in a fix

It didn't feel like a lie. Not at the time, when Josie told Derrick she was going out with friends. She knew he assumed it was Daisy and Max because she always hung out with them.

As it was, he didn't have that much time for her. He was busy with another play. He was acting in this one. It wasn't a school play, either. Derrick was branching out in local theater. She knew he needed to focus on this, not her where about. When she'd told him, he'd sounded happy for her. Glad she was going out.

But here she was with Topher and she was ecstatic, in fact. It was as if she'd won a date with a celebrity. Hopefully, she wasn't letting her giddy emotions take over. She was trying her best to be not so happy to see him, yet the fact remained..this was where she wanted to be. With him. And when he held her hand, she couldn't help but stare. She didn't think this sort of thing was possible.

Of course, in the back of her mind was the thought of Derrick. She never thought in the wildest dreams that they'd ever be close, either. At the moment, she didn't want to think how exactly close they were. Derrick did sleep with her these cold winter nights.

Suddenly, she felt sad as if she'd betrayed him. She had.

Now she was lost in the crowd. The excitement of the vibrating music taking a hold of her. Here was Topher, not at all cocky nor too cool for her. He was the most sincere fellow on the planet. Possibly too good for her.

"What's the matter." She felt his warm minty breath on her ear.

"I'm..I'm OK." He held on to her hand as if he would no way lose her in the crowd. She strained for a look at Jules with Willow. Again, it felt like a low blow. How come? How did Willow change Jules into this obedient puppy? They were so into each other. It almost brought tears to her eyes.

It had nothing to do with the fact that she didn't have Jules. What bothered her was the fact that perhaps Willow knew a secret Josie hadn't a clue about when it came to relationships. Was it about sex? Or did she know the right thing to say?

Josie felt as if she was on her own with Topher. It was a bit scary. Wondering, exactly what he expected of her. Did she know what to do? Would Derrick hate her as much as he did... a lot of things in his world?