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Life is hard as a teen...especially one in dairyland. |
| [Introduction]
Hey Guys! I had this idea in my head for a while and I thought it would be fun to have more people be in it. This campfire is set in the present in Hebetude, Wisconsin. Make up characters and stories about them. another thing, the school is Hebe High. mascot:hartebeests. Have Fun!
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| “Another wonderful day at Hebe High,” Tulia said as she opened the glass door that led into the high school. Hebe High was like any other high school. There were always kids crowding the hallways with their “click” of friends while the teachers tried to make them go to class without any luck. The halls were painted white originally but over the years the eggshell white turned into a flemmy yellow. The classrooms were small but were filled to the maximum capacity of 15 students. Sure Hebe High had all of the different “categories” such as the Goths, punks, ghettos, nerds, kind of dorky and of course the wannabes, but one group was the most dominant…The spirits. The spirits at Hebe High included the school sports players and of course the cheerleaders. Hebe is a school that thrives on victory so what’s the best way to get that said victory? Sports of course! They have golf, basketball, tennis, hockey, baseball, football. If you can think of it, Hebe has it. Hebe high even has a synchronized swimming team. The pep rallies at Hebe are so huge that the school has to rent a place to host them. So yeah, Hebe High is like other schools, except for the fact that it is completely surrounded by cow farms. It is dairy country. “It’s not that bad here Tulia,” Mia said entering the school with her friend. “I actually think it’s exciting.” Tulia stopped walking and smirked at her friend. “Are you serious Mia? We just walked from a bus that is probably older then my parents to walk by a brown cow mooing, which I may add you waved at…” Mia lifted her shoulders. “What? She was cute.” “Whatever, beside the point. But then we walk into a yellow walled school that has banner signs everywhere that all read: Hit ‘em hard Hebe high Hartebeests. If this excites you then I wonder what you’ll be like when we go down to Illinois on Friday.” “You’re always so negative Tulia. Just think, this time on Friday we will be sitting in the stands and bouncing around at the pep rally.” “First of all, how can anyone not seem negative next to you, the eternal optimist? And secondly, I don’t bounce. Fat people jiggle not bounce.” Mia slapped Tulia on the arm. “Stop that! You are NOT fat. You are very curvy and I would kill to have your…bosoms.” Tulia dropped her backpack and started laughing. “Bosoms? Who the hell says bosoms? They are breasts, boobs, a rack, whatever you want just not bosoms. And YOU, my dear, have nothing to complain about because you’re a size 4 and you have a boyfriend, as compared to me who is the human repellant of everything male.” Mia rolled her eyes and opened her mouth to say something when the first bell rang. “I need to get to class but don’t put yourself down. You are an amazing person and one day boys are going to stop being such idiots and drool all over you. I gotta go so see ya soon Tulia.” Mia started to walk away. “Hey Mia,” Tulia called after her. “Yeah?” Mia said turning back so her long reddish locks swished about. “Thanks for saying that,” Tulia said tucking a piece of her wavy dark hair behind her ear. Mia grinned wide, exposing her braces clad teeth. “No prob Tul. What are best friends for?” she waved once more then walked off to class. |
| Remedy Stiles, thought of as a very studious student (and only as a very studious student, nothing more), sat down in her Honors English class as she shuffled through her hair with her fingers. It was so messy! "Hey Remedy," Ms. Luen, her teacher, said. "Have you been thinking about those colleges I suggested to you the other day?" Remedy rolled her eyes. "Yes, Ms. L. I looked at them. They're...good. My parents want me to go to Hebe Junior College first, though. So..." Ms. Luen beamed. "Well, I'm sure they'll change their minds when I send them a very encouraging email!" she laughed. "You do want to go to those colleges, don't you?" "I guess so..." Remedy stuttered. She was a sixteen year old in the middle of her sophomore year of high school. Waiting for things to improve. Ms. Luen walked away, and Julie Acres, the Head Cheerleader walked by. "Hello Remedy," she said in her high-pitched phony voice. "How's that boyfriend of yours doing along?" Julie was referring to Marco Majjy, the guy in which everybody knew was gay. And because everybody knew he was gay, Marco decided to deny the fact to spare his humiliation. Little did he know, that denying the fact gave him even more humiliation. Everybody held resentment against him--except for Remedy, and a few others, who, unlike Julie, were nice and compassionate people. Remedy ignored her. Usually, things sucked at Hebe High. |
| What the hell is dairy country! Vicky Scott remember shouting at her parents when they suggested moving to Hebetude, Wisconsin. It’ll be a nice change from the city life was all they replied. So being said, what was once just a suggestion her parents threw around when they wanted to upset her, turned into a fact. She was stuck there. She had refused to go to school this morning, but her parents ignored her as they usually did. Today marked the first day she would be attending Hebe High. Her first period was math, her least favorite subject in the world. She just sat in the class as the seconds slowly ticked by longing for the bell to ring. All through the class she could feel everyone eye on her giving her an uneasy feeling. So when the bell rang she practically ran out the classroom, completely missing what the homework was. Vicky only stopped when she reached her locker, catching her breath while simultaneously getting her books for the next class. Which would be… she said to herself as she pulled out her schedule...World History. She ran her hands through her brown hair, trying her best to make it presentable again. Vicky actually had to introduce herself in her second period. “I my name is Victoria Scott…” she began, trying her best to finish as fast as she could. When she was finished she turned her hazel eyes to the teacher who she had learned was Ms. Wood. “Hello Victoria,” Ms. Wood replied after reading Vicky’s signal. “Your seat will be over there…by Tulia.” “Alright,” she replied as she did what she was told. |
“Boo!” Mia said as she jumped out from behind a locker. Tulia jumped, dropping her books to the floor and one heavy Honors Chemistry book hitting her foot. Mia got on the floor and picked up the books. “Sorry Tul, Is your foot okay?” Tulia rubbed her foot and gave Mia a mean look. “I’m fine but are you? You know how I hate to be scared but yet you try to scare me anyways. Do you want me to hate you?” “I’m really sorry Tul…” she was cut off by Tulia laughing, “And you are laughing why?” Tulia stopped and smiled big with her glossy white teeth. “You thought I was mad. You are such a pushover.” Mia’s mouth fell into an open smile then she hit Tulia on the arm. “You brat! You are so…” Once again Mia was cut off but this time her boyfriend Ryan picked her up and spun her around. Once he put her down, they kissed and held hands. Ryan looked at Mia and smiled. “Hello beautiful. How has your day been?” “Great now…and yourself handsome?” Mia said with a big smile. “When I get to see you it is heaven,” Ryan said before kissing his girlfriend again. Mia turned back to her locker, not wanting to see the public display of affection. Ryan Hudson was a good looking kid. He had red hair that had a nice curl to it. Ryan had large brown eyes that appeared reddish because of his hair. He had had braces for four years but had recently taken them off, leaving him with a white metalless grin that ended with two dimples. He was extremely tall for a sophomore, about 6’5, and always made jokes about it. He towered over his girlfriend who was a mere 5’2 but they made it work for the past year. “Hey Jimmy,” Ryan said. Tulia rolled her green eyes and looked away from her locker to who Ryan was talking to. It was Jimmy Dean, an odd name but then again they were in an odd town. “Well, well, well. If it isn’t two pretty girls…and a giant. How’s life?” Jimmy said running a hand in his black hair. “Great until I saw you,” Tulia said with a smile. Jimmy, who was looking at Kyle, Turned his head to Tulia and gave her a big grin before walking over to her. “Now let’s not lie Tulia. I know how much you missed me.” Tulia rolled her eyes. “You can see right through me can’t you Jimmy?” she said sarcastically. Jimmy gave a little chuckle. Mia touched Tulia on the shoulder and smiled. “Hey Tul,” Mia said, “Ryan and I have to get to band. See you at lunch.” Mia and Ryan waved and walked away hand in hand. Jimmy and Tulia were left alone. Jimmy put his red and white varsity jacket wearing back against the locker next to Tulia. “So how was your day so far?” Jimmy asked seriously. Tulia kept fiddling with her books and backpack so she didn’t bother to look at Jimmy. “Ehh. It’s been okay. Today in world history we got a new student. Her name is Victoria. She seems really nice. I just hope the cheerleaders don’t get to her. How ‘bout yourself?” “My day has been good. I never get any time for my friends though. This school is completely mad about the pep rally on Friday and the games on Saturday.” Tulia closed her locker and faced Jimmy. “Oh yeah Jimmy. I’m sure it’s so hard being followed around all day by girls.” Jimmy put his hands up. “It is! I’m always hearing Jimmy. I never thought I would get mad at the sound of my own name. But hell, that’s what I get for being the captain of the basketball team. Everyone praises me…except you of course. I think you loath me sometimes.” “I don’t loath you Jimmy. Just because I don’t go around yelling “O captain, my captain” whenever you’re around doesn’t mean I don’t like you. You know how I’m not really into the school spirit thing.” Jimmy laughed. His dark brown eyes squinted when he laughed hard. “Sure you aren’t Tulia. That’s why whenever you come to one of my games I see you cheering as loud as the rest of the crowd if not louder.” “Okay, okay. So I do like basketball but what can I say? It’s exciting.” “That’s good then. So you’ll be next to the basketball pit tomorrow at the pep rally?” Jimmy said with a huge grin exposing all of his perfect teeth. Tulia shook her head. “Nope. I don’t even know if I’m gonna be there” “Awe, c’mon Tulia. The pep rally is a mandatory thing so you’re gonna have to sit somewhere so why not by me?” Tulia looked at Jimmy for a few seconds then smiled. “I…” Jenny Frank walked up to Jimmy then and got real close. She was wearing the red and white cheerleading outfit that the cheerleaders had to wear. She was really thin, a size two, and had long, almost white, straight blonde hair. Jenny was 5’6 like Tulia and wore a lot of blue eye makeup. She gave Tulia a dirty look then looked back at Jimmy. “Hi Jimmy Dean. Ashley wants to take a picture of us together so come on,” she said pulling him away. Jimmy stopped and moved away. “Okay Jenny. Let me just say goodbye to my friend okay?” Jenny looked Tulia up and down. “I suppose,” she said before rolling her eyes and walking away. “Wow. She’s really friendly. I bet she doesn’t eat to stay so thin,” Tulia said shaking her head. “I don’t think she does. She really should though,” Jimmy said. “Yeah, act like you don’t like her thin.” “I don’t. I don’t like thin like that. I’m afraid they’ll break in half or something.” Jenny called from down the hall. “Jimmy, Jimmy Dean!” “You better go. You’re groupies are waiting for you,” Tulia said moving away from the locker. “I guess I should. I’m expecting you to be by the pit tomorrow. I’ll see you next period in chemistry,” Jimmy said smiling once more then walking off to take the picture. Tulia smiled then walked off to chemistry. |
| Remedy walked down the hallways aloofly, making sure she wasn't going to make eye contact with any one of her peers. She had made it through three classes already and now it was time for lunch. Remedy hated this period most of all. She always sat by herself. She didn't talk to anybody and nobody talked to her. The fact was, plainly, that she didn't like talking to her peers as much as the average Hebe High highschooler would. Sure, your average highschooler would have feelings for resentment and loneliness. But Remedy held these feelings tight to her soul everyday. She wouldn't lie and say she didn't have any friends; she had a few of them. And talked to them whenever possible during school hours. What Remedy usually did during lunch was scribble around in one of her spare notebooks, or, if she didn't bring any of them with her, she'd just take her geometry notebook or chemistry notebook and tear out a few pages from back. As she neared the lunchroom doors, she sat over on the edge of the lunchtable. Faintly, she heard words from other conversations all around her. She didn't pay much attention to them. The conversations she paid attention to most was the ones on the bus. There was always this extremely loud-voiced, high-pitched, annoying little freshman girl, a cheerleader, named Suzie Bellinen, talking about the funny, muscular, amazing sophomore she had a crush on. She'd laugh constantly. The bus ride was another one of Remedy's least favorite times of the day. Only a few more weeks until I get my driver's license, she reasoned with herself as she ate. Then maybe I can start driving to school. Of course, there was a car to think about and payments, but all of that would come later. Sitting alone at lunch was only one of her daily rituals. |
| Her third class had just finished and Victoria made her way down the halls. She had to admit her day so far was better than she had expected. The only low point in it as of now was math, but she never liked math so she could blame Hebe High for that. As she walked something caught her eye. It was a banner announcing the basketball game on Saturday and the pep rally tomorrow. Might be interesting she thought as she stared at the banner a bit longer. “Excuse me,” she said as she tapped a girl who was clearly a Hebe High cheerleader on the shoulder. The girl turned to her, then rolled her eyes and turned back to her friends. Vicky tapped the girl again. “What do you want,” the cheerleader replied very annoyed. “Just wanted to know, where to find the couch of the girl basketball team,” Vicky replied as she faked a smile. “Why would I know something like that,” she scoffed, and once again turned back to her friends. As Vicky walked off she could here them snickering and laughing in the background. Victoria was forced to find her way to the coach on her own. She found that were a few helpful people along the way making her search easier. When she reached the gym where the coach was supposed to be, she looked in slowly. Inside the coach was working with two girls on their jump shots. “Coach Michaels,” Victoria said more like a question than a statement. “How can I help,” the woman replied as she turned away form the other two girls for a moment. “I’m Victoria Scott,” she said as she cleared her throat, “I just transferred here and I was wondering if it was too late to join your team. At my old school I was a pretty good player, you could check my transcript.” Coach Michaels smiled as she checked her watch, “There’s still some lunch time left…come on over and short some shots with the girls.” A half an hour later the bell ran. “Time for class, you were good,” the coach replied, “I’ll be seeing the three of you at the pep rally tomorrow.” |
