Tate
"Another date with Jennie. It must be getting serious." I say as I look adoringly at my best friend, Liam. He is one of the most handsome guys in our school. We're seniors and ever since I can remember he has had the girls chasing after him.
He's tall, six feet and slim with the sexiest tattoos running up his arms. He runs his hands through his jet black hair and smiles. God that smile, It makes me go weak, so weak. "Nah no big thing. She's cute though but it's not serious."
"Yeah right." I say trying despserately to be lighthearted about it. I know that he hasn't seen anybody twice before. Ever. This is a first. I wouldn't say that Liam is a serial dater but he is a ladies man and he has the looks with his piercing blue Travolta eyes, plump luscious lips that't give Angelina Jolie a run for her money.
"Hey come on, Tate. I'm not ready to get serious with anyone, especially not Jeannie. We've not even gone to first base. We're just hanging."
"I thought that's what you did with me." I sound sullen, I know I shouldn't but the green eye monster has appeared. He scoffs and ruffles my head.
I've known Liam since I was five years old. My dad employes his dad. Oh sorry, I totally forgot to introduce myself. I'm Tate. Tate Billingham. I'm eighteen years old and studying business and finance, my father wants me to go into his business with him. He's in shipping and has more money than he knows what to do with. He's what you'd call filthy rich but he's a good guy and doesn't act like most powerful billionaires I know. Nope, daddy dearest is exactly that. Liam's dad has worked for my father for the last thirteen years. He's daddy's CFO (chief finanical officer) and he keeps my daddy right in check making sure he doesn't just run from one business to the next buying them all up just because he can.
Liam's dad, Patrick is originally from Ireland. They came to America when he was five years old and now lives on the same mansion row that we do here in good old Atherton, CA. It is pretty exclusive and all the properties are huge. We have mountain views and beautiful lake land. I couldn't imagine living anywhere else in the world. Well other than Paris being a fashion designer. I've always had a keen interest in fashion, maybe one day I can start my own label. My mother says I'm brilliant with designs and have a real eye.
My mother is the best. She is on every committee and still has time to run her own beauty business. Beauty with Kindness. Mom, known as Ellie to her friends is a firm believer in providing beauty at affordable pricing, no testing on animals and one-hundred percent sustainability. She is her own empire and met my father when she was a kid too. A bit like Liam and I.
When Liam first came to our town he spoke with what I consider a very funny accent. I then learnt that he was Irish and it made him exciting and mysterious. I believed in leprechauns and four leaf clovers and thought Liam would have all sorts of magical powers. It didn't matter when he told me that he was just a normal boy with no magic at all. Only I do find him quite magical, I am always lost when I look at him, I want to trace his tattoos with my fingers and feel his tongue exploring my mouth. It makes me blush.
"What you blushing for?" He asks. Shit. There is nothing getting passed Liam. He knows me so well. We've even shared a bed together, for years we've slept together ever since we were kids. Well until last year when Liam said it wouldn't be proper anymore to share a bed. I guess he's right. I don't think I'd be able to help myself. If he ever found out what a huge crush I have on him, well I'm not sure what would happen.
Would our friendship survive, or would he drop me like a tonne of bricks? I don't want to find out which is why I've never stepped over the friendship barrier. I keep my mouth usually shut firmly when he tells me about another date he is going on, or some girl he fancies. Sometimes I've been known to go to my room and bawl my eyes out. Because it's just crushing me that I want him so badly and yet I can't. I mean, how do you even deal with that. There's no guidebook or YouTube video on this.
"Nothing." I say and punch his arm lightly, like friends do.
"I bet ya thinking about some jock aren't you." He says laughing. Actually I am only it isn't just any jock it is him. He is the best ball player in our school and has been accepted to five of the top college's and no doubt my Liam will become a super star in his own right. I shake my head.
"Don't be such a jerk, Liam. Cut it out. Come on let's get out of here." Usually after class we'd go to Mason's grill for a bite to eat and a couple of sodas. We just hang out and chill with our friends. Most of whom have been having sex way before they should have been. I know I'm the only girl who hasn't lost her virginity yet. That's because I'm saving myself for the right man. Only the right man is right in front of me, so I could possibly die an old spinster. Ugwww, that's a bit depressing. I hope this crush passes soon and that it is just a phase. I have to admit it has been a pretty long phase though.
If I'm honest, I have been crushing on Liam since I was about thirteen. Every little thing he said back then I hung off every word. Actually I think I've been pretty spectacular in hiding it but someone is bound to notice.
"Hey, who you going to the prom with." I keep myself together since I thought we'd got together as besties. Clearly not.
"Erm I haven't decided yet."
