Jordan

    "So, I need to talk to you about something," Jordan said softly.
    I looked up briefly from the magazine I was reading. "What's up? You okay?" I asked.
    Jordan sat up on the bed and looked over his shoulder at me. "Yeah I'm fine," he responded. "I just need to tell you something." I sat up and placed my chin on his shoulder. "My mom's friend, Karen, is coming to visit for a few weeks after school lets out."
    "Aww, that's nice. Is she from back in L.A.?" Jordan wouldn't meet my eye as he nodded. "What?"
    "She's bringing her daughter, Missy, with her."
    I started to ask why that was such a problem when it clicked in my head. "Missy as in your ex-girlfriend? The one that only broke up with you because you moved? She's going to be staying here?" My voice started to rise to a high pitched squeal. It did that when I started to freak out. "That's so not okay. Like they'll be staying here at your house?"
    Jordan nodded. "It was my mom's idea. She really misses Karen, and what am I supposed to say to her, Rebecca? 'Sorry, mom, but because I used to date Missy, you can't have your friend come stay here.' I can't do that to her."
    "I know, but they can't stay in a hotel?" I knew it was an empty suggestion. It would be silly for them to pay for a hotel when there was plenty of room at Jordan's house.
    "You know my mom wouldn't do that." He ran a hand through his hair and looked at me. "Look, I only wanted to let you know so you didn't show up to visit one day and all of a sudden, there's my ex. That's the past. I've moved on. I'm with you. I want to be with you. Not Missy. She's probably seeing someone new too."
    His words did little to reassure me, but I smiled at him anyway.
    The day school let out, Jordan drove me to his house to change. I had been keeping a few articles of clothing there for the times I spent the night. My father was much more lax than my mother had been, and he didn't mind me spending the night at Jordan's house a few times a month as long as his parents were home. An unfamiliar car was parked in the driveway when he pulled in.
    A teenage girl came running out. "Jordan!" she shouted, waving enthusiastically. She was at his door as he stepped out and hugged him fiercely. "I've missed you so much! My mom told me she was coming to visit you guys, and I just had to come. That's why we had to wait til school was out. How have you been?" Her words came out so fast, I was surprised Jordan could understand her.
    Nevertheless, he smiled politely. He shot me a guilty look for the hug, but we both knew it wasn't something he'd done willingly. "I've been good, Missy. I want you to meet someone." He reached for my hand as I came around the front of the car. "This is my girlfriend, Rebecca."
    Missy had clearly not realized I was there at first. Her smile faltered, but stayed bright as it had been before. Standing next to Jordan, I got my first real look at her. And I hated to admit it, but she was beautiful. She had golden blonde hair that caught the sunlight perfectly and made her hair shine. Dark blue eyes were framed by long, bold eyelashes and she had a beautiful smile. I felt plain compared to her, with my dull brown eyes and curly black hair. Missy stuck her hand out, and I took it. "It's nice to meet you, Rebecca. I knew Jordan would find someone new; I never thought he'd go for a youngun though. How old are you, 13?" she asked with a sweet smile.
    My look hardened and she noticed; her smile widened just a bit. She was playing with me. "Fifteen, actually. Yeah, Jordan and I kinda locked eyes at the pep rally at the beginning of the year. I dunno, just something about him. Any girl would be stupid to let him go," I stated, emphasizing the word stupid. I knew Missy had been the one to end the relationship, but she was obviously still not entirely over Jordan. And that wasn't sitting right with me.
    Missy inhaled deeply, but her smile still didn't slip. I was impressed; I would have long since lost my temper and cold-cocked me by now. "Yeah, I guess. Jordan's great though. He's so caring. Did he ever tell you about the ring he got me for our one year anniversary?" she asked, holding up her hand. There was a silver ring with a pink gem on her right ring finger. My stomach dropped but I did what I could to not show it. "Isn't it beautiful?"
    "It's nice," I said, trying to look like I didn't care.
    Jordan finally took the hint. "Missy, we're actually about to head out. We just stopped by to change."
    She looked at my empty arms. "You're going to wear that?" she asked me, eyeing my outfit with disdain.
    I pulled my lips in. "No, I'm changing. Did you not just hear Jordan say that?"
    Missy's head tilted. "You have clothes here?"
    "Well, I do spend the night here whenever I feel like it. It's nice to have clothes in the morning. Pajamas aren't really a big deal. I can always just wear some of Jordan's." I cheered in my head as the grin finally fell off her face. I smirked and walked by her, grabbing Jordan's hand.
    When we walked in, Jordan's mother was sitting at her dining room table, drinking from a coffee mug and talking to another woman who looked very much like Missy. "Hi, honey!" Jordan's mom exclaimed. "Hi, Rebecca. Did you guys see Missy outside?"
    I smiled charmingly. "Oh yeah, we saw her. We just said hi."
    "Mom, we're going out for a bit; we'll be back home later. Is it okay if Rebecca stays for dinner?"
    The smile on Jordan's mother's face dimmed. "I was hoping we would have a night just us four. No offense, Rebecca. It's just been so long since I've seen Karen, and I'm sure Missy and Jordan want to catch up."
    "We caught up already," Jordan said abruptly. "We're gonna go change. We'll be back later." He took my hand and led me upstairs. We quickly changed and left without saying a word to anyone else.