Ashlee's Rival Love Read online

  I wondered who he was too. He often walked the halls with Tanner. I could understand why Sarah was interested. He had a mysterious, yet confident, way about him.

  “You’re right, he’s a Westie,” said Gina. “His name is Jake Hartley and he’s Tanner’s best friend.”

  Debbie grinned and nudged Sarah. “Why? Do you like him?”

  Sarah’s face turned scarlet. “No, he just seems nice.”

  Debbie smiled wider. “Yeah, right.”

  Sarah giggled and put her hands up in surrender. “Okay, I think he has the cutest dimple when he smiles, and I could stare into his golden brown eyes forever.”

  We all laughed. “You’ve got it bad,” I said.

  “It’s okay,” Gina said, “I’ve been checking out the Carlton guys too.” She turned to me. “You’re going to love working with Tanner. Last year, I served on student council with him. He did more than anyone else and he took the jobs no one wanted. You can rely on him.”

  I couldn’t relate to anything she said. She described a stranger. I didn’t know if he was a hard worker. However, since he’d never returned one of my texts or phone calls, I knew he wasn’t reliable.

  “He’ll support you too,” Debbie added, “just like he did at the assembly.”

  “I didn’t want to say anything earlier about Mark,” Gina said, “but I’m glad you put him in his place that day. He’s such a show-off. The only person he’s nice to is Tiffany. He’s always had a crush on her.”

  I almost choked on my milkshake. That’s how she had gotten Mark to do her dirty work at the assembly. He probably would have done anything for her.

  “Guys act so stupid around pretty girls,” said Sarah. “I just don’t understand how Tanner can put up with her.”

  “Neither do I,” said Debbie. “She’s so possessive. She’s jealous of every girl that looks at him, but she doesn’t need to be. Tanner is crazy about her.”

  “And all the girls are crazy about Tanner,” said Gina. Which is understandable because he’s a great guy. But all of the guys like Tiffany and she’s such a snob.”

  Debbie giggled. “They are the odd couple. Tanner has a good sense of humor, and he’s a lot of fun. Tiffany is just the opposite. She’s a zero when it comes to fun and the only time she smiles is when she wants to impress some guy.”

  Tanner rarely smiled around me. He’d been in a bad mood since I had met him. Deep down, I wondered if I was to blame.

  Tim wandered back to our booth and sat beside me. “Sorry, I was gone so long,” he said, taking a sip of his milkshake. “We started talking about that new Sci-fi movie. Everyone says it’s good.”

  “I saw it last week,” Sarah said. “The special effects were so cool.”

  Tim was easy to talk to and I relaxed beside him. The conversations turned to the latest movies and our favorite songs until it was time to leave.

  After everyone pitched in for the check, I grabbed my book bag and scooted out of the booth. Tim lay his hand on my arm and drew me aside. “About that sci-fi movie, I was wondering if you’d like to see it with me Saturday night?”

  I paused, slightly embarrassed. “I’d love to.” I tried to sound calm, but I could feel my cheeks flush. I adjusted my bag and caught Tanner grinning at me. He enjoyed seeing me flustered.

  Running upstairs to my room, I snatched the note Mom left on the refrigerator. I welcomed some time alone after being at Chancy’s. The house was quiet, peaceful. A warm breeze stirred the twin pine trees outside my window. Their fresh scent filled the room.

  I hung my book bag on the hook behind the door and sat in the window seat. I loved my pink and yellow bedroom. It was where I came to be alone and think. I propped a pink pillow against the wall and leaned back.

  Tanner bugged me for several reasons. I wasn’t sure he was reliable. He always managed to be around when I did something embarrassing too. I had wanted to wipe that grin off his face at Chancy’s. Tim was nice, and I was flattered he had asked me out, but I wished Tanner hadn’t seen me blush. I hated for anyone to see me vulnerable. I tried to act cool, calm, and in control. Sarah said it was the perfectionist in me.

  She was right, but she didn’t know why I struggled to be perfect. She didn’t know I was afraid if people saw the real Ashlee they wouldn’t like her. I had never confided that to anyone. It made me uncomfortable.

