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July Short Story Challenge--Round Robin FINISHED - come read it.
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I still can't believe it happened....how did I, Timothy J. Barstedder, class nerd, closeted gay, and all around least popular senior at Claremont High ever manage to catch the eye of him---the dark horse...the rebel...the sexiest guy in our senior class. Surely I'm going to wake up at some point and realize this is all a dream. I mean this is the stuff of fairy tales, after all. But until then, I'm just going to lay here and remember how it all started...how one day 9 months ago, Jared Simmons walked into my AP Calculus class and my whole world began to change.
It was a typical first day of school until I looked across the aisle to the seat next to me and saw...
no, not Jared. I saw my twin sister Melissa. Definitely not in the same daydream-inducing class of visions. Missy... sorry, Melissa... screwed her face up at me and mouthed the words "Just keep your mouth shut, you hear me?" I shrugged, and looked away.See, my sister is popular. Where I have this hair that can't decide if it's brown or blond, curly or straight, but does know that it likes standing on end at the wrong times (like another part of my anatomy), well, Melissa has perfect silky blond hair. My eyes are muddy grey, hers are bright blue. I stumble, she glides. I babble, she always knows what to say... you get the picture.
Since we hit high school Melissa has always been very careful not to sign up for any of the same classes as me, to have a different lunch period, to find people she can ride with so we aren't even on the same bus.
Sometimes I wish it was like when we were younger. We were Timmy'nMissy, and we would do things together and tell each other stuff. But I can certainly understand why it's not like that any more. If I had a choice, I wouldn't have anything to do with me either. Plus, she starts talking about this boy or that boy, chatting with my parents at dinner, and I can't help wanting to come out with "Yeah, he's so hot." Which would be a bad idea, all the way around. So avoiding each other is probably for the best. But I guess there's only one AP Calculus, and we were stuck.
Trying to keep from even looking her way, I had my eyes on the door when it opened and in walked the other person I absolutely didn't want to share a classroom with all semester. Jared Simmons. Dark hair, dark eyes, pale skin and attitude. And the one guy who only had to open his mouth to drawl some snarky comment and... that standing up on end thing would happen far, far too often if Jared spent an hour in my line of sight every day.
I could tell Melissa had seen him too, because she leaned across the aisle to her friend Tara and said,...
"Look, it's Jared Simmons!" At Tara's blank look, Melissa added, "From the baseball team? It was his clutch hitting that got us to the state finals. All these scouts were following him around, the newspaper had two cover stories on him, and he just shined them all on." Tara sighed, "I love an enigma, especially a cute enigma."
I refrained from rolling my eyes. An enigma? Were they even on this planet? There was nothing enigmatic about Jared Simmons, nothing at all. His rich, dark features made him look kinda exotic--man, even from a respectable distance, those eyes seemed to be bottomless pools of molten coal--but the mystery ended there.The guy was a total...
Tool, with a capital T! Sure he deigned to show us all his "talent" on the baseball field but you think he ever once smiled at his screaming, hormone enthused fangirls? No way, not Mister all dark and brooding. Huh! Well, I certainly was not one who was going to fall all over Jared Simmons. No sir, not me. No way! Oh shit...who was I kidding, I was in so deep I was sure I was drowning.
And, of course, as luck would have it the only seat in the room that was still open was the one next to mine. I watched him slink toward the row next to mine and felt the panic start churning in my gut. I had to think of something to say, fast. How about hello? No, idiot! Maybe uh, whassup? Oh my god--I am clearly brain dead. Ok, Tim get a grip. Jesus, he's almost here. Right, I can do this. Just say nothing. That's right just nod your head--no big deal. Right...I got this. Piece of cake!
"Hey, so how about those tater tots at lunch? Were they like nuclear stomach bombs or what?"
Oh god...kill me now......
Say something else...for god's sake say something else QUICK!!
"Hehehe, just joking about the tots what I really meant to say was....
"um--"I was cut off by the screech of his chair. He folded himself gracefully...too gracefully for a jock...into his seat and stared at me like I'd grown horns.
"Tater tots? Like you'd even know. All you ever eat is those stupid salad bowls. What is that white gunk on them anyway?"
"Um, hummus?"
