Ashlee's Rival Love Read online

  Tanner turned to me and smiled. “Now let’s welcome my co-president Ashlee Stone.”

  I rose putting one foot in front of the other. Every step I took was like a movie in slow motion. My feet grew heavier with each step as though they were encased in cement. The cement of my self doubts.

  With shaking hands I reached for the microphone. How could I help unify the school? All I saw were rows of unfamiliar faces. My heart pounded faster. I opened my mouth to speak and nothing came out. Someone in the front row cleared her throat. It was Sarah. She gave me a thumbs up and smiled. All around her were my Carlton classmates. They had confidence in me. I concentrated on them and began my speech.

  The more I relaxed the more the words flowed. At the end, I put my notes away and gazed at the audience. “I know we can work together to make Westview our school, not the rival school.” The crowd burst into applause.

  “Why should we listen to you?” A male voice shouted from the center of the auditorium. “You can’t even dress yourself. Look at your shoes, one brown and one white.”

  A hush fell over the audience. My heart sank. I clutched the sides of the podium too shocked to speak.

  Chapter Two

  My heart pounded so hard I couldn’t move. I tightened my hold on the podium, wishing the curtains would magically close or the fire alarm ring. No such luck. The whole student body stared at my mismatched shoes and torn skirt. The heat from the stage lights added to the warmth in my cheeks.

  I searched the audience for the guy who had shouted. He had a big smirk on his face. Trouble gleamed in his eyes. He was a Westie, of course. He stared at me defiantly and poked the kid next to him. They both snickered and a few kids joined them until the laughter spread to the front of the auditorium.

  Someone in the second row jeered loudly. Tiffany stopped the minute I spotted her. She grinned like she had successfully forged the grades on her report card. Somehow she had put the guy up to it. Tiffany had tried to humiliate me, and for a moment she had. Smiling back at her, I refused to show how embarrassed I was.

  A steady murmur continued throughout the auditorium.

  Principal DeGraff tiptoed to my side. “I’m sorry this has happened, Ashlee. I’ll put a stop to it.”

  “No, please, Mrs. DeGraff,” I pleaded, “let me try to handle it.”

  She paused. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  She stepped aside and I reached for the microphone. “Okay, so I have on two different pair of shoes because I forgot to change.” Stepping away from the podium, I gave everyone a good view of my feet. “The truth is, I couldn’t decide which pair to wear.” I eyed several girls sitting together. “You know how it is.” They nodded. The audience quieted down and gave me their full attention. “Everyone here has tried on different shoes with their clothes to see which looks best. I just forgot to switch them, that’s all.” I shrugged. “I don’t think that makes me a poor leader.”

  “You didn’t forget,” yelled the guy in the center of the auditorium. “Brown and white are Carlton colors. You’re showing loyalty to Carlton on purpose.”

  Another boy stood. “Yeah, it’s against the rules to wear brown and white.”

  Adam Springer, from Carlton, jumped up. “Listen to her. Ashlee said she didn’t do it on purpose and she meant it.”

  The crowd scoffed.

  “Believe me,” I said. “I didn’t do it on purpose. I loved Carlton High. It was a great school, but it’s gone. I’m a Westie now, and I wouldn’t break the rules.”

  Principal DeGraff came to my side and asked for the microphone. I hesitated. More than anything I wanted to gain control of the audience. They were starting to listen. All I needed was a little more time. She stretched out her hand. I had no choice but to give it to her.

  She pounded on the podium with the gavel. “I won’t stand for any more disruptions. Mark Hanson,” she pointed to the guy who had started it, “report to my office immediately. Jeff Baker,” she stared at the boy in the fourth row, “and you,” she nodded to Adam, “follow Mark.”

  All heads turned to the three boys as they strode to the center aisle. Mark mumbled something to Adam. He clenched his fists and glared back at him. “Take that back. It’s not her fault. You Westies have always blamed everything on Carlton.”

  Mark thrust out his chin and shoved Adam. “You Carlies think you’re better than Westview. You’re just making fun of us by wearing Carlton colors.”

  Two teachers standing in the back of the auditorium dashed forward. They grabbed hold of the boys and separated them.