  No one knew how scared I was to speak in public. I had pretended to be confident. Deep down I was afraid I would fail as co-president. I didn’t have control over the students and their actions.

  My hand tightened on Mom’s note. I had forgotten about it. Quickly, I read it. “Ashlee, your father and I will be home late for dinner. I left a chicken enchilada casserole in the refrigerator. Will you put it in the oven and make a salad? Thanks, Mom.”

  I set the note aside, went downstairs, and started dinner. It hadn’t always been this way. Mom went to work after I started high school. She was proud of her job as secretary to Mayor Gilbreth. We were a close family, yet I was glad she had a job. It gave me more freedom since she and Dad were sometimes overly protective. I guessed it was part of being an only child. Like most girls I would have given anything to have a sister to share things with.

  I sighed and put the salad in the refrigerator. The phone rang and I picked it up expecting to hear Sarah’s voice.

  “Hello, Ashlee? This is Tanner. I wanted to talk to you at Chancy’s but I didn’t get the chance.”

  I selected a can of soda out of the refrigerator and sat at the table. He’d had plenty of opportunities. He didn’t want to take the time. “It’s okay.”

  “I didn’t mean to ignore you.” He sounded sincere. “We need to talk, Ashlee.”

  I took a deep breath. “What about?”

  “We’re co-presidents and…”

  “I never agreed to remain as co-president.” I tapped my fingers on the table. “What makes you think I changed my mind?”

  “Haven’t you?”

  “Maybe I have.” It killed me to admit it. ”But it was my decision. You didn’t talk me into it.” I tried to act cool and indifferent, but my tone was defensive.

  “You sound like you’re ready to start another Ashlee-Tanner war.”

  I opened my mouth to deny it and belched instead. I gasped and covered the mouthpiece hoping he didn’t hear.

  “What did you say?”

  I gripped the receiver. My cheeks burned. Why had I drunk the can of soda? I knew better. It usually gave me the hiccups. “Nothing, I was sort of laughing.”

  “That was a laugh? It sounded like the earth exploded.”

  Why had this happened while I was talking to Tanner? I wanted to wave a magic wand and erase the whole conversation until now. It was too embarrassing.

  I leaned back in my chair. “Tanner I better hang,…” Suddenly I lost my balance. I reached for the table, and missed. The phone flew across the kitchen and I landed on the floor, staring at the ceiling.

  For a second I was stunned. “Ashlee.” I could barely hear Tanner calling my name. I wanted to crawl in the kitchen cupboard and hide, but at the same time the whole thing struck me as funny. I sat up, laughing, and scooted across the floor to the phone.

  “Ashlee, are you there?”

  I giggled. “Uh, yeah.”

  “What’s so funny? It sounded like something fell.”

  “Nothing. Everything is fine.” What else could I say, except to admit I was a klutz.

  “Okay.” He paused. “I’m glad you still have a sense of humor.”

  I sensed he knew what had happened, yet he hadn’t pushed me to explain. I liked that. “We’re going to need it if we plan to work together.”

  “We can get along,” Tanner said. “Our job won’t be easy, but I’m glad you’re going to be my co-pres.”

  “No,” I teased. “Let’s get one thing straight now. You’re going to be my co-pres.”

  He laughed. “Okay, Ashlee. You win round one.”

  “I like the sound o
f that.”

  “I figured you would,” he said teasingly. “We have a lot of work ahead of us.” His voice grew serious. “The election for the student council will be tomorrow. We’ll have to go to all of the meetings, but we won’t have to be officers.”

  “Tomorrow? No one has had a chance to campaign.”

  “We don’t do it that way. We elect two students from each homeroom. It’s all done in class and only takes about five minutes. The first council meeting will be on Monday.”

  I twisted a strand of hair around my finger. Westview did everything differently from Carlton. At Carlton we had two weeks of heavy campaigning. The election was a major event. I sighed. How would I ever adjust to the changes? “When do we meet? At Carlton we met after school.”

  “We meet Mondays, and Fridays, during home room. Our schedule is better. You’ll like it.”

  I straightened. “There you go again, assuming everything about Westview is better.”