Dang. Was I doomed to stutter every time I opened my mouth? And how the hell did he know what I ate for lunch? I'd never noticed him looking my way.
"Whatever." Jared looked away, derisive already, and clearly bored. "Looks like funky mayo, or..."
"Barstedder, Timothy," said a voice, sounding as if it wasn't the first time. "Um, here," I croaked out. There was a chorus of snickers. Jeez, when had the teacher started roll?
"Mr. Barstedder, this is an advanced class, it is a privilege and I expect you to remember that and behave accordingly."
How unfair was that? I wasn't even the one caught talking. Jocks get away with everything.
I glanced over to see Jared trying to hide a smirk...or wait...was that a smile? Was the surly king of bad humor actually smiling...because of me?Well, yeah, sure it was because I had just gotten called out but still....Jared Simmons never smiled...at anybody, especially not at somebody like me. It wasn't as if he and I would ever be mistaken as friends--hah--friends? I shook my head and tried to stifle the slightly hysterical laugh that threatened to burst out. Jared shot me a glance--that closed off, cold as ice look he uses for anyone he deems to be beneath him. Now, this was more like it--this was the expression I was used to seeing. I felt myself start to relax and then, as usual, begin tumbling headlong into place. That spot where I so often am--alone and overlooked, like I'm some kind of ghost that no one ever sees. Figures, senior year was going to be just like every other year, long, boring and lonely. May as well take one last good look at the baseball god of Claremont High. It was a sure bet he would find a different seat tomorrow, one well away from that "looser, Tim Barstedder."
"Hey Barstedder, look lively dude, Teach is coming this way."
I jerked sideways, an open mouth stare on my face, and felt the rush of shock and awe at the sight of Jared Simmons smiling...at me...at...me?
"Geez Dude, close your mouth, you'd think you never...
Sammy2006 wrote: "I glanced over to see Jared trying to hide a smirk...or wait...was that a smile? Was the surly king of bad humor actually smiling...because of me?Well, yeah, sure it was because I had just gotte..."
"Geez Dude, close your mouth, you'd think you never__”
“Barstedder.” An angry reproaching scold was fixed at me, and an extremely high pitch cut him off. “Out.” She pointed her hand at the door of our classroom.
As stupid and embarrassed as I was, my jaw hanged open. I didn’t have to see my face in the mirror to know that I was flushing. I felt the rush of heat wash over my cheeks and my nick too. Of course the dimpled smile of Jared didn’t help either.
“Out, Bastedder, out. Now!” I swallowed hard as I stood picking up my stuff quickly. She was such a short- tempered teacher. Careful not to look anyone in the eyes, I strolled out of class as if my life depends on it. Well, it kinda did since I embarrassed myself in front of the whole freaking class. And Jared Simmons witnessed this.
I watched my ground, pulling step after another in order not to trip over. I made sure to close the door carefully behind me, although I was dying to make my way out of this creepy school. I really didn’t need furthermore humiliation, did I? I gulped a breathe. Funny she didn’t even pronounce my last name right this time. Hehe, right?
The door behind me cracked open stealing a startled yelped out of me. Two warm palms covered my mouth, containing my yelp in within. I blinked in an effort to make sure that my eyes weren’t fooling me around. Was I daydreaming again?
I tried to take a breath. Just a tiny one. First he smiled, then he laughed, and now he put his hands over my lips. I fought not to kiss those perfect hands, while my stomach flipped flopped with every passing second.
He took his hands of my mouth in pretty slow motion. He gestured to the door grinning, “I guess she knows now who has been the bad guy. Isn’t B-a-s-t-e-d-d-e-r?” Minus the R at the beginning. Typical Simmons. Hey, wait. Why would I care about the R, while Jared was teasing me?
My legs trembled under my body that I thanked god I was leaning against the wall to hold me still. He handed me a note… MY notebook. “It fell on the floor, and because I am a nice guy, I brought it to you. Not because clumsy people are quite…hmm… interesting.”
“Um…um…” Interesting, “I am not clumsy!” I denied in an attempt to make our said ‘conversation’ last a bit longer.
“Yeah, right!”
“I am just… shy.”
