The Advanced Theology of Good and Bad Angels

Chapter 11: You Are Sick, My Friends

Jocelyn was waiting for me outside the cafeteria.

“What took you so long?” she called, waving me over. As we made our way to the food counter, T filled her in on the destination of my date with Sterling. She listened, wiggling excitedly.

“Oh, that’s such a good idea!” When we win you can do, like, a celebration macking session!” Her eyes sparkled with some weird anticipation.

“Hold up!” I said, raising my hands to halt her train of thought. Wherever it was headed was someplace it didn’t need to be going. “This is just…uh, well…” I wasn’t sure how to explain that it wasn’t a real date.

Jocelyn rolled her eyes. “Yeah, you say you won’t kiss him now, but when he comes off that field all sweaty and glorious…”

Uh…EW? Remind me never to look at the history bar on her internet explorer screen. I turned away quickly, reaching into my pocket for money to hand the lunch lady. Money that apparently wasn’t there. Crap.

I stepped out of line, lunch lady glaring at me the whole time. As if I’d just wasted eight seconds of her life. Psh. Jocelyn got her food and we went to our table. Lynn and Jo were there already, almost finished eating.

As soon as we sat down, Joce started telling them about Sterling.

“You’ll never guess who asked Sylv on a date!” she squealed.

Jo and Lynn looked up, interested. I couldn’t blame them. My dating life was generally…uneventful, to put it mildly. Nonexistent, to put it bluntly.

“Sterling… Hunter,” Jocelyn sighed, smiling triumphantly. Do you get the vibe she’s living through me? Ah, maybe I’m just paranoid.

Lynn and Jo exchanged awed looks. Jo leaned forward on the table. “Seriously?”

I intervened, trying to keep them calm. “Yeah, but don’t go telling people or anything. It’s not a huge deal…”

Lynn’s eyes narrowed. “Did he tell you not to tell people? Just like a man! I bet he’s got a girlfriend and he’s just using you as a- “

“Don’t say it!” Jo begged, though we already knew it was too late.

“BOOTY CALL!” screamed Lynn, attracting the interest of several guys a few tables over. God, feminists are terrifying.

Jo rolled her eyes. “No one would use Sylvia for a booty call.” Aw, how sweet. “She’s a prude.”

Bitch.

“No, he just doesn’t want Roy to know…because he thinks it will upset him?” I finished, not even convincing myself. Part of it was true. He didn’t want Roy to know…yet.

They all looked at me silently. I blinked. Was it really that obvious that I was lying?

“Oh, wow,” breathed Lynn, “Roy…” Even feminists have their weaknesses.

I’d momentarily forgotten that I was sitting with the founding members of the Roy Reickers fan club.

Speaking of Roy, he caught my eye from the other end of the cafeteria. He grinned, and then Karin tugged on his arm, calling his attention back to the world of the soccer stars and their gorgeous girlfriends.

After school, I hurried out to the parking lot. I opened the door of my car, and then froze. A scrap of notebook paper, folded several times, sat in the driver’s seat.

I looked around, but no one was near. Quickly, I slid into the seat, grabbing the paper and unfolding it as quickly as my nervous hands could move. The writing was simple, beautiful.

Sylvia,

In case you don’t follow the soccer scheduling:

Tomorrow at 5:30, Shoreside Stadium

Sterling

I folded it back up and placed it in my pocket, surprised to find that I was smiling.

A/N: Well, 11, is it? Do you see where this is going? Cause it blindsided me when I realized what I was doing. Don’t worry, bad times are ahead…followed by some good ones…and then the end of the world. : )

Please review. Sorry if my insane updating is irritating. – Luv DC