The Long Way Home Read Free

of school and Grey hoped that Mike would make it. Meanwhile, he was trying to think of a way to cheer his friend up. It was in the last period (English no less) when Grey thought of a great idea.

Chapter Four

    Out of seven periods Jill was happy to have Charlotte in four of them. In the first two weeks she was more than happy to have nothing on her mind but school, this was a first for her. Normally, she would be up to her ears in parties, shopping, hanging out and who knows what else.
    Jill realized that everything was perfect. She managed to have everything she wanted at the beginning of the school year. With this she decided that she was going to start this year off right and really take this year seriously. No parties, no late night outings, no trouble which meant no men, boys, guys or any version thereof. She was determined to make this year really count; she was going to make something of herself.

    Even though she made this decision and was very convinced of herself she knew somewhere in the back of her mind that there was an exclusion, a doubt of sorts. But she took this and kind of covered this up in the back of her mind. She hid it very well; but not so much as hid but locked it away so as not to look at it any more. After this there was a tingle of fear that ran through her for she knew that if she locked it no matter how hard there was some, no matter how slight, some small chance that one could unlock it. She dismissed this as she walked into her locker room to change for her badminton game.

    It was in the locker room that Jill decided to explain to Charlotte her new outlook on life. Unfortunately Jill never got the chance, Charlotte was there and she was beaming with excitement, and Jill could hardly imagine what was going on in that little head of hers.
    "What?" Jill said already disappointed in her lack of self control. Only because she knew that whatever it was she would probably agree and ruin her whole decision.
    Slightly shocked by her friend Charlotte decided to tell her the news anyways, "I heard that there was going to be a huge party this weekend."
    "Oh yeah, well I am not interested. I made a decision today I am going to just concentrate on school from here on out. I mean it's the right thing to do you know what I mean?" Jill said this and was now anticipating an honest reply, what she got was unfortunately what she thought she was going to get.
    "But I need you to go you're my best friend, and besides that there might be hot guys there. I thought you would want to do this." Charlotte had a horrible look of disappointment on her face.
    Jill did feel a little guilty and decided to compromise. "Whose party is it?"
    "That guy, what's his name?-um Grey that's right Grey you know him you have English with him?" Charlotte had a bright gleam of hope in her eye and in her voice when she spoke.
    "Here's what I'll do I will go with you and if I see anyone worth talking to I'll stay. If not then I'll go home and you can call me when you are ready to leave, deal?" Jill said knowing her friend would complain. But she was ready, to take on any argument from Charlotte. She had to get her naïve but delicate friend to understand.

    Jill did end up having to explain all of her decision making to her, but Charlotte took it well and decided to encourage her best friend in her new look on life. They walked together after school and it was there that Jill explained everything to Charlotte. It went so well that even Charlotte had made up her mind to do the same thing that way they could stay together. Jill knew that Charlotte would put up a little fight, think about it and then finally agree and follow suit. Admittedly Jill felt a little mischievous for manipulating her best friend, but it was so easy to do, and Jill hated to do things without her anyway so she figured that whatever Charlotte didn't know wouldn't hurt her.

    They drove home and decided that Jill needed to help Charlotte determine what she was going to