Amethyst’s Dating Game
Heather Mar-Gerrison
Published by Heather Mar-Gerrison at Smashwords
Copyright 2011 Heather Mar-Gerrison
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
...This book is dedicated to anyone who has wanted to ask out that elusive somebody and could have done it with a little help from a friend like Amethyst’s...
Amethyst’s Dating Game
Prologue
Claudia Stafford brushed her hair and pouted to herself in her full length mirror. She knew she was pretty – beautiful even. And she knew without a shadow of a doubt that Ethan Strange was in love with her. He had to be – distance could not have dulled his feelings for her, she was absolutely certain.
Their time apart had only increased her feelings for him.
And now they were to be reunited. Her mother worked for the same company as his father and her department had now been relocated too. It was destiny...it had to be. He would be so pleased to see her and then they would be together forever...
Chapter 1
Tabby sighed. Ethan hadn’t been in touch outside of work at all throughout the six weeks holidays. What could have gone so wrong?
As far as she could remember about their evening together after the leaving party, things had gone really well. They’d even kissed and then wham! The following Saturday, it was as if it hadn’t happened. He was friendly and chatty as always, but very definitely distant.
Tabby felt confused and hurt. What had she done wrong? It was bad enough that her previous boyfriend had dumped her for his ex. Now Ethan was acting weird. Boys – were they really worth all this heartache?
It was the first day of term. She was feeling a little apprehensive, beginning 6th form; but she knew exactly what she wanted to study and had chosen her subjects with conviction. So this morning her first subject was Psychology, and then this afternoon she had Sociology and English Literature. She was happy with her choices.
Slinging her bag over her shoulder, Tabby grabbed her umbrella – just in case – and giving herself one last glance in the mirror (admiring her bum in her new jeans) she headed out to meet Jessie, who she had agreed to meet to walk up to school.
“Hey, Jessie.” Tabby called, slightly subdued.
“Hey, Tabby – what’s up?” Jessie frowned as she approached her friend. Tabby was most definitely not her usual sparkly self.
Tabby made a face. She didn’t really want to moan, but it was beginning to really annoy her. “Oh, ignore me – it’s just Ethan – he’s obviously not as into me as you thought.”
“Oh, bummer,” Jessie said in dismay, “why?” He had seemed to have been totally into her at the party.
“Well, I told you all about our evening together after the party – that was fantastic, but then, the week after – at work – absolutely nothing and ever since he’s been really nice and friendly – but absolutely nothing else! Honestly Jessie, you’d have thought nothing had ever transpired between us at all – I’m beginning to wonder if I actually dreamt it!”
“Hmm, have you asked him why?” Jessie eyed Tabby. She could guess the answer to that one.
Tabby looked at her friend in horror. “Are you kidding me?”
Jessie looked at her in exasperation. “No – you need to know. Just ask him!”
Tabby pondered this a moment. She nodded as if she was agreeing with Jessie but she was silently coming to the conclusion that as sensible as this option sounded – she just couldn’t possibly do it.
Chapter 2
Ethan got dressed carefully. He hadn’t been to Seltham Community College before – except to look around on fresher’s intake week and it was all a little daunting. He didn’t know anyone at the college, except for Tabby and he felt more than a little awkward around her since “The Kiss.”
Everything would have been perfect, and they would hopefully have been an item now if it hadn’t have been for Claudia turning up.
He couldn’t believe his eyes when he looked up to serve the next customer on his first Tuesday at work during the six week holiday and it had been her of all people.
Claudia had been his girlfriend back home. He had (truth be known) been rather glad to escape her when they’d moved north with his dad’s job.
Claudia had been sweet to begin with, but her behaviour had got more and more erratic and slightly disturbing the longer they went out together. (And the less interested he got.) She was way beyond possessive. She was (in his opinion) ever so slightly mad. His heart had therefore sunk to his shoes when there she was larger than life and beaming at him.
“Ethan – Mum got moved too!” She gushed.
“Th-that’s nice!” He smiled weakly, not wishing to appear rude, but inside his mind was screaming “Noooooooooo!”
He hadn’t replied to any of her emails since he’d left. He hadn’t texted her, he hadn’t answered his phone when he saw her name come up. He had severed all ties – only she didn’t seem to have noticed that at all. She sat up at the counter, bold as brass and started chatting to him incessantly all about how awful her life had been without him. Ethan felt trapped. What the hell was he supposed to do now?
He hadn’t had the nerve to tell Tabby about Claudia when he saw her the next Saturday and not wanting to lead her on, when he clearly hadn’t shaken off Claudia, he had tried to act cool. That was a mistake.
He felt terrible – he could see that she was confused by his behaviour. Just tell her, you moron! He tried to tell himself. But of course, the longer it went on without telling her, the more impossible to tell her it became...and now I’ve got to walk into class and she’ll be there and it’s going to get even more awkward!
Chapter 3
Tabby was unpacking her bag and setting out her pens on her desk when she became aware of someone stood in the doorway. She froze. Even without actually looking at him directly, she just knew instinctively that it was Ethan. She looked up and their eyes met.