“The nitrochloric acid must NEVER mix with the tetrachloride dioxide. If it does then…” Mrs. Charles explained. As always, she stood in front of the class with her large ruler in one hand and a piece of chalk in the other. In her red and orange cotton skirt, she observed the class through her thin frameless glasses. Mrs. Charles never smiled. Some claim it’s because she can’t. Others believe it’s because she hates kids. But no one knew the real reason. Mrs. Charles wasn’t always so grumpy, why; fellow elders claim she was one of the cheeriest people they ever met. But, of course, that was way back when, when she was Sylvia Grangerson. When she was younger, in high school actually, Sylvia had the world at her feet. She was the brightest of her class, she was captain of the cheerleading squad at Hebe High and she could not have been more popular. She always wanted to be a teacher so when senior year was over; she went straight to NYU never wanting to look back. And she didn’t. Sylvia Grangerson was at the top and nothing could pull her down…that was until the Korean War. For six years, Sylvia had been in love. He was the love of her life, as she claims. Thomas Bent was smart, sophisticated fun…and had the brightest blue eyes anyone had ever seen. Plus, he loved his Sylvie with his whole heart. Since freshmen year in high school, they were inseparable. But when news broke out about another war in the ‘50’s, Thomas was the first to enlist. Thomas promised his Sylvie he would come back for her, knowing that their love would last a lifetime. He left on January 1st for Korea, leaving his love sitting on a fountain with nothing more than a promise ring. Even though they would love each other for the rest of their lives, his life didn’t last long. Word came about three months later, Thomas Phillip Bent was found dead. Sylvia, not being able to handle the memories, went back to Hebetude, Wisconsin where she found herself pregnant, from the night before Thomas left. Her father, pastor Grangerson, could not have a daughter pregnant out of wedlock. So, he talked to his friend and set up a marriage between Sylvia and Frank Charles. Soon she became Mrs. Charles and started teaching at the local high school. For decades, Mrs. Charles had longed to return to New York and visit the places that her true love last saw. Sadly, she hadn’t been able to return but she always wore the ring Thomas gave her on a necklace around her neck. At that moment, Jimmy Dean sneaked in, hoping she wouldn’t catch him with her back turned. He sat down next to Tulia and smirked. Tulia rolled her eyes and ran a hand through her dark waves before turning her gaze to Jimmy. “She’s going to catch you one of these days,” Tulia said matter of factly. Jimmy leaned in and swiped away a strand of hair from her face before gazing into her eyes. “I’ll worry about that when I get caught.” Tulia felt her face getting red. She quickly dropped the gaze and faced forward. “Um well…maybe you shouldn’t be late.” Jimmy still looked at her and smirked before sitting forward as well. “I guess I could, but I won’t,” he said in his smart ass way of talking. Mrs. Charles turned towards that class and looked at Jimmy. “James? Were you always there?” she questioned. “Um…yeah. Since the class started anyway,” Jimmy said innocently. “Hmm. I marked you absent. I must not have seen you,” she said before releasing the class to do the lab. As always, Tulia was lab partners with Jimmy. He watched her as she poured the nitrochloric acid into the beaker then put it over the Bunsen burner. Tulia did a side look and noticed Jimmy staring at her. “Can I help you Jimmy?” Tulia said turning towards him. “Its lavender isn’t it?” he said still staring. Tulia raised an eyebrow. “Jimmy, you need to speak in complete sentences alright. I know on your planet they can just speak in grunts, but down here on Earth we speak so there people can UNDERSTAND us. So, is what lavender?” “Your shampoo. Is it?” “O…Kay Jimmy. Yes it is and why are you talking about my shampoo?” “I thought so,” Jimmy smiled then noticed the weird look Tulia was giving him. “I uh, I just wanted to know what that smell is that is choking me to death,” he said swiping at his nose. Tulia rolled her eyes and looked back at the lab. “Thanks Jimmy. Can you give me the solution, or will my shampoo kill you?” Jimmy picked up the solution and put it on the table next to Tulia. “I was just messing with you Tul,” Jimmy said with a chuckle. His voice got softer. “I think your hair smells nice,” he said almost whispering. Tulia bit her lip but didn’t look at him. “Excited about the pep rally tomorrow?” Tulia asked quickly changing the subject. “No, dreading it is more like it.” “Why? Everyone loves you and will be screaming out your name.” “Exactly Tul. I’m going to go into the stadium down the street that they rent out because there is so many people, and hear nothing but Jim-my! Jim-my! I don’t like all of this attention.” “But you’re the captain of the basketball team. What did you expect?” “I…I don’t know. Not this I guess. I wouldn’t have gone out for the team if I knew it would be like this.” “Yes you would have. You love basketball Jimmy. It’s the thing that makes you happy. If you didn’t you would fade into the background like me and would have made basketball your guilty pleasure. Is that what you want?” Jimmy sighed. “I guess not. I mean, having one guilty pleasure is hard enough.” Tulia turned off the Bunsen burner and smiled at Jimmy. “Sure, Jimmy. YOU have a guilty pleasure. What is it then?” “Y…Forget it,” Jimmy said swallowing hard. “The point here is that I have one and it is very hard to deal with because if anyone found out I might die.” “You are so mellow dramatic Jimmy Dean. Why would someone finding out your “secret” cause you to die?” “Rejection,” Jimmy said quickly before he could stop himself. “Oh I see. You like a girl. Honestly Jimmy you should just go for it because you’ll never know until you try.” “It’s not that simple Tulia.” “Sure it is! Go up to the girl and say, ‘I think you’re hot.’ That will pull in the cheerleader definitely.” “See Tulia that would work if she was a cheerleader but she’s not.” “So you like a girl with a brain? That then, will take some effort. Still, I think you should tell her how you feel.” “There are um…complications involved. Let’s change the subject. I would really like you to sit by the basketball pit tomorrow. Will you?” Tulia picked up her things, getting ready for the last bell for school to be over. “I guess Jimmy. I can’t sit with Mia anyway because she is with the band people.” Jimmy smiled a wide white smile. “Great!” The bell rang. Tulia was leaving when Jimmy grabbed her arm. “Hey Tulia.” Tulia turned around and smiled. “Yeah?” “Do you…do you want to sit with me on the ride to Illinois on Saturday?” Jimmy asked slowly looking up from the ground, only to be met with a smile. “Sure Jimmy. I’d love to.” |
| In art class, Victoria found she was not the only new student in school. Vicky learned that her name was Aya Hamaraski, from Japan. The two had to sit next to each other. “Well good evening class, I have decided that today we are going to start on a group project. For this project since there are 15 of you... how does 5 groups of 3 sound?” The teacher, Mr. Callahan asked rhetorically, then pointing to the walls, “each group will have their own section of the walls covered with canvas marked off. The point is for each group to make a mural, the theme and look is your choice. My fellow teachers in the art department and myself will judge each mural and grade them accordingly. Be creative and have fun. Now you got 2 minutes... choose your partners.” After the rush of students had ebbed, the only three left was Victoria, Aya and another girl by the name of Remedy Stiles. “I guess where gonna be working together,” Vicky replied jokingly as she pulled her seat up to theirs. Remedy surged while Aya nodded. “Well then let’s get stared,” Remedy replied after a moment of silence. “What should the focus of this mural be?” “How about the joy of being home,” Aya suggested in a soft unsure voice. “That sounds good,” Vicky added, but Remedy shook her head. “Nah that won’t be so good” Remedy said. With each suggestion, there was a disagreement. It was obvious if they were going to finish the project they where going to need to find a common ground, something like their, in some cases new, hatred for cheerleaders. |
| Remedy decided to keep her mouth shut for the remainder of art class, which was, approximentally forty-one more minutes. She let the new kids, Aya and Victoria do all the talking. Remedy hated to draw, mainly because she didn't have the patience or talent, and decided to herself that she would let Aya and Victoria do all the work. They were obviously both very interested in art and wouldn't mind the extra work. They probably would be happy to have it, Remedy thought silently to herself. Remedy kept on thinking a million things in her head, they were all getting so crowded and annoying. She felt sad. She kept on remembering that annoying little freshman cheerleader on the bus. Before long, Remedy heard a voice behind her. "Hey Rem," it said. She looked over and spotted Marco Majjy. She wasn't too good of friends with him, but they were enough to be casual aquantances. "Hi Marco," she said, stuttering. She glanced over at Victoria, who had given her some sort of a look for talking to somebody outside of the group. It's not like I was giving in input anyway, Remedy thought. I only said three, four sentences at the most. And now the period is almost over. "I just wanna say thanks," he said, looking at her appreciately. Remedy looked confused. "For what?" "For telling Julie Acres that I was your boyfriend." Shock covered every inch of her body. "What?" she asked again, not fully understanding Marco's statement. "Thanks," Marco said again. He began to speak again, whispering. "For helping me. For posing as my girlfriend. Julie just came up to me last period and asked me how you were doing. Then she told me you said that we were going out... So, thanks, Rem. You're a real good friend." Before Remedy could say anything else, Marco immediately left to go back to his group. A knot embeddened in her throat. She started to remember the conversation she had had with Julie first period, Honors English class. Her words echoed in her mind. How's that boyfriend of yours doing along? This was so awful!! Nothing was going right. Remedy got up from her seat and ran out of the classroom immediately, rushing for the bathroom. As soon as she got there, she let it all out. She locked herself in the bathroom stall, and started crying. This was not going good at all. Besides being mute to the world, always being wrong when it came to social situations, and being shunned by the stupid cheerleaders, now she was "going out" with a gay boyfriend. Just as Remedy started to tell herself that everything would be okay, she heard a familiar, very high-pitched voice coming into the bathroom. "He is soooo cute," it said. It was Suzie Bellinen, the annoying freshman cheerleader. "I know he's a sophomore, but..." She continued on talking to her two other friends, as Remedy embraced another cycle of tears. |
| The last bell of the day rang. A swarm of students headed into the hallways. The busses were supposed to leave by 2:50, but so many people formed little groups that the busses didn’t move until 3:15. Tulia had tried to make it through the crowd but had gotten a sudden urge to pee. She ducked into the nearest bathroom before a crowd of people formed around it. As Tulia placed her backpack on the checkered green floor, she heard someone crying. At first Tulia thought it was just in her brain, but then she heard someone cough. Tulia bent down and looked under all of the stalls. She saw someone sitting on the ground in the handicap stall. Tulia walked to the last stall and opened the door. There was a girl, who looked about Tulia’s age, sitting on the ground crying her heart out. Tulia bit her lip and walked in. “You’re gonna get dirty sitting on this floor,” Tulia said with a smile. The girl jumped up at her voice and started picking up her things. “O god, I’m so embarrassed,” the girl kept repeating as she was packing up and crying. Tulia placed her hand on the girl’s back, stopping the girl from packing up. “Are you okay?” The girl nodded her head and stood up. Tulia stood in front of the girl’s path. “I know you. You’re that girl in my honors English class, Remedy, right?” Remedy nodded her head again. “You are an amazing poem writer. I really do idolize you,” Tulia smirked. Remedy looked up at Tulia for a second and smiled slightly before looking back at the ground. “I’m not that good,” Remedy said. “TSS please. I don’t know anyone better. My name is…” “Tulia Affleck. I know,” Remedy said. “Well stupid me, of course you know. You are in my class. So um, what’s wrong?” “Nothing. I was just um…overreacting.” “I don’t believe in overreacting,” Tulia said, “not in Hebetude anyway. You can tell me what happened. I’ve been said to be a good listener.” Remedy stayed quite for a few seconds before looking up at Tulia. “Julie Acres, She told everyone I’m dating Marco.” Tulia rolled her eyes and smiled at Remedy. “Figures it was Julie. I really hate her. Don’t let that bimbo cheerleader get to you. She just likes making drama. Listen Remedy, every Friday night my friends and I get together at someone’s house and watch a movie and hang out. It’s at my house tonight. Do you want to come?” “I can’t. I have a lot of homework and…” Homework, smomework. You have all weekend to do it. Besides, I won’t take no for an answer,” Tulia said. “But…” “No,” Tulia replied turning her head. “And…” “Nope.” “I…” “Nada.” “Fine! I’ll go,” Remedy said loud. Tulia smirked in satisfaction. “Great! So let’s go outside and wait for my ride to come.” Tulia and Remedy walked out of the school talking. Outside, a ford F-150 in true blue was parked and a guy, with light brown hair was standing by the door. The guy had his arms crossed and shook his head. “Tulia, where have you been? School got out 15 minutes ago,” The guy said approaching the girls. “Chill okay! I was talking with one of my friends,” Tulia responded. Remedy smiled at that and looked at the guy. He smiled at Remedy and extended his hand. “I’m Ben.” Remedy shook his hand. “Remedy.” Ben smiled even wider when he heard her name. “Remedy? As in THE Remedy Stiles? I’ve read a lot of your poems in the Hebe High magazine. You are amazing.” Tulia nudged at Remedy. “Told you your writing was awesome. If anyone can get Ben to read then they must be great.” Ben opened up the doors for the two girls and then got in himself. “Where to ladies?” “My house,” Tulia said. Ben looked from Tulia to Remedy then Back to Tulia again. “So she’s staying for tonight?” “Yep.” Ben smiled wide. “Great. I can talk to her now.” Remedy didn’t listen to the conversation. She was thinking about something else that couldn’t get off her mind. She sat forward and cleared her throat so they would pay attention. “So is your name really Ben Affleck?” |
