Chapter 4

            I choked on my bagel, grabbing at my throat until it was clear and I could breathe again. I stared at Dana from across the table in disbelief, joined by Bette, Tina, and Shane.

            “You WHAT?!” I asked, not entirely sure I’d heard her right. She smiled back at me, practically bouncing up and down.

            “I asked Tanya to marry me!” She repeated, and the sinking feeling in my chest returned, making me want to crawl into a hole and hide for the rest of… forever. Of course, she had said yes. Who wouldn’t? Dana was beautiful, funny, athletic, easy to talk to. I was crazy and stupid to think that Tina’s plan had actually worked the other day. Actually, it had backfired. “Yeah, after what Tina told me about making some life changes, I decided that the best thing for both of us that would make us really happy would be to spend the rest of our lives together.” I winced. I didn’t need to hear this…couldn’t hear this right now.

            “Whoa.” Shane said, staring at Dana in shock. “I didn’t see that coming. Um, congrats, Dane.”

            “Some Yoda you are. Real helpful, Shane.” I muttered angrily. This wasn’t right. Couldn’t she see that Tanya was wrong for her? Scratch that, Tanya was wrong for ANYONE, and Dana deserved the best, not some crazy, over protective psycho Barbie. Shane shot me a look saying ‘what do you want me to do about it?’ I sighed, putting on a fake smile as Bette and Tina both congratulated the engagement. I couldn’t. All I could do was nod. It might have seemed a little stuck up and selfish, but I think I would have thrown up if I’d actually said the words.

            “Hey, we should celebrate!” Bette said, making arrangements for a party that night. I was too lost in my mind to pay attention. I was focused on that smile on Dana’s face. I thought that maybe one day I could make her smile like that, but now there was no chance in hell.

            “Thanks, guys.” Dana said, standing up, hugging each of them. I shrunk back when she came around to hug me, not really knowing what to do. She didn’t seem to notice, though. Whatever. “I’m meeting Tanya at the apartment, then we’re going to tell our parents. Wish me luck!” There was a chorus of ‘good luck!’ and then she was gone. I narrowed my eyes and glared at Tina, standing up and walking towards her. Her eyes widened and she hid behind Bette, who stood in front of her protectively.