Time Cursed

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  Arlana woke up early Monday morning; she had barely slept the night before. She was nervous about seeing Derek. “Uh, why is it Monday? Why doesn't the weekend last longer?” she wondered aloud. She heard the door slam downstairs and then realized how early she had woken up. Her sister always left at the crack of dawn to make it to work on time. She lay back down and closed her eyes putting her pillow over her face hoping to fall back asleep for a little longer. She thought about what Derek had said when they were on the phone, was it really so bad, or was she just being too sensitive, she wondered. She felt maybe she should apologize. In the little time she had slept she had dreamed of her ideal man. The man that visited her so many nights, in her dreams, this ideal guy, with his muscular build, greenish hazel eyes, and dark hair. She dreamt of him often. She always felt a sense of security and relief when he was there, in her mind. Sometimes he would make her laugh; he felt so close to her, like family. If only he were real she thought. Who could he be, she wondered. Suddenly she thought the name Cole in her mind. “Cole, where are you and when are you coming for me?” she laughed at herself. Cole seemed like it would be his name, if he were real, but he wasn't. She removed the pillow from her face, sat up, and got ready to face the world. “Boys, who has time for them anyways,” she mused to herself and proceeded to get ready for school.

  Arlana picked up Karyn and they headed out towards school. Karyn talked about all the clothes they had found while shopping and how she was so excited to go to Santa Cruz. “Maybe you'll find a really cool surfer while we're in Santa Cruz!” Karyn nudged Arlana.

  “Me, what about you?”

  “I may have set my sights on someone closer to home.”

  “You did! Who?”

  “I'm sorry but I'm not ready to say right yet, but believe me when I'm ready you'll be the first one to know, well maybe the second, I'd like to tell him first.”

  “How can you do this to me Karyn?!”

  “You'll just have to be patient, ok? Let's not talk about this anymore, we're here, oh and there's Luke, let’s go say hi to him.”

  Karyn jumped out of the car as soon as Arlana had pulled into the space.

  “Wait up Karyn!” she called after her. Karyn was long gone, and she had forgotten her backpack in the passenger seat.

  “Great,” mumbled Arlana pulling out her backpack, Karyn's backpack and her cheerleading bag. She balanced the bags while trying to lock the door.

  “You need help there little lady?” Derek strode up with a cocky grin.

  “Oh, Derek, um yeah that would be great, thank you.”

  “No problem,” He said grabbing all the bags from her hand.

  “Um, Derek about the other night, I...”

  Derek cut Arlana off, “No need to apologize, I totally understand.”

  “You do?”

  “Of course I do, I mean Jillian's your friend so you didn't want to hurt her feelings by saying yes to me. You're a great friend Aria, don't worry I'll let her down easy and then it will be just you and me babe.” Derek stepped closer to Aria.

  “Um whoa, I mean no Derek that's not what I...”

  “Derek is that you? Derek over here!” Jillian called out cutting off their conversation.

  “Oh, sorry Aria got to go, we'll talk later, don't worry about her.” Derek gave Arlana a wink and then strode over to Jillian giving her a hug.

  “That went well,” Arlana said sarcastically. She picked up the bags and strode out to find Karyn.

  “Aria, there you are,” Luke called out to Arlana.

  “Hi Luke, have you seen Karyn?”

  “Well I'm happy to see you too.”

  “I'm sorry Luke, I am happy to see you, and I would give you a hug but as you can see I am effectively carrying all these bags and Karyn's weighs about fifty pounds.”

  “Oh geez, sorry, let me help you with that. We were just talking, um I think she's over there by her locker and if not I'm sure she'll be missing her bag soon and heading out to find you.”

  “Hopefully, I've really got to get to class.”

  “Aria, I just wanted to say I am really excited to go to the dance together.”

  “Thanks Luke, you're so sweet. I'm excited too, I'm sure we'll all have a great time together. And what better way to end off the year celebrating than with my two best friends.” Arlana smiled up at Luke.

  Luke smiled back at her but with what almost looked like regret in his eyes.

  “There you two are!”

  “No, there you are! Karyn, I have been toting your bag all around school. Next time wait for me, please?”

  “I'm sorry, yes of course I will. We've got to hurry or we'll be late! Bye Luke!” Karyn grabbed her bag and ran down the hall towards her class.