  Shouts erupted from the audience. Several Westview and Carlton boys leaped into the aisle.

  Tanner hurried past me. With one leap he jumped off the stage and rushed to the boys in the aisle. He held out his arms like a traffic cop, dividing the group. Quietly, he murmured something to a few of the boys.

  Without waiting to see their reaction, I raced to the stage exit. I couldn’t let Tanner deal with them alone.

  Principal DeGraff grabbed my arm at the top of the stairs. “Ashlee, stop. It’s all right. The teachers will help Tanner if he needs it. But I don’t think he will. The boys respect him.”

  Reluctantly, I followed her back on stage. They were arguing because of me. I hated to have anyone fight my battles. Nothing could be worse than to have Tanner fight them for me. Inwardly, I seethed. I didn’t want to be obligated to him.

  Tanner kept his arms outstretched. “Listen everyone. I’ve gotten to know Ashlee,” he said with sincerity and confidence. “She’s telling the truth. She’s loyal to Westview. Let’s give her a chance. Now, please sit down.” One of the guys glanced at me then shuffled back to his seat. After a moment, the rest of the crowd backed away and headed for their chairs.

  Tanner had done it. He had gotten control of the crowd when I had failed. Tears threatened my eyes.

  Behind Tanner the two teachers murmured something to the three boys and pointed to the door.

  Mark refused to go. He spun around facing Tanner. “You’ve turned against Westview already. You’re sticking up for Ashlee,” he yelled.

  Tanner faced him. “Ashlee is a Westie now. You’re just trying to cause trouble Mark.” His voice was calm and steady. “I’m loyal to Westview and you know it. Everything I’ve said about Ashlee is true. You’re trying to blame the whole consolidation on her and that’s not fair. “

  “She broke the rules and she’s getting away with it because she’s co-president.”

  “She’s not getting away with anything. She didn’t do anything wrong. And she’s already explained about her shoes.”

  I gave Principal DeGraff a pleading look. It wasn’t right that Tanner was defending me. I wanted to defend myself.

  She moved closer to me. “It’s best to stay out of this Ashlee. Mark is a hothead. He wants you to get involved so he can accuse you. Tanner knows this. Besides they’re leaving now.”

  I glanced back at the aisle. The teacher gripped Mark’s arm and escorted him out of the auditorium.

  Before they could get out the door Tiffany stood and turned to Mark. “Tanner’s right. Ashlee just made a mistake with her shoes. We have to try to get along and make the consolidation work.”

  I stared at her, dumbfounded. Why would Tiffany defend me? She had to be up to something.

  Mark’s mouth fell open in surprise. He glared accusingly at Tiffany. “But you said,” he hesitated a second, then turned back to the door and pushed it open.

  “That’s enough. I will not tolerate any more interruptions,” Mrs. DeGraff shouted from the podium. “Tiffany sit down. If anyone else speaks out of turn they will be taken to my office immediately.”

  Tiffany’s lips curved into a pout as she took her seat.

  Relief showed on Tanner’s face. He ran back on stage and sat beside me.

  I took a deep breath. The fight had ended and order had been restored. I didn’t allow myself to think of what could have happened. I was glad it was over.


  Principal DeGraff said a few words and ended the assembly. I picked up my chair and carried it back stage. Tanner followed me with the rest of the chairs and set them on the metal rack. I didn’t know what to say. “Tanner,” I said grabbing my book bag, “thank you for defending me.”

  He stacked the chairs against the wall without looking up. “It’s no big deal.”

  “It meant a lot.”

  He avoided my eyes and shrugged.

  It had taken every ounce of strength I had to thank him and he couldn’t even look at me. I turned and headed for the exit. Tiffany dashed forward and stepped in front of the door. “Ashlee, you gave a great speech.” Her voice dripped with false sincerity. “Don’t let Mark upset you. You’re doing a good job.” She glanced at Tanner innocently and smiled. “Don’t take too long. I’ll save you a place at our lunch table.”

  Everything she did was to impress Tanner. I was just part of a game she had played to get what she wanted, but from now on I would be one step ahead of her.

  Tanner watched her walk away like it was goodbye forever.

