interfering. Randall is too old so she tries to match you both with someone your own ages.

Before Kristin left, a couple more friends came over. Chatter soon turned to who was the cutest guy they knew. Not really knowing any of Tabitha's classmates except the half dozen or so girls that had come by to wish you well, you didn't participate. However, you found yourself weirdly drawn into the topic and reflecting back on what Kristin had said about Randall: He IS sorta cute - and really funny.

Yeah, Randall is a real barrel of monkeys. He has an amazing ability to get a laugh out of just about anyone, and not just by his silly, and sometimes stupid, actions. You knew he was smarter than he pretended, and that came through every once in a while in a witty comment that might stump you until it connected. There was that time at dinner with your whole family and him. Your dad was going off on politics with a conservative bent. When he finally took a breath, Randall got everyone laughing with a quip about Millard Fillmore. You specifically remember Randall's smile.

Come to think of it, Randall's smile is rather cute. You've never really considered it before, but he's not a bad looking guy. Even Allison had mentioned it and that several of her friends had asked her to suggest them for a date with him.

All of a sudden you got this threatening feeling and even felt a bit of anger at Allison. However, you didn't have any time to consider as Catlin, the stocky redhead of Irish decent, asked, "Whose cute makes your bell tinkle, Tab?"

"Huh? ... Oh, ... ah, ..." you stammer catching a wink from Kristin making you blush brightly. Quickly you finish, "I can't really remember any. The amnesia thing still, I guess." And you shrug.

"Oh, yeah. We should bring over the class picture from last year." Samantha said.

"Maybe we should all take some snaps with our phones to show the latest," Catlin added.

"Maybe just have Paul Johnson stop by," Kristin fawned causing all the girls to sigh.

* * * *

The next afternoon, Randall stopped in real early, having skipped his last period. He was beaming exceptionally happy which added immensely to the surprise and thrill you felt at him making this extra effort to see you. However, that was soon vanquished when he said he couldn't stay.

"Dude, you won't believe this, but Abbey asked me to meet her for a study session. Abbey as in Abbey Boom Boom Mills, dude!" He emphasized the "boom boom" with one hand at a time jerking out in front of him referring to her rather large chest.

"Abbey? No way!" you gulped in surprise and dismay that he wouldn't be staying. She was the girl every guy wanted but was very picky.

"I think she's got the hots for me the way she came up purring with the invitation. I just had to come and tell you before I met her."

For some reason your euphoria for your best friend seemed to quickly deteriorate into a depression of sorts. The next thing you knew is that you were angry and blurted back, "Well, if she's more fun than me, then go."

Randall, however, took this as your teasing approval and just leaned in and said, "Don't get upset. I'll be back later, ... or maybe not." He smirked and wiggled his eyebrows in that cute Randall way. "I'll call or text later with the details. See ya." With that, he was back out the door.

You felt miserable. Randall does have his life, but why couldn't he be meeting up with Sean or Kyle for some guy fun and games. Why did it half to be Boom Boom? Not that you ever really wanted Abbey. Allison was your girl even if she wasn't as booming. She was really nice and attractive.

Nice? Attractive? When did I start using those terms for Allison? you asked yourself. Allison was the most beautiful girl in school, a cheerleader even. It made you wonder what Randall wanted in a girlfriend anyway. You looked down at your small chest and wondered if she needed big boobs, something you were far from.

Damn that Abbey, you cursed. Taking Randall away from me.

You punched your pillow and almost found yourself crying. Randall's your best friend, and his seeing other people shouldn't affect you so. It's just school and studying. You grab a tissue and blow your nose. Girl hormones. It's not a big deal, you tell yourself. So what if he's spending time with Kristin's older sister.

A little bit later, you get another visitor.