chapter 4

I awoke to the sound of music blaring in my ears. I sat up with a start and jerked the earphones out of my ears. "Kevin, that isn't funny!" I yelled.

Kevin was standing next to the bed with the walkman in his hands and laughing. "Who did you go out with yesterday? I saw the car! A black Ferrari Testarossa convertible. I know it wasn't Mark."

"None of your business Kevin! Quit spying on me and get out of here before I tear your tongue out." I jumped up and reached for him, but he took off before I got him.

I got out of bed and went to the bathroom. I got dressed for school, choosing an outfit I had gotten yesterday. A green skirt that reached just above my knees and a matching long sleeved shirt that showed off my navel and fit my curves snugly. It was cool enough to wear the black leather jacket I had also gotten. The length reached down to my thighs, had a collar, and was tied in front. I left my hair hanging loose and swept to the side. I put on a pair of copper hoop earrings and a matching wide copper bracelet.

I went downstairs to eat breakfast preparing for a scolding from my father. When he didn't even mention it, I guessed he didn't know that I got in late and counted myself lucky. I decided not to say anything about my tardiness unless someone else brought it up first. After eating some toast and grapefruit, I left for school.

Sarah was waiting for me in the area where I always parked. And as per her usual self, she began talking without taking a breath, "Where were you Saturday night? Mark's mad. He couldn't find you anywhere that night, and he couldn't find you yesterday either. I hope you have some good excuses for him."

"Don't worry, I have some." We walked to the patio where our group always met. I could tell Sarah was nervous, which told me Mark had to be really mad for her to be that way.

He saw me right away and headed straight for me. He grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the group. "I want to talk to you," he growled as he pulled me into the gym where it was empty.

Once inside, I pulled my arm free of his grip. "So, what did you want to talk to me about?"

He narrowed his eyes, "Where were you Saturday night? You were supposed to be at the club remember?"

"Yes, I remember. I had something else to do."

"You could have called and told me!"

I shrugged, "I didn't get the chance to."

"What about yesterday? I couldn't find you anywhere!" He said as he folded his arms across his chest.

I sighed, "It was my day off, so I spent it shopping."

"You should have spent it with me! I'm your boyfriend!" I could tell he was furious because his hands curled into fists at his sides. I knew it was really because I wasn't telling him anything that he wanted to hear.

"I wanted a day to myself. I see you in school everyday and I spend most nights with you. Isn't that enough?" I asked as I crossed my arms.

"You're supposed to tell me where you go!" he yelled.

"Why? So you can follow me?" I asked as I narrowed my eyes. Now I was getting mad. He seemed to think he owned me and I realized that I had never stopped him from thinking that. I whirled away from him, heading for the door.

"I heard you got in at three in the morning," he muttered.

I stopped and turned to look at him. "Who told you that?"

"Kevin."

My hands curled into fists. I should've known the little pest was gonna squeal.

"He says you went out with someone. Who?"

"A friend."

"Who! Do I know this person?" he growled.

"No, a friend from work."

"Oh? And does this friend from work drive a black Ferrari?"

I froze. Kevin told him about that too! I was gonna murder that little rat when I got the chance!

"So, Alexandria," he smirked, "you've been lying. Where did he come from? He doesn't even go to school, does he? Does he even have a decent home? A job? You went out with a hippie and no one even knew! Not even me!" he hissed.

"He's not a hippie!" I protested.

"He's not? Then what is he? A hood? A deadbeat? Kevin says he looks like one with the long black hair he has. He said he looked dangerous and wild. I don't want you to associate with his kind!"

"Oh, really?" I huffed, "Maybe you don't, but I do!"

"I'm the man in this relationship! I make the rules! Stay away from him!" he shouted.

"No, Mark. You stay away from me! I don't like your rules and I don't like you! You don't own me! You never will! It's over between us!" I yanked his school ring off my finger and threw it at him, "I don't even want that crowd of yours! I'll find other friends... friends that won't treat me like some kind of royalty! I hate being popular. I just want to be myself. Good-bye Mark. Good luck winning the Prom King title, you're gonna need it!" I hissed as I stormed out of the gym, passing by the group's table and headed for my first class.

Sarah came running after me. "What's wrong Alex?"

"Mark and I just broke up." I huffed.

"Oh, I'm sorry." she said quietly.

"What for? I broke up with him! I've had it. No more popular crowd, no more Mark!" I stopped walking and grinned, "Wow! I feel better already."

Sarah gaped at me, "You broke up with Mark!? Are you out of your mind!? He's the number one guy in this school and you dumped him!?"

I rolled my eyes, "Oh c'mon Sarah! You know how much I hated being with him and being popular. You know that I wanted something different."

