Chapter Five

“… I mean, the guy was wearing black shoes with a brown belt, you know? Who is he to judge what I was wearing?” Gordon exclaimed, as he and Mary Anne headed toward their normal lunch table.

“Mare?” He asked, realising Mary Anne hadn’t replied to his little story, and instead, had stopped short right in front of him, looking quite pale.

Gordon followed his best friends gaze right to their regular table. He raised an eyebrow inquisitively.

“What’s Pete, Alan and Cary doing sitting there?” He wondered aloud.

Instead of answering him, Mary Anne spun quickly, and headed off in the opposite direction.

Puzzled, Gordon followed after her, and sat across from her at the table she had chosen.

“What is up with you?” He asked, amused.

Mary Anne shook her head, still looking quite pale.

Gordon looked back over his shoulder, to where the rest of their friends sat.

“Is it the completely over the top hetero display of affection? ‘Cause, you know Howrica are always like that.” He said, scrunching up his nose in distaste.

Mary Anne, still silent, shook her head.

Gordon glanced back over his shoulder.

“Is it Claudia’s outfit? I mean, she told me pink and green work together, but I just don’t see it…” He shook his head with mock sadness.

Mary Anne frowned slightly at him, and Gordon waited for her to chastise him.

She didn’t.

“Alan’s not shoving yellow M and M’s in his-” He started, but Mary Anne cut him off.

“No! It’s not that.” She said, shuddering at the thought.

Gordon glanced over his shoulder again, and it came to him.

“Oh sweet mother of all things straight, you like him, don’t you?” He asked her with a grin.

Mary Anne gave a short nod, before lowering her face into her hands.

“Stranger things have happened, you know.” He said gently, and she slowly raised her head again.

“You don’t think it’s insane?” She whispered, her face slightly flushed.

“No! In fact, I think you two would be cute together. I always thought you’d make a great first lady.” Gordon assured her.

Mary Anne looked at him confused.

“Who are you talking about?” She asked.

Gordon furrowed his brow.

“Pete… It is Peter right? Tell me it’s Pete!” He said dramatically.

Mary Anne shook her head.

“Alan Gray?! What is it with you girls and Alan Gray?” Gordon hissed, throwing his hands up.

Mary Anne glared at him.

“Not Alan!” She said through clenched teeth.

Gordon’s jaw dropped.

“Oh… please no Mare. Tell me it’s Alan. Heck, tell me its Alexander black-shoes, brown-belt! Any one but…” He lowered his voice dramatically, “Casanova Retlin.”

Mary Anne leaned over and swatted him on the shoulder.

“Cary’s not like that.” She said, frowning at him. “You don’t even know him Gordy.”

Gordon nodded.

“Because Casanova won’t give old-‘has a wang’-me a second look.” He frowned.

“Maybe if I got all dragged up…” He wondered, trailing off.

Mary Anne swatted him again.

“I’m not saying anything would happen. But… Cary’s always nice to me Gordy. He’s very sweet. And kind. And handsome.” She slapped a hand over her mouth, her face flushing.

“Yeah, to you and all the other girls in the school.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he regretted them.

“I’m sorry Mare. It’s just that… Cary isn’t really the type to settle down, you know? And you’re not the type to whore around. I don’t see how it could work.”

Mary Anne sighed.

“I know. But I still can’t help it. I-” She broke off mid sentence with a look of horror.

“They’re all standing, and Stacey is heading this way. Please Gordy,” She said, looking at him pleadingly, “Don’t tell anyone. Anyone.”

“I promise.” Gordon said solemnly, holding out his pinkie, so the two could shake on it.

“Come on, Stacey’s on her way over, let’s move.” Mary Anne said, grabbing her bag, and leaving a practically untouched lunch on the table.

Gordon sighed, but followed.

Sometimes he thought he should get a guy best friend. A lot less drama.

But I’d probably hit on him. He reasoned, chasing after Mary Anne.

Mmm… Maybe then I’d have a boyfriend.