"You want me to do what?" Barry asked, incredulous.

I twisted the ruffles on the edge of my pillow case. "I want you to help me get Todd to notice me," I asked, slightly embarrased when I thought of what I was asking.

"And how am I supposed to do that? I can't make him fall in love with you," he said, clearly perplexed.

"Well," I said, "If you could just help me get his attention. You can do that, can't you? I mean, I thought you were my guardian angel. I thought you could grant my wishes, or something."

"Well, something like that, but we're really just supposed to advise on most matters. I have no idea how to go about this sort of thing. I had enough trouble charming my high school girlfriends."

Desperate, I tried a different approach. "Well, he's a lot like you. Just kind of help me here. What do. . .I mean, what did you look for in a girlfriend?"

"To tell the truth, I like you the way you are," he replied, leaning back in the desk chair.

"Yeah, but you don't count. I mean, aren't you supposed to say things like that?"

"No," he snapped as he sat up in the chair to glare at me, "and if you opened up your eyes you'd see that you shouldn't worry about how you look or worry about whether people like you or not," he spat. "Besides, from what I've heard, he's nothing but bad news."

I recoiled from his anger, and sat quietly, stunned. He had never yelled at me before. I didn't know whether to argue back or cry. Suddenly, I got mad. He had no right to talk to me like tha! "just who do you think you are?" I asked him angrily. "All I asked you for was your help, which if I remember rightly, is something you're supposed to provide anyway! Just what is your problem tonight? I'd almost think you were jealous!"

He stiffened, and surged to his feet in a quick motion. It was more ghostlike, more fluid, than any other movement I'd sen him make, and it reminded me he was no longer an inhabitant of this world. "I'm not jealous," he growled, "and I'll help you win this damned Tom or Todd or whatever his name is," he said, "but when he breaks your heart because he's the scumbag I think he is, don't come crying to me." With that, he spun and vanished through my window. I bit my lip and began to cry. What had I ever said to hurt him so bad?

I had to get away from her. I looked back and saw her crying, but it was too late to turn back. The damage was done. I had seen this Todd before, and as a guy, I could see just how he operated. He was slick and charming with all the girls, but I could see through all the phony charm and know just what a type of person he was. He had been watching Mercedes for a week now, and each time I saw his eyes on her, I wanted to wring the filthy dirtbag's neck. I followed him into the bathroom one day, and heard him brag about how he was going to "get some of that Mercedes chick" as he so nicely put it. When one of his friends jokingly asked him if he thought she'd let him get away with it, he said she really wouldn't have any say in the matter. Then they all started laughing. When I heard that, I wanted to beat him to a pulp right there! I thought about telling Mercedes, but she wouldn't believe me even if I did tell her. Well, to hell with her! Let her find out for herself just what trouble an innocent girl can get into! I can't always be around to baby-sit her! What about my feelings! Maybe it's time I thought about myself for a change. I clutched my head as the different thoughts pinballed around my brain. God, what a mess.

I did tell her about what I had heard, but just like I predicted, she brushed it off, saying she could take care of herself. I think the fact that she was still a little mad at me, and the overly cool expresion in her expressive eyes, despite my apology, could have somthing to do with it. Well, I said I'd help her and I did. I told her everything to do that would get across her interest, and it worked like a charm. By the end of the wekk she was wearing his class ring and letterman's jacket. They made the perfect storybook couple, the ugly duckling turned swan and the handsome prince. All went well for the next couple of weeks, with the exception of Mercedes' ignoring me. But what could I do? I was afraid to leave her alone with the creep, afraid he would try something when i wasn't there, although Mercedes made her displeasure with my shadowing her movements 24 hours a day quite clear by refusing to speak to me. Unfortunately, so far, Todd has been the perfect gentleman, moving very slowly from the chaste goodnight kiss to the heavier necking sessions, but he was smooth. He always seemed to know when she wasn't ready to move any farther, and never pushed her into moving faster until she was ready. Before long, prom time rolled around. Todd still hadn't made the move on her. I began to think I was wrong. I mean, hey, it happens to the best of us, right? So I decided to try and make up with Mercedes.

I appeared in her room that night, when she usually got ready for bed. She'd just put on her pajamas and was humming a breath of some song while she turned down the covers on her bed. My heart panged when I thought of how much I had missed her trust and conversation, and how she used to confide her hopes and fears in me. "Mercedes?" I said softly, much like the way I had when we first met. She whirled, first scared, then her gaze softening. At first I thought i saw her eyes frelect the loneliness in mine, then I saw her epression harden, and she said tightly, "Well, look what the cat dragged in!" She turned back around and resumed fixing her bed.

"Mercedes, look," I said, bowing my head, "I realize I was wrong about Todd. I came to apologize. I'm tired of the silent treatment, and I miss you, and how close our friendship was. Didn't you miss me at all? If you didn't all you have to do is say the word, and I'll leave, and never bother you again." I paused, then added, "My job's almost over here, anyway."

She half-turned, and bit her lip. It was a familiar gesture, one I'd seen her make everytime she was unsure or upset. She turned to me, and I saw her large green eyes fill with tears. I went to her and held her close, relishing the feel of her in my arms, just like old times. "Barry," she said, "I've missed you so much!" A lump raised in my throat as hope reared its ugly head. "I've. . . missed you too, Mercedes. I thought I'd never get to speak to you again, until I had to leave."

"Do you have to leave now?" she asked, looking up at me.

"Not yet. I want to see you go to prom, so I'll know my job is done."

She smiled, and lay against my chest, wrapping her arms around me. "Sometimes I missed going to sleep in your arms," she whispered.

I felt a stinging sensation in my eyes and gently disengaged myself from her embrace. To lighten the tension in the air, I said, "Well, it's a day away from prom. Have you got your dress yet?"

"Oh, yes! And it's so pretty! Let me show it to you." She ran to her closet and brought out an absolutely beautiful green jade green dress, the exact color of her eyes. It was off the shoulder, with a shimmery clear fabric over top and lace edging. "Isn't it beautiful?" she asked.

My breath caught in my throat as I imagined how she would look. "Yes. . . ." I managed, but recovered quickly. "Say, are you going to save a dance for me?" I said, smiling.

She smiled, the old familiar grin. "I'll always dance with you," she said, hanging the dress back in the closet. She had a radio playing on her nightstand, and at that moment (I still wonder if someone we all know had a hand in this) a slow, romantic song came on. "How about now?" I said, only half-joking.

"Anytime," she replied, and glided into my arms. We slow danced around her room, holding each other close. We didn't speak, each absorbed in our own thoughts. Suddenly, without warning, we both looked at each other, adn we softly kissed. Stars exploded in my head, as I closed my eyes and let my body take over. It seemed that time was suspended, as we drifted to the music, yet neither one of us moved to break the kiss. We came close to the bed, and I gently pushed her down on her back. She clapsed her hands behind my neck, drawing me deeper into the sweet wine of her embrace. This was something out of my wildest dreams! She only opened her eyes once, and her gaze was dreamy and unfocused. When I finally broke the kiss, I realized where I was, and my eyes darted to her face to gauge her reaction. She was asleep! I couldn't believe it. I wasn't sure if I should feel grateful or insulted. The song ended in a gentle crecendo, and I tenderly covered her with the blankets and arranged the pillows behind her head. Softly I crept away fro mthe bed, and sat in my old place in the desk chair waiting for the dawning of the new day, with my heart so full I thought it would burst.

The saga conludes. . .in Part VII.

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