He smirked at me. “That.” Examining me. “I can…”
"...take notes for you--although from what I've heard "Brainiac Barstedder" could probably be teaching this class."I was mystified. Not only do I think I was just given some sort of ass backward compliment but I was standing in the hall way talking to Jared Simmons! Jared, "don't even look my way" Simmons and he was smiling--no, check that--he was ginning--a big, stupid, er, really nice grin at me.
I looked down at the note that would send me to detention most likely after I got chewed out by the Principal and felt my face heat up again. Crap, why did I always end up acting like a freaking girl around this guy? Because you like him, dipwad. I cringed as the truth hit me. I liked him. Yeah. Well, go me! One more fantasy to watch go down the drain.
"Hey, I was just joking around, dude. Seriously. I'll take notes and give them to you after school today, okay? Tim?"
I reared back at the sound of my name. Still clutching my note, I looked up at Jared and nearly melted right on the spot. The grin had softened somehow to this look...a look I had never seen directed at me...ever.
Jesus, he likes me. He likes me?
As I stood there, totally freaked and probably looking like an idiot, Jared Simmons reached up and put his hand on my shoulder, pushing against me, causing me to pivot away from the classroom door.
Go, you idiot, before you get in any more trouble. I'll see you later."
And then he gave me a little push and I was stumbling down the hall toward the school office.
I was going to meet with Jared Simmons. I was going to "see him later."
I almost squealed like a girl right then and there. Just as I rounded the corner to face the office door, I let go and a giggle exploded from my mouth as I barreled right into...
Rowan McCarthy. Damn. The girl who'd made my life hell since eighth grade, because despite my efforts, she seemed to know. Just my luck to bump into her when everything in my life was going ok for once. "Well, if it isn't Timothy Bastard." she drawled. "How's the"...
"Well, if it isn't Timothy Bastard." she drawled. "How's the ass kissing going, geekazoid?" Damn. We are alone in the hallway. And of course she's heading straight towards me.
"What are you talking about?" I snorted and tried to avoid her evil look which would only burn nightmares into my mind, again. I need to get out of that hallway. Fast. "Just leave me alone."
She came closer and for some inexplicable reason I couldn't keep my mouth shut even though I should have known better, and instead quietly turned around and ran for dear life.
"Come on, Mr. Freako.. We all know how you secretly earn your A+'s." Our eyes eventually met and as always I froze, feeling my heart fall through a hole right down my pants. "You don't want me to go there again, do you?"
There was no chance of dodging her, especially not in my frozen form. And in the blink of an eye she had me in a very uncomfortable, disgustingly close trap between the wall and her strong but feminine body. Yuck, even the scent of her nasty, spicy perfume made its way up my nose.
"C-Can't you just leave me alone? You've got no audience to witness your bullying... so, so what's the point?" OK stop right there Timothy Dumbass Barstedder. No point in playing heroic right now. Absolutely no point.
Unless you want to fish your shoes out of the girls toilet again.
Which I can proudly say, no, I absolutely have no need to relive.
Her braids dangled before my face and I wished I had the courage to push her away for once and slap her in the face with my notebook. Just one time I want to see her helpless on the floor crying. But all I could do was flinch my eyes and squeeze my notebook as tight as I could against my trembling chest.
"Oh I'll tell you what the point is ...
"Oh I'll tell you what the point is ..."Just then the main office door opened and Mrs. Johanson, the vice principal, stepped into the hall. Rowan stepped back, but not before jabbing her fingers into my breastbone, making me wince.
Why did I have to be so dang weak.
"What are you both doing out of class?" She asked, her face stern. Her face was always stern. I bet she was the ugliest baby ever.
I waved my note and quickly slipped around the doorframe into the office, leaving Rowan to splutter as she tried to lie her way through a suitable excuse.
Nasty cow deserved whatever she got.
***
Detention. This wasn't good. Me, locked into a room for two hours with an absentee teacher and some of the roughest kids in school. Crap. If I survived it would be a miracle of enormous proportions.
I sighed and headed off to my modern living class. At least there I fit right in, and could be myself. I wasn't sure where my domestic tendancies came from. My mom's cooking could kill a horse and she was an even worse housekeeper. I was amazed the dust bunnies hand't hauled us all away in our sleep yet.
"Hey, Barstedder."
I turned at the sound of my name and my day became a living travesty as...
