Perfect Worlds

Two perfectly miserable weeks later..

"Guys suck. Plain and simple. Don't ever date anyone; all they'll ever do is fuck you over." I spat bitterly. The wide eyes of the girls in front of me expressed their shock at my concluding remarks. Not waiting for questions, and certainly not expecting any, I stood up. The ten girls around me followed suit and walked silently out of the room, occasionally glancing back to see if I'd cracked.

"What's her problem?" One whispered to the girl next to her as they got to the door. I'd say their names, but I didn't remember. Nor did I particularly care at that moment.

"I dunno." I heard the other reply. "But if that's what happens to a girl after dating, I'm becoming a nun."

"Ahh.. thank you, Miss Olsen." Sister Mary patted my back, ushering me to the door. I noted the disappointment on her face. Ok, so the speaking for the first time at the Catholic junior high school didn't work out too well.

Too damn bad. I met up with Sarah out in the hallway. Boy, especially with her not coming to the last few seminars, today was the day I didn't want to see her. Her and her perfect world. However, had I known more about her life, I wouldn't have cause to judge so harshly.

"Hi," she said tentatively to me.

"Hey," I dropped my shoulders and rubbed my forehead, feeling a headache coming.

"Maggie.." she started. "Don't you think that was a little harsh?"

"No! Life is harsh!" I said a little too loudly, my voice echoing down the hallway. A group of girls lined up outside a classroom, dressed all in blue and white uniforms, turned around and stared at me. For a private school, they didn't seem to be teaching many manners here.

"Let's get out of here," Sarah whispered.

"I'm all for that. Can we skip the diner?" I implored. Food was the last thing I wanted right now.

"Sure. Want to go somewhere else?" she asked.

"Yeah." Suddenly, I had an idea. "I'll drive."

We walked back to my car in silence.

"I love this place," Sarah exclaimed when I pulled a grumbling Louise into the driveway of the park.

"I know," I smiled. Somehow, making her happy made me feel a little better.

At least someone's still talking to me. Parents don't count; in any given situation, they have to talk to you whether they're mad or not.

"Remember when we met here?" she asked as we stepped out of the car and started strolling around. It was a somewhat beautiful day; only warmer weather would've made it perfect. She and I walked slowly down the well-beaten path through the children's playground.

"Yeah, I tried to bury your Barbie in the sandbox," I laughed at my childhood jealousy. "I figured since I didn't have one, you couldn't either."

"Maggie," she stopped walking and looked at me. She placed her hand on my arm, indicating me to stop as well.

"I.. don't know how to say this.." her voice trailed off with the wind that blew around us.

"Just be blunt." Worked for me.

"Ok.." she took a deep breathe. "No offense, I love you, but you really irritate me."

"What'd I do now?"

"You think you're the only one who's ever allowed to be in a bad mood. Worse, you drag everyone down into in a rotten mood down with you." She put her hands on her hips and frowned.

You're not the only one who's love life sucks. She added in her head.

"I do?"

"Yes!" She said impatiently.

"So what if Taylor's been rude and showered Mia with affection in your face for the last two weeks?! So what if Zac hasn't called you back either. Can you blame them? Especially poor Zac.. you whine and complain he doesn't call you, the guy you didn't want to go out with in the first place may I remind you, then you go out with him a second time, leading him on, but you won't call him! Is is that hard to look their number up in a phone book?"

"I... no, I guess not." I replied softly.

"Mags," she sucked in her breath and lowered her voice. "You're a wimp. How many times have I told you that?"

"I know."

Sheesh. All the hard work I'd put into being sarcastic for the last year and a half, and the first person to get close to me saw right through my shell. I hopelessly tried to think of all the sarcastic remarks I'd made about Mia, Taylor, and Zac within the last few weeks before giving up.

"It's just.." I sighed and sat down at a nearby picnic table, leaning my forearms against the weathered wood.

"I hate this."

"Hate what?" Sarah sat next to me, facing the other direction and resting her elbows on the table top.

"I hate .. you know, liking someone." I lowered my head, resting it lightly on my forearms.

"Zac seems like a nice guy." She offered with a smile.

"Well, he's ok I guess.." I glanced over at her.

"So why did you go out with him again?"

"I honestly don't have a clue. I felt really guilty about being mean to him the first time, I guess." I shrugged my shoulders.

"There's nothing wrong with having a conscience, silly."

"I know.. " I sighed.

"Ok, so it's obviously not Zac." She continued persistently. I watched her brow scrunch over her eyes as she thought for a moment.

"Taylor?" she squeaked, her eyebrows lifting in surprise. I hadn't told her about the first time I saw him again. I didn't want to admit anything.. not to her, not to anyone. I had enough problems admitting it to myself.

"You have a crush on Taylor," she realized, a huge smile forming on her face. Her blue eyes twinkled mischievously.

"God, don't say it like that; we're not in high school anymore." I mumbled, looking down.

"After all these years.." I felt my face getting warmer. "You're actually blushing!"

"Damnit, stop Sarah!" I spat in an irritated tone, burying my face in my arms so she wouldn't see me. "What do you want from me?"

Does she have to bug me like this?

"Say it." Confused, I lifted my head and looked over at her.

"Say what?" I didn't like the smile she kept giving me.

"You know.. say it."

"... I'm sorry?" I didn't have a clue as to what she meant.

"No. Say you like him."

"I'm not saying that." What was wrong with her?

"You can't, can you?" That question surprised me. I looked over at her again, catching an amused smile playing on her lips.

"Sure I can," I challenged.

What's the big deal? "I.. ... I.."

"You.. like.." Sarah said slowly.

"I .. like.." I repeated through clenched teeth.

"Go ahead," she prodded.

"Tay," I whispered in inaudibly.

"What was that?" Grinning, she cupped her hand over her ear and leaned toward me. "I didn't quite catch it."

"Taylor." I whispered a little louder. I didn't think she heard me that time either though.

"What?" Nope, she hadn't.

"TAYLOR."

"Now was that so bad?"

"Yes."