| Victoria waited at the front for her dad to come and pick her up, and knowing him, she was going to be there for a while. She turned around for a second, behind her student where standing or sitting around on the grass just talking. There were also few boys throwing around a football. She turned back around and continued looking for any sing of her dad’s car. “I got it,” A voice called from behind her. His books were in his left hand and he was running at full speed, his eyes on the football. Moments later, he collided into Victoria, their books tumbling on the floor. The boy did not seem all that fazed by it and was on his feet in an instant, smiling the whole time. However, Jessica was livid. “WHY IN HELL DON’T YOU WATCH WHERE YOU’RE GOING,” she shouted furiously, brushing of his hand as he offered to help her up. “It was an accident I swear,” he smiled apologetically. “Whatever,” Victoria said eyeing him down coldly. Picking up her books off the floor and jumped into the car, when her father pulled up. “I am sorry, the boy shouted behind the car as it drove off, but she ignored him. Victoria sat silently in the front seat, breathing heavily. She could not believe what had just happened and he had the nerve to call it an accident. Then she looked down at her copy book, Peter Johnson. “Damn it,” she whispered under her breath, she had taken up the wrong books. |
| When they got to Tulia's house, Remedy started to feel nervous -- as she did whenever she was in a stranger's house. Why did I say yes to her, she thought. I know how being in the presence of new people scares me. I hate it that I can't be normal, why do I have to be this way? Remedy started thinking these thoughts over and over inside of her head until Tulia said something. "Mia should be here in a couple of minutes," she said. "And then I have a few other people coming over, too." Cautiously, Remedy followed Tulia into her kitchen. "Are you hungry?" "Uhm... not really," Remedy stuttered, trying to keep calm. She wanted to say, 'Can I go home now', but something inside stopped her. Tulia will think I'm crazy if I say that. But I really want to go home. "Are you sure?" Tulia asked. Remedy was actually pretty hungry, but didn't want to cause harm. "I'm sure." "Well then... okay," Tulia said. Tulia sighed and looked over at Remedy with some concern. "Is anything wrong? You're still upset over that Marco thing?" Remedy looked up at Tulia. She sighed. "It's not just Marco. It's just a bunch of stress piled on top of one another." "Really? What's up?" "Oh, it's nothing," Remedy sighed. She didn't need a complete stranger knowing her problems about the freshman cheerleader, the unhidden secrets she kept inside. She didn't need a whole GROUP of strangers knowing about her personal life when everybody else came. Remedy sighed. I just don't feel like talking. I want to go home. I want to go home. I want to go home. Remedy looked down at her feet. "Can I go home?" |
| “Can I go home?” Remedy asked. Tulia sighed. Of course Remedy didn’t want to stay; she was just like Tulia…or the old Tulia. Tulia never liked social gatherings either. She would always fade into nothing in a corner. She still did that…fade away… but she learned to be somewhat more communitive. Tulia shook her head and lead Remedy into the living room. “Don’t think so Rem,” Tulia said with a smile. “My friends are real nice, you’ll see. Besides, I think Ben would be upset if he didn’t get to talk to you again.” Remedy sat on the couch, huddled in one corner. As Tulia was about to sit down the doorbell rang. Tulia walked to the door and opened it. Jimmy, Mia and her boyfriend were on the other side. “Okay, I brought the cherry co…Hello…Tul…who’s the chick?” Jimmy said spotting Remedy. “Oh. Remedy, this is Jimmy, Mia and Ryan, guys, this is Remedy Stiles,” Tulia said the stuff from Jimmy and placing it on the table. Jimmy reached over and extended his hand, “Nice to meet you Remedy.” Remedy shook his hand lightly and gave a small smile. “Same,” she responded. Mia took a seat next to remedy and gave her a huge smile. “You wanna pick the movie Remedy?” she said like she knew her forever. Remedy shook her head. “I don’t think…” “Go ahead Rem,” Tulia said handing her the DVDs. “Pick one.” Slowly, Remedy flipped through the disk until she found one she liked. She handed it to Tulia. Tulia, who sat on the love seat with Jimmy, threw the disc at Ben’s head and told him to put it in. Ben did and the beginning credits started rolling. Ryan and Jimmy huffed. “Do we really have to watch this movie?” Jimmy asked sadly. “Yes, we have to watch gadget,” Tulia said. “You know you like it Jimmy.” “And all this time I thought I really hated it. I had me fooled,” Jimmy retorted with a chuckle. Tulia fake laughed then turned towards the screen. Everyone enjoyed the movie, including Remedy who started to relax and came out of her corner. When the movie was done they sat in silence for a while. “Let’s play truth or dare,” Mia said bouncing a little. “Let’s not,” Jimmy said before taking a swig of his pop. “Jimmy just doesn’t want to reveal his crush,” Mia said rubbing her green eyes. “Like it’s not obvious,” Ryan said before getting jabbed by Jimmy. “I mean…I’m an idiot.” “Who does Jimmy like, baby?” Mia said grinning at her boyfriend. “I, uh, ask Jimmy,” was all that Ryan said. All the girls looked at Jimmy. “Why do you care?” Jimmy said questiongly. “Aw, c’mon Jimmy. Why won’t you tell us?” Tulia asked sweetly. “Because…Who do you like then, Ms. Affleck?” Tulia sat up straight. “I like Randy Granger.” Mia sat forward with a huge grin. “No way!!!! Tul, why didn’t you tell me?” “I dunno. It just sort of happened. We’ve been talking more and more so…” Mia went crazy in her seat, “OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! He is so cute too!” “Hey!” Ryan said. Mia put her hand on Ryan’s face. “But you are hot, baby.” Ryan smiled and kissed her. “Much better.” “Randy is an ass Tulia,” Jimmy said shortly. Tulia rolled her eyes and tucked her hair behind her ears. “Whatever.” “He is! Why would you like a guy like that?” “He is not, so be quiet Jimmy!” Tulia snapped back. “I just don’t want you to get hurt Tulia,” Jimmy said in a sincere tone. “I should get going anyway.” Jimmy stood up and, since jimmy was Ryan’s ride, Ryan and stood up too. “I thought we were gonna hang tonight Jimmy?” Tulia said getting up. “I got other stuff to do so…bye Tulia. Nice to meet you Remedy. Hope to see you again,” Jimmy said before leaving. Tulia turned towards Remedy. “Sorry about tonight Remedy. I thought it was going to be longer. Mia is sleeping over so if you want to stay longer you can.” Remedy shook her head. “I think I’ll go home. Tonight was nice Tulia, thank you. Can I use your phone?” Tulia went to grab the phone when Ben stopped her. “I can drive her home Tulia. Is that okay Remedy?” “You don’t…” “I would love to,” Ben said with a grin. Remedy and Ben said goodbye before going to the car. The first few minutes of the ride were silent. “Did you have fun Remedy?” Ben asked. “I did. Tulia and her friends are really nice.” “Yeah, Tul’s a sweet girl. Not very confident, but smart and sweet as hell.” They pulled up to Remedy’s house. She opened the door. “Thanks for the ride Ben.” “Wait Remedy.” “Yeah?” remedy said turning back. “I know that you like to write and everything and um, there’s this big writer’s convention tomorrow and um, on Saturday but um, seeing as tomorrow is Friday and all I wanted to know if you um, wanted to go to the games with me on um, Saturday, and then go to the convention?” |
| Victoria made her way to her room. There she plopped on the bed before getting up to change. When she was finished, made her way down to the living room where her little sister Violet watching TV. On her lap her cat, Snowflake, sat sleeping. “So how was school, loser,” Violet asked not turning away from the TV. “It was ok, twerp,” Vicky smiled back. “Where’s mom.” “She left with dad after he dropped you home. I think she’s going…well actually I can remember.” “You are never any help,” Vicky said shaking her head as she went into the kitchen and fixed herself something to eat. Vicky made her way trough the backdoor in the backyard where her brothers where playing with the dogs. Her own dog, Midnight, trotted her way over to her wanting to go for her walk. “Ready to go already girl,” Vicky said as she petted Midnight’s head. Midnight barked in agreement. Victoria went to the front as Midnight followed behind her and they both proceeded down the street. After they had been walking for about a half an hour, Vicky caught sight of the idiot Peter from earlier. She quickly turned around hoping he did not see her. Too late, he had. “Hey, stop,” he shouted as Vicky forced to oblige stopped. “What do you want and why are you following me?” she asked angrily. Is it possible for him to ruin my day twice? “Following you?... I live here,” Peter smiled, his blue eyes flashing. “Oh,” Vicky replied embarrassed. “Anyway, I think you have something’s that belong to me,” He replied. “Something that…oh yeah I have it home,” she replied, she blushed slightly. “Well good. Let’s go get it.” Vicky was surprised and he explained that he needed his books tonight. “Be right back,” he said as he ran to his house and got her books. When he came back he told her they could go now. Midnight seemed to take to him right away and Vicky was surprised how easy he was to conversate with. He formally introduced himself and she did the same. When they reached her house, she made him wait on the porch while she went upstairs to her room. When she came back down, she found him sitting in the living room talking with the rest of her family. Her mother had invited him and even asked him to stay for dinner. Atfer dinner she walked him to the door. “It was nice to neat you,” she smiled. “Yeah, same here,” He smiled back. “See you tomorrow, Victoria.” After he left, she looked the door and went to her room. It was getting late and she was going to have a busy day with the pep rally tomorrow and all. |
| Remedy looked up at Ben, Tulia's brother, and sighed. Had Tulia set this up? She figured as much. There was that time in the middle of the movie when Remedy had to be excused to go to the bathroom, and at that exact moment, Ben had entered the room. Tulia must have asked him for this favor then. Everything always happened that way with her. Tulia had seen her crying in the bathroom stall, felt sorry for her, and then asked her brother to ask her to go somewhere--a writer's convention. Tulia was a sweet girl, and Remedy knew all she wanted to do was help out. But this is the way things always went. People decided to feel sorry for her, and somehow try to make it better when all they'd really be doing is make her feel even worse, seeing as she didn't like to talk much and here people would go, and set up social gatherings for her. Remedy thought for a second. It's on a Saturday...you know, this is good luck, here... I always work on Saturdays. Cool! Remedy sighed. "Ben," she said. "I can't go. It's a Saturday -- I have to work." Ben smiled. "That's all right. Where do you work?" "I work at Jewel," I said, sighing. "Oh. Okay then." "I'll see you around," Remedy sighed. Ben scurried back into his car. Bet he's glad that's done and over with, she thought. She hurried inside and up to her room -- her favorite place. Quickly, she got on her computer and started typing. Sad is the Blue Bird, as it catches the stove's fire, it was never meant to act--contract its soul will attire; and as the Blue Bird sings its last song, perhaps we can hold out no matter how long -- it feels. death, near its way. you have plainly asked me to stay. But when I declined, I could've should've would've (these man-maid items not meant for Blue Bird to SEE) and as I am controlled, the Blue Bird within me; you're sad as sad will ever be; the Blue Bird is inside of me. and as i hear the sounds, irritable sounds away -- it was never MEANT to be this way. Remedy typed up her poem quickly, as she typed all of her poems. Her mind was elsewhere. Not on Tulia's party, not on Ben, not on the screaming high pitch voice of her sister downstairs, not on schoolwork nor school-related stress; not even on breathing -- or perhaps it was -- Remedy no longer knew. Her mind was focused on nothing more but a cheerleader -- a freshman cheerleader -- annoyance, aggrivation, how many times did she want to go up and scream in her face. For, the controlled was Remedy; Remedy herself had fallen in a trap that no one else could ever notice or begin to understand what the immense prison felt like. For years, Remedy had been in a lifeless state, with nothing to bring her back except her writing. She was too scared, too frightened to ever go back. How stupid could Suzie Bellinen be? All she did was talk about the boy she liked. How stupid could Remedy be. For, her trap was one in a billion. |