... Mr. Schneider, my PE teacher since first grade and worst feared enemy, walked up behind me. Yes apparently there were not only a lot of kids that couldn’t stand me, for whatsoever reason, but also a handful of teacher. I never quite understood why. Sure I was weird maybe, even a little different but that’s no reason to hate someone is it? I never was one of those loud and obnoxious kids that never shut their mouth during class or played stupid pranks, yet everyone always found their own reason not to like me. And Mr. Schneider sure was one of them, if not the worst. Ever since our paths crossed, Schneider loved to tease me, show off my flaws and use me as an example of “what not to do during PE or any other class”. He sure knew how to make me look bad, my worst actually, and have everyone laugh at me like I was some sort of joke, which apparently I am. At least to almost everyone. I know what you think, aren’t kids usually bullied by other kids, probably bigger, stronger kids, but really you have no idea what life’s like being the one on the other side. All it takes to make my life the most miserable is one person, and it looks like that person is about to catch up with me on my first day of school. Why am I not surprised?
There’s gotta be something wrong with me, besides what everyone likes to point out. I mean, do I smell like “Come here and get me”? hinted with some “It’s been a while. Can’t wait to be bullied again.” .... Why does it look like every damn person who hates me in that school decided to welcome me personally on the first day...?
Before our eyes met I quickly looked away, then down right at my shoes as there was just no escape. Maybe he will just forget he saw me? Yeah right, because I'm that lucky....
I just wonder what the hell could Schneider possibly want from me today? Like every single year I haven’t signed up for any sports activity, because you see I simply suck. At everything involving fast or graceful movements, quick runs or high jumps or anything close to that. I can’t even catch a damned ball if its heading straight towards me. Usually it will hit me right into my face, or I fall and twist my ankle, or.. well, sadly I have to admit, I do make the best target for an old, grumpy and angry-at-life PE teacher.
"Hey, Barstedder I'm talking to you!"
His loud-voiced British accent always sends goose bumps down my spine, and no, not the good kind. I shake my head lightly, deciding whether to lift my head or pretend I didn’t hear him. Yeah, right.. like that would work.
As he stepped closer my eyes spot his worn out tennis shoes and eventually I couldn’t do anything but look up to face his angry expression. He always looked angry, I don’t think anyone has seen him not angry or heard him speak in a civilized voice.
"Y-Yes sir...?"
I ask in fear of what he really wants.
“Do you have anything on your ears Barstedder?”
“N-No.” I chew on my inner lip and flinch at his stare. “I’m sorry.”
“Show some more respect. There’s no place for someone like you in this school.”
“Yes sir.”
“You should be ashamed of yourself Barstedder. I just heard you made it into detention first. Out of 700 students, during your first class on your first day of senior year.”
Oh great. You don’t need to remind me of that.... I fear something reallybad is heading my way.
"Barstedder, I’ve got to admit. That’s something I haven’t expected you to pull off. So here I am, wanting to gratulate you with good news."
good news? You got to be kidding me.I really doubt anything good can come out of a talk with Schneider... like that last time before school break, when I ended up tied to a pole with a robe so tight I couldn’t get out myself only because Schneider encouraged some boy in my class to try his knotting talents on me. And everyone just left me there after class... I don’t even remember how I got free! Can you imagine?
“Are you with me Barstedder?”
“Y-yes sir! I’m .. sorry?”
Then he laughed out loud, holding his big belly with both hands. Seriously, I don’t understand how someone like him, mean, ugly, unhealthy, can be PE Teacher, oh and Coach of the soccer and baseball and i think tennis team.
“No no don’t be sorry Barstedder! This is great. I have been waiting for this!”
Great. He’s not giving me a skip-detention-bonus, is he? ha ha... who am I kidding.
“I have had you assigned as my helper for the next few hours on the field. You will do exactly as I tell you, and no back talk. Do you hear me Barstedder?”
“Y-yes sir!”
“You will carry and put away whatever stuff I assign you to and stay as long as needed. Do you understand?
“Y-yes sir...”
This is going to be so much worse than being locked up in a dusty room full or jerks and bullies..
“Today’s baseball practice, tomorrow’s tennis and then again baseball and well I give you this week’s schedule later..”
