“Yeah, I’m fine.”
He moved his hand away from my face, and after analyzing my mood once more, turned back toward Randy. I fidgeted with my water bottle and continued to think about Leslie. I couldn’t help but to worry about how our relationship was about to change. We hung out a lot as couples, she and Terrence and Antonio and I. Terrence was Antonio’s most loyal friend, so I knew that he’d never consider us hanging out with AJ in Antonio’s place. And I couldn’t expect Leslie to abandon Terrence for my sake either. This wasn’t going to be an easy transition, but there was nothing I could do to change it.
At the end of the day I walked slowly to my locker, still dwelling on the deterioration of me and Leslie’s relationship that I foresaw. AJ, Karl and Deanna were waiting there for me already. Deanna smiled at me in her usual welcoming way. I ignored my thoughts and forced a smile. “Hey guys,” I greeted them as I approached.
Deanna stepped forward with her cell phone in hand. “Hey, I have to run, but I wanted to get your number.” She smiled sweetly. “I know I could’ve asked AJ, but I figured I should just ask you.”
“Oh, sure that’s fine.” I was in no position to turn down new friends, so I may have been a little too eager when I recited my cell phone number to her. She smiled and then waved goodbye as she grabbed Karl’s hand, dragging him along behind her.
“See? I told you you’d get along well with her,” AJ said.
“Yeah, she’s really nice,” I replied. “Maybe we’ll hang out sometime.”
I didn’t hesitate this time when, AJ reached for my hand again as we walked to my car. Just as he’d opened my door and helped me in, I looked up to find him glaring across the parking lot with a frustrated look on his face. Unable to keep myself from spying what had him so flustered, I followed his gaze to find Leila coming in our direction. I fought against the feelings of intimidation that tried to overtake me again as she came toward us. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that she was gorgeous; maybe even pretty enough to be a model. She had her green eyes fixed on AJ who straightened his posture protectively when she approached.
“What?” He asked coldly.
“My car won’t start. Can give me a ride home?” She asked, not even acknowledging that I was there.
“No, ask Trevor,” AJ replied in the same dry tone.
“Trevor left already. There isn’t anyone else to take me.”
“Well, that sucks for you, cause you’re not getting in my car,” AJ blurted.
There was a brief flicker of rage that filled her eyes for a second and then her expression returned to normal. She looked at me for the first time since she’d walked over. “Well, what about you? Can you take me?” She asked. Unbelievable.
I stared at her in disbelief and so did AJ. Is she serious? It was already pretty apparent that she wasn’t my favorite person and I definitely wasn’t hers……and yet, here she was asking me for a favor.
Before I could answer, she turned back to AJ. “Or, I could just sit up here while you practice like I used to and wait for my dad to come get me.” She smiled and I suddenly had a change of heart.
“Nope, it’s fine I’ll take you. Where do you live?” I asked. As much as I didn’t want her anywhere near me, I definitely didn’t want her anywhere near AJ.
“About 15 minutes from here.”
“Fine. Get in,” I replied. AJ was still in disbelief. Leila sat there motionlessly as AJ and I said our goodbyes. He shot her a warning look before closing my door, and seconds later, I was pulling out of the parking lot.