Krissa as much, but she had no idea who he was.
“His name is Jon.” I spun around, caught by surprise. There was Kyle, walking toward us with a smug look on his face.
“Were you at the dance?” I asked, trying to be casual. “I wouldn’t have pegged you for the dancing-type.”
“No, Jon and I were just in the area. Kylie said she’d be here, so we stopped.”
“Are they dating?” Krissa asked.
I had almost forgotten Krissa was standing there, so her voice startled me and I jumped a bit. That’s what Kyle did to me for some reason. Whenever he talked or was nearby, it was like no one else was around.
“Yeah, something like that,” Kyle said. “Looks like they’re wrapping up,” he added, lifting his chin toward them.
I looked and saw what he was talking about. Kylie and Jon were kissing each other passionately; Jon’s hands were holding her face tenderly.
“Wow,” I said under my breath. I coughed right away so Kyle and Krissa wouldn’t hear my longing to have someone kiss me like that … someone like Kyle.
“See you later,” Kyle said and began to walk away.
“Yeah, see you later,” I called after him. Kyle began to jog across the street just as Kylie came running over.
“Sorry, guys, but Jon wanted to see me.”
“About time, geez! We’re freezing our butts off over here!” Krissa scowled. “I didn’t know you had a boyfriend. How do you know him?”
“I think the more interesting question is; how you two know Kyle?” Kylie countered.
“What do you mean?” I asked, climbing into her Talon. “What’s wrong with him?”
“He’s trouble, and kind of a player,” she informed me. “I’d stay away from him. Definitely not like Jon. I’m not even sure why they’re friends.”
I could feel my stomach sink, but I wanted to know more about Kyle—good or bad. Krissa saw my mouth pulling down into a frown and poked me to get my attention. “She doesn’t really know him,” she assured me, “it’s just rumors. Don’t put too much stock into what Kylie is saying.”
I wished Krissa’s assurance made me feel better, but I couldn’t stop thinking about Kylie’s words. People always say there is some truth to the grapevine, but I couldn’t get her comments out of my head. The guy didn’t have a good reputation and it felt like every time his name was mentioned, bombs would go off in my face. If they’d been real, I’d be full of shrapnel by now.