Wait what? since when does detention carry on all week? I didn’t even talk! This can’t be right.
“Wait, sir, Mr. Schneider sir, there’s got to be..a mistake..”
“Are you saying I make mistakes, Barstedder, are you?”
“Of course not. But..I...”
“No but and no damned stuttering! Get going, I am late because of you and your laziness..”
Just as he walked passed me he stopped and called over his shoulder. “By the way, Mrs. Heck owed me, so yes, I get you all week to myself. I couldn’t let this opportunity slip through my fingers! ” Then he disappeared with a loud laugh.
Oh man, this can’t be real...
This is just great, just great! I'm so screwed. Not just today, all week!
I sigh heavily and get going myself.
Me, out in the sun all afternoon for a week? Carrying heavy baseball stuff, running around at his command and yeah of course I will be shouted at non stop!
But, wait.. did he say baseball. Of course he did, today! Damn.
Heis coaching the team... yes he is! Oh my god that means....
That means. Jared. My afternoon will be filled with Jared.
JARED. The star of the baseball team, the star of my dreams, the..
OH MY GOD hottest baseball player ever.
I think, actually, this detention was meant to happen...
We had an acutal class together, that must have been fate!
And now that. Detention. Fated, Jared-filled detention.
Oh this is going way too well to be true.
No way my life would turn into something actually liveable...!?
There has got to be a twist somewhere...
***
“What the hell?” A tall, dark haired guy yelled at me as I stumbled through the grass catching up with a group of damned goodlooking boys ready to hit the field. Just as coach told me I went ahead with my arms full of more than I could actually carry as it turned out when I dropped a bucket full of balls right at the shouting boy’s feet.
“Who are YOU?” A blonde joined in and another, way more athletic and handsome version added annoyingly, “You’re not on the team!”.
“I-I- .. Schneider, Coach.. err.. ” I stuttered helpless and just blushed furiously as the words disappeared in my throat. I had to be red as a tomato. Oh yes, I could feel the familiar heat all over my face. Please someone get me out!
To avoid everyone’s stare and further questions I leaped onto my knees, trying to gather everything I had dropped.
But then there it was. That voice. Deep and throaty, almost adult like but so sweet ot the ear, my ear to be precise.
“Barstedder?”
I felt my blood rise and knew if I’d turn around I’d look straight at... Jared.
"Wait, you know him?" One of the boys asked and without an answer, Jared lowered down on his knees right next to me.
Unexpectedly he reached for one of the neglected balls, the same ball as I reached for, and before I could withdraw our fingers touched and....
I felt the zing all the way down to my toes. What's more is that Jared eyes widened and his expression registered such shock that I was betting he felt it too. I reared back taking the ball with me. Jared spoke to his teammate without taking his eyes off mine.Yeah, I know him. He's a friend of mine.
One of the jocks snickered and I felt the blood rise to my face, once again feeling like the loser I was. Why would he say that? Was he making fun of me? Did he realize what affect his words were going to have on his teammates? Now all the other neanderthals would be gunning for me just because I was supposedly the friend of Jared "baseball god" Simmons. Right! Like they were going to believe that. Hell, I didn't believe it. No, Jared was just having me on--oh goody, what joy! It was now going to be open season on Barstedder the freak, all because Jared Simmons decided to have a little fun.
I lowered my eyes and dropped my head waiting for the inevitable crap remarks to start. Just knelt there like the stupid ass I felt like and waited for Jared to join in with the rest. There was no way he really meant what he said before. Probably just got flustered or something and just said the first thing he could think of --just my luck it was enough to bring down the shit storm that was already brewing above me.
But then, something amazing happened. Instead of backing down and realizing what he said might get him into trouble with his buddies on the team, Jared started talking...no, strike that, he started snarling. Oh my god...was he defending me? I'd never heard that sound he was making before--like he wanted to rip somebodies' head off. He was honest to god growling and damn, if that sound did not go straight to my cock.
Shut your hole, McPhereson, and get on the field. Last time I checked you could barely hit one of those balls Barstedder is lugging around much less catch it.
