Joel and Carrie Ch. 01 by JoeDreamer..,

“Carrie, this is a mistake,” I said, kicking myself the whole time. Most guys would take advantage of the situation, but not me. I was being a nice guy again. I hated it when I did that! “You’re mad at Jimmy. I can understand that. But do you really want to do this?”

Carrie was the hottest girl in school. Her boyfriend Jimmy was the coolest guy. They weren’t just part of the in crowd, they led it. She was also mad enough to spit fire. Jimmy had gone and cheated on her, again. What a jerk!

“You’re right, I am mad at Jimmy,” she replied. “But not half as much as I’m furious with myself. I swore I wouldn’t take him back this last time and I did it anyway. My friends warned me. I knew he was a liar, but I let him convince me that he’d changed when I knew deep down that it wasn’t so.”

“I can understand all that,” I said calmly. “But how did that lead to this? Why am I here?”

“Well, because you delivered the pizza,” she grinned. It was the truth. I had a part time job at a pizzeria to save up for college next year. It wasn’t a lot of money, but every little bit helped.

“That’s not what I mean and you know it!” I snapped in annoyance.

“You’re talking about the kiss?” she asked with mischief in her eyes.

“Yes! Of course I’m talking about the kiss! Do you always kiss the pizza delivery guy?”

“Think of it as your tip,” she joked.

“I will,” I said, suddenly unable to stop from laughing. “And it was certainly the best tip I ever received, but…”

“Why, thank you,” she interjected with a smile.

“…You’re welcome,” I said, and then shook my head, trying to remember what I was about to say before she interrupted. Carrie’s smile had that affect on guys and she knew it. She was playing with me and I would have been annoyed if I wasn’t enjoying it almost as much as her.

“Look, you’re the most beautiful girl in school. Every guy would love to have you looking at them the way you’re looking at me…”

“And yet you keep trying to slip out the door,” she grinned as she leaned against the door to stop my escape.

“Only because it’s not real,” I sighed. “You’re only doing this for two reason. First, your mad at Jimmy and second, you’re drunk.”

“So?” she shrugged as she took another drink from her wine glass. “My parents aren’t expected back for a couple of hours. Loosen up a little!”

“I’m not going to take advantage of a drunk just because she’s my fantasy girl,” I said, half explaining and half convincing myself.

“Your fantasy girl, am I?” she grinned.

“Carrie, you’re every guys fantasy girl,” I said with a shake of my head. “And if I thought for a minute that you really liked me, I take advantage of the situation whether you were drunk or not, but you don’t.”

“How do you know?”

“Carrie, what’s my name?” I sighed.

“It’s Joe,” she replied. I shook my head. She frowned and said, “Jack?”

“I think I’ve made my point,” I grinned, although it did hurt a little that she couldn’t remember my name. Our senior class was large at over five hundred, but still, we spent fours years together.

“You know, you’re way too serious,” Carrie said as she leaned in and kissed me again. Her long blond hair smelled freshly washed. There was nothing I wanted more than to take her in my arms and kiss her back, but it would be wrong.

“Look, I’ll see you in school tomorrow,” I said pushing her gently away from the door.

“You’re really going to leave?” she asked, sounding surprised.

“I have to,” I replied. “Or I’ll do something we’ll both probably regret in the morning.”

“I’ll just call someone else as soon as you’re gone,” she said in annoyance. “I want to get back at Jimmy!”

“Please don’t. That’s just the alcohol talking,” I said, pausing briefly before adding, “Actually, promise me you won’t.”

“Why should I?”

“Because if you end up being with someone else tonight, I may have to kill myself,” I said, half serious. “I’m already planning on going home, taking a cold shower and yelling at my father for teaching me right from wrong. Finding out someone else took my place would be…well, you understand.” She looked at me oddly.

“I promise,” she finally said. “You know, I wish I could remember your name.”

“Me too,” I said, smiling sadly. “Goodbye.”

**********

‘You stupid bastard!’ I thought angrily.

“Is something wrong, Mr. Harmon?”

“No,” I answered quickly. Ms. Kafka was not one of my favorite teachers. She was boring and had the ability to tell when someone’s mind was wandering. It was a lethal combination!

Not that it mattered today. I spent half the morning cursing my stupidity. How could I possibly pass up a chance with Carrie? The worse part was that I couldn’t talk to anyone about it. It wasn’t that I was noble or anything. I’d tell my friends in a heartbeat if I weren’t so afraid of their reaction. The guys would make fun of me and the girls would tell me how nice I was. I couldn’t decide which was worse. The bell rang and I sighed loudly. It was finally lunchtime.

“Let’s hope you’re a little more focused tomorrow, Mr. Harmon,” Ms. Kafka said pointedly.

“Sorry Ms. Kafka,” I said, trying hard not to blush as I rushed out of the room. I knew I had to stop dwelling on what happened, but it didn’t help that Carrie shared the same lunch period. Instead of waiting for my friends by our lockers as usual I went into the cafeteria and bought my lunch quickly. I decided to eat quickly and escape outside as soon as possible.

Robbie and Tina, my best friends since grade school, found me and asked what was bothering me. I ignored them. They shrugged at each other as I raced through my food. I needn’t have bothered. Carrie came by before I was half done and sat across from me. Robbie and Tina looked stunned. The table with the in crowd was on the other side of the room.

“Can we help you?” Tina asked with a frown.

“No,” Carrie replied. “I just wanted to try a change today. You don’t mind if I sit with you guys?”

“No!” Robbie cried, almost stuttering.

“Put your tongue back in your mouth,” Tina said to him, still frowning. She then turned back to Carrie and asked, “So, what’s the joke?”

“No joke,” Carrie sighed. “I’m just looking for a change of scenery today.”

“Carrie, if you hang out with us,” I said carefully. “You’re likely to lose your spot with the in crowd.”

“Joel,” she said with a confident smile. “If I hang out with you, you will be the in crowd.”

“I see you know my name now.”

“I was close!” she said, sounding annoyed.

“Tina, I think we’re missing something?” Robbie said.

“You think?” Tina asked sarcastically.

“You mean you didn’t tell them?” Carrie asked in surprise.

“What’s to tell?” I said carefully.

“What are you two talking about?” Tina asked.

“Last night, Joel delivered pizza to my house. I was drunk and angry with Jimmy,” Carrie explained.

“And?” Robbie asked, looking at me.

“We talked,” I shrugged.

“We did more than talk,” Carrie snorted. “But not as much as I would have. I was really drunk.”

“You mean you…” Robbie began. I cut him off.

“Let it alone. She was drunk and nothing happened.”

“Aw! That’s so sweet!” Tina cried.

“Thanks,” I said sarcastically to Carrie. She laughed.