  “Isn’t she wonderful?” he asked.

  He was hopeless. He’d never see the real Tiffany. “I’ve got to meet my friend for lunch. See you later.”

  “You are the strangest girl. Why are you so ungrateful? You nearly cause a riot in the auditorium and when a nice girl like Tiffany compliments you anyway, you don’t even thank her.”

  “Thank Tiffany?” Didn’t he know she was behind this? “You think I almost caused a riot? If you have such a low opinion of me why did you defend me?”

  “Because I was trying to stop the fight from turning into something worse.”

  He almost admitted he didn’t like me and it hurt. Although I didn’t like Tanner, I wanted him to care about me. I wanted him to say the fight wasn’t my fault. “Thanks for your support.” All the events of the morning had caught up with me. The tears I had been able to hold back sprang forth. Quickly, I turned and opened the door.

  “Wait,” Tanner said. “You take everything I say the wrong way. We have to try to get along. We’re co-president’s, remember?”

  “I already told you. I’m not going to be your co-president.” I avoided his eyes. That wasn’t true. I couldn’t resign, but I wasn’t ready to tell him.

  He stepped into the hallway. “You don’t have much choice. I thought after this assembly that you would have realized it. Can’t you see how important it is that you remain a leader?”

  I kept my back to him. “I’m not so sure after everything that’s happened.”

  “Then you underestimate yourself.” His voice lowered to almost a whisper. “The school needs you. We don’t always have to argue. We can be friends.”

  Tears ran down my cheeks. I wished he were rude. I wanted to argue, to lash out at him. He had given a great speech and controlled the audience when I had failed. He had accomplished what I couldn’t. “I have to go.” I pushed past him and started down the empty hall.

  “Ashlee,” Tanner yelled after me. “Tiffany was right. You gave an excellent speech.”

  Sarah sucked on a spoon full of whipped cream. “Chancy’s milkshakes are the best.”

  I stirred the chocolate ice cream in my glass and surveyed the crowded restaurant. Every booth was filled. Kids waited outside to get in. It was furnished like a diner from the nineteen fifties. The chairs and tables were pink formica trimmed in chrome. Booths lined the walls. A jukebox blared out a series of oldies songs. I stared at a colorful poster of Elvis and Marilyn Monroe. “It kind of makes you want to slip into a poodle skirt and bobby socks like in the movie ‘Grease’, doesn’t it?”

  “Yeah. We were lucky to get in today. Next time we’ll leave as soon as the bell rings, then we won’t have to wait.” Sarah took a quick glance around the room and giggled. “It will give us more time to look at all of the great looking guys. But I don’t think any of them are as cute as Tanner.”

  My shoulders tensed the minute she mentioned his name. I hadn’t talked to him since the assembly on Monday. We had nodded to each other in the halls, and that was all. “He’s okay,” I said with little enthusiasm.

  Sarah raised her eyebrows. “He’s more than okay. He’s gorgeous. Just admit it.”

  “All right, I admit the first time I saw him I thought he was my dream guy. When I was a kid I dreamt of meeting someone like him. Sort of a Prince Charming. Now that I have, I’m disappointed. He looks like a model, but he acts like a jerk.”

  “You don’t like him now, but you might change your mind after you get to know him better. In a couple of weeks you’ll probably be good friends.”

  “I doubt it. We don’t agree on anything. I don’t like feeling this way about him. Usually, I get along with everyone.”

  “Yeah, you do,” Sarah said, “but you and Tanner got off to a bad start.”

  “He saw me when I was vulnerable. I hate anyone to see me like that. If he hadn’t, maybe I would have acted differently instead of taking it out on him.” I swirled the straw in my milkshake. “Anyway, I’m sure he can’t stand me either.”

  “He wouldn’t have defended you in front of the whole school if he didn’t like you.”

  I wanted to believe Sarah. If we respected each other, our jobs as co-presidents would be easier. “We bring out the worst in each other. I guess it’s because we’re both so stubborn.”

  “You looked like a team at the assembly,” Sarah said. “You weren’t arguing then.”

  “We did stick together, but it was for the school.”