I took a surreptitious glance at the other guys. They were still snickering but lo and behold not at me. No, they were all looking at McPhereson and getting a real jolt out of the fact that he had just been served, big time. McPhereson, on the other hand, was far from amused and took that moment to shoot me a look that said he'd likely find me later and kill me dead but I could have cared less at that point. At that moment, I was staring dumbfounded at Jared and frantically trying to wrap my head around the fact that he had just stood up for me...me! Jared...liked me? No...but then again...maybe?
And just then, when I thought the day could not get any crazier, Jared looked at me and said...
"Do you want a turn?" I stood there, like a complete idiot. I blinked a couple of times, "What?"
"Do you want a turn? To hit the baseball." He stated more clearly.
"I-" would probably look like an idiot if I tried to hit the ball. "-would love to."
Did I just say that?
He handed me the bat. I took it and tried to tell him (by spluttering random words) that I didn't actually know how to play.
Somehow, he understood me, "Okay; I'll teach you."
He came behind me and wrapped his arms around me, repositioning my grip on the bat."You need to hold it like this if you want to actually hit the ball. If you want to bunt it, you hold it like this."
He rearranged my hands again, so that one of them was on the thick part (what is that called? Hell if I know) and the other on the handle/grip thingy, where the hands usually go. Putting my hands back into the normal position, he wrapped his hands around mine and swung, the bat slicing the the air in an arc motion, lifting slightly up at the end.
My body tingled wherever he touched me, causing my insides to melt into mush. My knees almost gave out beneath me, and the only reason they didn't way the strong grip he had on my body. Just when I was really starting the enjoy this baseball thing...
[I have no idea how to play baseball, so all of this is complete BS...I think.]
...I felt myself flushing, sweating, so far from cool that I needed to breathe. We were in public, right out on the edge of the field. I couldn't do this. I was enjoying it too much. I dropped the bat and wiggled out of his grip. "Thanks, but, I mean, I think I'd better just, not play around. I'm supposed to work, right?" "Okay." I thought that might be a flash of disappointment in his dark eyes, probably at how pathetic I was, but he picked up the bat and leaned it against the backstop. "See you."
He jogged off, and caught up with the other guys running laps around the field. I watched him, thinking about how perfect a baseball uniform was for showing...
Thwap! A paper folder made a loud impact smacked across the back of my head.
"Come on." Coach Schneider frowned at me. "Get the rest of that equipment. Move it. The guys don't want to wait on you all day to start practice."
He gestured, and I set the bucket full of balls where he pointed, and went back for the rest. Practice was both too long and too short. Short, because watching Jared in motion had become my favorite thing, and two hours was never enough. Long, because Coach decided to have the guys practice hitting to the outfield, but told me to shag all the balls that the outfielders missed. I ran more in the next half hour than I think I have in ten years. I mean, I like jogging and even hiking, but dashing back and forth scooping up balls is just not my thing. I stubbed my fingers, stubbed my toes. I think a couple of the guys let balls get by them, just to make me work. Although that stopped when Coach yelled at them for lousy fielding. And as for throwing the ball back - well, I like to think that I gave some of the guys cramps with all the laughing they were doing.
It was okay when Jared was on the hitting team. He was far away and I was busy. But when he joined the fielding team, his back was to me. Which meant his ass was to me as he bent over, hands on his knees, and... Crap! I almost got brained by a ball that sailed over the fielder's head. I scrambled away from it, fell in the dirt and rolled. Coach yelled, "You're out there to get the damned balls, Barstedder, not play dodgeball with them!"
I got up and ran for it. Jared was already there, picking it up. He glanced at me, murmured, "Take it easy. Don't kill yourself for Coach Snidley Whiplash." He gunned the ball back in to the pitcher, his precise throw making my pathetic efforts seem even worse. But he gave me a grin that took all the sting out of it, before jogging back to his position.
Practice went by like a blur of panting and running and carrying things and staring at Jared, and being yelled at by the coach, and running... And then suddenly it was over, and the team guys were all running in toward the showers.
My mind immediately went to those showers. No. I was not thinking about that. The coach shoved an armload of bats at me, and hooked a heavy bucket of balls over my index finger. "Get those put away. I'll see you tomorrow." He grinned evilly. "Tennis. Lots of balls to shag."
I held my breath until he'd walked far enough not to hear me, and then cursed. I think I was channeling my Granny Louden, who was in the Navy.