Ethan raised his eyebrows and smiled at her. Tabby could feel the heat rising in her cheeks and knew the glow was spreading all over her chest and up her neck too. She didn’t blush like most people; she actually did turn into a human tomato!
“E-Ethan,” she stammered. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m taking this course for my A Level. I didn’t realise we’d be in the same class.” He looked utterly delighted at the prospect.
Tabby’s confusion multiplied ten-fold. “Um, right.” She mumbled, her brow furrowed.
“Can I sit with you?” Ethan really wanted to explain everything to her, but time was short this morning and he wasn’t going to manage it.
“Sure.” Tabby smiled a genuinely happy smile up at him and his heart skipped a beat. He really had to get Claudia off his back somehow...
*
“Can I buy you a coffee?” Ethan slung his bag over his shoulder and looked at Tabby hopefully.
Tabby frowned. What the hell is going on here? She wondered.
“Sure. But first you can tell me why you haven’t called.” She was blushing furiously again but being cheated on by Stefan had taught her a valuable lesson – don’t get crapped on again – and she wasn’t going to stand for any nonsense.
Ethan visibly winced at her tone. “I should have called.” He mumbled. “I was going to but...There’s something I’ve really got to tell you.” He was about to pour out the whole sorry tale but someone had shouted Tabby from behind.
“Can you tell me later, Ethan? That’s Becky and it might be about her move.” She smiled up at him apologetically and disappeared into the masses of students that had filled up the halls.
Ethan sighed. “I guess.” He murmured watching her go. He resolved to tell her at work on Saturday.
Chapter 4
“Hey there handsome.”
Ethan groaned inwardly. When was she ever going to get the message? It was Saturday morning and he and Tabby had arrived together at work. He was putting on his apron, having just unlocked the door for the public and wasn’t expecting anyone, never mind the one person in the world he really didn’t want to see.
“Oh, hi Claudia. Alright?” His heart sank to his boots. Well that was just great. He hadn’t had any time in the week to explain things to Tabby and now she would see this girl and wonder what the hell was going on and then he’d have to tell her that it was his ex-girlfriend and he just knew that would go down like a lead balloon.
Tabby was working in the kitchens this morning and could hear Ethan talking to someone out front. She peered around the doorway. Who was that girl? She seemed to know Ethan rather well.
Tabby frowned. Well that’s just great. She thought. What is it with these guys? They all seemed to want someone else. She shut the oven door a little harder than was absolutely necessary.
After a moment, Ethan appeared. “Are you alright?” He asked, concern furrowing his brow.
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” Tabby didn’t look at him as she spoke.
“Well, I heard the oven door and I wanted to check...”
“I’m fine – just go back to your girlfriend.” She snapped before she could stop herself. Ooh, really shouldn’t have said that. Tabby winced inside.
Ethan tried his best not to grin, but he had immediately understood. She was jealous! “Tabby.”
“What?” (Still looking the other way.)
“Tabby.” Ethan insisted, catching her arm.
“What? Tabby spun around; eyes flashing with a hurt she was battling to hide.
“She’s not my girlfriend.” Ethan was staring into her eyes. Tabby felt herself melting.
“Well, who is she then?” Melting or not, Tabby had to know.
Ethan sighed and scratched his head. “She used to be my girlfriend.”
“Great.” Tabby threw her hands up in frustration. She had seen her. She was beyond gorgeous.
“Look. I broke up with her months ago – before we even moved up here. I liked her to begin with, but, well, she’s really...intense.”
Tabby raised an eyebrow. “Intense huh? Wow, lucky old you.” Sarcasm came too easily to Tabby when she was feeling hurt and betrayed.
Ethan smiled. “Tabby. I thought you and I had something kinda special.”
“So did I.” Mumbled Tabby. “Seems I was wrong.”
Ethan frowned slightly. “Look, can’t we just forget about Claudia?”
“Claudia?– jeez, she’s even got a sophisticated name.” Tabby groaned, giving Ethan a pained look. “Look, just go back out with her – I can’t stand the competition!”
“Tabby!” Ethan looked angry.
“What?” Tabby was sulking now and feeling a little silly for her outburst. It was alright for him, standing there in all his six foot glory of beauty, while she stood there, five feet nothing with ginger hair and a face so freckly it was just an orange blur...
“I don’t want Claudia – I want you.”
Did he really just say that? Tabby chanced a peek at his face. Her insides were beginning to feel like molten metal. He was staring down at her, looking more than a little frustrated.
“Really?”
Ethan rolled his eyes. “What is it with you?” He asked.
Tabby felt her face getting hot. “I don’t know – I guess after the way Stefan treated me, I’m a little on my guard.”
“I would never do that to you.” Ethan said softly.
“Yeah, maybe.” She mumbled more to herself than to him.
“Tabby – I would never do that to you. Never.” He caught her hand and squeezed it.
Tabby blushed crimson. “Okay, I believe you – I’ll bet we must have a queue to the door out there though – hadn’t you better go and check?” She gave him a little push in the direction of the front counter.
