Alice in the Middle (5 page)

I
n the morning I woke up to the sound of Hazel rummaging through her wardrobe. She was sighing loudly. ‘I just can’t decide what to wear this morning,’ she said.

I looked over towards Alice’s bed. Alice was looking at me. She smiled.

‘Hi, Meg,’ she said. ‘You should have come back to the party with me last night. It was great fun.’

I felt like screaming at her. Didn’t she know? It was all her fault that I didn’t go to the party. So why did she care so much now?

But I was tired, and I had a headache, and I didn’t feel like a row, especially not in front of Hazel, so I didn’t say anything.

Alice was really nice to me that day. She lent me her new hoodie, and at breakfast she gave me the last of her precious chocolate cereal. At lunch time, she chatted much more to me than she did to Hazel, and when bed-time came around, I’d decided that the whole talent show thing was no big deal, and I made up my mind to forget all about it.

The next few days were kind of strange. Hazel kept following Alice and me around, like some kind of lost puppy-dog. She wasn’t especially mean to me, but she wasn’t nice either. And I couldn’t forgive her for telling Jordan that I was a loser. So when the three of us were together, Hazel and I both talked to Alice, but ignored each other, while Alice did her best to talk to both of us, and act like there was nothing strange going on.

In a way it was a relief when Alice and Hazel went to tennis, and I could relax with Sarah and Sam and the others in my basketball group.

One morning I was walking back from basketball with Sarah, when she said,

‘What’s going on between you, Alice and Hazel these days?’

I sighed.

‘I don’t know really. It’s all totally weird.’

Sarah hesitated.

‘Want to know what I think?’

I nodded.

‘I think Hazel is a total bully. She doesn’t just want to hang out with Alice – it’s like she wants to own her. And she hates you because you’re the one that Alice likes the most.’

I gave a small smile.

‘Thanks. I used to think that Alice liked me the most, but now I’m not sure any more. It’s like Hazel is so strong that she’s trying to take over Alice’s mind. Alice is different here. It’s like Hazel has made her become a different person. Does that sound crazy?’

Sarah laughed.

‘Not a bit.’

‘So what should I do?’

Sarah thought for a moment.

‘Don’t do anything. Alice is your best friend.
Trust her to do the right thing.’

I sighed. She was probably right.

At lunch-time, I sat with Alice and Hazel. It was OK at first, and then Hazel started to talk about Jordan. (I’d been right about them being on a date the night after the show.) Every sentence started with ‘Jordan says’ or ‘Jordan thinks.’ And the worst part was, Alice didn’t even see the funny side of it. She acted like she really cared what Jordan says and thinks.

After a while Hazel ran out of things to say about Jordan.

‘What about you guys,’ she said. ‘Have you had many boyfriends?’

I waited for Alice to answer – to tell her that we weren’t really into boys. Hazel would probably feel a bit stupid for going on so much about Jordan, once she realised that Alice and I weren’t ready for that kind of stuff yet.

I waited – and waited. And then I waited some more.

At last Alice answered.

‘Well, I’ve only had a few boyfriends so far,’ she said.

I started to laugh before I realised she wasn’t trying to be funny.

What boyfriends had Alice had?

If she’d had even one, I’d know about it.

Wouldn’t I?

Suddenly I understood that since Hazel had barged into our lives, I couldn’t be sure of anything as far as Alice was concerned.

‘The only one I really liked was Eliot,’ continued Alice. ‘He was really cool.’

Eliot?

What was she on about?

‘Who’s Eliot?’ I blurted out without thinking.

‘Oh, he was a guy who lived near us when I was in Dublin,’ said Alice. ‘We went out a few times.’

‘But you never told me.’ As soon as the words were out, I knew they made me sound like an idiot.

Hazel saw her opportunity. She put on a baby-voice.

‘Aaaaw. Didn’t Alice tell little Megan every single
thing about her life? Poor little Megan.’

I waited for Alice to defend me, like she always did when Melissa used to pick on me at school. This time she didn’t though. She just tossed her head.

‘Oh, didn’t I tell you that? Must have forgotten. It’s no big deal anyway.’

I knew my face was going red. I felt so stupid.

Was Alice making up this whole Eliot thing?

Or had she really had this whole relationship that I knew nothing about?

Hazel gave me an evil smile, then she turned to Alice.