  “That’s what I mean. You both want the same thing. You’re a team.” She paused a minute. “Did you tell him you’re going to stay as co-president?”

  I gave her a quick glance. “How did you know that’s what I decided?”

  She shrugged. “You care about the school. It doesn’t matter if you get along with Tanner or not. You’ll be a leader as long as the school needs you.”

  “You’re right, but I haven’t told him. I don’t want to talk to him. He’ll think he convinced me to stay, and I guess he did, but I’m not going to give him a chance to gloat.”

  “He won’t. He’ll be cool about it.” She paused and glanced behind me. “Speaking of Tanner, look who’s coming,” she whispered.

  Out of the corner of my eye I saw Tanner and Tiffany holding hands. Tanner walked by our table staring at Tiffany. He didn’t even see our booth. I told myself it didn’t matter. Yet, something inside me wanted him to take notice.

  The door opened and a group of Westies walked toward us. Tim Parker and two Westie cheerleaders, Gina Lorenzo and Debbie Baker, stopped at our table. They were some of the few Westies who associated with Carltons.

  Tim was one of the cutest guys in school. He had ash blonde hair, blue eyes, and the kind of long dark eyelashes every girl wanted. He smiled down at me. “Hey, Ashlee, how did you do on that history quiz?”

  I groaned. “I did all right. I’m glad our chapter on colonial America is short.” I quickly introduced everyone to Sarah and invited them to join us.

  Gina and Debbie squeezed in next to Sarah and Tim sat next to me. I felt awkward with him beside me. Not only was he cute, but he was also one of the nicest guys I had met.

  “How do you two like Westview?” Tim asked. “It must be hard to change schools in your senior year.”

  A lump formed in my throat. I missed everything about Carlton High. The oak tree on the front lawn, the teachers, my favorite lunchroom table, were all memories I cherished. Yet I had to remember I was co-president of Westview. “I miss Carlton, but Westview is a good school,” I said.

  “There is a lot to get used to, but I like it,” Sarah agreed.

  A waitress came and took the order, and I glanced at Gina and Debbie, anxious to change the subject. “You did a fantastic cheer at the opening assembly.”

  They both smiled. “Thanks, we practiced all summer,” Gina said. “We were nervous. It was the first time we performed with the Carl
ton cheerleaders.”

  “Yeah, they didn’t make one mistake,” Debbie added. “We were the ones who goofed up on the flip.”

  They didn’t have a problem accepting the Carlton cheerleaders. I wanted to say if more kids were like them, we would be united already. Somehow, saying it in Chancy’s didn’t seem right. I was afraid I would sound corny.

  Gina studied me. “You were so calm on stage. I would have died if those boys yelled at me.”

  “I wasn’t calm. I wanted to run out of the auditorium but I couldn’t move.”

  “You did a great job of controlling the audience,” Tim said.

  “Thanks.” I stared at a few Westies following a waitress to a table. They stopped in the middle of the floor, shook their heads at the Carlton kids sitting nearby, and turned toward the door. My shoulders tightened. I hadn’t noticed the Westies sat on one side of the room and the Carlies on the other. I was about to turn my gaze away when I saw Tanner’s concerned expression. He had observed it too.

  The waitress returned, and set a tray of chocolate mint milkshakes and chili fries on the table.

  Tim took a handful of fries then slid out of the booth. “I’ll be right back. I promised Coach Slater I’d tell the guys about the new practice time.” He headed for Tanner’s table where some of the football players had gathered.

  Debbie glanced over her shoulder at Tanner’s booth. “Look at Tiffany. She’s the only girl sitting with all of those cute guys. She has all the luck.”

  “She’s even luckier to have Tanner as her boyfriend,” Sarah said.

  Gina nodded. “Yeah, most girls would like to trade places with her.”

  I sighed inwardly. Where Tanner was concerned, girls didn’t think rationally. Although, I reminded myself, I had acted the same way when we met. I had been so tongue-tied I couldn’t speak. At least I didn’t act silly around him anymore. None of the girls would either if he were their co-president.

  “Who is the guy sitting next to Tanner?” Sarah asked. She pointed to a boy with honey-brown hair, and large brown eyes. “He must be a Westie.”