Chapter 28 Part II Tasin-9

earned at least £20 "Hi," said Lucy. "Hi," I said, "I'm Rebecca. Tom's next-door neighbor and childhood friend." "Oh, you're Rebecca." She cast a quick glance at Tom. What does this mean? Did they ever talk about me? My God! Is Tom still crushing on me? How embarrassing! "It's me!" I said cheerfully, with a smile on my face. "You know, I'm sure I've seen you somewhere before," said Lucy thoughtfully.Then her eyes lit up and she recognized it. "You work at Ally Smith, right?" "No!" My voice was a little sharp.

"Oh," she said, "I thought I'd seen you..." God, I can't let my parents know that I work in a store.They'll think all about my life in London is a lie, they'll think I'm broke and living in squalor. "I'm doing research," I said calmly, "actually, I'm a reporter." "Rebecca's a financial reporter," said Tom, "and she's good at it." "Oh, yes!" said Lucy.I smiled condescendingly at her. "My father and my mother always listen to Rebecca," Tom said. "Dad was still talking about it the other day, saying that you helped him a lot financially, transferring investments and so on."

"I just did what I had to do," I said humbly, giving Tom a special, old-friend smile.It's not that I'm jealous or anything—it's just that it hurts a little when I see Tom smile at this Lucy girl.To be honest, although her clothes are beautiful, her hairstyle is terrible.Take a closer look, Tom is also wearing quite handsome clothes.Oh, what's going on here? It's not right at all.Tom should be in his new home in Reigate, not swaggering in and out of expensive shops looking so respectable. "Excuse me," he said, "we have to go." "Catch the train?" I said with a strong sense of superiority. "It's quite difficult to go out for a walk if you live so far away."

"It's all right," said Lucy, "I take the bus to Wisby every morning, and it only takes forty minutes." "You work at Wisby?" I froze.Why am I surrounded by high-paid people in the city? "Yes," she said, "I'm one of their policy advisors." What? What does that mean? Is she really smart, or something? Oh my! It's getting worse. "We're not catching a train," Tom smiled at Lucy, "we're going to Tiffany to buy some small things first, and it's Lucy's birthday next week." He raised one hand and lifted her up with his fingers lock of hair.

I can't take it anymore.It's not fair! Why don't I have a boyfriend who can buy me stuff at Tiffany? "Well, nice to meet you," I said quickly and vaguely, "give my regards to your parents. How strange they never mentioned Lucy!" I couldn't help adding, a little maliciously, "I Saw them a few days ago and they didn't say a word about her..." I glanced at Lucy with a candid look.Ah! Now look who has the upper hand? But she was exchanging glances with Tom. "Maybe they don't want to..." Tom hesitated. "What's wrong?" I asked.

There was a long, awkward silence.Then Lucy said, "Tom, I want to look in that shop window," and she walked away, leaving the two of us alone. OMG what a drama! I obviously became the third person in their relationship. "Tom, what the hell is going on?" I said, smiling a little. But it's obvious, isn't it? He still has a crush on me, and Lucy knows that. "Oh my God!" said Tom, wiping his face with his hands. "Look, Rebecca, that's kind of embarrassing for me. The truth is, Mom and Dad probably know you...you have feelings for me. They Didn't want to mention Lucy in front of you because they thought you'd..." He took a quick breath, "disappointed."

What? You're not kidding? I've never been so dumbfounded in my life.For a moment, I couldn't even move because of the shock. "I have feelings for you?" Finally, I stammer, "Are you kidding me?" "That's all too clear," he said, shrugging, "Papa and Mama told me how you kept asking me a few days ago how I was doing and my new house..." His eyes There was some pity in it.Oh my gosh! I can't stand how he thinks... "I really like you Becky," he continued, "I just don't..." "I'm just asking out of politeness!" I yelled, "I don't like you!"

"Okay," he said, "let's not talk about it, will you?" "No!" I yelled angrily. "I never really liked you! That's why you asked me out and I didn't say yes! We were 16, remember?" I stopped and looked at him triumphantly—and saw that his expression hadn't changed a bit.He's not listening at all; or he's thinking that me digging up old teenage stuff means I'm still thinking about him.The more I try to argue, the more he thinks I care about him.Oh god this is horrible! "Okay." I tried my best to accumulate the remaining bit of dignity, "There is obviously some misunderstanding between us, there is no way to communicate, you can think whatever you want!" I glanced at Lucy, she was looking at the window, deliberately pretending not to hear , "Honestly, I haven't chased your boyfriend," I said loudly to her, "Nor have I ever been. Bye!"

I strode away down the street, a stiff smile of indifference sliding across my face. Turning the corner, the smile faded and I plopped down on a bench.I feel so ashamed.Of course, the whole thing is ridiculous.Tom Webster actually thinks I'm in love with him.It's my fault for being polite to his parents and pretending to be interested in his damn new house with oak kitchen appliances.Next time I'm going to yawn loudly, or just walk away, or bring up a thing that I have a boyfriend.That would shut them up, wouldn't it? Besides, who cares what they think? I know it all.I know I'm supposed to be dismissive of Tom Webster and his girlfriend, but even so... I have to admit, I have a little low self-esteem.Why don't I have a boyfriend? I don't even have a boy I like! My last official boyfriend was Robert Heyman and we broke up three months ago.I don't even like him that much.He used to call me "honey" and playfully put his hand over my eyes during a movie if there was something vulgar.Even if I told him not to do this, he wouldn't listen.That often drives me crazy.Thinking about it now, I still feel tense and painful.

But anyway, he’s still a boyfriend, right? Calling me at work, going to parties, meeting caterpillars, and being able to hide behind him.Maybe I shouldn't have dumped him, maybe he's okay. I let out a long sigh, stood up, and walked slowly along the street again.All in all, it was a rough day.I lost my job and made Tom Webster look bad.Now, I don't even know what to do at night.I thought I would be exhausted after a long day at work, so I didn't schedule any shows. Fortunately, I made at least £20. £20.I can buy myself a great cappuccino and a chocolate square pie, and two magazines.

Maybe I'll buy some trinkets, or boots.I actually need new boots - I saw a pretty nice pair at Hobbs, square toe, low heel.I'll go there after I've had my coffee, and I'll check out my clothes as well.Omg! I should be enjoying it after the day.And for work, I'll have to get some new leggings, and a nail file, or a book to hang out on the subway... I'm so much happier when I'm waiting in line at Starbucks! PGNI First Bank credit card 7 Camel Square, Liverpool LI 5NP To: Ms. Rebecca Bloomwood Unit 2, 4 Burnie Road, London SW6 8FD Dear Ms. Bloomwood: PGNI First Bank Credit Card Number 1475839204847586 Thank you for your letter of March 11. We appreciate your offer to give us a free subscription to Money Success magazine, as well as the invitation to dinner at the Ivy.Unfortunately, employees of PGNI First Bank are not allowed to accept such gifts. I look forward to receiving your outstanding £10,540 as soon as possible. Yours sincerely peter johnson Customer Finance Manager March 15, 2000