| Tulia walked into the school all by herself. The main hall was crowded with students waiting to be released to the pep rally. Jimmy had to go with the basketball team, Ryan and Mia had to get set up for band, and Ben was already with the baseball team. In the crowd, Tulia noticed Remedy Stiles face and walked up to her. “Hey Remedy,” Tulia said with a smile. “Hi,” Remedy said smiling back. “It’s like a zoo in here isn’t it?” Tulia said with a chuckle. “Umm hmm…Tulia, you really didn’t need to ask Ben to ask me out yesterday.” Tulia lifted one eyebrow. “What are you talking about?” “When Ben drove me home he asked me out for Saturday.” “I didn’t tell him to do that.” Remedy’s eyes grew larger. “What?” “I didn’t ask him to ask you on a date.” “You didn’t? Really?” Remedy asked in disbelief. “Nope. He did that himself. I think my brother has the hotts for you,” Tulia replied with a smirk. Remedy smiled slightly and turned red. The teachers told the students to go into their classrooms and wait to be dismissed. “Um, bye Tulia,” Remedy said walking away. “See ya, Rem,” Tulia replied with a smile. Tulia slowly made her way to her classroom. People were pushing and shoving her so she got pushed against a locker hard. Once she finally reached her destination, she sat in the back of the classroom. The teacher told the kids where to sit…it was on the other side of the basketball pit. Once Tulia’s class was mixed in a large crowd, she walked away so she could be by Jimmy. Tulia wanted to sit by Jimmy; he made things more enjoyable…besides, she wanted to talk to him about last night. Tulia walked up to the third row on the bleachers and sat next to the spots reserved for the basketball team. She didn’t know anyone so Tulia scrunched tight. The pep rally began. African music started playing from the band and the stadium erupted in cheers. The mascot stealthily walked into the center and ducked down his big hartebeest head. The music stopped. The cheering dyed down and a cheesy techno tune blasted from the sound system. One by one the “hartebettes” came bouncing in from the side entrance. They waved their pomp poms around until they took their place on the floor. The music hit a certain spot and the cheerleaders started their routine. A few minutes later it was over and they moved over to the side. The principal got on a microphone and announced all of the sports teams. It was a long list and the basketball team was the last to be called. Tulia cheered when the baseball team was called and basketball team. Once all of the basketball team was out, Coach Stan got on the mic. “And now, fellow Hartebeests, give it up for your captain, Jimmy Dean!!!” he said in a mad man sort of way. The crowd started chanting Jim-my! Jim- my! Jimmy walked in with his basketball cap on and a huge pearly white grin. He looked around the crowd and bowed. Slowly he walked over to the basketball, after being hounded by all the cheerleaders including Jenny Frank. He looked up and saw Tulia cheering away with the rest of the crowd. Their eyes locked and Tulia felt herself blushing but she didn’t look away. Neither of their eyes strayed until he reached her in the bleachers. There they stood, mere inches apart, smiling. “Having fun?” Jimmy asked still looking at her. Tulia took in a deep breath and looked away. She tucked her hair behind her ears and didn’t look up, trying to lose this weird feeling she was having. “Not much,” she squeaked out. Jimmy noticed the way she was acting and grinned at her. She never acted that way before. He also noticed how uncomfortable she looked and sat down. “It looked to me that you were having fun from all that walling you did,” he said with a chuckle. He saw Tulia smirk before she sat back down and turned to him. “I took too much crack this morning,” she said sarcastically. “Did you? I thought by now you already learned how to measure you crack in take.” “So did I. I guess I still have more to learn about amounts.” They started laughing. Tulia grabbed the hat off of his head and put it on her own. “Hey!” Jimmy said touching his head. “What? My head was hot because we’re outside and I have dark brown hair,” she said adjusting the hat. “Yeah, but I have black hair.” “I don’t want to dry my hair out Jimmy,” Tulia said pouting her lips. Jimmy smiled and chuckled. “Fine. I don’t want your beautiful hair to get fried.” Tulia nodded her head and patted Jimmy on the cheek. “I thought you’d see it my way James. You really are such a smart boy.” Jimmy rolled his eyes. “Funny Tul, real funny.” The principal once again was in the middle of the stadium, but this time the mascot was with him. Tulia shook her head. Oh god, not the call, please, not that call…Tulia thought to herself. “Call Time!!!!!!” he yelled out and the stadium went crazy with clapping and stomping. “Right side say HEEEEEE- BEE!!!! Left say Harte- beests! Harte- beests!” The principal pointed to the right. “HEEEEEE-BEE!” they cheered. He pointed to the left. “Harte-beests! Harte-beests!” they yelled back. Jimmy nudged at Tulia. “C’mon, live a little.” Tulia rolled her eyes then squeaked, “Harte- beests, Harte- beests.” Each time she did that she grew louder. After the four hour pep rally, the students were dismissed from school for the half day. Tulia and Jimmy waited by the giant statue of a Hartebeest in front of Hebe High for Ryan and Mia. Tulia sat at the foot of the statue and Jimmy did the same. They were quiet for a while. “So, um, why did you leave so early yesterday Jimmy?” Tulia asked. “I just…had to go,” Jimmy said shortly. “Oh…Jimmy, I’m sorry that I bugged you yesterday about your crush. I was just curious.” “It’s fine Tulia. I’m sorry about being so mean towards Randy I just…I dunno.” “You just don’t want me to get hurt, right?” she said with a small smile. Jimmy shook his head. “Right.” “I’m sure that girl you like would like you to be protective of her.” Jimmy looked at his feet. “I don’t have a chance with her,” he said softly. Tulia bit her lip and turned more towards him. “You really like her don’t you Jimmy?” “Yeah. And that makes it suck even more.” Tulia put her hand on his back. “I’m sure you have a chance with her. You’re Jimmy Dean. Captain of the basketball team, a smart boy and your sweet too. She must be crazy not to like you.” Jimmy shook his head. “She like someone else.” Tulia brought back her hand. “Have you tried?” Jimmy sat up and looked at her. “Have a tried what?” “Have you tried to tell her how you feel?” Jimmy nodded his head. “Everyday. I can never find the perfect moment to tell her.” “I don’t believe in perfect moments. I think anything worth having always involves a big breath and a leap.” Jimmy turned so his whole body so he was facing Tulia. He locked his dark brown orbs with her light green ones and took in a deep breath. “Tulia…” he began. Before Jimmy could say anything else, Ryan and Mia walked up to them. “Hey Gu….are we interrupting?” Ryan said. Jimmy let out a sigh. “No.” “Are you sure?” Ryan asked again. Their eyes were still locked. Tulia tilted her head slightly to the left and studied Jimmy’s eyes. He dropped the gaze and looked down. Tulia moved her eyes over to Ryan. “I guess not.” Mia sat down next to Tulia and smiled. “What are we gonna do today?” Tulia shook her head. “I uh, I have stuff to do with my family today so I should go,” Tulia said getting up and hugging Mia. Tulia looked at Jimmy who didn’t dare to look back. She sighed then turned towards Ryan. “Bye Ryan. See ya guys tomorrow.” She walked off. |
| Victoria found the pep rally quite enjoyable and even more pleases to find out that Peter was on the soccer team. She cheered for all the teams but found she cheered more for all the female ones. When the pep rally was over, she waited outside for Peter. “Thanks for waiting,” he smiled as he walked over to her. “No problem,” she smiled back, not completely sure what to do now that the rally was over. “Ms. Scott,” she heard a familiar voice call behind her, and turned to see Coach Michaels standing with something in her hands. “Hello Coach,” Vicky greeted her, “You all looked good in there.” “Thank you Ms. Scott,” the coach replied, and then she reached the contents of her hands over to Vicky. “What’s this,” Vicky asked as she took it. “Your uniform,” the coach smiled, “I can’t promise you much game time for a while, but you will get some game time off the bench.” “That’s fine with me,” Vicky replied as she smiled her brightest smile and took a good look at her uniform. It was Number 13, her favorite number. “That’s great I expect you with the team for tomorrow’s game, Victoria. The girls play first.” “I’ll be there bright and early,” Victoria replied but her curiosity was getting the better of her, “What cemented you decision to let me play?” “Your transcript arrived earlier,” the coach winked, “it was very impressive. You were a very big contributor to one of the most winning basketball teams in you school’s state. Played on your school’s soccer, softball and volleyball teams, ran for the track team, and kept good grades. You were even a former cheerleader.” The coach was grinning largely. “Also I called you old coach and he had nothing but good things to say about you, so welcome to the team.” “Thank you again,” Victoria replied as she shook the coach’s hand, before she left. When the coach was out of sight, Vicky and Peter continued there walk back inside the school building. Peter had not said a word since the coach had came but he was eyeing Victoria mischievously. “What the matter with you,” she finally said after she realized the way he was looking at her. “You’re a cheerleader,” Peter said barely able to hold back his laughter. “Former cheerleader,” she replied seriously, as she continued to look straight ahead. “Really,” he replied questionable, “why did you stop?” “I realized I liked playing on the team more than I like cheering for it,” she said with a smile. “Is that so,” Peter said, as he looked her over once more with a raised eyebrow, “If you say so.” “Whatever,” She replied changing the subject, “So why are we in here?” “I got to put something from my locker.” She waited as he fiddled with his lock and when the door opened put something inside. They continued walking down the hall, and Peter had a question he was dieing to get off his chest. “Would you ever consider becoming a ‘hartebettes’,” he asked trying to sound as serious as possible, but laughter still filled his voice. “I don’t think so,” she replied with a smirk, “I told you I like playing more that cheering.” “Guess you weren’t that good,” he replied. “Actually I was one of the best,” she replied with a wink, “I try to excel at anything I do, be it school work or cheering.” She ran off leaving him behind to comprehend what she had just told him. When Peter caught up with her, she was standing outside one of the boy’s bathrooms. “What’s the matter,” Peter asked, before he too heard the voice coming form inside. “I’ll go in, if I don’t come back out you come in too.” Peter walked in and Victoria waited for two minutes before she too went inside. She was shocked by what she found, there was blood on the floor and Peter was standing beside Aya and some other girl. When Victoria walked closer, she saw there was a boy in the stalls. His eyes were red from crying and he had a black eye. Vicky figured the blood was his. She was about to ask what happed when a stray paper flew by her feet: THERE IS NO PLACE FOR NAZI BASTARDS IN THIS COUNTRY. She looked around and saw other papers, all containing just about the same sentiments. There was a person talking the boy and Victoria went to stand with Peter and the others. “Who is he,” Vicky asked thinking aloud. “He is German Exchange student,” Aya replied. “Poor guy,” Vicky replied as she felt tears welling up in her eyes. She hated when things like this happened, and this was not the first time she had ever seen it, “Who would do such a thing.” Victoria tried to smile as she walked up to the boy, she knew her German wasn’t that good but she had to give it a try, “Guten tag, ich heisse Victoria.” He looked up at her and weakly replied guten tag. “Sehr angenehm,” She smiled. She was honestly glad to meet him, but how she wished it had been under different circumstances. “You speak German,” the one the girls called Demmonick-chan replied. “A little,” Victoria replied as they both talked with the boy. |
| Remedy hated all pep rallies. The only thing they supported was popularity and cheerleaders and sportsplayers, which meant only 12 percent of the entire student body was involved. Remedy hated it because there was never any fairness or equality, and the popular crowd (aka cheerleaders and sportsplayers) always got what they wanted. When people like her never got what they wanted. After she had spoken with Tulia, Remedy went to sit down at one of the bleachers, all by herself. She sighed... she would rather be anywhere but here. At least this was taking up her geometry period. Not even watching the cheerleaders with their skimpy little outfits or cheering for them, she took out a piece of paper and started to write everything that had been on her mind. Why do I have to be here right now? I'd much rather be at home sleeping than watch Suzie Bellinen or Julie Acres wave around pom poms and laugh and be happy when I am here feeling sick. Remedy rolled her eyes. She wasn't upset about Ben--she didn't really know him, anyway. He could be some total creep for all she knew, and she really would rather not get to know him than get to know him. The only thing she had on her mind was the annoying way life always went with her. "Hi." Remedy glanced beside her. It was Marco. "Hey, Marco," Remedy said. She looked him in the eye. She knew what she had to say. She took in a deep breath. "Listen, I know this may sound strange, but I didn't tell Julie anything about you. She made it up herself." Wow, Remedy thought. That came out quicker than I thought it would. Marco smiled. "Oh," he said. "Sorry," Remedy quietly stammered. "That's all right," Marco sighed. "I guess everybody knows, anyway..." "They're freaks, Marco," I sighed. "All of them. Trust me. I'm an outcast, I know. They've always picked on me because I'm different. And they pick on you because you're different. You see, they don't respect individuality. What they like to see in a person is a clone of themselves. A walking bimbo that has either a batch of pom poms or a football in their hands. We don't like to be like everybody else, okay? And that's perfectly fine--more interesting, I think. So, if you're still upset about Julie or any of her other stupid friends, then well--you shouldn't be." All of that came out too fast. Marco laughed. "You know what? Remedy, you're right. I don't think I've ever heard you speak that much before." "Well.." Remedy stopped. "Well what?" Marco asked. Remedy gulped. Now her fingers were getting sweaty. What was she going to say? She'd said all she needed to say in one big gulp. Her heart started to beat rapidly. Please Marco, she thought. Just go away. Or stop talking to me. I should have never said that big entire speech-thing. Now you're going to think that I am going to keep on talking to you. Not that you aren't a nice guy, but I don't know how I am going to do it...what the heck am I supposed to say? I don't know what to say...I'm so nervous... With each second, her heart beat fled faster. "I... don't know." "Oh," Marco said. "Thanks, though. Listen, I'm gonna go sit over by Kelsey and Drake. Nice talking to you." "You too," Remedy whispered, thankful that he was gone. After the stupid pep rally was over, as quick as her feet could run, she hurried upstairs to her locker, grabbed her coat and her chemistry textbook, and started running out for the buses. Before she could stop herself from going so incredibly fast, she bumped into Andy Wecker. She gave him a face and ran on. As quick as she could. |
