Part 19 (2/2)
”c.r.a.ppy,” I say from under my comforter; I don't even sit up.
”I've been thinking about you a lot, Amber.”
I haven't thought about Ty even once in the last few weeks, so I don't say anything.
”I don't really know what to say about what happened,” Ty continues, ”and it seems like you don't want to talk about it, so I'm just going to talk about other stuff, okay?”
With my head still on my pillow, I just look at Ty, who is leaning his b.u.t.t against my new dresser.
He swallows once and says, ”The Marketing Club regionals are next week.”
”I know.”
”We've been practicing pretty hard. The team and all. Maybe Ricky told you, but Franks has us debating and practicing our pitches in the morning instead of playing Halo 3. We debate at lunch too. We're on a video game hiatus until after regionals. We're all pretty nervous and excited. We think we can place this year, no sweat.”
”Good luck.”
”You're really not going to compete this year, are you?”
”No.”
”You would take first place if you did. We'd all do better, if-”
”Well, I'm not competing, so I'm not taking any place. And The Five will just have to be The Four, because I'm out.”
Ty smiles sorta weird and then says, ”I'm going to win regionals for you. I'll even give you the red ribbon. I'm going to do it for you. Then we'll take The Five to nationals. Would you come to Vegas with us if I won?”
”No.”
”We miss you. All of us. The entire Five.”
”I'm sorry my mother's murder has inconvenienced you.”
Ty's eyes narrow as if I had sucker-punched him. ”Why you being like that?”
”Like what?”
”So mean.”
”Because I'm a cat-a real b.i.t.c.h.”
”No you're not. You're the coolest girl I ever met. I've always admired you, Amber. And maybe I didn't say it before, but-”
”Just leave.”
Ty looks at me for a second, and then says, ”I thought maybe sometime The Five could like maybe share a sundae at Friendly's? We could all go to the one in Hampton, so no one would know, if you are afraid of being seen outside the house. You could sneak out one night. I got my license last week. It was my birthday, remember? I sent you an invitation to my party. Did you get it? Ricky came.”
I remember throwing it out, but do not say so.
”Maybe Ricky told you my dad bought me an old Volvo station wagon. I've been driving Ricky to school and all. My ride's outside actually. So I was thinking maybe I could take you out sometime?”
”No.”
”No?”
”h.e.l.l no,” I say, and then I walk over to my desk and pretend to do my a.s.signments.
Ty stands there for a few minutes, and then he leaves.
A week or so after Ty visits solo, I receive an envelope with a second place Marketing Club ribbon in it. A note reads: AA,.
I tried to win for you. I really did.
Franks said I was robbed by the judges.
My Friendly's offer still stands.
Ty PS-M.C. regionals weren't as much
fun without you. Everyone else agrees.
Even Franks said it. If Ricky hasn't told
you already, no one made nationals.
CHAPTER 44.
”Amber?”
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