  Morning classes were dull as usual. Arlana was worried about what Derek was going to do. Jillian didn’t deserve being dumped. Actually Derek and Jillian were so full of themselves they should go together. What was she going to do? All through class she played with her ring worrying over her dilemma. As she stared at it she tried remembering where she had gotten it. Once she had looked it up in an encyclopedia at the library and found it was called a Luckenbooth ring. Usually Scottish women were given it on their wedding days but why she had it and where it came from were beyond her memory. Before she knew it the lunchtime bell rang.

  She met Karyn and Luke at the friendship circle. It was in the middle of the courtyard and all the jocks hung out there. Naturally cheerleaders hung out with them. Monrovia High School was like any other high school. The students divided themselves into cliques. The geeks hung out by the library. The drama freaks hung out on the outdoor steps of the auditorium. The jocks in the center, the band Twinkies hung out in the band room etc.

  Arlana always met her two besties at the circle and then they would relocate depending on their mood. Today she wanted to be far away from the jock/cheer clique so they started walking to the other side of the auditorium. There was a small garden with benches and grass over there. It was cozy and usually only frequented by the Goth crowd.

  Before they moved very far from the friendship circle Jillian ran up to Arlana and slapped her hard in the face. “I hate you! You back stabbing…hey! Let me go.” Jillian screamed. Derek had grabbed her arm.

  “Jillian, grow up! I would appreciate you not hitting my girl!” Derek said in a calm voice.

  Karyn and Luke’s eyes widened and looked at Arlana. Arlana’s mouth opened in shock. She had no idea what just happened but between Derek’s statement and Jillian’s slap she was reeling. “Derek let me go you jerk! How dare you use me like this! I thought you liked me. Why did you ask me to the dance and why did we…I mean I …” Jillian said as tears welled up in her eyes.

  Derek pulled Jillian to the side away from prying ears and Arlana barely heard him say “I told you I don’t like easy girls. Last night you made it clear what kind of girl you are and I am not interested.” He said in a barely audible voice. Arlana’s eyes widened. Did Jillian and Derek have sex? NO WAY! What a jerk for using her and then throwing her away!

  Arlana was so outraged that she threw her bags to Luke walked over to Derek and slapped him so hard he had to take a step back. Everyone at the friendship circle gasped. “Jillian I am not dating this jerk! He is just wishful thinking! Derek, don’t ever use my friends to get to me! Come along Jillian we don’t need this, buttwipe!”

  Arlana grabbed Jillian’s hand and pulled her away.

  When they got to their lunch spot Arlana looked at Jillian, “did you really have sex with Derek?”

  Jillian looked up at Arlana and blushed “No, Saturday night he called and asked if I wanted to meet him for ice cream. I was so excited he was paying attention to me. I always thought he liked you but, anyways, he drove me to the “M” and well we started making out. He tried to feel under my clothes and I told him to stop. He got mad and drove me home and said it was over and that you were going with him to the dance.”

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; “You went to the “M” Jill? Duh like seriously? What did you expect? That is where many a girl has lost her virginity what were you thinking?” Karyn said incredulously. The “M” was on the hillside above the high school. It was literally an M, for Monrovia, it was lit up on nights there were home games. Other than that kids went up there to well you know.

  “I really liked him and I was so excited he finally noticed me. I mean Karyn you feel what it is like being in Aria’s shadow.” Jillian said through sobs. Luke hugged her.

  “Jillian, you are going to find someone way better than that guy. He wants one thing from a girl and luckily you dodged a bullet. Any guy will be lucky to have you. The real you and not the one trying to impress Derek.” Luke said in such a warm and brotherly way that Arlana couldn’t help but smile at him. He saw her smiling at him and blushed.

  “Join us for lunch, like old times. Whatever happens after lunch happens but for now let’s pretend it is last year.” Arlana said with a sympathetic smile.

  Jillian looked at Arlana and smiled warmly. She looked as if she was about to agree when she looked over at Karyn and saw the smug look on her face and changed her mind. “Thank you Aria, I am sorry I slapped you. I was confused. I can’t hang with you guys. I have a reputation to worry about. Thank you for this. No laps today at practice.” Jillian said with a wink and left.

  “Well that went as well as one can expect.” Luke said looking pointedly at Karyn.

  “What? She is a B-! I didn’t do anything!” Karyn said defensively.

  “You could have been more understanding but let it go you guys. We were there for a friend and that is all we could do. Now let’s eat. I am having a bad day and I am craving Nacho cheese Doritos and cream cheese.” Arlana said trying to lighten the mood.

  “Yuck, I do not know how you guys eat that.” Luke said in disgust. Arlana and Karyn laughed.