Tug of War

On the night of the dance, I got ready excitedly. I couldn't wait to see the shocked looks on people's faces when I show up with none other than THE Aaron Morris! I finally felt like a confident queen.

I put on the new dress I bought for this special occasion and paired it with some silver strappy heels. I checked myself out. Not bad. I'm sure Aaron would approve.

Liliana came out wearing a sexy silver sequin dress. And, of course, she looked gorgeous as always.

"Oh, you are going?" I asked casually.

"Of course I'm going. Why wouldn't I?" Liliana said irritably.

"Who with? I mean, since Jake isn't taking you anymore," I asked.

"Yes, he is," she said.

"He is!" I was shocked. "I thought you guys had that argument, and he ditched you on the sidewalk, and now you guys hate each other?" I exclaimed.

"Um, yea. I am still mad at him for that. But he promised to take me to the dance, and it was too late to find another date. Besides, he is popular, so I'd rather suck it up and show him off rather than going with some nobody," Liliana said.

Of course, the queen bee wants to hold on to her status even if it means swallowing her pride. What did I expect?

"And he agreed to take you still?" I asked.

"Yup," she said.

I don't understand Jake sometimes. Scratch that. I don't understand him ever.

I had been avoiding Jake since the dream situation, and I still wasn't sure if I was ready to face him. At least Aaron will be with me to distract me this time.

The doorbell rang. They were here! I thought and ran to open the door expecting Aaron standing there. My smile faltered as Jake stood in front of me, gazing at me intensely, looking mighty fine in his tuxedo. His eyes met mine then they started to trail down my body and stopped on my legs.

I cleared my throat. "Hey, Liliana is inside," I said.

He didn't say anything and kept staring at my body.

"Jake!" I snapped.

"Sorry. I got distracted. I didn't know you had such nice long legs because you hide them under those awful sweat pants," he smirked.

"Are you making fun of me? Because if you are, you better zip it," I made a face.

"What, no, I am not. I was just..."

"Whoaa Jane! You look hot!" Aaron exclaimed behind him, so Jake stopped talking.

I blushed. I've never been called hot before. Maybe I should dress up more often.

"Stop it, you!" I said. "You don't look too shabby yourself, sexy man." I flirted.

"I am serious. This dress really suits you, and your makeup looks great," Aaron complimented me and leaned over to kiss me.

I kissed him back but pulled away quickly as I felt Jake's burning gaze on us. Why was he staring at us so intensely?

Liliana walked in a few minutes later. "Hey boys," she flipped her hair and stared at them seductively, making me roll my eyes until they hurt.

"Hey," Jake said dryly. What, no compliments? I was sure Jake would fall in love with her all over again and forget all about her bitchiness as soon as he laid his eyes on her wearing that sexy dress. I guess he was tougher than I thought.

"Ready to have a great night?" Aaron smirked.

I nodded. I was beyond ready.

Aaron and I moved with the music on the dance floor. He was a great dancer, and I was having a grand ole time. Did I mention the look on everyone's face when we walked in? It would take forever to pick up all of their jaws off the floor. I guess everyone expected Liliana to score one of the Morris brothers but not me, the quiet, invisible, plain Jane.

"Wow, you are a terrible dancer," Aaron said and laughed.

"Thanks a lot, jerk!" I laughed back. "I am only good at slow dances. But this is fun anyway," I said.

He nodded in agreement. I saw Jake dancing with Liliana in the corner of my eyes. He was looking directly at us and not paying attention to Liliana at all.

"What's up with Jake?" I whispered through the loud music.

"What do you mean?" he whispered back.

"Why is he acting all weird. He keeps staring at us like a creeper," I said.

"Maybe he is jealous that I get to dance with the hotter sister," Aaron offered.

"Hah, you are hilarious and a bad liar," I said.

"I am not joking. You look really awesome, Jane," he said. His green eyes gazed into mine fondly.

"Thanks, it means a lot hearing you say that," I said. It really did. This was the first time in my life I wasn't overshadowed by Liliana's beauty. Someone actually noticed me!

The music shifted into a slower tune.

Finally, it was time for the slow dance. Aaron grabbed my waist and pulled me closer to him. I put my arms around his neck, and we swayed with the music slowly.

Someone tapped on my shoulder, so we stopped dancing. "May I cut in?" Jake asked and grabbed my arm and pulled me towards him without waiting for Aaron's answer.

"Eh...we are in the middle of a romantic dance which you just interrupted," Aaron said and grabbed my other arm.

"Well, it's my turn to dance with Janey," Jake insisted and pulled me towards him again.

"No, she is my date, so she is dancing with me," Aaron insisted and pulled me to him again.

What the hell is going on? Why were the Morris brothers playing tug of war with me?

"Well, I saw her first, so I have the right to dance with her," Jake pulled me a bit harder this time, so I almost tumbled toward him.

"Jane is not an object, and you aren't even friends. Stop bullying her. If she wanted to dance with you, she would've said yes," Aaron glared at him and pulled me even harder.

Okay, I have to say something before I lose my arms.

"Guys, please, you will separate my arms from my body. Take it easy with all that pulling," I said desperately and laughed nervously. This is not how I planned to spend my night.

"Okay, let's ask her. Janey, would you like to dance?" Jake smirked. "Say yes, or I will make you pay at school tomorrow," he leaned over and whispered sweet threats in my ears.

"Hey! Stop trying to intimidate her. Jane, you don't have to say yes if you don't want to," Aaron said.

"Um...I...I WANT FRUIT PUNCH!" I yelled and yanked my hands free, then ran away.