Southern Attraction (13 page)

             
“No, not at all.  Why didn’t you just say that, instead of trying to avoid me?  I am willing to give you time.  Take all the time you want,” he replied.

             
At this point Lori Jefferson walked up, and Heather ask her to trade seats again.  Lori seemed perturbed to have to trade seats again, but agreed.  After Lori walked away, Heather and Jake continued their conversation. 

             
“So Jake, what do you think about us going on a real date together?” she asked. 

             
“I’d love too, when?” he asked.

             
“Maybe this weekend, but you have to promise not to say anything to Shawn about it.  I don’t want to upset him,” she replied.

             
“I understand. What about Friday night?” he asked.

             
“Friday’s great, just pick me up about six,” she replied.

             
“That sounds good to me and I  promise to keep this to myself for the time being,” Jake said.

             
After class was over, Jake walked Heather to her second period class.  Luckily, Shawn didn’t come to the classroom yet, and Heather didn’t have to worry about giving him any explanations.  Heather liked the idea that Jake was more understanding.  He was more tolerant and forgiving toward her, than Shawn.  She felt like she always had to explain things to Shawn instead of him being more accepting.

             
After she sat down and pulled out her notebook from her backpack, she looked up and saw Shawn approaching her.  She felt uneasy about seeing him after their last conversation.  She didn’t know whether he was going to be mad at her or whether he was going to avoid the whole thing.  She wished the latter.

             
“Hey Shawn, how are you?” she asked.  Shawn didn’t respond at first as he sat down.  “Shawn, are you mad at me?”

             
“No, I’m not mad.  I’m trying to give you some space.  You seem to need time to think about things,” he replied with a sarcastic tone.

             
“You seem mad,” she replied.

             
“I told you I wasn’t mad.  I just don’t want to crowd you,” he responded.

             
Heather didn’t know what to say to Shawn after his comment, so she looked down at her book and pretended to read it.  Shawn felt bad at how he responded to her and didn’t want to risk losing her as a friend.

             
“I’m sorry.  Can we start over?” he asked.

             
“Yes, that would be good.  I’m Heather nice to meet you.”

             
“Nice to meet you Heather.  Say, do you want to go out with me sometime,” he asked.

             
“Yes, that would be nice.  When?” she asked.

             
“What about this weekend?” he asked.  Heather wasn’t expecting him to say this weekend.  She was afraid he would want to go out the same night as Jake.

             
“Why not tonight?  We can go to the new movie that is playing at the theater,” she replied.

             
“Sounds good.  Pick you up at six?”

             
“Yea, that would be fine,” she replied.

Chapter Twenty-one

             
Heather was excited about her date with Shawn.  She knew that this date would help her decide who she wanted to be with.  All she knew now was that she was nervous about her date.  She didn’t know what he expected from her.  She didn’t know whether he would try to kiss her or whether it was to be more of a friendly date. 
I guess time will tell
, she thought.

             
As Heather put on her makeup and curled her hair she heard a knock at the door. 

             
“Heather, your date it here,” Mick yelled through the door. 
I can’t believe he’s yelling through the door
, Heather thought as she searched the room for her purse.

             
Heather opened the door to her room and heard Mick grilling Shawn with all sorts of questions.  “Where are yall going?  How late are yall going to be out?” 

             
“Uncle Mick, we will be home late so don’t wait up,” Heather said as she motioned for Shawn to follow her.

             
“We won’t be out to late, we have school tomorrow,” Shawn said as he shook Mick’s hand.

             
Heather walked toward Shawn’s truck wondering why he told her uncle that.  She wondered if he was just being polite or afraid of her uncle. 

             
“Do you know the name of the movie we are going to go see?” Shawn questioned. 

             
“I think it is, Midnight in Bakers Field,” she replied.

             
“Do you know what it is about?” Shawn asked as he opened the door for Heather to get in.

             
“It’s a scary movie, I think,” Heather replied.

             
“Your not afraid of scary movies?” Shawn asked.

             
“No, not really.  Shawn you seem nervous.  Are you?” Heather inquired.

             
“No, maybe a little nervous.  It just feels a little weird going on a date with you after we basically lived together,” Shawn replied.  Heather wondered about his comment.  She couldn’t understand what he meant.  Was he thinking she was more of a friend to him or what? 

             
“Why do you think it is weird?” she asked.

             
“I don’t know.  I just meant that we have seen a lot of each other and this is our first date and all.”

             
“I guess I see what you mean,” Heather said trying to act as if his statement didn’t bother her.

             
Finally, they arrived at Carmike Cinemas.  Shawn being the perfect gentlemen opened the door for Heather again.  As they walked inside Shawn asked, “Do you want some popcorn or a coke?”

