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wouldn’t notice and accuse me of being an emotional mess. 
    “Impressed much?”
    “Actually, I am.  I could never get up there and do that.”
    “Yes, you could,” he said, taking the last swig of his drink. “You’ve just gotta learn to live a little.  Let your hair down, Amanda.”  I started laughing and Brandon stared back at me, obviously wondering what had brought about my chuckle. “What’s so damn funny?”
    “My name’s not Amanda.”
    “Yes, it is.”
    “No.  It’s not.”
    “Then you’re just Mandy?”
    I folded my arms and openly scoffed across the table at him.
    “How have you known me since I was five and not know my name?”
    “Because you’re just Mandy.  I guess I just assumed,” he said, a puzzled look on his face. “So, what is it then?”
    “Miranda.”
    “Miranda?” he scoffed back. “Why the hell do you go by Mandy then?”
    “I don’t know.  My parents just always called me that.  It just goes to show we don’t know each other as well as I thought we did.”
    “C’mon, Miranda…”
    “Don’t call me that.”
    “Make up your mind.”
    “Just leave it at Mandy, okay?”
    “Fine,” he said, flagging down the waitress and ordering another drink. “It’s too bad though.  I like Miranda.”
    “You do?”
    “I do.  It’s pretty.  Kinda fancy sounding.”
    I’d never liked Miranda.  It sounded like an old lady to me, but now that Brandon mentioned it, maybe it was a nice name.
    I was about to respond, but was stopped when I saw someone approaching our table.  As she got closer, I realized she looked familiar.  It was Dana Daley, one of the bitches that had always tagged along with Adrienne, the most terrible girl in our high school.  I didn’t hate anyone, but I strongly disliked Dana.  She’d never been openly rude to me, but after what Adrienne and Alex did to Riley, I was close to hating that whole crew. 
    Brandon must’ve seen me looking at Dana because he turned around to see what had grabbed my attention.  I watched the expression on his face and I didn’t like it when I saw the corner of his mouth curl up, obviously satisfied with what he saw coming our way.
    Dana was pretty.  Always had been.  Her hair was a pretty shade of red and it always looked soft, almost too soft, as it hung over her shoulders.  She was tall and thin and perfect.  The type of girl, like Riley, who amplified every insecurity I had about myself.  The only difference was that Riley was nice.  Dana was not. 
    “Hi, Brandon,” Dana said when she finally reached our table and then her eyes drifted over to me. “Hey, Mandy.”
    I just acknowledged her with a forced smile, but didn’t say anything.
    “Dana Daley,” Brandon said, the sly grin on his face growing wider as his eyes moved over her body.  I wasn’t sure if Dana noticed him doing that, but I did. “How are you?”
    “I’m good,” she said and then gestured to the vacant seat at our table. “Do you mind?”
    “Not at all,” Brandon said and I suddenly felt like I’d disappeared from the table.  Dana slid the chair out and then sat down, leaning against the back while she crossed her legs, causing the short white skirt to hike up even further on her thighs.  I prayed she was wearing underwear because I was afraid if it went any higher, I’d be treated to a view I didn’t want to see.
    “I was surprised to see you up there.”
    “Mandy and I decided to come out and have a little fun tonight,” he said, glancing over to me.  Apparently he hadn’t forgotten I was still at the table after all.
    “I’ve been following the articles in the paper about you.  I’m glad you’re okay,” Dana said and I eyed her, trying to figure out what her motive was.  Ever since Alex completely destroyed Riley, I questioned if anyone in their social group actually had a soul. 
    “I’m fine now.  Thanks for the concern,” Brandon said. “What brings you out tonight?”
    “I’m in town for the