At 10, just like every morning, Tulia sat on her entertainer glider. She had her feet on the other swing that faced her and moved them softly so she swung. This September morning was a warm one, even though there was a breeze. In her jean jacket and kaki knickers, Tulia ran one hand in her now messy ponytail and let out a sigh. Something was troubling the young girl- though she wasn’t exactly sure what it was. Tulia looked out into her yard when she heard footsteps in the grass. Mia walked up to Tulia, hands in pockets and red hair in braid, with a concerned look on her face. “Hey Tul.” Tulia lifted up the corners of her mouth slightly. “Hey Mia, what are you doing here?” Mia sat down on the other bench of the glider. “I got your message this morning. Some pile of crap you made up about being sick or something.” Tulia smiled. “I actually did sneeze this morning.” Mia sat back and didn’t smile. “Why didn’t you want to go to Jimmy’s basketball game this morning?” Tulia looked at her feet and lifted up her shoulders. “Why didn’t you?” “I did want to go…but I care more about you than a stupid game. What’s wrong Tulia?” Tulia shook her head. “O, its just one of those mornings.” “Mad or sad?” “The second.” “Why are you sad Tulia?” Tulia bit her lip and blinked back the tears. “I just…I get sad sometimes. I know I shouldn’t because, even though I’m not thin, I’m still healthy. My family is amazing and I couldn’t ask for better friends but I get so damn lonely. I know I’m only 15 but it still doesn’t help. I’ve never had a boyfriend- or anything close to it. I don’t know any guys who like me and I don’t understand. Yeah, I’m not petite but I’m not huge. I am pretty. I’m smart and I think I have a good personality but yet…nothing. I am always alone. People keep telling me how boys suck and I’ll get hurt but I want to find out for myself. I wouldn’t mind going through the heartache if only to be shown that someone wants me. I just want to have that great feeling of being wanted physically, mentally, emotionally, every way. I want to feel arms around me and know that person wants to be with me too.” A tear rolled down her cheek. Mia stood up and sat next to Tulia. She wrapped her arms around her. “It will happen Tulia. You just need to be patient and wait.” Tulia turned towards Mia and wiped away her tears. “But why do I have to wait? Why am I the one who always has to wait to be happy?” “Life is unfair Tulia.” They were quiet and just held each other. At one, Ryan waited outside of the locker room doors for Jimmy. He was leaning against the wall talking on his cell phone. Jimmy came out and smiled at Ryan. “Hey Ryan. Where’s the girls?” he said looking around. Ryan closed his phone and looked at Jimmy. “Mia just called. She and Tulia are gonna spend the day together. They’ll meet us at 8:30 when we leave for Illinois.” Jimmy dropped his smile. “O, what are they going to do?” “I don’t know. She said that Randy Granger had just arrived before we hung up.” Jimmy’s eyes got large. “Randy Granger? Why was he over there?” Ryan put his hand on Jimmy’s shoulder and they started walking away. “Well Jimmy, he’s been stopping by Tulia’s before his soccer games every day for the past week or so. I think he’s developed a crush on her. It’s time you told the girl you like her.” Jimmy rolled his eyes. “I was going to yesterday, dip shit, before you and Mia interrupted.” “Why didn’t you say so yesterday?” “Because the moment was lost.” Ryan rolled his eyes. “Lost my ass! You would have found some excuse to not tell her. When some guy, or Randy, finally has more balls than you and asks her out, YOU will be so mad that you didn’t go for it.” “But she only likes me as a friend, Ryan.” “How are you so sure? Huh? Are you her brain? We both know you couldn’t be that smart and you aren’t her. She couldn’t care a thing about you…or she could. Tulia could want to ravish you as much as you want to jump her.” “I don’t want…” “Yes you do want to jump her.” Jimmy rolled his dark eyes and smirked. “Okay so I do but I wouldn’t…” “Yes you would,” Ryan smirked back. “Shut up. I’ll tell her the next chance I get.” “Umm hmm. Sure you will Jimmy,” he said before walking off. Jimmy rolled his eyes and followed Ryan. 8:45. the bus going down to Illinois was all packed and ready to leave. “Hurry up Tulia before we miss bus!” Mia said putting her stuff in the bus. Tulia lugged her backpack full of stuff on her back and walked. She carried her folder full of drawings in her hands. She was about to walk on the bus when a girl ran into her and knocked her down and her papers. “Me sowy, me sowy,” Aya said in her broken English picking up the papers. Tulia helped to pick them up. “It’s fine, really.” Aya picked up the last piece of paper and turned it over. There was a drawing of a tulip. She smiled and gave it back to Tulia. “You’re Pictures awe…bootiful.” Tulia smiled at the girl. “Thanks. I need to go but my name is Tulia.” “Aya,” the girl said. “Nice to meet you Aya. Have fun at Great America,” Tulia smiled before walking onto the bus. The bus was crowded. Tulia looked around for an empty seat. Mia had already found hers next to Ryan. She kept scanning the bus when she saw an arm waving around. It was Jimmy’s. Tulia smiled and took a seat next to him. He let her sit next to the window because he knew how she liked to sit next to the window. The bus was off. After about a half hour of driving, Tulia started yawning a lot. Jimmy looked at her and smiled. “Tired?” he said with a smile. Tulia turned her tired eyes to him. “Yup.” “What did you do to make you so tired?” “Nothing really. Mia, Randy and I talked and skateboarded…or tried anyway.” “You own a skateboard?” “Noooo, Randy does. I thought I would fall.” “Did you?” Jimmy asked with a concerned look. “Nope. Randy was holding onto me so I wouldn’t fall. I “accidentally” fell into his arms once though,” Tulia said with a smirk. Jimmy looked away and clenched his teeth inside of his mouth. “Wake me up when we get there, okay James?” Tulia said before leaning her head against the glass and closing her eyes. An hour later, Tulia sat up and moved around her neck. Jimmy opened his eyes and looked at her. “You okay?” Jimmy said moving closer. Tulia rubbed her neck. “Yeah, my neck hurts a little…hey Jimmy?” “Yeah?” “Can I lean on you? The glass ain’t really workin’, ya know?” Jimmy lifted up his arm. “Come here,” he said. “Thanks,” Tulia said before lying on his chest. She rested her arm on his stomach. Jimmy put his arm around Tulia and brought her closer. He laid his head on top of hers and could smell the lavender from her shampoo. “If you only knew how you torture me Tulia,” he whispered to himself before kissing the top of her sleeping head. |
| They didn’t talk much about yesterday, and Victoria was just happy she could do something to help. Aya and the others were nice and Leopold was friendly to once he got around to talking. When Peter was taking her home, he had asked her how she knew German. She answered him by telling him about how she was forced to cause her parents moved a lot and that she knew a good bit of other languages too. However, that was yesterday and today they where on the bus to Illinois. “Ever been to Illinois,” Peter asked as he turned to Victoria, trying his best to make conversation. “No never, how about you,” Vicky replied tiredly, long bus rides always made her tired. “Yeah a couple of time, I’m sure you’ll enjoy yourself.” “That’s good to know.” They were seated in about the middle of the bus, and she looked out of the window lackadaisically. Peter had been talking and she did her best to listen. She did not want to go to sleep not just yet at least, so she pulled a book out of her bag and decided to catch up on her reading. “What’s that you got there,” Peter asked. “Nothing much,” she smiled back, “wanted to read this book for a long time, so I decided why not now.” “Well then if one of us is going to be awake, the other might as well get some sleep. “Wake me up when we get there.” She did not bother to reply, she just shock her head and turned the page. |
| Remedy loved long bus rides. Something about the constant motion and her thoughts always seemed comforting. What was surprising, though, was that she could never write on any moving vechile -- it was almost impossible -- but her thinking went wild and she always came up with so many great ideas and concepts to occupy her mind. She also loved to look out of the window. Though most of the time she saw houses and little figs, instead of a beautiful site such as a forest or mountains, it was what she always did and that was how it went. Remedy was seated alone and she perferred it that way; if somebody else was in the seat beside her they'd usually be yelling their head off at somebody else about ten seats away. "Hey, Remedy." Remedy looked behind her. It was Marco. "Hi Marco," she stumbled. They were on speaking terms. "So, how's life going for you?" he asked in a friendly way. Remedy thought about it for a second before she answered. "Ehhh... well, it could be better." "Why? What's going on?" "I don't really wanna talk about it." "Why not?" Marco asked. "Listen, I know I've been kinda freaking on you these past couple of days and you're probably scared out of your mind..." He paused to look down at his feet. "...but I'm still a good listener. I mean, if you need somebody to talk to." Remedy thought that she did need somebody to talk to. But not Marco. She just didn't know him that well and didn't feel like she trusted him with anything important she had to say. It took Remedy a while for her to get around to trusting people. "Remedy? You awake?" "I'm awake," Remedy answered. "Thanks Marco..." She fidgeted on what to say next, and started to fumble with her fingers -- a common nervous gesture -- and quickly gave one of her famous fake laughs. "Listen, nothing is wrong with me. Everything is fine. It's just, I don't know, I just have been having not-so-good of a first few weeks of school...so..." "I haven't been doing too well, either," Marco admitted. "So far I've got a D in English and an F in chemistry. Everything else I'm holding up, though..." Remedy was quick to answer. "A D in English? Why?" "I don't know. English just isn't my thing. I'm more of a math guy, if you know what I mean... I guess it's just I don't like to read, is all." "You don't like to read?" Remedy was always shocked to hear when somebody annouced that they hated reading. She loved reading so much, that it was built in her head that it was such a great thing that everybody must love it, everybody must appreciate its great intentional meanings... and it always shocked her to hear when somebody, such as Marco, said that they hated to read. "I never liked to read," Marco sighed. "I love to read," Remedy made clear. "What book are you guys reading in English?" "Uhh... I don't know..." "What?" "I'm that far behind." Remedy laughed. What? she thought. Was that a real laugh that came out of my mouth? Really? Not a fake one? "I can't believe you're having trouble in English. It's so easy to me!" Oh no. What was she going to say next? She wanted to add something, but wasn't sure what to say. She fumbled with her fingers and then, she jutted out a fake laugh. "I can't believe..." Remedy stopped herself. She had already said that! "...that you hate English." "Yeah, well," Marco sighed. "That's the way it goes." Before Remedy could get another word in, Barney Miller took a seat right next to Marco and said, "Hey, bud. How's it going?" That was it. The conversation was over. Remedy sighed. Not bad! At least I didn't totally make a fool out of myself...if only I could just jut out that nervous feeling, it kills me every time... She turned her head to look out of the window. Suddenly, a huge noise was heard off into the distance. A jolt started to jump in the back of Remedy's neck like a bunch of free-spirited germs, sprinkling about to make her sick. She started feeling sick. A gigantic sound overflew the entire bus... and it came to a terrifying, dramatic halt on the road. Beeps by other cars were heard for miles. Remedy's eyes were wide open with fright. The whole bus was screaming. She could hear the bus driver in the front of the bus screaming, "PIPE DOWN YOU WIPPERSNAPPERS! PIPE DOWN! IT WAS ONLY A SPEED BUMP!" Nobody listened, and they continued to scream. "PIPE DOWN!" the bus driver called. "I'LL TURN AROUND IF YA DON'T QUIET UP SOON!" After a few more seconds, everybody quieted themselves down. Remedy started to get a hold of herself when she remembered that she had packed her CD player in her backpack. She quickly took it out and started listening to her Green Day CD, the first track. Before she could enjoy any of it beyond the first thirty-three seconds, she could hear over her headphones the person she dreaded most: Andy Wecker, screaming his lungs out. Remedy had always held a hatred for Andy. At least, she led to believe herself that she had always held a hatred of him. Perhaps it was because of the stupid freshman cheerleader who always talked about him constantly on the bus. Or maybe it was some hidden secret, untouched and uncovered by any of her peers. Remedy turned the volume up on her CD. |
Jimmy waited outside of the bus for Tulia. It’s now or die, Jimmy kept repeating in his head. When he looked up towards the hotel for Tulia, he saw her…but she wasn’t alone. Randy was walking with her. Tulia got up to the bus with Randy and smiled at Jimmy. “Hey Jimmy,” Tulia said pulling her hair into a ponytail. “Hey,” he said softly. “Hey Jimmy,” Randy said. Jimmy rolled his eyes. “Hi Randy.” Tulia looked at Randy. “Randy, why don’t you go on. I need to speak with Jimmy real quick.” “Okay,” Randy said getting on the bus. Tulia turned to Jimmy and put her hands on her hips. “Can you ever be nice, Jimmy?” “What! I don’t like the guy, you already know that and yet you…” Tulia put her hand up. “Shut it. I don’t care if you like him because I do. So either be nicer or don’t say anything,” she said before getting on the bus. Tulia sat next to Randy. They were across the aisle from Ryan and Mia who were already making out. Jimmy walked on the bus but sat in the front with his basketball buddies. Remedy walked on the bus. “Rem, hey. Sit by us,” Tulia said with a smile. Remedy nodded her head and sat in the row behind Tulia. Aya and her friends came on the bus after Remedy. Aya remembered Tulia and sat down around her. The short bus ride to Great America was full of conversation…not all in the same language though. Once the bus came to a holt and everyone was off, they needed to figure out where to go. Tulia held up the big map and everyone crowded around it. “We can start off with the batman then go to superman and vertical velocity…whatcha think?” Everyone shook their head yes. The large group had figured out some signals so everyone could understand. “Aya, leo, you two will love this place.” They were off. Randy walked in step with Tulia. “Why don’t we go to the American Eagle?” Randy asked. Tulia tucked the loose strands of hair behind her ears. “I don’t usually go on that ride until night.” “Okay,” Randy said taking Tulia’s hand and walking with the rest of them to the first ride. |
