A Fine Line by Courtney Brandt Page A

should go?” Lucy asked.
    “Not sure,” responded Tom, slurping on his Big Gulp.
    “I thought we could try the thrift store on Spazier.”
    “It’s worth a shot.”
    It had occurred to Lucy that while things were progressing nicely with Mandy and James, she had been neglecting her male friends.
    Who would Tom look cute with…?
    The quint player had ended things with his last girlfriend on the same band trip that Gina had ended things with Jonathan. Lucy’s green eyes mentally surveyed the sections of the band.
    Freshmen?
    No. We can’t have Tom taking advantage of any of those little girls.
    Sophomores?
    None that stand out.
    Upperclassmen?
    Lucy couldn’t think of anyone who could put up with her friend’s hijinks and overall ‘Tomness.’
    Who said they have to be in band?
    That’s just who we date. People in marching band are the only ones that understand…
    That’s pretty close-minded.
    Who were you thinking of?
    How about Jewel Branscombe?
    Lucy started thinking about the fellow senior and all around cool girl.
    One problem…
    What’s that?
    Jewel’s a cheerleader.
    So what? Wes is a football player.
    Lucy’s internal dialogue screeched to an immediate stop as she put together the analogy her head had just made.
    Wait a minute. Tom is to Jewel as you are to…Wes?
    No.
    Tom interrupted Lucy’s devious thoughts, “Hey, we’re here.”
    As they walked into the eclectic store, Tom mused aloud, “I want to try and find something like they were wearing in the video.”
    Lucy wrinkled her nose, “Really? You don’t think that would be too cheesy?”
    “C’mon, Luce, we have to make a statement.”
    They began looking through the racks. Lucy squealed, “Found it!”
    She held up the dress for Tom to inspect. He made a twirling motion with his hand, “Let me see how it moves.”
    Lucy spun around and the skirt of the dress spun out. Tom nodded, “Perfect.”
    In record time the pair had put together their outfits. As they were ringing up their purchases Lucy asked Tom, “How were you planning on getting these out on the field?”
    Tom thought a moment, “Umm…I guess I hadn’t really thought about it.”
    “Well, when we’re lining up on the back side of the field to march out for opening set, I guess we could change then? I mean, when else will we have the time to without being noticed?”
    “You’re right, although that sucks because then we won’t surprise everyone.”
    Lucy put her arm through Tom’s, “Don’t worry, buddy, I’m sure we’ll surprise at least a few people.”
    Tom matched her grin, “You’re right. I don’t think anyone will see this coming.”
     
    That same afternoon, Wes arrived at the Karate household. It had been two weeks and already the grass had grown inches and the yard definitely needed weeding. Wes wasn’t sure how he was going to be able to keep up with his busy schedule when the season really started kicking into gear. He saw Lucy’s Cavalier in the driveway, but was disappointed not to see her around the house.
    Pulling on his gloves and starting the lawn mower, Wes’s mind drifted to what he would be doing if he were still in England and how American secondary schools were still very confusing to him. Recently, a number of the girls on the cheerleading squad had blatantly propositioned him. It seemed that many of his teammates followed this trend and dated the girls with pompoms. It’s not that he wasn’t attracted to them, but they just didn’t do it for him.
    C’mon, if your mates could see you now.
    What would they say? Go along with the crowd? Do like everyone else is doing? Date a nice American girl?
    Something like that. Why are you holding out?
    Wes’s green eyes unconsciously flicked up to the window he knew was Lucy’s bedroom.
    She just broke up with her boyfriend. Going after her would be in poor taste.
    Wes sighed, agreeing with his subconscious. It was too soon to pursue his cute classmate.
     
    Grabbing her bags, Lucy placed a