‘Don’t worry about it. Looks like Megan’s never had a boyfriend. So why would you discuss that kind of stuff with her? Why don’t you and I go for a walk? I want to hear every detail about Eliot – every single detail.’

She got up, and left the table. Alice stood up too. I wanted to make a face at Alice, to let her know … well I don’t know what I wanted to let her know. It didn’t matter anyway, because Alice didn’t even look back at me as she followed her
new best friend outside.

T
he next morning started the usual way. Hazel was up first planning her clothes and make-up for the day.

Ten minutes later, Alice got up and picked up her towel.

‘I’m going for a shower,’ she said. ‘See you guys in–– what’s this?’

As she said the last words she bent and picked up an envelope that was half under our bedroom door. She turned it over, and then handed it to me.

The front of the envelope said ‘Megan’ in small, neat handwriting.

I took it from her and opened it quickly. Inside was a small sheet of paper, with just a few words on it.

I read the note a few times. All kinds of questions raced through my head.

What did those three xxx’s mean?

Was Sam asking me on a date?

I liked Sam, but did I want him for a boyfriend?

Did I want anyone for a boyfriend?

Hazel and Alice were staring at me?

‘What’s the letter about?’ asked Hazel, like she really cared.

I folded up the paper and stuffed it back into the envelope.

‘Nothing really. It’s—’ I began, but stopped when Hazel grabbed the envelope from my hand, pulled out the page and read it aloud.

I waited for the laughing to begin, but to my surprise, Hazel didn’t seem to think it was funny.
She actually seemed impressed.

‘So Sam’s asking you out? He’s the guy from your basketball group, isn’t he?’

I nodded.

‘He’s kind of cute,’ she said. ‘You should go out with him.’

I didn’t say anything.

Suddenly Hazel was being almost nice to me.

Even if I didn’t really want a boyfriend yet, maybe it would be worth going out with Sam, just so Hazel would continue to be kind to me?

Maybe she’d even stop picking on me?

And if Alice had a boyfriend in Dublin that I’d only just heard about, maybe it was time for me to do some catching up?

And Hazel was right – Sam
was
kind of cute.

Maybe this was the best thing that could possibly have happened?

I looked at Alice.

‘What do you think?’ I asked. ‘Should I go out with Sam?’

She didn’t answer for a minute, then she spoke in a rush.

‘I don’t know. Whatever. Do whatever you want. Now I’m going for my shower.’

I was a bit upset that Alice didn’t seem more enthusiastic, but it didn’t matter. I’d made up my mind. I was going to live a little. I was going to meet Sam. And no-one was going to make me change my mind.

It was a bit embarrassing when I met Sam at basketball later, but he acted like everything was the same as usual. That seemed strange, but I decided he didn’t want his friends to know about us in case they’d tease him. So I decided to act normally too.

Seems like I’m not very good at acting normally though, because as soon as she got the chance, Sarah pulled me into a quiet corner.

‘What’s with you this morning?’ she asked.

I shrugged.

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

Sarah laughed.

‘Don’t bother lying,’ she said. ‘I know there’s something going on. Every time Sam comes
within five metres of you, you go all red and start fixing your hair.’

I gave a small smile, and it was enough to make Sarah jump up and down.

‘I knew it,’ she said. ‘I just knew it. Now tell me everything. I want to know every single detail.’

I sighed.

‘OK. But there aren’t all that many details … yet.’

Sarah giggled, and then I continued.

‘Sam’s asked me to meet him after tea this evening. You know … like for a date. But don’t tell anyone else – I don’t think he wants his friends to know about it.’

Sarah giggled again.

‘That’s so cool. Sam is really nice. You might think this is stupid, but I … I … well I haven’t had a boyfriend yet.’

I smiled at her.

‘It’s not stupid. I’ve never been on a date before either. Tonight’s going to be my first.’

‘Are you nervous?’

I nodded. I was really, really nervous. But I
wasn’t backing out – no way.

A
s soon as tea was over, I raced upstairs to get ready. Hazel and Alice followed me.

‘I’ll do your face for you,’ offered Hazel.

I didn’t answer. After the morning when she made my eyes look really weird, I wasn’t sure that I could trust her.

Hazel smiled at me.