| Remedy felt a little upset now that they were at Six Flags. Not upset in a mean way, but upset in a way that hardly could be described. What she wanted to do was go home and sleep underneath the covers. It was something about the rides and the faces of people and all the anticipated conversations she was going to have to either avoid or be in. Part of her remained sad. That part of her had been sad for a feverishly long period of time, and she knew that realistically, it would never feel better again. She'd tried millions of times to make it feel better, but it was just no use. She gave up. The first line they stepped into was the line to the Whizzer -- it wasn't too bad, only a twenty minute wait -- that's why they decided to go on it, because every other rollercoaster held lines as long as two hours. Aya talked with Felix in her Japanese, and Tulia talked to Randy. She couldn't help but feel Jimmy standing alone in the background, with nothing in his eyes but Tulia. She wanted to tell him to go for it, to tell him to tell her how he felt... it was obvious to her how he felt... and Tulia would be thrilled. But because she was shy and quiet, she stayed silent and said nothing. She looked down at her feet most of the time and wondered why in the worl these people were surrounded by her. How did she get into this crowd? Was it a freak of nature or was it destiny? She really liked the people she was with, but held a fear within her that they only were around her because they felt sorry for her, or felt like they were "helping" her because she had a "problem". Remedy had been social worker after social worker, each one telling her that there was something wrong with her. She didn't like to hear it or sense it in anyone's eyes anymore. She fidgeted around and didn't say anything until they got closer to the rollercoaster. Remedy had never been scared of rollercoasters; but only compared them to life. Sure, they were fun. But they were bumpy sometimes and often gave you headaches. |
| Tulia looked up into the sky. A few minutes ago the sky was a canvas of reds and oranges, now it lays black. The sky looked thick and heavy too, but yet mysterious. This reminded Tulia of the Greek myths about the night sky. Before, the Earth was chaotic and horrible. Now, only at night, in the mysterious blackness that stalks the sky, is the earth chaotic again. Tulia’s green eyes were fixed on one star in particular. This star had a baby blue tint to it and glowed brighter than the other stars in the sky. She noticed someone come up next to her. She shifted her eyes briefly to see who it was. “Hello James,” Tulia said still looking at the star. “Hello Tulia,” Jimmy replied looking up at the sky. “Beautiful night, isn’t it?” Tulia smiled. “Yes it is,” she said before bringing her eyes to her watch. “It’s 8:50. The park closes at nine. How about we go on the American Eagle now?” she said looking at him. Jimmy looked at Tulia and lifted up an eyebrow. “What about lover boy Randy? Don’t you want to go on the ride with him?” Tulia rolled her eyes. “We’re not attached at the hip, Jimmy. Besides, going on the American eagle as the last ride at night is our thing. If you don’t want to go then I can always go by myself,” she said walking away. Jimmy quickly ran up to her. “I’ll go…I don’t want you to get scared or anything.” Tulia smirked. “Me get scared? I think the steroids are getting to you, Jimmy.” “Steroids? Please woman, these muscles are all me,” Jimmy said squeezing his arm. “And so is that pea sized brain of yours,” Tulia laughed. Jimmy ran a hand in his black hair. “We all can’t be nerds like yourself, Ms. Affleck.” Tulia smack Jimmy on the arm. “I am not a nerd, James!” MmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmM “First car, Right?” Tulia asked once they were about to get in the car. There were only three other people on the rollercoaster. “Of course,” Jimmy said sitting down next to her. Once the bars in their laps went down, they were off. “I’m so excited!” she said bouncing around in her seat as they made the first turn. “Tul, we’ve been on this ride a million times before, calm down,” Jimmy said smiling at Tulia. Tulia waited for them to begin climbing up for the big drop before she started talking again. “You just don’t know how to have fun,” she said lifting up her arms. “I do too.” “Do not, Jimmy! Look, you don’t even have your arms up.” Jimmy looked at his hands that rested on the bar in front of him. He lifted up his arms and stuck his tongue out at her. “I do too.” The car was at the top of the curve. Tulia looked down the big fall and turned towards Jimmy. “Ready?” She said with a big smile. “Ready,” Jimmy said smiling back. As the car made the one-second stop on the tip of the curve, Jimmy moved his raised hand over and grabbed Tulia’s. When he did that, Tulia felt a shock run through her body. She looked at their hands and her stomach did a flip. She quickly looked up into the sky and noticed the blue star was sparkling brighter than ever. Tulia, uncontrollably, intertwined her fingers with Jimmy’s. He gave her hand a little squeeze and they smiled at each other. The one second seemed like an hour but neither of them cared. MmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmM Once the ride was over, Jimmy and Tulia parted ways for the night. Tulia returned to the bus and sat next to Mia, who was left alone because her boyfriend Ryan was preoccupied with his fellow percussion playing friends. “Where were you?” Mia said looking at her semi smirking friend. “I went on the American eagle with Jimmy. You remember the tradition,” Tulia said rubbing her hair. “Who could forget? How was it?” “It was…different.” Mia scrunched her face. “Different?” “Yeah, different.” “How was it different?” Tulia bit her lip. “I don’t know. It just felt different. I’ve been on that ride so many times with Jimmy but this time was different. When we were about to drop that first big drop, Jimmy grabbed my hand…” “And…” Mia said eager to hear if Tulia was finally becoming less oblivious. “And a shock went through my body and my stomach did a flip. I had never felt that way with Jimmy before. It was kind of scary.” “How long did you hold hands?” “The whole ride. Well, after the big drop I moved my hand so I could hold on the bar but Jimmy put his hand on my knee and my hand just somehow became intertwined with his again.” “The fingers? How were they?” Mia said with a big metal smile. “Laced,” Tulia said smiling back. “EEEE!!!” Mia screeched. “Now you two can start dating!” Tulia shook her head. “What? Mia, no. I’m not going to date him. This is James Dean we’re talking about, Mia. He’s captain of the basketball team and my friend…that’s it.” “But the ride…” “But nothing. Yes, I’ll admit that there was a moment there that Jimmy didn’t seem so mutant, but it’s over now and it won’t come back again. Besides Mia, Randy asked me to go to the homecoming dance next Saturday and I said yes. So if I’m going to date anyone it’s most likely going to be Randy, not Jimmy.” |
| It was Monday, finally. Remedy knew she couldn't handle it anymore so she took a big gasp and breathed in as much air as she could. This had to be done, one way or another. It'd been building up for years. The bell rang at the end of the day and it was time to go home. She saw him, the jock, standing there all high and mighty. Quickly, going up to him, she looked him in the face and screamed, "YOU HAVE A BIG EGO!" The jock looked puzzled; but Remedy knew what it was all about. This was Andy Wecker, the same Andy Wecker from all those years ago, that had been hidden inside every one of her tears. "What?" he asked, defensively. "Has anyone ever told you that before?" Remedy asked, angrily. "You have a big ego." "No," he grunted, surprised at what she had said. "No one ever has." "Well you DO have a big ego," Remedy yelled, her lungs reaching the highest level it had ever reached during her presence in school. So completely shocked at what aws happening, she quickly ran into the opposite direction. Unfortunately, this was a bad idea because all the other kids in the school were going the other way, so she bumped into basically everybody, trying her hardest to go up to her locker. She needed to go to her locker. She was holding her Spanish book and realized that she should've put it away earlier, and never did. As she hurried, bumping into what seemed like millions by millons of people, she couldn't help but break down into tears. She finally made it to her locker, crying her eyes out. This will be the last time, she reasoned for herself. The last time I cry over him. She was confused, though. Was the world ending? She had a strange idea in her head to go to her English teacher, or perhaps her Geometry teacher and ask them for advice because she didn't know what to do... and those were the only two teachers she knew that would understand her or always asked her how she was doing in class... "Remedy!" Remedy looked over across the hall. There was her friend, Sarah. Sarah had been a friend for about a year now, but not a very close one. Yet still a friend. Sarah asked Remedy if she was all right. And Remedy knew: Now everything was going to be okay. She had done the right thing. This'll be the last time I cry. |
| School was over and Tulia tucked her hair behind her ears as she looked into the small mirror on the wall of her locker. “Checking yourself out, Tulia?” Jimmy asked walking up next to her. Tulia turned her head and rolled her green eyes. “Ha Ha,” she said with a smile. “Why are you so smiley today?” Jimmy asked hoping it was about last Saturday. “I don’t know, I just am,” she said closing her locker and walking with Jimmy. “You seem…happy.” Tulia smiled wide. “I am Happy. Hey Jimmy, Ashley, Mia and I are going to the mall today to look for homecoming dresses. Do you want to come?” Jimmy gave Tulia a weird look. “Tul, I’m a guy. I hate shopping.” “Ryan will be there.” “So?” Tulia started walking faster. “Fine, be like that. Bye Jimmy,” she said walking off. Jimmy ran up to her. “Okay, okay, I’ll go. When are you leaving?” Tulia gave a smirk. “We’re going right after school so you can come home with me.” Jimmy smirked. “Great! I love your family.” “And they love you,” she said walking out the doors. The two walked up to Ben’s truck. “Jimmy,” Ben said greeting him. “Hey Ben.” “You comin’ over today?” Jimmy rolled his eyes. “Tulia is making me go shopping with her.” “Ryan and Mia are going to be there too,” Tulia said in defense. Ben smiled at his sister. “Are you two ready to go?” The ride to the house was a short one. The three sang to the radio and talked very little. Once they reached the house, Ashley, Mia and Ryan were already there. “Geez, I thought you guys got in an accident or something,” Mia said to Tulia who had gotten out of the truck. “SOMEBODY had to get a slushie,” Tulia said turning to Jimmy. Jimmy removed the straw from his mouth. “You want some? It’s blue raspberry?” Jimmy said holding it out to Tulia. Tulia sneered before facing Mia and Ryan again. “Sorry about being late.” Ryan shook his head. “Dude, you can’t take into the store,” he said to Jimmy. Jimmy winced. “Are you serious? You mean I have to actually pay attention when they shop?” Ryan patted jimmy on the back. “That’s what we get for hanging out with girls.” Jimmy pouted and got into Ashley’s car. Everyone did too. They drove to the mall and went straight to the store they wanted. Tulia, Ryan and Jimmy waited outside of the dressing rooms for Ashley and Mia. “I didn’t know Ashley was going to come,” Jimmy said to Tulia and Ryan. “Mia invited her,” Ryan said. “I wish Mia would have told me her band friend was coming,” Tulia said. “It’s not that bad, guys. Ashley’s a junior and she drove us here,” said Ryan. “I don’t care. Ben’s old enough to drive so he could have drove us here,” said Tulia. Jimmy looked at Tulia. “Why aren’t you getting a dress?” Tulia bit her lip. “I don’t like this store. I’m getting it later in the week.” “So are we all going as a group to the homecoming dance?” Jimmy asked. Ryan lifted up an eyebrow. “I thought we were all going separate and meeting there?” “We are,” Tulia said. “You’re going with Mia, Jimmy is going with who ever and I’m going with Randy.” Jimmy quickly turned back to Tulia. “You’re going with Randy?” Tulia bit her lip and looked down. “Um, yeah Jimmy. Randy asked me before we went on the American eagle.” “You’re still going to go with him?” Jimmy asked a little shocked. Tulia put on a small smile. “Why wouldn’t I?” “I just thought…never mind. I was wrong I guess,” Jimmy said turning away from her. Ryan, who was listening tot eh conversation, put a hand on Jimmy’s back. “C’mon Jimmy. I need to buy some black socks.” Jimmy and Ryan left Tulia with the girls and went to the sock isle. Ryan looked up and down the row looking for a pair of black socks. “She’ll come around Jimmy,” Ryan said not looking at him. Jimmy ran a hand in his hair. “No she won’t.” Ryan looked at Jimmy for a second to give him the idiot look. “Yes she will,” he said turning back to the socks. “When Ryan? On the rollercoaster was the only time Tulia had ever shown any interest in me. I thought that would be enough to change her mind but who was I kiddin? Tulia will NEVER want me like I want her. She wants Randy Granger, the biggest ass to ever live.” “Just give her some time, Jim. Obviously something must have worked if Tulia let you put your hand on her knee. She would have punched any other guy who would try that. I know she feels something for you too.” “At the pace this is going she’s not going to realize she even likes me until we’re old.” Ryan found some socks and rolled his eyes at Jimmy. “And whose fault is that?” Jimmy’s mouth fell open. “You think it’s my fault?” “Yes! You’ve had plenty of time to tell her, Jimmy, and you didn’t.” “Yeah, like when?” “Like today. Tulia asked you why she wouldn’t go with Randy to homecoming and you said nothing. You could have told her every time you saw her.” “Don’t give any of the blame to Randy or Tulia.” “I can’t,” Ryan said. “Tulia isn’t to blame because she never goes after guy’s she likes. She always waits for the guy to come for her. And you can only blame Randy for actually doing something and going after her. He is doing what you should have, Jimmy.” Jimmy shook his head. “It’s too late, isn’t it Ryan?” Ryan started walking back tot the girls. “I don’t know, Jim. I really don’t know.” Once Ryan and Jimmy got back tot eh girls, Tulia smiled at Jimmy. “My Parents just called. They want you to stay for dinner, Jimmy.” After dinner, the Afflecks and Jimmy sat around the table talking. Mr. Affleck looked at the clock. “Before I forget, what time is Randy coming over tomorrow tulia?” he asked his daughter. “Um, around five I think,” she responded. “Do you know Randy, James?” Mrs. Affleck asked to Jimmy. Jimmy nodded his head. “I’ve heard of him.” “He sounds like a nice boy by the way Tulia is always talking about him.” Jimmy looked down at his hands. “He’s a sweet talker,” he said softly. Ben looked at Jimmy and shook his head. “Let’s go play some basketball, Jimmy.” Ben stood up and Jimmy followed. They walked outside to the driveway and started playing. “You’ve been really quiet tonight, Jimmy,” Ben said shooting. “I know,” Jimmy said just holding his ball. “You can’t stop her from dating Randy if she wants.” Jimmy took one shot. “I know,” he said getting his ball. “It’s just that Randy is a player and he will always be a player. He’s just using Tulia for his twisted…adventures. Randy always liked to make the good girls go bad.” “Jimmy, you know I only want the best for my sister but its Tulia’s life. As much as I would want my sister to be with you I have no say in what she does and especially in what she feels…neither do you.” “But…”Jimmy started. “But nothing, Jim,” Ben cut in. “It’s time you let it go. You need to move on and find someone, just like Tulia has. That’s all you can do, Jimmy.” Jimmy put down the basketball and looked at Ben. “You’re right, Ben. There’s nothing here for me. Hoping that Tulia will eventually realize I exist is a lost cause…I’m going to go. I need to make a phone call about the dance on Saturday.” Jimmy left. Tulia, complete with formal wear and hunk on arm, walked into the gym for an evening of bliss…from unexpected places. |
