Chapter Ten

“So the label party is this Saturday.” Mike Cronin told the guys.

“Can we…” Ashley started.

“Yes, you can bring dates.” Mike Morin finished.

“Sweet.” Erik said.

“Yeah, great.” Trevor echoed.

“Hey, is Grace invited?” Johanna asked.

“Of course.” Mike Cronin replied. “Well, that’s about it guys. See you bright and early tomorrow.”

The guys gave a collective groan and started heading out the door. Johanna stayed behind collecting her things.

“Hey J, need a ride?” Dan asked.

“Yeah.” She replied following Dan to his car.

“Thanks.” She said he opened the door for her.

Dan got into the driver’s seat and started the engine.

“So who are you going to take to the party?” Johanna asked casually.

Dan gave her a funny look. “Who do you think?”

Johanna tried to think of Dan’s friends back home.

“Forget your name or something?” he asked her.

“Huh?” she said.

“Aren’t we going together? We always go to these things together.” He said.

Johanna was confused. What was up with him? If he couldn’t see them as more than friends why would he take her to the party? Granted they did always go to these things together, but because of recent events…

“Actually Grace is hooking me up with someone.” Johanna said.

Dan’s face fell. “Oh, that’s cool.”

“I just thought after the whole thing…” Johanna started. Why did he look so upset?

“That we shouldn’t go together.” He said. “I understand.”

The rest of the ride was silent.

Saturday….

“Do I look okay?” Johanna asked.

Grace nodded. “Shane will think you’re a total hottie.”

“This is weird. I usually go with Dan to these things.” She said.

Grace rolled her eyes. “Yeah, thanks for mentioning that. I didn’t catch it the first five times.”

“Oh sorry.” Johanna mumbled. “So when’s Paul coming?”

Grace’s eyes lit up at the mention of her boyfriend’s name. “He and Shane will be here at 7:00.”

“Hey girls!” Trevor called. “You’re dates are here.”

Grace and Johanna headed downstairs.

“Hey!” Grace said excitedly giving Paul a hug.

“Hello.” Paul said to everyone after they broke apart. “Johanna, Shane. Shane, Johanna.”

“Nice to meet you.” Johanna replied.

“Nice to meet you too.” Shane said.

“Are we ready?” Jacob asked.

Everyone gathered their things and headed out to the limo that would take them to the party. Jacob’s girlfriend Janie was his date, Ash and Shelli were going together, and Erik’s date was friend of his. Trevor and Dan didn’t have dates.

“So Shane…” Dan started. “You’re friends with Paul?”

Shane nodded. “Yes, we grew up together.”

“I see. So what do you do for a living?” Dan asked.

“Actually I’m a student.” He replied.

“Oh. What are you studying?” Dan asked.

“Engineering.” Shane said.

“Impressive. So do you have a girlfriend?” he asked.

“Whoa. Let’s stop with the twenty questions okay?” Johanna said.

“I was just asking him a question.” Dan said.

“Well, cut it out.” Johanna said.

“Whatever.” Dan mumbled as he looked out the window.

“Sorry.” Johanna mouthed to Shane.

Shane smiled back as if to say don’t worry about it.

At the party….

Dan was miserable. Every time he saw Shane touch Johanna, make Johanna laugh, or dance with Johanna he wanted to scream. He must have been what Shakespeare had in mind when he was talking about the green-eyed monster.

“Want to dance?” a voice asked him.

Dan turned around and found himself face to face with Johanna.

“Are you talking to me?” he asked.

Johanna gave him a funny look. “Yes.”

“Won’t your little stud get mad?” he asked sarcastically.

“Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?” Johanna asked.

Dan didn’t say anything.

“Dan, I just want to dance with you. What’s the big deal?” she asked.

“Nothing. Just forget it.” He said standing up and leaving the room. “Excuse me.”

For the millionth time at week Dan managed to confuse Johanna even more.

***

Dan walked outside the building and found Grace sitting on a bench.

“Hey Dan.” Grace said.

“Hi Grace.” He replied. “Having fun?”

“Indeed. Just needed some fresh air.” She replied. “So who do you think you’re fooling?”

“Excuse me?” Dan asked.

“It’s kinda obvious you have a thing for Johanna.” Grace replied.

“What? No. We’re just friends.” Dan told her.

“Yeah, I’ve heard that one before.” She said. “Now listen up because I’m only going to say this once. You like Johanna and she likes you, but she’s been completely confused by the signals you’ve been sending her. So I suggest you figure out what you want and tell her.”

Dan was stunned.

“Don’t look so surprised Danny. You’re not very good at masking your feelings.” Grace said.

Dan was silent for a moment.

“What if it doesn’t work out?” Dan finally asked.

“That my friend is a risk you’re going to have to take.” Grace said.

Epilogue