             
“No, not really.  If I drink something I’ll have to run to the bathroom in the middle of the movie,” Heather replied.

             
As they walked into the movie, the credits were already showing on the screen.  When she started to sit down she saw Jake in the row behind them.  Afraid of what Shawn would say, she tried to act as if she didn’t see him.  She knew he had seen her because he was smiling from ear to ear. 

             
All sort of questions starting running through her head.  She wondered if Jake had followed them there.  She wondered why he was smiling so big, especially since they had a date planned for the weekend.  Why wasn’t he mad or jealous?  Was he going to say something to Shawn and spill the beans about their date?

             
Shawn didn’t realize that Jake was sitting behind them.  He sat down and tried to make small talk, but all Heather could think about was Jake sitting right behind her.  She wondered if he could hear what they were saying.  She worried that if Shawn tried to kiss her, would Jake become upset.

             
“Shawn, it is hard to hear.  Do you want to move closer to the front?” she asked.

             
“Yea, if you want to,” he replied.
              “Yes I do,” she replied as she stood up. 

             
As Shawn stood up he saw Jake sitting in the row behind him. 

             
“Hello Jake, I didn’t know you would be here,” Shawn said.

             
“I guess that makes two of us.  Hello Heather,” Jake responded.

             
“Hey.  Shawn we better find a seat before the movie starts,” she said hoping  Shawn would hurry so he wouldn’t get into an argument with Jake.

             
Xxxxxx

             
Heather tried to watch the movie but couldn’t. She couldn’t get Jake off her mind.  She worried that he would not want to go out with her after seeing her with Shawn at the theater.  She still wondered why he was at the movies at the same time as they were.  She knew he couldn’t have known about them going there, unless Shawn told Jake about their date.

             
“Shawn, you didn’t tell Jake we were going to the movies tonight, did you?” she asked.

             
“No, why would you think that?” he questioned.

             
“It’s just a little strange that he is here.  I didn’t know if he might have overheard you telling someone that we were coming here,” Heather replied.

             
“Heather, why are you worried about it.  It doesn’t matter that he is here, or does it?” he asked.

             
“No, not really.  I just don’t want any trouble,” she replied.

             
“Why would there be any trouble?  You’re not making any sense right now.  Are you afraid he is going to get upset that we are here together or something?” Shawn questioned.

             
“No, lets just drop it and watch the movie,” she replied.

             
“No, lets not drop it.  I think we need to talk about this,” he said.

             
“Fine, but can this wait until after the movie is over.  People are trying to watch the movie, they seem to be getting mad at us for interrupting them,” Heather replied as she looked around the theater.

             
Shawn tried to focus on the movie that had begun playing, but he was bothered by Heather’s reaction to seeing Jake at the movie.  After a few minutes he said, “Heather, lets go.”

             
“Why, the movie has just started?” she inquired.

             
“I can’t watch the stupid movie.  We need to go and talk about things,” Shawn said.

             
“Fine, lets go,” Heather replied as she jumped out of her seat and walked toward the exit.  Jake saw Heather walk by with Shawn following her. 

Chapter Twenty-Two

             
Heather knew Shawn was upset but tried to act as if she didn’t know what was bothering him.

             
“What is the matter?” she asked as they walked to the car.

             
“Don’t play this game with me.  You know why I am upset.  It is clear to me that you are afraid of upsetting Jake.  What about my feelings?” Shawn said.

             
“What about your feelings?  I think you are getting upset over nothing,” she replied.

             
“Am I?  I don’t think so.  I told you at the diner that you need to make up your mind who you want.  I can’t be the guy that you chose because of fear.  I’m not going to be second runner up any more,” he replied.

             
At that time, Jake came out of the movie theater and hurried toward them.  They were getting into Shawn’s truck. 

             
“Heather, Shawn is anything wrong?” Jake questioned.

             
“No Jake, everything is
A- O.K
.” Shawn said.

             
“Jake, can you give me a ride home,” Heather asked as she was getting out of the truck.

             
“Your kidding right,” Shawn said.

             
“Shawn, it seems as if you two need a little separation right now.  Let me take her home, and you two can talk things over tomorrow,” Jake responded.

             
“That is perfect.  You get to step in and rescue the damsel in distress, huh?  That is just fine with me,” Shawn replied as he slammed his door and drove away.

             
“He has a problem, and I am glad that I am seeing him for his true colors right now,” Heather said.

             
“He’s just mad right now.  He’ll calm down by tomorrow,” Jake replied.

             
“I don’t care.  I tried to see how things would go with him, but he has some  issues.  I don’t want to get mixed up with that,” Heather said.

             
“I know you are saying this right now because you are clearly upset.  I wouldn’t make any rash decisions right now,” Jake said.