What Happens Under The Sun

''How'd it go? What happened? Where have you been for the past three hours?'' Jessica pelted me with questions the second I stepped in the door.

Her questions reminded me of what had happened earlier, what I'd done, and tears stung my eyes. But I refused to cry again.

''It could have gone better, I picked, and out.'' I said, answering her questions very vaguely.

''How could it have gone better? Who did you pick? And where is out?'' she prodded.

''I could not have totally crushed Derek, I picked Tom, and out is his bedroom.'' I said and her entire face popped. You've seen eyes popping and mouths falling open, but no, her entire face popped.

''Really?'' she asked.

''No I'm lying.'' I said sarcastically.

''I knew it.'' She said and I looked at her with narrow eyes.

''I'm just saying.'' She said, holding her hands up to emphasize her innocence.

''Jessica, I swear if you start in on my supposed feelings for Tom, I wont speak to you unless I'm bleeding to death and you're the operator for nine-one-one.'' I said.

''I knew you'd pick him, you totally have feelings for him no matter how much you deny it!'' she said very fast, all in one breath and then ran away from me.

''Get back here!'' I yelled and chased her.

She half laughed, half squealed as she raced towards her room. She tried to close the door, but I pushed against it, keeping it open.

''Let me in Jess!'' I demanded.

''Why?'' she asked.

''Because!'' I replied, an involuntary smile across my lips.

''Fine, have it your way!'' she said and I screamed as the door suddenly swung open.

''Jess?'' I asked, looking up. I didn't see her.

''You like him! You really, really like him!'' she said, coming out of nowhere and sitting on my back.

''Do not!'' I said defensively, trying to throw her off.

''Why did you pick him then?'' she asked, pinning one of my arms down.

''Because!''

''Because why?'' she asked.

''Because…'' I trailed off, trying to think of a reason.

''Because you like him! A lot!''

''Do not!''

''Admit it!''

''I don't, I don't, I don't!'' that was my answer and I was sticking to it.

''You're hopeless.'' Jessica sighed and moved off of my back, releasing my arm.

''No, I just don't have feelings for him.'' I replied, sitting up and smoothing out my hair.

''Keep telling yourself that, maybe it'll come true.'' She said snidely and I stuck out my tongue at her.

''So what did Derek say?'' she asked after a few minutes of silence.

''The same thing you're trying to convince me of. That I'm 'pretty quick to choose someone I have no feelings for over him'.'' I said, using air quotes.

''Was he mad?''

''I think he was more hurt than anything. I mean, there's nothing but lust between me and Tom and then when I'm there in the moment, it was Tom's name that came out of my mouth, not Derek's.''

''So are you two still friends or what?'' she asked.

''I don't know. When he left there was this look in his eyes like he never wanted to see my face again.'' I said, shaking my head slightly at the memory.

''I'm sure that's not the case, he was just upset. The boy was crazy for you and you didn't pick him, he'll get over it, they always do.'' Jessica assured me.

''I hope you're right. I feel bad. I felt bad after I said it too, but I didn't change my answer, there was something inside me just holding me back.''

''Don't worry Kate, I'm always right.'' She smirked.