Liam Wow to say Tate has been acting a bit weird lately is an understatement. I know she's at that age you know where girls are going through a lot and can be hormonal and have heaps to deal with, but she's started kind of getting almost jealous lately. I know we're best friends and have been since we've been five years old and I love her. Really love her like my sister. I dismiss the thought, she's having a tough time, I'm so glad I'm not a girl growing up. Being a boy is bad enough. Although I was luckky not have gone through the whole spotty teenage cycle. We're heading over to Mason's and I'm looking forward to catching up with the gang. There are four of us, we've been hanging together for the last three years and when we all go our separate ways for college, it is going to be so damn weird. Only I'm not sure what the plan is with Tate. She wants to go into fashion design and travel to Paris, but her father has other plans for her. She is pretty strong willed and her mother, E
Tate I feel like my insides are melting with Liam's leg pressed up against mine. There is sufficient room for me to move up closer to Lilly but what the hell, I'm not going to. Now he has decided we shouldn't sneak into each other's bedrooms at night, this is the closest I'm going to get to having my boy crush satisified with any kind of touch. "So who you going to the prom with?" Lilly asks me. I don't have a scooby doo since I haven't really put much thought into it and also I kind of hoped, Liam would ask me but he hasn't and I am sorely disappointed. "Nobody at the moment." Her mouth gapes open even Liam is staring at me. Do I feel uncomfortable? You bet I do. All of a sudden I feel like the spotlight is on me and I really don't like it. "Will y'all stop looking at me like that." I huff and pick up my coffee the waitress has just put in front of me and start sipping at it instead. "Girl, you gotta get a date sorted. It's only a few weeks away." Lilly's voice has a sudden high
LiamMan, I just wish these guys would knock it off already about Tate and I. It's embarrassing. Yeah she's sweet and extremely pretty but we're best friends. Nothing can happen. Ever. Full stop. Period. But they're kind of relentless. I lean towards her and whisper in her ear. "Let's get out of here, we've got assignments to hand in by Friday and I have practise later." I don't tell her I will be seeing Jennie later too. Don't ask me why, it isn't exactly a secret. She nods, I can see Denver watching us closely. He so wants to be right about Tate and I being a couple. It's hysterical. "We're checking out guys." I say and grab Tate's hand. It feels warm and soft. It feels comfortable. It feels like it is part of me. We've held hands since we were five years old. The first time ever she grabbed my hand to go and play in her back yard and in the tree house her dad had built for her, I knew I'd have a friend for life and nothing is ever coming between us. Not ever. No man, no jock who w
Tate Is it me or was Liam being a bit uptight when I mentioned going out with the girls and seeing how it goes with Dexter for going to the prom with me? I feel dumb really because I had thought Liam would ask me. I am still experiencing anxiety at the thought of him taking some other girl. Not as much anxiety as him going out with Jennie again later tonight. As we walk along the wide sidewalk towards my house and Liam's opposite, I try desperately hard not to think of him and Jennie tonight. Then I wonder, where do they actually do it? Perhaps in Liam's pick up truck, ugh what a thought. I sit in there on a regular basis when he drives me around. Nope I haven't got my license yet. I do, however, need to get around to getting one. Daddy keeps saying he'll take me out in his car, but really. I don't want to learn to drive in his Bentley. That is hugely outrageous. He said I should decide on what car I want and he'll buy it for me. I have no idea what type of vehicle I want, although
TateIf there is something Liam can do, it’s eat until the cows come home. I’m not kidding you. He can eat for an army and still not put on any weight. But then he does work out a lot and burns off so many calories playing football. He has to train with the team four nights a week, spends a session in the gym most mornings before school. This guy is dedicated to his sport and one day for sure, I know that Liam is going to be a hot shot. In school he already is.That is precisely why it makes my life so difficult. All the girls want him and I am so sick and tired of seeing them all flirt with him, touching him and just getting in his face. I wouldn’t say he adores the attention. Much. Okay, maybe just a little bit. Denver loves it, oh my God that boy loves the attention. I honestly don’t know how Lilly puts up with it. Love and trust I guess.I have come close to wanting to slap some of the girls that fawn all over Liam. All of this never bothered me before, I was just a kid but I’m no
Liam I watch Tate as she huffs and puffs making me my chicken sandwich and some salad. She effortlessly slices up some tomato and cucumber and adds a bit of lettuce and a drizzle of my favorite vinaigrette. She’s adorable and I couldn’t wish for a better best friend.She makes me smile, she’s always willing to help me and if I’m down and having a real rough day then Tate is there for me. Always and forever. That’s out little motto. We’ve had it since were six years of age when we sat in her tree house, sprawled out on the blue and pink cushions her mom made and linked our pinky fingers and swore an oath. No matter what happens, no matter where we are, no matter what anyone says, we will be best friends forever and always. She’s my girl.I know the guys and the girls rib us about being an item but seriously we’re not. I can guarantee that Tate only sees me as the kid she met all those years ago. Damn it, when I go to college I’m sure going to miss her. It is going to be so weird witho
TateDon’t ask me why, but going up the stairs with Liam trailing behind me, I get the distinct impression he is checking my butt out. Or do you think it is wishful thinking on my part? This being a teenager crushing on your best friend sucks. Sucks. Sucks. The heat is rising and I can feel my face is as hot as a smoking grill.Then he says, “hey you’re not putting on weight are you?” And laughs. Well that is enough for me to stop abruptly and turn on him.“Don’t be so rude, of course I haven’t. Besides it’s gross you checking out my butt. You’re supposed to be my bestie. Stop it.” I huff off up the stairs as he laughs behind me.“Hey I was just kidding. Don’t be so sensitive. I was joking. C’mon Tate you’re as thin as a rail. You even have flat pancake boobies.” He sniggers. I’m close to slapping his face.“Really? Well it’s a good job we’re not dating then isn’t it, you moron.” I reach the top step, turn left and walk along our hardwood floor to the fourth room on the left where my
TateI open my laptop and my notebook and start on my assignment. “I told you, Liam. I’m not doing yours as well. Deadline is next week so I suggest you get your butt off my bed and start doing some work.” I flick to my music app on my mobile and begin playing one of my favorite artists, Taylor Swift.“Yeah in a minute.” He says still with his eyes closed. I roll my eyes. I know I’m going to have a late night whilst he is out at practice then with Jennie, doing his too.I hear his mobile ring and then his voice. “Yeah, what’s up babe?” Who is he talking to and calling them babe? It makes my stomach drop and my chest tighten. Those are the words I want to hear him saying to me. I bet it’s fucking Jennie.“Sure, tonight after practice. I’m still on. I’ll swing by and pick you up from yours.” He is silent no doubt Jennie big tits is telling him all sorts of mind blowing things she’s going to do to Liam tonight. I feel sick. Physically sick.“Yeah, no problem. It’ll be fun. I can bring a