Amy turned on her phone screen and quickly opened the e-mail application. She held her hand inside of her locker and silently read a message from her brother, "I hope you don't have too much homework tonight, because I have a special evening planned for you, my love. I'll see your beautiful face at 2:30. I love you."
A smile curled at the corners of her lips as Luke caused butterflies to flutter around in her stomach.
She saw Kristy stepping over out of the corner of her eye. She clicked the screen off, and then fished her physics book out of her locker.
"Are you ready to go physics and hear Mister Phillips' boring voice for an hour?" the freckled redhead asked with a chuckle.
Amy tossed her head back and laughed. "Oh god yes! There is no other way I would like to end my day." Her voice was filled with sarcasm.
She put her phone in her backpack, and then closed up her locker.
The pair began walking across the tile floor, side by side, dodging other uniformed students in the hallway. Amy tucked her book between her arm and chest. Both girls' plaid skirts fluttered just above their knees.
"Too bad Mister McGaha can't teach every class you have, huh?" Amy playfully chided her and elbowed her ribs.
Kristy's cheeks turned pink. "Well, yeah. I can only dream."
Amy giggled and shook her head, causing her chestnut ponytail to sway. "I think we need to upgrade him from crush to fantasy man."
Kristy looked down at the floor as they walked. Her cheeks were getting hotter by the millisecond. She bit her lip and stayed quiet.
Amy saw her expression and gasped, "I knew it!"
Kristy's mouth dropped open and she looked over at her best friend. "I didn't say anything!" she protested.
Amy looked over into her wide brown eyes. She smiled. "I just know by the look on your face. It's fine, it's not like I'm going to tell anyone. What is it about him, anyway?"
Her friend's face turned fifty different shades of red as she thought about their English teacher.
Amy looked over again and raised a brow. "Well?"
Kristy giggled at herself. "Besides the fact that he's gorgeous and insanely intelligent, he could read the instructions on a shampoo bottle and make me swoon."
Amy grinned and shrugged. "I guess he does have a good voice. Do you fantasize about him saying dirty things in your ear?"
Kristy blushed furiously and covered her hot cheeks with her hands. "Amy, you're embarrassing me."
The young women shook their heads at each other before going down the stairs. Amy filed in behind her friend and her breasts bounced against her book with each step. She jumped off the last stair, and then promptly returned to her friend's side. Amy grinned wickedly as they continued walking to class.
"So," Kristy drew out the word in an attempt to change the subject, "what are you doing tonight?"
"I think Luke and I are going to go out dinner. I'm not totally sure though," Amy replied.
Kristy looked over at her. "Just you and Luke?"
Amy nodded slowly.
"You've been spending every waking moment you weren't here with him. You even canceled your piano lessons for the month. Don't you think that's a lot of time to be spending with him?"
Amy's gut turned. She hated keeping this from her, and even more so, lying to her tore her up inside. But, she had no other choice.
"Well, he's only here for this month." She spoke slowly, carefully picking her words. "He was gone for so long and who knows when he'll be back again. I want to spend as much time with him as I can. I thought you understood that?"
"I do," Kristy said with a sigh. "But, you're even leaving me here all alone for spring break."
Amy reached over and put her arm around her best friend's shoulder, bringing them closer as they turned for the hall that the science labs were in. "You won't be alone, Madison will be here with you. At least, you won't have me telling you I have to study when you call to go out."
Kristy put her head on Amy's shoulder. "I guess I'm just jealous. I miss my best friend."
"I'm right here," Amy said with a grimace. "I promise, when he leaves, everything will be back to normal. I'll even make it up to you."
Kristy smiled softly, and then lifted her head from Amy's shoulder. She looked into her blue eyes. "You better make it up to me."
Amy winked. "You know I keep my promises. But, I am sorry, I didn't mean to make you jealous or feel lonely."
"It's okay. I've just gotten used to having you all to myself over the years."
The pair stopped outside of the classroom.
Amy looked down to her shorter friend and into her eyes. "You're my best friend. I would never ignore you or push you into the background on purpose. I'm sorry I've spent so much time with Luke. I just missed him so much."
Kristy nodded. "I know you did. I'm sorry I mentioned feeling this way. Now I feel bad."
"Don't feel bad. Please. I understand. And, as I said, I promise to make it up to you." Amy opened her arms.
The friends shared a hug for a few moments before breaking apart.
They went into the large stark white classroom with lab tables behind the desks. Amy squinted her eyes as she readjusted to the harsh lighting.