“Oh, yeah – forgot all about them for a minute!” Ethan disappeared out front again.
Tabby sighed. She really liked Ethan and she really wanted to believe him on the one hand – on the other, though – how was she supposed to compete with that girl?
Chapter 5
Amethyst opened one eye and looked across the bedroom at Selina. She was still fast asleep, curled up in her sleeping bag with her thumb stuck firmly in her mouth. Amethyst smiled. Selina was so cute.
She averted her gaze to the ceiling. She loved her room; it was only small, being the room in the roof, but she thought it was absolutely perfect. The roof sloped with the beams exposed. Her mother had allowed her to decorate it and she had chosen to paint it in soft shades of peaches and cream. Of course her posters covered most of the available space, but still...
It wasn’t the biggest room in the world – not by a long chalk – but it was cosy and suited her quirky nature down to the ground. She stretched and yawned widely. Gosh I’m hungry. She thought. She tried to sneak out of bed without waking her friend, but Amethyst wasn’t exactly your stealthy type and Selina jumped violently as she passed her on the way to the stairs.
“Who’s there?” Selina shouted out before she realised where she was. “Oh!” she giggled as she focused on Amethyst. “Sorry – forgot where I was!”
Amethyst grinned. “Morning – come on, Mum bought Pains au Chocolat for us – let’s get them before Sapphire does!”
Selina grinned back and wriggled out of her sleeping bag.
*
“So, you think I should be a bit more pushy?” Amethyst wrinkled her brow with worry at what Selina was suggesting.
“Not pushy exactly – assertive.”
“And what’s the difference?”Amethyst raised an eyebrow sceptically.
“You’re just letting Aaron know that you were thinking of him all weekend, instead of asking him if he had a good one.” Selina smiled with self-satisfaction.
“Uh-huh.” Amethyst cringed and passed her mobile phone to her friend. “Here you are then. Do your worst.”
“My worst? What a cheek!” Selina scoffed. “I’ll have you on a date with him by next weekend!”
“And I will have you and Will Mason together before then!”
“Ha!” laughed Selina. “I can’t wait!”
Amethyst smiled. Selina wasn’t the only one who could play this dating game!
Selina texted a message on Amethyst’s phone. “Hey Aaron. Been thinking about you all week. Will you be in Gino’s today?”
She passed the phone back to Amethyst. “So are you going to send that message or delete it and send one of your own – that I might add hasn’t got you anywhere in the last six weeks?”
“Oh, alright. I’ll send it.” Amethyst grumbled. “I can’t do any worse than I’m doing already, now can I?”
Selina shook her head. “Nope.” She simply said.
Amethyst pressed the send button and crossed her fingers.
Less than five minutes had gone by when her phone buzzed on the work top and gave a merry tinkling bleep. Amethyst dived on it and flipped it open.
She gasped and stared at Selina. “Oh my God! It’s from Aaron!” She read through the message and a slow smiled stretched over her face. “He wants to meet me at Gino’s at eleven!”
Selina grinned and held her hand up for a high five. Amethyst slapped it and then grabbed Selina in a bear hug. “Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!” she screamed.
Laughing, Selina disentangled herself from her friend’s embrace and took a huge bite out of her pain au chocolat. Once she’d finished her mouthful she grinned.
“See.” She said.
“Wow. I had no idea it was that easy!”
“It’s only that easy because he’s into you!” Selina said reasonably. “He just didn’t know if you were interested in being more than friends, so he was playing it cool.” She shrugged. “You just have to know how to read someone’s body language.”
“Well, if you would only read Will Mason’s body language, you’d realise that he’s into you. He just doesn’t realise it yet.”
“Yeah, right.” Selina scoffed rolling her eyes. “In your dreams – and mine!”
“You’ll see. It’s just a matter of time.” Amethyst said confidently. She was convinced that they were a match made in heaven. She just needed to figure out how to get them both to see that.
Chapter 6
“Hi, Aaron, were you coming round this morning?”
Aaron’s heart sank as he heard the hopeful voice on the other end of his mobile phone. Damn it. Forgot all about Georgia. He bit his lip and wondered what he could say to get himself out of trouble.
“Uh, maybe this afternoon.”
“Oh, okay. That’ll be fine.” Georgia sounded as though she was smiling into the phone.
They had been going out with each other for a couple of weeks and he knew she really liked him. He felt bad for having to let her down.
“See you later then.” He said.
“Yeah, see you later.” She trilled.
*
Aaron paced his room. How the hell was he supposed to tell Georgia that he would prefer to be with someone else? He’d fancied Amethyst for the longest time. She was certainly intriguing, but she was so difficult to figure out. They got on well when they saw each other and they texted each other all of the time, but that was as far as it had ever got. He was unsure of himself around her – she was always slightly aloof and had a sarcastic sense of humour. He couldn’t imagine that she really fancied him and so, knowing that Georgia really did like him, he’d agreed to go on a date with her.
Things were okay between them, but she didn’t set his world on fire. Amethyst on the other hand made his heartbeat quicken just at the sight of her. And then this morning he could have danced around his room when he got that text.