Jared's voice said from behind me, "That's actually pretty impressive."
I whirled. "I thought you were changing."
"Not yet." God, he looked good all hot and shiny, and yet still tidy, in that uniform. "I'll head that way in a second, but I wanted to ask... would you wait here for me. Until I come back?"
Would I? "Hell, yeah. I mean I have to put this stuff away, but after."
"Meet you over by the bleachers, in half an hour?"
"Sure."
He gave me that smile again. The one I was beginning to consider my private smile, and dashed toward school. I followed more slowly, trying to hold the balls without having my finger break off, and thinking about how strange a day it had been.
It all blended in my mind - Jared, detention, Jared, Coach, Jared, ball team... I hardly noticed I was getting wet until a raindrop hit my nose. Double crap.
I hurried inside, put the bats and balls where I found them, and headed for the boys' bathroom on the other side of school. It was empty, as I'd hoped, and I stood in front of the mirror. I was a mess, my shirt rumpled, dirt ground into my hands and elbows, and even my forehead. How the heck did I get dirt up there?
I washed awkwardly with paper towels at the sink. My hair was hopeless, I never carried a comb. I wetted my fingers and dragged them through it, to get it off my face. And looked at the slightly less rumpled but still uncool reflection in the mirror. What the hell was Jared seeing to smile at?
It felt like a dream, some kind of fantasy. But if it was, I was going to play it out. I headed back toward the ball field.
The rain was slacking off as I reached the doors. The last drops misted down on me, almost gently, and then the sun came out. I went over to the bleachers and stood there, looking at the puddled grass. The door to the school opened and a few of the guys came out and headed to their cars without even looking at me. Then one guy alone. Then a girl, coming from who knows what. And then Jared.
He had his black jeans and his sweatshirt and his cool firmly in place, as he sauntered toward me. But I saw his eyes sparkle as he got close.
"You did wait."
"Yeah."
He glanced around. "Did you get rained on? At least it cleaned you up a bit."
"Moron. I ducked into the can for a bit." Oops, calling him moron was probably not good.
But he actually grinned. "You care how you look for me."
I wasn't admitting it. "I had dirt on my face."
"So you did." He came closer, reached out. His voice was soft. "You missed a bit." He touched my forehead, brushing my hair out of the way.
I waited, holding my breath. But he just touched my temple lightly, and then dropped his hand. "So. You want to come over to my place? I have this awesome gaming system. You could check it out."
"I'd like that." Was this a date? Just friends?
"I live close. We can walk it."
"Sure."
We turned to go. I walked beside him, my sneakers squelching on the grass. He wasn't looking at me. It was all so... nothing.
Then he reached out, still without looking, and took my hand. Wow. Just wrapped his fingers around mine and squeezed lightly. For a second I was too startled to squeeze back. Then I felt his grip loosen, and he moved a bit further away. Hell, no!
I tightened my hand on his, feeling the strong, warm fingers, the slightly scratchy wool of the fingerless glove he wore, the brush of his sweatshirt sleeve against my bare wrist. Greatly daring, I gave his arm a little tug. He glanced at me, and a tiny smile crossed his lips. He moved closer again, not letting go.
And we walked together, holding hands, across that wet, grassy field, toward the future. Me and Jared Simmons. Who would have ever thought it?
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aww that was a really sweet ending! *_* sometimes you don't need words to feel loved right? thanks for writing!
It was a great group effort - I really enjoy these.
Kaje wrote: "It was a great group effort - I really enjoy these."Yes it's s group effort and I enjoyed all the parts, was just thanking you cause I was worried no one would finish it, but you did. Yay! lol
Yes those are really fun, how so different ideas come together and all.
I seem to be the finisher for these, which is fine, since I enjoy the challenge of rounding off the story in a fitting way :)
I love the ending XD so perfect!!And I cannot believe that the pic I posted won lol
It was a great picture. Thanks everyone and thanks Kaje for a great ending.
So let's do it again--look at the lovely picture below--and join in the fun--I will start us off...let me see...what can my devious mind come up with this time?
Remember any length post will do--always leave a dangling prompt for the next writer to pick up on so they can add to the previous post. And, as always, keep it YA! Now--bunnies--let's get hopping!