  “That isn’t what I meant.”

  “Then what did you mean, Tanner?” I stood and paced back and forth. “You think Westview is so great. Let me tell you something. Carlton had a lot of good traditions too. It wouldn’t hurt Westview to adopt some of them.”

  “You are so busy comparing us to Carlton that you won’t give us a chance. Carlton might have had some good things about it, but you’re a Westie now. You better get used to the idea.”

  “You’re telling me what to do again. It’s time you realize I don’t work for you, I work with you.”

  “Everything I say, you twist around, and you won’t admit I’m right. Just remember, Westview isn’t your rival anymore.”

  “I think we better hang up. We aren’t getting anywhere.”

  “You’re right, but just to set things straight, I didn’t mean Westview’s schedules are better. I just meant our council schedule works better for us.”

  “Okay.”

  “Do we call a truce?”

  “Yeah. I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions, but I would still like you to be open to some of Carltons’s traditions.”

  “I’ll try. We need to talk about Carlton sometime. And by the way, have fun with Tim Saturday night.”

  “How did you know we have a date?”

  “It’s easy. He always asks out the prettiest girl in school. So long, Ashlee. It was...,interesting...,talking to you.”

  The receiver buzzed in my ear. Tanner thought I was pretty. He had almost said it. I shouldn’t have cared, but I did.

  Chapter Three

  Saturday evening I slipped into my favorite black jeans and light blue sweater. I gave myself a quick spritz of my favorite cologne and dabbed on a touch of lip-gloss. All the while, my stomach churned uneasily. I had never dated a Westie. They had always been the enemy. It was silly to think I was doing something wrong. Carlton High didn’t exist anymore. Yet, I couldn’t shake the guilt.

  Mom knocked on the door and peeked in. “Ashlee, you look lovely.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” I adjusted my sweater in front of the mirror. “Something doesn’t look right.”

  Mom tilted her head and examined me. “Why don’t you try the gold earrings you got at the mall?”

  I had been so nervous I had forgotten about jewelry. “That’s what I need.”

  “I’ll be downstairs,” Mom said. “Your date should be here soon.”

  I barely had time to put on my earrings when Tim came. After introducing him to Mom and Dad we strolled out to his car. He looked cute in his jeans and tan polo shirt.

  He grinned as we pulled out of the driveway. “I had the weirdest feeling when I was coming to pick you up. I felt like I was dating the enemy.”

  I laughed. “You, too? I had to keep telling myself I wasn’t doing anything wrong.”

  He smiled. “By the way. You look great tonight.”

  “Thanks, so do you.” I stared out the window, not sure if I was supposed to compliment him or not.

  He squeezed my hand. “I hope you like the movie. I have to admit I’ve never gone to one in Carlton before.”

  “You better be careful. I hear they arrest Westies for trespassing in their theaters.”

  Tim chuckled and I relaxed. I had worried needlessly. He wasn’t any different than the Carlton guys I had dated.

  The movie was action packed and had lots of fun scenes. When he invited me to the Carlton Pizza Gallery afterwards I readily accepted.

  The place was filled with Carlton kids. Conversation stopped the minute we walked in the door. It didn’t bother Tim. He grabbed my hand, strolled to Barb Chambers table and greeted everyone. I was surprised he knew so many of my friends. The conversations around us resumed, although several kids stared at us openly. Barb and the rest of the group were polite but I sensed they weren’t used to Westies hanging out at the Pizza Gallery.

  After a few minutes we made our way to an empty table. My stomach grumbled. The room smelled like pizza sauce and pepperoni. We quickly ordered a pizza, then visited the game room.

  “This is a cool place.” Tim said after we finished playing. “I like the picnic tables and benches. Star Gazer is a fun game.”

  “Even when I beat you?”

  A smile pulled at the corner of his mouth. “I let you win.”

  The waitress came and placed the pizza on the table. I pulled a piece off the platter, and grinned. “By thirty to one?”

  Tim chuckled. “I’m a nice guy.”