He read it again. “...been thinking about you all week...” Wow!
He looked at the clock. It was 10:25am. Time to get a shower and change...
*
Aaron glanced up and down the high street before entering Gino’s.
He walked up to the counter.
“Hi, what can I get you?” The boy behind the counter gave him a friendly smile.
“Oh, I’ll um – actually can I just sit and wait for my um...friend?”
“Sure, give us a shout when she arrives.” Ethan grinned. He could sense a nervous first-dater a mile off.
Aaron grinned. “Thanks, mate.” He sat in the window seat and waited. Amethyst wasn’t late – yet – she still had five minutes.
Aaron looked around the coffee shop. He hadn’t been in here that many times before and hadn’t really taken in the decor before.
It was a nice place; really comfortable and homey. He glanced up at the counter and could just see through the door to the back. The guy who’d just been serving seemed deep in conversation with his colleague. She was a pretty little thing. All strawberry blonde hair and pale skin. He checked out the clock. Two minutes left. Oh, God, please turn up. Please!
Aaron could feel his stomach doing little flips. He felt sick. Where was she?
The door suddenly flew open and there stood Amethyst scanning the room. Her eyes suddenly found Aaron’s and she smiled. His heartbeat thumping at double time, Aaron grinned back. Thank God!
Chapter 7
Selina was in Julia’s bedroom. She’d gone straight there from Amethyst’s house. She wanted her opinion on Will’s body language, since she really had no idea how to read it.
“So, you fancy Will?” Julia’s eyes were dancing. “That’s fantastic. He’s one of the sweetest guys I know.”
“You’re biased. He’s your cousin.”
“Actually, I’m totally biased – he’s my baby cousin!” Julia grinned.
Selina sighed. “He is really lovely – and we get on really well, but I’m sure he doesn’t feel the same way about me and I don’t want to lose him as a friend.”
“Oh, yes – the age old ‘friend zone’ problem.” Julia shook her head.
Selina looked at her quizzically.
“Becky and Jamie.” Julia said by way of an explanation.
Selina nodded. She’d heard all about their difficulties.
“Well, I guess my problems aren’t as bad as that – it’s not as if Will has a girlfriend – yet.”
“Yeah, it seems his crush on Louise has passed.” Julia said thoughtfully.
“You knew about that?” Selina raised an eyebrow.
Julia shrugged. “Well, yeah, it was kind of obvious.”
Selina was surprised. “Really? D’you think it was?”
Julia nodded. Selina sighed. “I have no chance. I mean – look at him and then look at me!”
Julia looked at her younger friend sternly. “Selina. You are beautiful. And even better than that – you’re beautiful on the inside too. He would be very lucky to have you.”
“That’s as maybe, but if he doesn’t like the packaging, no matter how lovely the present is, I’m still stuffed.”
Julia grinned at her sympathetically. “Hang in there buddy!”
Selina smiled. “Yeah, I will – how’s it going in 6th form?”
“It’s cool. The structure is loads different – giving me more time to write for the school mag.”
“Excellent. Hey, is it true that Miles and Rachel are now the co-editors?”
“Yup. Chad went to Broadoak College in the city.”
“Oh, right.”
“Yeah, it was the only college that would let him do the three different courses he needed, so he’s gone there.”
“Well, I guess you have to do what’s right for you, don’t you?”
“Certainly do.” Agreed Julia.
“Julia?”
“Yeah?
“Do you think I stand any chance with Will?”
“Of course. Just give it time – Will isn’t stupid, but he is a Mason. They are a little clueless!”
Selina grinned. “It’s funny you should say that – Sapphire said that, too!”
They burst into giggles.
“Hey, I know what I wanted to ask you.” Julia suddenly turned her large green eyes on her friend.
“What?”
“Would you like to take on a page for the school magazine?”
Selina grinned excitedly. “Sure, what would you like me to do?”
“Well, we don’t have a problem page at the moment and Rachel said we should.”
“Okay.” Selina frowned. “But how can I solve people’s problems?”
“Well, we can all pitch in with ideas. Don’t worry – and of course, you’ll be totally anonymous – that way no one can pick on you for giving wrong advice.”
“Okay, that’s cool.” Selina nodded.
“Brilliant, I’ll tell Rachel on Monday and she can go over the details with you from there.”
Selina grinned. This was fantastic news – her very own page on the school magazine. Amethyst would be really helpful too. They could probably do it together. Then Selina had an idea of her own. “Hey, Julia – what about a gossip page too? Amethyst would be brilliant at that.”
Julia looked up. “You know, that is a good idea – as long as she doesn’t pick on anyone.”
“Amma wouldn’t do that – she’s really lovely.” Selina said firmly.
“Well, I’ll run it past Rachel first and we’ll get back to you.”
“Great!”
“Ooh – one other thing.” Julia gave her a mischievous look and Selina narrowed her eyes suspiciously.”
“You’re looking shifty. What?” She said with a giggle.
Julia grinned. “I just had the most fantastic idea – as we run the school magazine we’re always given the task of organising the school entertainments program for the year – why don’t we have a Harvest Festival disco – you don’t have to pay to get in, but you do have to bring something for the needy.”
