FB - England, Somerset - Wells Cathedral School (Summer 93)

[Hollywood Heidi]

Wells Cathedral School

Located in Somerset, England and taking place in the summer of 1993.

[Kristi Lynne]

Somerset, England
Summer 1993

“Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediment,” she was reciting, her eyes closed in concentration as she sat on one of the benches by the football field. “Love is not love that alters when it alteration finds or bends with the remover to remove. Oh no, it is an ever-fixed mark that looks on storms…no, no, tempests…that looks on tempests and is not…is not…”

She groaned in frustration, relenting and checking the book that was deliberately placed upside down on her lap.

“You look very studious,” her redhead friend noted as he collapsed onto the bench beside her.

“Perhaps because I’m studying,” she replied, not taking her eyes off the book.

“I can’t believe he said I was offside,” Nick cried, looking back at the field and glaring at the official.

“You were offside.”

“Was not.”

“Were, too,” she stated. “If you hadn’t been so busy showboating for Caroline, you’d have noticed.”

“Ah, yes,” he nodded, throwing a smile across the field at where the blonde girl was sitting and giggling with her friends. “She’s going to the formal with me.”

“Is she?”

“She is,” he proclaimed confidently. “She just doesn’t know it yet.”

Gwen threw him a look. “Nick, if this plan involves duct tape or brainwashing, I really can’t be a part of it.”

“No, no, no. The plan simply involves my charm, my sparkling wit, possibly some jewelry. And I might need your input on that.” He took a couple swigs from his water bottle. “You picked out your dress yet?”

“No.”

“I thought that’s all you girls did.”

“Well, this girl’s been too busy doing revision for her Literature exam.”

“You are going, aren’t you?” He furrowed his brow as if that possibility hadn’t even occurred to him till just now.

She pursed her lips and kept her eyes on her book. There were many reasons she was hesitant to go, none of which he’d understand. “Hadn’t decided yet,” she answered.

“Aw, Gwen, you have to go.”

“I don’t have to do anything.”

“Who will I talk to if you’re not there?”

“Nick, you have other friends. Why should I go to some stupid dance just to save you from boredom?”

“Is it because you need a date?” he asked. “I can get you a date. Easy. Any guy in our year that you want, I’ll get him. Y’know, Leon usually goes for the smart girls. But then again, Daniel has a better car--”

“I don’t need a date,” she insisted. True, his money might have persuaded any of their fellow students to reluctantly escort her, but that wasn’t what she wanted.

“Problem solved. You’re going then,” he grinned. “Now pack up the books, go out and buy a dress, shoes and such.” He stood and began to gather everything into his gym bag. “Something with a low-cut neckline. Just a suggestion. Oh, and I’ve always thought you looked good in blue.”

Really? she wanted to squee. But she quickly shifted back to ironic detachment. “Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.”

“So you are going to be there to pull me aside and point out when I’m acting like an idiot?”

“As always.”

“Brilliant. I’ll see you later,” he smiled, before heading across the field to the group of giggling girls. He didn’t see the look of longing in her eyes as she watched him go. And he probably never would.