NOTE: I originally had planned for the short story to have only three parts, but due to a plan of a shortened part three entry, I feel that it is necessary to add one more part to complete the story. I'd really appreciate it if you stick with me, even though Beyond his Image is very long.

A park bench welcomed me to collapse on it; as I did so, my unanswered cell phone ended its fight for my attention. It was Summer, I knew for sure, who was calling me. She promised she would call me right after school and discuss homecoming. As I buried my face in my hands, I pictured her face with Tony’s. Summer knew he was my best friend and that I would ask him. A single tear burned in my right eye, and I willingly allowed its release. Shaking myself a little to enter reality, I took in a sharp breath and thought hard. Was it that I have a crush on Tony?

I laughed, but it almost sounded like one of Savannah’s: fake, airy, and annoying.

As if I was almost scared, I clamped my mouth shut. I was turning into popularity. My laugh, it seemed, was the answer to my question.

I had a crush on Tony. Even though I was near popular, he chose the fake Barbie over his life long friend. And it hurt. The very fact that Summer backstabbed me encouraged more angry tears to fall.

I head soft footsteps shuffle towards me through the fallen leaves. It was shortly disguised by the seasonal autumn wind whipping around the park, causing the bare trees to rattle noisily.

Uncovering my face with my hands, I looked sharply once to right and then left. There was no one in sight. The only evidence was a soft tapping on my shoulder.

Yelping, I turned in surprise to come face to face again with Chester Raby. Dedicated to their duty, near by dog walkers turned their attention to me in concern.

“Chester, what the heck do you think your doing?! You scared the living daylights out of me! Go home and stop bothering me!”

Chester tightened his grip on my shoulder, causing me to flinch. “Audrey, I understand that you are upset about Summer going with Antonio, but don’t you think it would be cool to have a date anyways?”

“Yes…” I mumbled and stubbornly dug my hands in my jean pockets.

“Then come with me. I guarantee you it’ll be a night you’ll remember.”

I looked at him hard. His features were no where near as distinguished as Tony’s, like the sickly pale skin disforming his face. If he’d loose the glasses, slick back his hair and spend a little more time out in the sun he’d look halfway decent. Like he said, at least I would have a date. Desperate, I barely whispered a weak “okay.”

Chester leaned forward. “What was that?”

“I said okay. Happy?”

Chester beamed then nodded. “The happiest. See you soon.”

My legs were a little wobbly when I attempted to stand up from my faithful park bench. The reality hadn’t sunk in yet that I just accepted Chester’s second offer. I’d still have a pair of hands grasping around my waist while dancing, though, even though they weren’t rightfully Tony’s.

That night, sleeping proved it was more difficult than to tell my parents I had a date for homecoming. Dad’s bushy eyebrows shot up when I first mentioned a boy’s name while mom uncomfortably folded her arms across her chest.

So what was their answer after all that fuss?

“Audrey, darlin’, be back no later than 1:00.”

Since I battled with my decision to go with Chester Raby to homecoming all night, it must have shown at school the next day because Summer gave me some of her anti-bag cream. I didn’t even know that an anti-bag cream existed.

“You always have to look your best on Fridays,” she reasoned while carefully rubbing some under my eyes. It was probably the best time to ask her why she would choose Tony for her date.

“Summer?”

“Hm?”

Okay, maybe not. It was too hard to ask. The best solution was to ask some clothing question for the fashion queen.

“What kind of dress are you wearing for tomorrow?”

“Oh, it’s amazing. But you’ll hafta wait until tomorrow to see it. What are you wearing?”

It was a good question. I didn’t own a single dress except for one that had a slightly large hole in the back. Since my parents probably wouldn’t buy me a new one, I was left with the decision to wear the whole dress once and for all.

“You’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see it too, Summer.”

She smirked and snapped the anti-bag cream lid shut then headed off to class.

I didn’t see Chester all that day. Mr. Martinez obviously was happy with the situation because his reason for not giving us any usual homework was because it was a “wonderful day outside” and that we should “spend some time in the great outdoors.”

Surely he didn’t see the forecast for rain this evening.

As I finally found myself realizing homecoming was tomorrow, for the first time in years I grinned from ear to ear. I was truly happy, an emotion I hadn’t felt in years.

Even trying on my holey dress the next day didn’t dampen my spirits. My parents said that they were going to be going out to eat that night and their only instruction was for me to lock the door after Chester picked me up at 7:00. The day couldn’t have gone any slower from my anticipation to see what Chester had done to his appearance.

But the problem was he didn’t.

When Chester came knocking my door at exactly 7:00 that night, I had flung open the door, beaming. The smile was soon wiped off my face when I saw he had a casual suit on with the usual pale skin and oversized glasses. It was weird not seeing him with a jade sweater and kaki pants on. He put his hand on his hip, inviting me to hook my arm through the loop he formed to complete his escorting me down to his van.

“You sure look beautiful, Audrey,” Chester said before closing the door after I stepped into onto the front seat.

Only out of a politeness I thanked him. I didn’t feel beautiful, considering my mom didn’t even bother helping me put on the whole package with makeup. My blush was too heavy, foundation too dark, and the only eye shadow color I could find was a dark blue, even though my dress was red. Either Chester was lying or he was messed up.

Messed up, most likely.

He put his car in gear. Thank goodness my house wasn’t that far from the school. Considering my lack of experience with guys, or none whatsoever, I wasn’t the world’s best conversationalist.

Chester began to playfully drum on the steering wheel. After the first minute or so, I had to break his habit.

“So…”

Almost instantly he replied, “You really do look, beautiful, Audrey, I mean it.”

The color on my cheek bones grew even darker than the ridiculous shade it already was. I broke off the conversation and where it was going by focusing on my shoes. All too soon, thankfully, we arrived at the school. I hopped out of the seat before Chester could open the door for me.

“I gotta meet Summer at the entrance,” I explained.

“Summer Felled?” Chester looked confused. “You’re friends with Summer? Er…how?”

I left his question unanswered but instead hooked arms with him again and pulled him towards the school’s entrance. My stomach flipped when I saw the sight of Summer and Tony together. Or rather, Summer’s sluttly and skin tight dress that barely touched her knees and deep v that dipped so far into her breasts that I was sure some parts that were meant for a husband’s eyes only were exposed. Her expression was worse than mine as her eyes slowly traveled to my horrendous dress to Chester’s face.

“Chester Raby,” she said. “You actually have a date?”

He looked hurt by her comment, and I interrupted by confronting insulting Tony out of my jealousy.

“Tony Lupe, you actually have a date?”

“Audrey!” Summer scolded me. It almost felt like she was my mother. I shrugged in response. “Where are Sav and Angela, by the way?”

“Sav and Angela?” Chester looked more confused than ever.

Summer laughed. “Why don’t we grab some drinks, okay, Antonio?” Her voice was light and airy, almost over the top flirty just to make me mad. They departed at her command.

I scratched the back of my neck uncomfortably then said, “Er…let’s dance, shall we?”

Chester’s face brightened and once again looped his arm around mine while we waltzed into the gym for my first homecoming.

--The last part of the story will be published soon--

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