Missy and Amanda met up before school at their usual spot under the trees in the grassy area next to the Administration Building. But today was far usual. Missy was dazed, still trying to recover from the confusion that had started with her conversation with Amanda yesterday. Amanda could tell Missy was not herself.
"Somebody looks a bit off her game today," Amanda said to Missy.
"Thanks. Good morning to you too," Missy grumped. "You have no idea what just happened to me."
"But you are about to tell me, right?" Amanda smirked.
Missy shot a silent glare at Amanda. She was in no mood for being teased or mocked. She was more than a bit touchy. "I am not joking around, Amanda."
Amanda felt Missy's intensity. She backed off as she tried to comfort her. "Okay, I am sorry. Seriously, what's wrong baby?"
"You know what's wrong. You have me so confused about my dad."
Amanda tried to keep her smile hidden as she tried to show as much understanding as possible. "Right. Your dad."
Missy tersely interjected, "You know ... what we talked about yesterday." Missy did not want to play games in the least bit. Amanda scrambled to gain her balance, trying to figure out exactly what Missy wanted from her at the moment.
"Missy. Honestly. I think your dad is hot. And I know you get edgy when I make comments about him. But I never meant to make you upset."
"No, no. That's not it Amanda. Before we talked yesterday, I thought my biggest problem was you having feelings for my dad. I was feeling jealous. I told you that."
"M-hm," Amanda nodded, doing her best to follow along.
"But then you turned things around on me. Saying it wasn't you, but ME that had those feelings."
Amanda kept quiet, not wanting to say anything that would further complicate the situation.
"I am so confused. I mean, no way have I ever, EVER thought that way about him." Amanda raised her eyebrows and cocked her head at Missy, unspoken but clearly questioning her. Missy felt the silent challenge and glared at Missy. "What?!"
Amanda shook her head, not wanting to say anything. But Missy demanded an answer. "Well sweetie, let me say that denial can be a bitch. Just because we say it ain't so and try to convince ourselves it ain't so doesn't mean it ain't so."
An awkward pause filled the air. Missy stared down at the ground. Amanda gently brushed her hand over Missy's shoulder and said, "Missy. You know that I am not upset about this, right? I mean, I totally understand. In fact, I figured you would have admitted this to me a long time ago."
Missy's eyes shot up and looked straight into Amanda's eyes as she blurted, "Admit what?!"
Amanda tried to ease the tension with a casual shrug of her shoulders as she said, "Really baby, it's fine with me. If you would rather not talk about it, no problem with me."
"What do you think I would have admitted by now?"
Amanda did not want to upset Missy. She tried to back up and retreat. "You know what? I think maybe I made a mistake. Maybe I read you all wrong. Maybe you are right. Maybe it is really ME and not you."
Missy firmly shook her head and muttered, "Nuh-uh. You said it and you meant it. And I know what you meant."
Frustrated at Missy, Amanda was a bit snippy now. "So you are saying that I don't know what I am talking about, but wait ~ YOU do. Are you serious?! What the hell is wrong with you?"