  “You’re a poor loser.” I liked teasing him, but he confused me. He was fun and I had enjoyed myself. Yet I hadn’t felt romantic about him. I pushed my disappointment aside. Our date wasn’t over. By the end of the evening I would probably be in love.

  A smile played at the corners of his mouth. “I never should have played with you. You don’t lose at anything. No wonder you’re the pres.”

  “The co-pres”, I corrected him. “Did you forget about Tanner?”

  “No, he’s one of my buddies, and look who just walked in with Tiffany.” He waved and motioned them to our table. Most of the kids stared and whispered when they passed.

  Tanner was the last person I wanted to see while on a date with Tim but I wasn’t sure why.

  Hi,” Tanner said. “We heard this is the best place to hang out in Carlton and the pizza is great.”

  “Yesss,” Tiffany drawled out the word. “We wanted to see where the, uh, rest of you go on Saturday nights. Come on Tanner,” she pointed at an empty table. “We can sit here.” She stopped in the middle of her step, her face drained of its color. “There’s only benches. There aren’t any chairs. I can’t sit on that.”

  “You don’t have any choice,” Tanner said. “It might be fun.”

  She walked to the bench and sat on it like it was a pile of glass. With her back to the table, she lifted her leg and tried to get it over the seat. Her short tight skirt wouldn’t budge. She let out a dramatic sigh and stood, tapping her high heels while she studied the table. Then with her head held high she discreetly raised her skirt enough to get her legs over the bench in one swift move.

  I didn’t know whether to applaud or laugh. I had to hand it to her, she did it as gracefully as a queen.

  Tanner turned to our table. “Tiff has such a great sense of humor. By the way Tim, I hope you’re elected to council again. You did a lot of work last year.”

  “It’d be great. Then I can spend more time with Ashley.” He smiled and winked at me

  Tanner lifted his brows and stared at me, then Tim. “How lucky can you get?”

  There was something about the way he said that. I couldn’t tell if he was being sarcastic or not.

  For the rest of the night I would have to look at Tanner and Tiffany. From the way she pouted you’d think she was doing penance.

  Tim’s eyes held a twinkle of amusement. “You don’t like Tiffany, do you?”

  I gave a noncommittal shrug. “She’s okay.”

  “Most people don’t understand her.” He lifted a string of cheese off of his pizz
a. “I used to live next door to her before her dad went into business for himself. She was a good athlete until her family made all of that money. Then she changed and started modeling. Her Mom and Dad are too busy for her now. She just wants attention.”

  I experienced a brief pang of sympathy for her. My parents had always had time for me. “She sure knows how to get what she wants.”

  “Yeah, but don’t let her bother you. Just remember, she wasn’t always like this.”

  I tried to focus on Tim, although it was hard when Tanner grinned every time he caught me glancing at him. He bugged me in a big way. Still, I couldn’t help noticing that his emerald green shirt matched the color of his eyes. He was a cute guy. Too bad his personality didn’t match his face. “What kind of projects did the council do last year?”

  “We sponsored a lot of the dances. We did other things too, like decorating the school for Christmas and helping with the assemblies.”

  “It’s not too different from the work we did at Carlton. I’m looking forward to the first meeting.”

  “I’m glad. I know it’s been tough adjusting to Westview.” Tim set his glass down. “Are you ready to go?”

  I nodded and slid out of the bench.

  Tim twined my fingers in his and directed me to Tanner’s table. “We’ll see you on Monday. Enjoy your pizza,” he said. By the expression on Tiffany’s face we were lucky we didn’t have to call the paramedics.

  We drove home listening to music. He pulled into my driveway and slipped his arm around me.

  “I had a good time tonight,” I said.

  “Did you, Ashlee?”

  “Yes.”

  His blonde hair glistened in the moonlight. He bent his head slightly and pushed a strand of hair out of my eyes. I leaned closer and held my breath in anticipation. His lips were soft and gentle. I waited for the sparks but they didn’t come. It was pleasant, just not romantic like I expected it to be. Two lips touching, that’s all. I pulled away from him. “I better go in.”

  He opened his door. “I’ll call you.”

  “Okay,” I said. “You don’t need to get out.” I pushed open the door and ran into the house before he could see my disappointment.