“That sounds like a nice idea – I still don’t get why you’re grinning at me like that though.”
“Well, we could make it a girl’s choice evening – and you could ask Will to be your date.”
Selina shook her head firmly. “Not you as well – I’ve got Amethyst racking her brains for ways to get me together with him too – no. Let me do this my way – we get on very well. I really like him and I sooooo hope he feels the same way about me – but really, I need to handle it my own way – when the vibe feels right and everything.”
Julia nodded and smiled. “Fine – fine. I just thought I’d mention it – the date aside – what do you think about the overall idea?”
“Fab – but I still think we’ll need an entry fee as well.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right – I’ll run that by Rachel too.”
Selina set off back home. Julia didn’t live far from her and on the way back home she had to pass Will Mason’s house. As she approached his house she could see one of the boys on the front.
From this distance it wasn’t clear which one it was. Oh no! – What if it’s Will?
Selina wondered if she could go back the other way and skirt around the block instead, but she was getting ever closer and then he looked up and smiled. It was Will. Selina’s knees almost gave way.
“Hey, Selina!” He called. “What you doing?”
“I’ve just been to see Julia.” Selina smiled shyly back at him, as she got nearer.
“Oh, right.” Will nodded. There was then a rather awkward silence as Selina racked her brains for something else to say. All that kept coming to mind was; Will you be my date for the harvest festival disco? And she knew she would never ask him that in a million years!
“What are you doing today?” She finally asked.
“Um, nothing much. I was just clearing weeds for Mum. I’ve got a stack of homework – actually you might be able to help me.”
Selina looked at him, “Really? How?”
“Well, in Geography the other day, I kind of wasn’t really paying attention...”
Selina found herself grinning at his sheepish expression. “And?”
“And I never wrote down the homework and I haven’t got the faintest idea of what we should be doing.” He looked up at her through his fringe, which was really quite overgrown and looking particularly sexy the way it was hanging all over his face. He grinned at her disarmingly.
It was most unfair, she thought vaguely as she gazed back at him, being so utterly beautiful that she couldn’t say no...
She laughed. “Okay. Have you got a pen and paper?”
“Sure, come on in and I’ll find some.”
Selina followed Will into his house, unable to believe her good fortune.
Chapter 8
Will nervously led Selina into the house. Should I ask her up to my room or tell her to wait here? He thought, beginning to panic slightly. On reflection he thought it was better to get her to wait in the kitchen – he couldn’t remember if he’d made his bed and put his dirty laundry in the basket – nothing more off putting than standing on a pair of dirty boxer shorts...
Selina sat at the kitchen counter, looking around. It was a cosy kitchen and looked really comfortable and homely. She was just beginning to wonder what had happened to Will when he reappeared with his school bag. He grinned at her as he entered the kitchen. “Found what I needed.” He said, patting his bag.
“Good.” Selina replied, grinning back at him.
Will pulled the stool out next to Selina and sat down next to her. He was so close they bumped elbows. “Oh, sorry.” Will blushed.
“S’okay.” Selina said, blushing too. “Okay. We had to find out the population of...” Selina explained the homework in detail.
Will scribbled down everything she said and then looked at her expectantly.
“That’s it.” Selina said, looking at him in amusement.
“Aren’t you going to tell me the answers too?” Will treated her to an adorably pleading smile.
She rolled her eyes. Jeez, he’s far too good looking for his own good! “Oh, I suppose we can do it together.”
“That’s the spirit!” Will nudged her elbow again, deliberately this time. Selina laughed.
An hour later they had finished the homework and were enjoying a hot chocolate each and some cookies that Will’s mum had made earlier in the day.
“So, have you cast any magic spells since I last asked?” Will grinned at her.
“Um, no. Not that I can think of.” Selina smiled.
“Oh, that’s too bad.”
“Did you get any further with your mystery girl?” Selina held her breath slightly, waiting for his answer. He turned and looked her directly in the eye which made her feel slightly faint.
“Nah, it wasn’t really anything serious anyway.” Will said.
Selina smiled at him. “Oh, well, that’s cool then.”
Will shrugged. “Yeah, I’m not bothered anymore.” He said. “Shall I walk you home?”
“It’s not far. I’ll be fine.”
“Yeah, I know you’ll be fine, but I’d still like to walk with you.”
“Okay, that’d be great, thanks.”
They chatted all the way back to her house. When they got there, Will stood with his hands in his pockets and grinned at her. “See you Monday then, Mystic Meg.”
Selina rolled her eyes at him and smiled. “Yeah, see you then.”
She went in and shut the door behind her. She leaned against the door. Will was utterly gorgeous. She had to tell Amethyst about this. She called her mobile.
“Hello?”
“Guess where I’ve been?” Selina asked immediately.
“I don’t know but from the sound of your voice it has to have something to do with Will Mason.” She sounded amused.
“I was walking past his house and he invited me in!”
Amethyst gasped. “Tell me all about it!” she squealed excitedly.