Slowly Sarah nodded. She knew what I meant. I was ready to have my own life now. No more 'popular' things to worry about. At least I hoped I could have a life that I could live without feeling like I lived in a fishbowl.

"Well," she sighed, "even if you've given up the popular crowd, I'm still your best friend.” she smiled and gave me a hug before we continued walking to our first class together.

By second period, everyone knew that Mark and I had broken up. The whole school was in shock because I had dumped Mark. He had tried to say that he broke up with me, but unfortunately for him, several people had heard us shouting in the gym and they had repeated what was said. When lunch time came, Sarah and I sat at a different table trying to ignore the talk of the break-up happening around us. I had decided earlier that day to try to not let all that talk bother me anymore.

By the time school had ended, I had been asked out by over a dozen guys. Many of whom just wanted the chance to be seen with one of the in crowd. I turned them all down gently, telling them that I wasn't ready to date just yet. As school as school ended and I had said my goodbyes to Sarah, I went home and did my homework, since I had to be at work at five.

Kevin came rushing into my room just as I sat down to do my math. "Is it true? You broke up with Mark?"

I sighed, "Yes Kevin, I did. Is it really such a shock? You knew I wasn't happy with him."

"I knew you thought of doing it, but I never dreamed you would actually do it!"

"Well, I did."

He shook his head, "Gosh, my sister broke up with the most popular guy in school! Tell me how you could do it!"

I shrugged, "It was easy because the popular guy was a popular jerk. Now, please leave. I have to finish my homework before I go to work."

It turned out that my father was even shocked. When I dropped by the kitchen to get a bite to eat before going to work, he asked me, "Didn't you like him?"

I nodded, "At first I did, but not anymore. It's not the same anymore. I think I just want something different than he does."

"What about your future plans? Weren't you and Mark going to get engaged when you graduated?"

I shook my head, "No, I never said that. He did."

"Well, what now?" he asked.

"I'm single and I have school and my job to worry about." I knew he always liked it when I was serious about my grades.

I was glad when I left for work so that I didn't have to answer anymore questions or deal with Kevin staring at me as if I had grown two heads. I told Terry anyway and she asked if it was because of Jonathan.

"No, actually, I haven't liked Mark much for a while now. He started trying to run my life for me, getting too possessive. And I got tired of hanging around with the popular crowd, you know, the fish bowl thing." I shrugged, "Really, I think it was just time to live for myself and not worry about what everyone else wants."

Terry nodded. I knew she understood because she didn't ask anymore questions. Later, I made the remark that I thought we had more customers than usual for a Monday night. Terry joked and said it was because of the news of the break-up and everyone was coming by to see if I'd survived it. After she said that, I went around with a smile and a lot of enthusiasm just to make sure they knew I was alive and not affected by the break-up at all.

I was hanging some clothes up on a rack when I felt someone's lips on my neck. I whirled around and saw Jonathan standing behind me with his trademark smirk. "Hi, beautiful. I heard that you broke up with your boyfriend, Mark. Want to go out and celebrate?"

"You know? How?" I asked.

"Good news travels fast," he shrugged.

"But how did you even know that I had a boyfriend?"

"I've seen you together at Spotlights."

"Oh."

"So," he leaned in closer, "you want to celebrate?"

"I've got school tomorrow."

He nodded as he brushed my hair behind my ears. Looking into my eyes, he lowered his voice, "We won't celebrate all night."

"O...okay, but I've got to be home by eleven." I said, before biting my lower lip.

He gave me a full smile, "Great! I'll meet you after work at your car." He leaned in for a swift kiss and left. I couldn't stop the giggle that escaped. Who would've thought I'd celebrate breaking up with my boyfriend with a guy like Jonathan.

After work, Jonathan was waiting for me, leaning against my car. He smiled as I walked closer, then pulled me into his arms. Holding my face in his hands, he gave me a long, deep kiss that left me a little breathless. Once he'd let go of me, I knew I was blushing as I gave him the car keys, knowing he would want to drive.

He took them with a chuckle and helped me into the passenger seat before walking around to the driver's side. He drove us to his apartment where we made ourselves comfortable on the couch. While he went to get the sparkling grape juice from the fridge, he told me to turn on the stereo. When he'd poured the juice for us, we toasted to my break-up and continued to celebrate.

We spent the night giggling, dancing, and sharing kisses like two kids whose parents had left them home alone. Before long, eleven o'clock got closer and we both knew it was time for me to leave. As I kissed him goodnight before he helped me into my car, I realized I'd been there for about an hour, but it had only seemed like I'd been there for just a few seconds. I sighed as I drove away, watching him, watching me in the rearview mirror.