| When Remedy got home, she quickly rushed to her room and took out a pen and paper and vowed to herself that this would be the last depressive words she would write -- at least about Andy Wecker -- and then she quickly crumpled it up and went downstairs to burn it in the fireplace. Remedy then decided, and told herself that she would be living a new life from now on. It was going to have to be more cheerful, less dramatic, more confident... That night, Remedy logged on her computer and started to chat -- something she had never done before. She started to talk to a bunch of people and found it fun and exilherating. But she did feel as if she was wasting the night away -- it was almost 3 in the morning and she still hadn't gone to sleep and needed to wake up early in the morning. She was hooked... on the computer. |
| "Smile, Tulia, it's homecoming," Randy said taking her hand in his. Tulia turned to Randy and smiled slightly. "I know. I just feel bad that Jimmy didn't have anyone to go with." "Are you talking about the same Jimmy Dean that just walked in with Jenny Frank?" Tulia moved her eyes over to the entrance. Jimmy stood there with Jenny, looking back at Tulia with a smile. Jimmy and Jenny walked over to Tulia and Randy. "Hi guys. Tul, you look amazing, "Jimmy said smirking. Tulia blushed. "You don't look bad yourself, James." Jenny rolled her eyes and tugged on Jimmy's arm. "Let's go dance!!!!" Jimmy nodded. "Tulia, I'm going to steal you for a dance later," he said before walking away. Tulia tapped her fingers to the beat of the music. Randy smiled and squeezed her hand. "You can go dance if you want." Tulia picked up her cup and sighed. "That's okay, Randy. the dance is almost over anyway," she said walking away. Once she passed the first pilliar, Tulia was taken by the hand and spun around. "Jimmy? What was that?" she said with a laugh. Jimmy pulled Tulia onto the dance floor. "I told you I was going to steal you for a dance." A slow song came on and everyone tangled together. Jimmy and Tulia stood facing each other and smiled slightly. Jimmy took a step closer but didn't touch her. Tulia smiled and put Jimmy's hand on her hip. Jimmy took Tulia's hand that wasn't on his shoulder and held it in his own. they started dancing to the music. "I've never danced with a guy like this before," tulia said. "Well, My Mom taought me how to dance. she liked the old fashion stuff," Jimmy replied. Tulia looked and Jimmy and smiled. she laced her finger with his and gave a small squeeze. "I like this, James." Jimmy moved his hand more towards the middle of her back and got closer. Tulia looked up into his eyes. "What's happening between us?" she asked. Jimmy smiled slightly. "Nothing that wasn't already there." "Then why haven't I felt like this before?" "It just took you a while to realize you could feel like this with me." Tulia ran her thumb across his collar. "I don't want it to end." "It doesn't have to," Jimmy said leaning in. Before their lips could touch, the lights turned back on. Tulia opened her eyes and reality set in. she pulled away from Jimmy. "Randy is probably wondering where I am," she said walking away. "Wait, Tulia!" Jimmy said after her. Jimmy was left standing on the dance floor by hiself. |
| Tulia opened her locker. Mia figeted with the books in her arms. "Are you sure you don't mind taking me home?" Mia asked. Tulia smiled at her friend. "Of course not." Jimmy walked up to the girls. "Hey Mia," he said first. "Hey JImmy," Mia said. "HI Tulia," he said low. Tulia lifted up the corner of her mouth and looked at the floor. "Hi Jimmy," she said back. Jimmy swollowed the lump in his throat. "I, uh, I came over to see how you're doing so...how are you doing?" "I'm fine, and you?" "I'm okay. I've missed you all week, Tulia." Tulia looked up at him quickly then looked back down. "Mia and I need to get going. bye," she said walking away. Jimmy ran up to Tulia. "Tul, we need to talk." "About what?" she said still walking. "I heard that you have a date with Randy tomorrow." "I do." Jimmy stopped and grabbed Tulia's hand, causing her to stop and lok at him. "I almost kissed you at homecoming, Tulia." Tulia bit her lip and looked at Mia. Mia nodded her head and walked away. Tulia turned to Jimmy and took back her hand. "I know that, Jimmy." "Then why would you go on a date with Randy?" Tulia moved away. "Why? because Randy likes me." "Is that the only reason? Tulia, I like you. I like you more than Randy does." "No you don't, Jimmy. Give it a day, you'll get over it." Tulia walked outside and straight to Ben's car. the whole ride was silent. "What did you and Jimmy talk about?" Mia asked back by her house. Tulia shook her head. "Nothing. Jimmy was just being crazy." "What did he say?" Tulia chuckled a little. "Jimmy told me that he liked me...can you believe that?" Mia smiled. "What did you say?" "I called his bluff. Mia, do you really believe that Jimmy likes me?" "Yes!!!" "Oh, come on Mia. Jimmy doesn't like me." Mia rolled her eyes. "How can you say that, Tulia? Nothing has been more obvious than the fact that Jimmy is into you." "What are you talking about, Mia?" "You really don't see it? Tulia, look at all the signs." "Like what, Mia?" Tulia said sarcastically. "Like the staring, the smiling, the flirting..." "Jimmy and I have always been like that." "...What about the hand holding, the knee touching, the dancing, the almost kissing? You let him do all those things without any objections. Can you say you don't feel something for Jimmy honestly?" "No, no, I do. I like Jimmy." "Then why won't you give him a chance?" Tulia chuckled. "Mia, Jimmy and I wouldn't work. Besides, Randy is taking me out after the play tomorrow." Saturday at play rehearsals... Mia pushed her slightly wet hair away from her tear stained face. Tulia walked into the room and up to her best friend. "Mia, what's wrong?" Tulia asked sincerly. Mia wiped at a tear but more kept coming down. "I think Ryan is cheating on me." "What? do you really think that, Mia?" "I don't know," she cried. "Ryan had been spending so much time with Ashley lately that I just thought that something could be going on between them." Tulia hugged her. "Mia, Ryan loves you. He would never cheat on you. come on, let's go by Ryan right now." Mia and Tuila walked to the band pit but no onw was there. The girls heard some rustling behind a curtain. They slowly crept up to the curtain when Ryan and Jimmy walked in. "Hey," the boys said together. Mia turned and smothered Ryan. Jimmy, with his hands in his pockets, looked down at the floor. "Tulia, I..." "Not now Jimmy," Tuila interrupted. as soon as she was about to walk away, the guy behind the curtain laughed. she caught her breath. Tulia pulled back the curtain. Ashley and Randy pulled apart. "Tulia!" Randy squawked. Ashley pulled down her shirt and ran off. "Oh my god," Tulia said before running off. Mia and Ryan followed. Jinny stood there, staring down Randy. Randy stood up and put on his coat. "I didn't expect that to happen," Randy said straightening himself out. "Why would you do that to Tulia?" Jimmy asked still staring. Randy chuckled. "Tulia's a great girl. she's smart and funny and sweet...but I'm not really into her. Ashley's hot. she's more of my pace." "And the fact that you have a date with Tulia tonight doesn't matter?" "I was going to stand her up. Tulia's not good enough. you know how it is, Jimmy," Randy ended with a smile. Jimmy scrunched up his fist and punched Randy square in the face. Randy fell to the floor. Jimmy stood over him. "If you ever get near Tulia again I swear I'll break more than your nose." Later that night... "I'm coming," Jimmy said to the frantic knocker on the other side of the door. Jimmy opened the door and Tulia was on the other side. "You're an idiot," she said. "Nice to see you too," Jimmy said moving so Tulia could come in. "What the hell were you thinking? Jimmy, you hit Randy, broke his nose and threatened him!" she said walking to the other side of the room. "I think he deserved it." "But that was NOT your decision." Jimmy moved closer to her. "I know it wasn't and I'm sorry you're upset but I'm not sorry I hit him. Randy was stringing you along the whole time, Tulia...then he took you to homecoming and..." "Why does everything always have to come back to homecoming with you?" Jimmy moved so he was standing directly in front of Tulia. "Why won't you you ever talk about homecoming? Here, I'll refresh you're memory...I almost kissed you!" "I know," Tulia said quietly but looked at him. JImmy looked into her bright green eyes. "That night, Tulia, did you feel the same way I did?" Tulia moved her eyes down to the ground and didn't say a word. Jimmy took a step closer so they were about a foot apart. "Tulia, look at me...Please." Tulia slowly lifted up her light eyes and they locked with his dark ones. "Please Tul," Jimmy asked. "Did you want to kiss me that night?" She saw the plea in his eyes. "More than anything," she replied. Jimmy smirked and kept his gaze with hers. "Everything that happened between us and between you and Randy was my fault. I should have done it a while ago." "Done what?" "This," Jimmy whispered before taking her face in his hands and kissing her. the kiss didn't last very long. Slwoly, they pulled apart and opened their eyes. Tulia caught her breath and went to the door. she opened it and left without even looking back. |
| Remedy didn't go to homecoming. It's not like she didn't want to, it was more like, she didn't have anything to wear in such a short amount of time. Okay, it was because she didn't want to. But it was reasonable enough. She had just gotten her heart crushed. Though she was recovering. After the long weekend (in which Remedy had spent non-stop writing, such inspiration going on in her head), Remedy felt as if she was ready to go back to school. Only, she didn't. Because it was the day she was scheduled to go to the dentist to get her wisdom teeth out. She was a little scared at first. But everybody always is. When the dentist gave her laughing gas, it paralyzed her, and Remedy felt as if she couldn't even move. That was the scariest part of all. She had the weirdest dream. |
| Ryan paced back and forth. “I don’t know what to do,” he said. “You love her, Ry,” Jimmy said from his seat. “I know I love her, Jimmy, but she thought I was cheating on her.” “So?” Jimmy said casually. Ryan stopped and lifted an eyebrow. “So? She doesn’t trust me.” “Yes she does. If Mia spent most of her time with and older and more experienced guy, you would think something was going on between them. It’s just her being jealous. Could you honestly see yourself in the near future without Mia?” Ryan sat down. “No, I can’t. I’ve been with Mia about two years already and I can’t see myself without her.” Jimmy stood up and patted him on the back. “I need to catch Tulia before she leaves so I’ll see you later.” “What do you need to see her for?” Jimmy smirked. “I kissed her last night.” Ryan smiled back. “Really? Then what happened?” “She, uh, left.” “What did she say before she left?” “Nothing. She just…left.” Ryan’s mouth fell open and he rolled his eyes. Jimmy shook his head. “See, there’s more to it. Tulia told me that she wanted to kiss me at the dance and last night she kissed me back. That counts for something.” Ryan chuckled at his enthusiasm. “Go get her, Romeo.” Tulia shifted the last bag to exactly where she wanted it. She stood back up straight and heard the door to the crew room close. Tulia turned and Jimmy was standing by the door. She shook her head and sat on the couch. “Why did you just close the door?” she asked. Jimmy smirked and walked up to Tulia. “I just wanted to be alone with you for a while.” Tulia rolled her eyes. “Well, the doors lock form the outside so we’re going to be alone and stuck in here for a while, Jimmy.” Jimmy sat down on the couch and didn’t say anything for a while. He turned to Tulia. “How long are we stuck in here?” “About four hours.” After a while of sitting here, Jimmy started to get restless. He got up and looked at the things in the crew room. “There are a lot of cool things in here,” he said. Tulia turned and gave a small smirk to Jimmy. “This is definitely the coolest room in the school. Jimmy noticed a stereo and turned to her with a smile. “How long have we been in here?” Tulia looked at her watch. “Around and hour…why?” Jimmy held up the stereo. “Let’s dance,” he said plugging it in. Tulia shook her head and laughed. “You’re crazy!” “Then I hope you don’t mind dancing with a crazy man,” Jimmy said pressing play and These arms of mine by Otis Redding started. Jimmy walked up to Tulia and extended his hand. “Would you dance with me?” he asked with a smile. Tulia smirked and took his hand. She stood up and they started dancing like last time. “You are sweet, James.” Jimmy smiled at her. “You haven’t called me James all week. You know, you’re the only one who calls me that.” Tulia bit her lip. “Do you want me to stop?” Jimmy chuckled and moved her hand that he held to his shoulder. He ran his hand down her arms until her reached her hip. “No,” he said. “You can call me James if you want.” Tulia locked eyes with his and they danced to music. “Do you really like me?” she asked. Jimmy smiled. “More than anything.” Tulia smirked at the comment. “How long?” “A while.” “Oh,” she said moving her eyes away from his. “Tulia.” She connected her eyes with his again. “Yeah?” she said softly. Jimmy smiled sweetly at her. “DO you know how amazing you are?” Tulia blushed. “I’m not amazing.” She lowered her head. Jimmy picked up her chin. “Yes, you are. You’re smart and fun and so beautiful.” “Thank you,” she whispered. They stopped dancing. Jimmy, who still held Tulia’s chin, leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her lips. Jimmy smiled at her afterwards but Tulia just looked at him. “I’m sorry, Tulia,” he said dropping his arms to his sides. Tulia left her arms around his neck. “Don’t be,” she said before kissing him. Jimmy was surprised at first but smiled on her lips and wrapped his arms back around her waist. He pulled her up against him gently and they smiled still kissing. Ever few seconds, Tulia and Jimmy would pull apart enough to change angles before finding each other again. After a while, the kiss died down and they parted but still held onto each other. “Wow,” Jimmy said opening his eyes. Tulia opened her eyes. “I know,” she replied. “What now?” Jimmy asked. Tulia smiled. “What do you want to happen?” “I want to kiss you again,” he said kissing her once softly. When the kiss was done, they touched foreheads. “Tul,” Jimmy said. “Hmm?” “You wanna be my girlfriend?” he whispered. Tulia moved so she could see him. “Yeah,” she said with a smile. Jimmy smiled wide and kissed her again. |