Selina launched into her story all about her morning with Julia and even managed to ask her if she wanted to do the gossip column before she got around to the Will part. Amethyst was dying to know what had happened by the time she had gotten to that part.
“I told you he was into you.” She grinned down the phone.
“He was just being nice.” Selina replied but a little bit of her dared to hope the same thing. It was just the way he’d smiled at her when he was leaving. It gave her encouragement.
“Anyway. Enough about my day – how was your date with Aaron?”
Amethyst sighed. She didn’t sound happy. “It was fine until he told me he already had a girlfriend.”
“No!” Selina couldn’t believe he’d asked her out when he’d already got a girlfriend. That was out of order!
“Oh, yes.” Amethyst said. “Apparently it isn’t serious and he wants to end it. But you know, it’s the same old crap they all come out with, isn’t it?”
“I don’t know. He isn’t trying to keep anything from you at least...” Selina liked to believe the best of people and she’d had a good feeling about Aaron – this just didn’t seem to add up.
“I guess – but really he shouldn’t have asked me out while he’s got a girlfriend, should he?”
“No.” Selina conceded. “He really shouldn’t have done that. Did he say he was going to end things with his girlfriend?”
“Yeah, he did. But I told him not to call me until he had.” Amethyst was very defensive about being cheated on.
“Oh, dear. What did he say to that?”
“He said he’d call me tonight!” She sounded as if she didn’t believe him for a moment. Selina wanted desperately for things to work out well for her best friend.
“Wow – what are you going to do?”
“I’ll ask him how the break up went.”
Selina grinned. She felt quite relieved that she hadn’t altogether misjudged him – his timing could have been better of course. Still, he’d picked the wrong girl if he really did think he could mess her around – Amethyst was not one to be mucked around!
She had explained the way she saw things to Selina when Selina had complained to her about her dad running off with another woman.
Amethyst had never known her dad. She wasn’t sure if that was down to her mother or him – Amethyst didn’t share a father with any of her siblings. Sapphire’s father had at least been married to their mother, but neither Amethyst, nor the twins; Ruby and Topaz’s dads had stuck around.
“Well, good luck with that.” Selina said
“Yeah, thanks. I don’t expect him to call.” She said shortly.
Selina sighed at the hardness in her friend’s voice but didn’t say anything else. She said goodbye and hung up.
Chapter 9
Amethyst had guessed right. He didn’t call. It didn’t make her day.
Selina called her later on in the evening. “So, did he call?”
“Did he hell.” Amethyst replied drily. “I told you I didn’t expect him to. They’re all the same, Selina.” It hurt for her to say this and she had really thought that she could depend on him. To find that he really was the same as she suspected all the others to be was not something she was completely comfortable with, but she wouldn’t have admitted that to anyone.
“No they’re not.” Selina insisted. “Mr Right is out there for both of us. Maybe he simply couldn’t get hold of her.”
“Yeah, right,” she snorted, “I’ll bet he’s got hold of her at the moment!”
Selina laughed. “Oh, Amethyst. I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation.”
“We’ll see.” She said, trying to fight the lump in her throat. She really didn’t want Selina to hear how upset she was. “Goodnight, I’ll see you Monday.”
Selina said goodnight and sighed as she switched off her mobile. She could totally sense that Amethyst was gutted that he hadn’t called and she found that she couldn’t help feeling a little shocked that Aaron had failed to call – she was so sure he would have done.
She was just as sure (although she couldn’t put her finger on exactly why she was so sure) that Aaron wouldn’t have asked out Amethyst if he was totally into his girlfriend. She could therefore only conclude that he hadn’t actually spoken to his girlfriend yet. Either that or he was having second thoughts about Amethyst –and as far as Selina was concerned that was virtually impossible. She frowned. Surely not? Ah well, no use dwelling on something I can’t change – only time will tell!
Chapter 10
Aaron was lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling, wondering where it had all gone so wrong.
His day had started so well. It was as he was trying to do the right thing by Amethyst and Georgia that everything had started going horribly wrong.
It had all started falling apart at the coffee shop this morning.
Not wishing to string anyone along or to be a cheater, he had wanted to be absolutely straight with Amethyst from the very beginning...
“Hey Aaron.” Amethyst sat down opposite him and fixed him with her beautiful blue eyes.
“Hey, Amma.” He grinned.
“What have you got there?” She peered into his cup.
“Just a regular coffee. Shall I go and get one for you?”
“Oh, no – I’ll get my own.”
Aaron nodded. He had a feeling she was one of those self contained types that didn’t want to be indebted to anyone.
“Sure.” He nodded. She approached the counter and he watched her as she chatted easily with the young guy behind the counter.
She came back after a couple of minutes.
“So you were thinking about me all week were you?” His eyes twinkled mischievously.
She blushed and grinned. “I’ve gotta be honest – I had a little help with that text from my good friend Selina.”
Aaron raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really?”
She blushed again. “She thought I was pussyfooting around and decided it was time you knew my true feelings...” Shit, said too much there! She thought to herself.
A slow smile spread across Aaron’s face as he looked at her. “Really?” He said again.