‘That last time I did your eyes, I was kind of in a rush. I know I didn’t do a very good job. I’ll be more careful this time – I promise.’

‘OK,’ I said, and sat obediently while she did my face for me. When she was finished she held up a mirror so I could see what she had done. I
had to smile – she’d almost managed to make me look pretty.

‘Thanks, Hazel,’ I said. ‘Look, Alice. What do you think? Will Sam be impressed?’

Alice was playing with her phone.

‘I suppose,’ she said.

I wondered why Alice was acting so bored, but was interrupted when Hazel said,

‘Now clothes. Would you like to borrow my jeans, and one of my t-shirts?’

I had kind of planned to ask Alice for a loan of her turquoise top, but since Hazel was being so friendly, I decided to wear her stuff.

I put on her jeans, and Hazel picked out two t-shirts. I held them up.

‘Which one do you think is nicest?’ I asked Alice.

Alice slowly looked up.

‘Whichever,’ she said, and looked back at her phone again.

I was starting to feel a bit hurt.

Why wasn’t she interested?

Suddenly I had a horrible thought.

Was she jealous?

Was my best friend jealous because I was going on a date and she wasn’t?

Again, I didn’t have too much time to think about this, as Hazel was coming towards me with Alice’s hair-straighteners, and a selection of ribbons and clips.

Five minutes later I was ready to go. Hazel practically pushed me out the door.

‘You mustn’t be late. Have a nice time.’

‘OK,’ I said, trying not to let her see how nervous I was. ‘Bye, Hazel. Bye, Alice.’

Alice looked up again.

‘Megan,’ she said.

I turned back.

‘What?’

She hesitated.

‘… er…… see you later.’

I walked slowly downstairs, and suddenly I didn’t feel nervous any more

I was going on my first date.

How exciting was this?

It was just a minute after seven when I got to the basketball court. There was no-one there – not even Sam.

I sighed. Why did the first boy I had ever dated in my whole life have to be late?

Time passed very slowly.

I leaned up against the railings for a while.

I walked around the basketball court seven times.

I threw a pebble in the air and caught it two hundred and thirty-three times.

And still Sam didn’t show up.

What was going on?

Had he forgotten?

Had he changed his mind?

I was starting to feel a bit stupid hanging around on my own, all dressed up in Hazel’s clothes.

After ages and ages I heard a call.

‘Megan, over here.’

I looked up. It was Sarah, running along the path, and waving at me.

‘What are you doing here?’ I hissed as she came
close. ‘I’m supposed to be on a date.’

Sarah stopped, caught her breath, and spoke.

‘There’s something I have to tell you.’

I knew at once that it wasn’t going to be good news.

‘Go on,’ I said. ‘I’m ready.’ (Even though I wasn’t.)

‘It’s about the date,’ began Sarah. ‘You see, I went up to your room to wish you good luck, but you must have left already. The door was open, and I could see Alice and Hazel inside. They hadn’t noticed me, and, as you know, I can’t stand Hazel, so I decided to go back downstairs. Just as I was walking away, though, I realised they were talking about you and Sam. Hazel was laughing, and Alice said something like –
I knew from the very beginning that there was something strange about this whole thing
.’

‘What did she mean?’ I asked.

‘Well, I didn’t know at first,’ said Sarah, ‘but since you’re my friend, I felt it was my duty to find out, so I stayed and listened some more.’

‘And?’ I wanted to know, and yet I so didn’t
want to know.

‘Well, I can’t remember every single word, but basically, it sounds like Hazel set you up. She wrote the note and pretended it was from Sam.’

It took me a minute to work out what she was saying.

‘So there was no date?’

Sarah shook her head.

‘I’m sorry,’ she said.

Suddenly I had a horrible thought.

‘Was Alice in on it?’ I asked.

Sarah thought before answering.

‘That’s the bit I’m not sure about. She definitely knew it was a set up by the time I got there, but I couldn’t make out when exactly she discovered that.’

Suddenly I felt angrier than I ever had in my whole life. I started to run back towards the school.

Sarah ran after me.

‘Where are you going?’ she asked.

‘To have this out with Alice. If it turns out she knew about this, I am never
ever
going to speak
to her again.’

‘Do you want me to come with you?’

I shook my head.

‘Thanks, Sarah, but no. This is something I have to do by myself.’

Then I went inside to pick a fight with my best friend.