There was something a little off with Sarah, but Jon and Karyn couldn’t put their fingers on it. She seemed… chipper. Bright and happy, as if the day was better than expected. Which was strange, because everything was turning up Sarah the way things always did. The school quarterback was devoted to her. All the cheerleaders and football players hung on to her every word. Even the teachers seemed to recognize that she was a force to be reckoned with in the school. That’s just how it had always been. Nothing strange about it. But still, there was something.
It wasn’t important, though, and Jon put it out of his mind as he went to his classes. Karyn seemed to be attracting a lot more attention, even though she tried to hide herself in the baggy sweater. But it was as if everyone else had seen that trick before. And in fairness, they probably had. Karyn’s new pair were only new to the pair of them. Everyone else in the school would have memories that he didn’t. From the way they were acting, Karyn acting bashful was a new thing as well.
Lunchtime was a blessed solace, with just him and her together, and able to talk and relax. Well, Jon relaxed a bit. Karyn still felt like people were looking at her. Some of them were. And even more looked their way as Sarah approached, with Biff and her entourage.
“One second, Biffy, I just need to ask them a question.” She gave him a peck on the cheek and slid into the chair across from the friends, the charm bracelet on her wrist jingling. Karyn was glaring, which was not surprising to Sarah.
“What do you want, Sarah?” Karyn said. Sarah smiled.
“Oh, I just needed to ask: Were you still joining us at the next couple of cheer practices?”
There was a beat, as if reality froze for a second, before Karyn answered.
“I said I’d be there, so I’ll be there. Just don’t expect me to be happy about it.”
“Don’t worry, Karyn, your attitude is your business. I wouldn’t dream of trying to change that. I’ll see you after school.” She made to stand up, then paused. “Jon, did you borrow today’s skirt from your sister?”
The world froze for a beat again, then Jon answered. “Yeah, I thought I’d change it up.” He looked down, but before he could really process the blue skirt he was wearing, Sarah asked another question. “Are all her clothes that gothy?”
A frozen moment, then Jon laughed, running his hand down the black fabric. “Pretty much, yeah. I think She might have a few pink things buried deep in her closet, but it's mostly dark and moody all the time.”
Sarah smiled at the pair. “Well, I think it looks good on you.” She stood up for real this time, and rejoined Biff, clutching on to his arm like it was a novelty. “Toodles” she said, as they walked away.