“Yeah.” She replied, not meeting his gaze and stirring her coffee that had just been delivered to their table.
“Right.” He swallowed. “Well since we’re bearing our souls. I have a bit of a confession of my own.”
She looked up and her guard was immediately up. He could see the change in her eyes.
“What’s that then?” She asked a little harshly.
“I, uh – I haven’t quite gotten around to finishing things entirely with my current girlfriend.”
Honestly, he thought as he reflected on the whole episode. You would think he’d done something nasty in a matchbox and posted it through her door the way she looked at him...
“I beg your pardon?” She asked icily.
“I’ve only been seeing her for a couple of weeks, and I’d never have gone out with her if I knew you felt this way...” He was digging a hole and he knew he should stop but....
“But you did.” She was looking at him with a mixture of horror and resigned acceptance on her face. This girl had been let down before. It was written all over her face and he felt like such an arse.
“I’ll call her this afternoon.” He promised.
She shrugged. “Do as you like.” She didn’t meet his eye.
Feeling very brave he put his hand tentatively on hers. “Amethyst?”
She looked up and he saw hurt and mistrust in her eyes. “What?”
“I really wouldn’t have accepted a date with her if I’d known.”
“Sure. Okay.” She didn’t really look as though she believed him.
“Can I call you when I am free?”
She smiled then. “Maybe.” She conceded.
He thought about it now. That was possibly the only light in the dark, dark tunnel he found himself in – because his day was about to get a lot worse...
His next mission was to meet Georgia.
He felt awful to have led her to believe that he really wanted to be with her and he knew that he had to explain that things had changed.
He found himself explaining all about texting Amethyst for the last few weeks and about his meeting with her that morning and finally about wanting to break up.
Georgia had not taken it well. She cried and told him he was a real piece of work, which he couldn’t really deny, since everything she had said was true. It was just that he hadn’t considered it from her point of view and now that he could see what she was saying, he felt like the worst sort of cheating scumbag.
The more he thought about things though, the more Aaron got upset at her accusations. True he had asked Amethyst out for a coffee at Gino’s but it wasn’t really a date and yes, he had been texting her for a few weeks, but it wasn’t like he’d kissed her or anything. When he really thought about it, Georgia had gone off at the deep end and was deliberately just trying to make him feel bad.
It worked though, in fact he felt so bad about it that he couldn’t bring himself to call Amethyst in the end. His memory of her scathing looks this morning got him to thinking that if Georgia felt that way about him, then Amethyst with her dry wit and sarcastic tongue may well tear strips off him and he really didn’t need that. Not today...maybe tomorrow...if he could muster the courage...
Chapter 11
“Hey Will.” Joe’s grinning face was peering around his bedroom door.
“Hey Joe – whassup?”
“Nothing, I just noticed you walking a very pretty blonde home earlier today – Saffy said it was Amethyst’s friend Selina.”
Will blushed. “Yeah, it was – we were just doing homework together and then I walked her back – it was no big deal.”
Joe nodded thoughtfully. “I didn’t say there was anything more to it – just that she was very pretty.”
“She is isn’t she?” Will grinned. “She’s really cool too.”
“So you definitely don’t fancy Louise anymore then?” Joe was looking confused.
“I already told you I didn’t.” Will looked at this brother in total confusion. “Weeks back.”
“Did you? I must have forgotten.” Joe looked the picture of innocence. Will narrowed his eyes. Joe wasn’t very good at being subtle and he suddenly realised that he’d been fishing for information.
“Sapphire put you up to this didn’t she?” He said with a wry smile.
Joe grinned. “Well, kind of – she just wanted to know if you were interested in Selina romantically.
Will sighed, “I don’t know, Joe – I really like her, she’s a lot of fun and she’s really kooky, but I don’t want to spoil things.”
Joe looked thoughtfully at his brother. “I see what you’re saying, but I don’t understand why you think you’d ruin things by taking things to the next level – seems to me you’ve got a great basis to build on.” He shrugged. “That’s just my opinion of course.”
Will nodded. His brother usually came across as slightly less than clued in, but that had to be the best piece of advice he’d ever been given.
“Joe.” He shouted as Joe left the doorway and sauntered down the landing to his own room.
“Yeah?”
“Thanks, mate – I’ll keep you posted.”
“Cool, buddy.”
Chapter 12
Josh Mason was lying on his girlfriend’s bed, patiently waiting for her to complete her assignment for English Literature.
She looked up and smiled at him apologetically.
“I’ll be done in a minute and then we can go into town for a coffee.”
“I’m good.” Josh grinned. “Got any magazines?”
“Only this one.” Freya tossed her latest magazine to him. He caught it and flicked through. His eyes settled on the horoscopes page and he sat up, totally absorbed in the content.
“What are you reading?”
“Horoscopes.” He looked up and grinned.
Freya stopped what she was doing. Josh was so utterly gorgeous when he grinned that she almost forgot how to breathe.
“Read mine out.” She said as she sat on the bed next to him.
Josh started reading it out. Freya leaned a little closer, trying to look over his shoulder.
“You’re cheating.” He reminded her. She giggled.
Tossing the magazine onto the floor Josh grabbed hold of her and starting kissing her.
“Have you finished your homework?” He asked between kisses.
“Almost.” She gasped.
“Can you leave the rest?” He stopped and looked at her hopefully.
“Course I can – but you’re not allowed to stop kissing me mid flow!”
Josh grinned and continued where he’d left off quite happily.
Chapter 13
Julia bustled into the school magazine office.
“Hi guys!” She called to Rachel and Miles who were sat, heads together as usual at their computer screens.
“Hi Jules.” Rachel looked up and grinned.
“Hi Jules.” Miles echoed.
“Any news on the problem page front?” Rachel enquired.
“Yeah – I think my friend Selina’s interested.”
“Great! When can she start?”
“How about now.” Piped up Selina from the doorway. “And my friend Amethyst is very interested in doing a gossip column too.”
Rachel frowned slightly. “Yeah, about the gossip column – we don’t want people named outright and we certainly don’t want any maliciousness going on.”
Selina looked at Rachel completely bemused. “What is with you guys?” She asked incredulously. “Why do you think Amma would do anything like that?”
Rachel looked at Julia uncomfortably. “I didn’t mean to imply...” She trailed off looking heartily embarrassed.
Selina found her cheeks growing pink with indignation. “Amethyst is one of the nicest people I know – so is her sister Sapphire. If anyone was less likely to spread malicious gossip it would be those two – they have to put up with a lot of gossip about themselves – none of which is justified!” Her breath was coming in gasps now and she felt mortally embarrassed at her outburst. But it was true. The poor Martin sisters were bitched about more than anyone else she knew and it was cruel. It wasn’t their fault that they all had different fathers – and so what anyway? She thought angrily. It isn’t like they’ve chosen to be born to three different dads! People make mistakes – it’s human nature!
Rachel stood up and walked over to Selina. “You’re absolutely right, Selina. I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to cast aspersions on your friend. I’ll be happy to welcome you both on board.”
Selina managed a smile and nodded. “Thanks – I’ll let her know at registration.”
Julia grinned at her. “I’ll show you around and then I’ll let you get to class.”
Julia showed Selina to a spare desk and explained about the deadlines they had to meet before publication went ahead. Selina found herself getting quite excited about the whole thing. This was going to take up a lot of her spare time, but it was so cool!
“I can’t wait for the first problem to come in!” She said excitedly.
Julia grinned. “Remind me you said that when you’ve got more than we can all handle together!”
*
She wasn’t wrong. Within ten days of the first advert requesting the student woes, the problems started to pour in.
Most of them were easy to sort out. A lot of them were sent in handwritten and posted through the office door. Some were even signed.
One young man was being bullied and they reported it straight to the principal, much to the boy’s disgust to start with – although he was soon feeling much better about it when the perpetrators were hauled up in front of the Principal with their parents summoned too.
Selina had put all of the hand delivered letters into a bag and the first three she pulled out were:-
Dear Problem Page,
I really like this girl and we’re great friends.
I’m afraid to tell her how I really feel about her in case it ruins what we’ve already got.
I told her a while ago that I was interested in someone else, which at the time I thought I was, but I realised that she wasn’t the one for me a long time ago.
The one for me is her and I just don’t know how to tell her!
Please help,
Desperate Dan.
Selina read it over a few times. It seemed obvious that he should just come out and tell the girl. She took it to Julia for a second opinion.
Julia grinned at her. “Wow – that could be Will!”
“What?” Selina read it again with her mouth open. “No, surely not.” She murmured.
Julia shrugged. “I’m just saying. Now what’s your take on it?”
“I think, whoever he is, he should swallow his pride and just tell her – what’s the worst that can happen?”
“She could tell him she doesn’t feel the same way and break his poor heart.”
“Well, yeah – but how likely is that?”
“It’s your call, babe.” Julia grinned. “Any others?”
“Yeah.”
Selina handed her the wad of papers.
“Ooh, this is a juicy one too.”
Selina read it with her.
Dear Agony Aunt
My boyfriend just isn’t interested in me anymore!
He spends all of his time texting and going to play football with his mates.
Should I dump him?”
Heartbroken soon to be ex- girlfriend.
“She should dump him.” Selina said.
Julia nodded. “Definitely.” She agreed.
“Next?”
Dear Problem person
I think I might be gay.
I have very strong feelings for my best friend and I don’t know who to turn to.
Please help me.
Name withheld.
“Oh my God – I can’t deal with this. It’s way over my head.” Selina turned panicked eyes to her friend.
Julia read it through. “This person needs an adult to talk to. Just suggest that – you haven’t got to personally solve their problems, Selina – you just have to point them in the right direction.”
Selina nodded. She breathed a sigh of relief. Of course she didn’t have to personally solve their problems. She was over-thinking it. “You’re right, Julia. I was panicking a bit there, wasn’t I?”
Julia grinned. “I think you’re going to be just fine.” She patted her shoulder. “Now you need to get to class – you’re gonna be late for French!”