| Remedy glanced at the clock. It was getting pretty late, but she didn't care. She kept typing along on the computer. She knew that she would be late in going to sleep. But this guy online was bugging her and all she wanted to do was go and cry and be alone. The thing that sucked about chatting online was that a million guys asked for cyber and she hated it because she was not that type of person and it made her feel stupid when guys asked her that. But a lot of good had come out of chatting too because she met a few nice people she had been talking to for a while. She hated that she was wasting her life away on the computer but she felt that she could be herself mostly online, and that maybe soon it would rub off onto school and real life. She often would listen to sad songs and would cry herself to sleep. And things never tasted right to her anymore. She didn't know why this was happening. All she wanted was a life that she could never have. And well, in order to get close to it, it was going to take a lot of time. But that's what she had. |
| Monday, the next day… Mia stood on her toes to look over the small crowd of people in the hallway. She smiled wide when she saw the person she wanted. “Tulia! Tulia, Hang on!” Mia yelled throwing an arm in the air. Tulia stopped walking when she heard Mia’s voice. She clinched her fingers tight around her notebook that she carried and mouthed an “Oh god” before taking in a choppy breath. Mia smiled at Tulia when she got up to her. “Hey, why weren’t you on the bus this morning?” Mia asked. Tulia bit her lip. “I, uh…came in early. Yeah, I needed to talk to a teacher about something.” “Oh,” Mia said shortly. Tulia shook her head. “I’m gonna get going. I’ll see you at lunch,” Tulia said before walking away. “Bye,” Mia said in an almost whisper as Tulia kept walking. Something was troubling her best friend. Tulia had drawn numerous circles on her paper. She was lost in her thoughts. Yesterday was the best day of her life. She had finally stopped running from her feelings for Jimmy and the best part was that he felt the same way back. Still, Tulia couldn’t stop feeling bad. Yesterday they had spent the whole day together, most of it stuck in a crew room but that wasn’t so bad. Jimmy gave Tulia some lessons in the art of kissing and being locked up in a crew room provides much time to practice. All she had to give in return was her caresses, which she was more than willing to give him. Tulia started to blush at thoughts of yesterday when she heard the annoying voice of Jenny Frank. “He is hot, isn’t he?” Jenny said in a giddy way to her cheerleader friend, Maggie. “Totally. Jimmy Dean is the hottest guy in the school,” Maggie said with less enthusiasm. “I know,” Jenny said matter of factly. “That’s why he’s my boyfriend.” Tulia’s eyes got wide but she still faced away from them. “He’s not your boyfriend,” Maggie said with a roll of the eyes. “He’s not my boyfriend…yet. It’s only a matter of time before I get him.” “Jenny, Jimmy is perfect. How are you gonna snag a guy like that?” “Easily. Besides, Maggie, Jimmy is not perfect.” Jenny looked at Tulia and got really low but Tulia could still hear her. “See that girl with the long brown ugly wavy hair? That’s Tulia Affleck. Jimmy is friends with her. He like, ALWAYS talks to her. I have no idea why he would want to talk to someone like that. She totally ruins his reputation. Tulia will be the first thing to go. She would annoy me so much if I even had to talk to her once,” Jenny said with a giggle. Maggie giggled too. “I bet she likes him.” “Probably. How could Tulia think that Jimmy would be even remotely interested? There are so many better girls for him then that thing.” Maggie and Jenny laughed until the bell rang. Tulia turned the knob of her locker, all the while sniffing back tears. Jimmy walked up to his new girlfriend with a big grin on his face. “Hey gorgeous,” Jimmy said to Tulia. Tulia sniffed back another tear and went into her locker but didn’t look at Jimmy. “Hey James,” she said softly. Jimmy dropped his smile. “Are you okay, Tul?” Jimmy said touching her arm. Tulia moved her shoulder away. “I’m fine,” she said. “There’s something wrong. What’s wrong, Tulia?” “I said there’s nothing wrong!” Tulia said loudly before closing her locker and walking to chemistry alone. Jimmy walked into chemistry and sat down on the other side of the room from Tulia. He glanced at her, only to see her wipe away a tear and laid her head on the table. Jimmy placed his own head in his hands and sighed. Yesterday was TOO perfect, Jimmy thought to himself. They didn’t talk to whole period. Tulia tried to lose herself in the crowd of people that entered the lunchroom. She knew that if any of her friends, especially Jimmy, saw her then they would try to figure out what was wrong. Tulia was almost into the lunchroom when she was pulled out of the crowd and on the wall by the door. Jimmy looked at her with sad eyes. “What’s wrong, Tulia? I didn’t speak to you all day.” Tulia looked at the ground. “Nothing’s…” “Don’t say nothing’s wrong because I know when you’re upset and clearly you are now. What is it?” Jimmy swallowed a lump in his throat. “Do you regret yesterday?” Tulia looked up into his brown eyes. “God, James, that’s not it. How could even think that? Yesterday was amazing.” “Then what is it? You can trust me, I am your boyfriend.” “I do trust you, it’s just…are you sure you want to be my boyfriend?” “What? Where is this coming from?” “In history class today, some girls were talking about you and me. They were right, Jimmy. You could have any girl you want so why would you want me? All I can do is ruin your reputation,” she wiped away a tear. Jimmy pulled Tulia into a hug. “Don’t listen to those girls. You could never ruin my reputation and anyways, I don’t care. I want you and only you, Tulia.” Tulia moved away slightly to wipe off a tear. “You’re sweet, James. Do you tell all of your girlfriends this stuff?” Jimmy smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Actually, you’re the first,” she said with a chuckle. “So are we okay now?” Tulia smiled. “We were always okay.” Jimmy put back on his big grin. “Can I kiss you?” She rolled her deep green eyes. “So when you can kiss me without asking first, you do? You were supposed to ask me before we started dating, James.” “Either way works for me,” he said before leaning in and kissing her. Mia and Ryan walked hand in hand to lunch. Ryan had been rambling on about something when Mia stopped walking. “What’s up with you?” Ryan said looking back to Mia. Mia closed her mouth before smiling and tugging Ryan away by the hand. “Jimmy! Tulia!” Mia screeched as she and Ryan finally came upon the kissing couple. Jimmy and Tulia pulled apart and looked at Ryan and Mia with blushes on. “When did this happen?” Mia asked with a smile. “Mm, yesterday really,” Tulia said looking at her friend, feeling the heat on her cheeks going down. “At the play?” “More like the Crew room,” Jimmy said with a grin. Ryan smiled back to his friend. “Well, it was about time!” Mia shook her head. “Tulia, why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Tulia tucked some hair behind her ears. “I was with Jimmy so I didn’t have time and today…today was a bad day. Jimmy and I will tell you all about it at lunch.” Ryan took Mia’s hand and pulled her along. “Yeah, you better,” she said walking away. Jimmy and Tulia smiled at each other when their friends had left. “Are you ready to go public about us?” Jimmy asked with a lift of the eyebrow. “Are you ready to go public about us?” Jimmy asked with a lift of the eyebrow. Tulia smirked and grabbed her boyfriend’s hand. “More than ready.” |
| Remedy giggled. Yes. Exactly. She <i>giggled</i>. She was trying to keep a conversation going with Hannah Joelings, a friendly student in her gym class. But she was so nervous... she had absolutely no idea what to say... so, in place of any words, she giggled. But she felt so, completely, pressured because she <i>knew</i> that if she didn't talk to anybody, <i>everybody</i> was going to be disappointed in her. Two weeks had passed since the homecoming dance. She reasoned with herself that she was getting a little better with talking to other people, but, not the best she could do. The best would just have to come with time. "So, do you like softball?" Hannah asked. "Yes." "Really?" Hannah asked. "That's so awesome. I can't wait until softball starts. I hope I make the team this year." Remedy giggled. What to say? She rumaged around her thoughts. "I hope you make it too," was what was finally spluttered out of her mouth. There was a silence. <i>Oh no,</i> Remedy thought. <i>We have to keep talking. If we don't, that means that I am going to go back to being the same old me. I have to change, I have to make this work.</i> "So...uhm... have you played softball before?" "For six years," was Hannah's reply. "Do you play any sports?" "No," Remedy said. "Why not? They're really fun." Shoot. Blocked again. Why <i>was</i> it that she didn't like playing sports anyway? There was a slight pause before Remedy responding. "Really?" she asked. "Oh, totally," Hannah nodded. "You should try out for softball, too." "No. Not me. I'm not good at it." "You aren't?" "No. I'm not." Blocked again. There was at least a one minute pause, all these thoughts rummaged through Remedy's head. <i>WHY can't I think of anything else to say? You're SO STUPID, Remedy, THINK of something, QUICK.</i> But before she could say anything, the bell rang and Hannah was off to her next period class. |
| Five months later, the day before Valentine’s day to be exact… Tulia, who was leaned back against the couch’s arm, smiled as Jimmy, who hovered over her, trailed kisses on the back of her ear. “James…that tickles!” Tulia giggled. Jimmy smiled and moved some more of her hair out of his way. “Do you want me to stop?” “No,” she said pushing on his shoulders. “But your parents will be home soon and I don’t think they want to see their son and his girlfriend making out on the couch.” Jimmy rolled his eyes and moved off of her. “Fine,” he said defeatedly. “It’s not like seeing us making out would so surprising. We HAVE been together for five months already.” “Five months tomorrow to be exact,” she said getting her coat. “Ah yes, five months on Valentine’s day. How romantic,” Jimmy said wrapping his arms around her and kissing her one last time. Tulia smiled. “So…What are you getting me?” “Hmm, I’m not sure. What can really express how much I love you?” he said before thinking. Tulia caught her breath. “What?” was all she said. Jimmy’s mouth fell open but nothing came out. He, literally, choked on his words. “I…”he finally was able to say after a few bad seconds. “…I love you, Tulia.” Tulia just shook her head. “Jimmy this…this was unexpected and I…I need some time to think.” He nodded. “I…you don’t need to say anything. I didn’t expect to say that. I mean, I was going to tell you just not now. NOT that I don’t feel it now I just…” “I get it,” Tulia broke in. “Can I have some time to think? I just need to sort this out by myself.” “Yeah, yeah. It’s okay.” “Alright. I’m going to go so…bye James,” she said leaving. “Bye,” he said with a slight wave. And so Valentine’s day began… “You’re such a dumbass,” Ryan said with a chuckle. “I know I am!” Jimmy said pacing around. “I didn’t tell Mia that I loved her until after seven months.” Jimmy stopped and smirked. “I think I waited a long time, seeing as I loved her even before we started dating.” “Yeah, that’s true. At least you didn’t tell her earlier. She would have definetly been gone then.” Jimmy got wide eyed. “Do you think she’s going to break up with me?” Ryan lifted his shoulders. “I dunno. It all depends on how much it scared her.” “It didn’t really scare me, Mia. I just didn’t expect it,” Tulia said walking to the Mia’s house with Mia. “Well, who ever expects something like that. What are you going to tell Jimmy?” Mia asked. “I…don’t know. I mean, I REALLY like Jimmy but do I love him? Love is such a strong word and I don’t think I’m ready to say that yet.” “So what are you going to do?” Tulia sighed. “I think I need to break up with him, Mia. I just turned sixteen and I’m not ready to be in love. It’s best to not lead him on.” “Do you really want to break up?” “No but I don’t think I have a choice,” Tulia said before going into Mia’s house and going quiet. That afternoon… Tulia sat on her couch, waiting for Jimmy to finally drop by. She sat there a good hour, just waiting and thinking. Finally, at 4:30, the door bell rang. Tulia opened the door and there stood Jimmy on the other side. “Hey,” she said softly with a smile. Jimmy took in a breath and smiled. “Hey,” he breathed out. Tulia moved over so Jimmy could get in. she closed the door and Jimmy still looked at her. “Um, Happy Valentine’s day,” Jimmy said kissing her on the cheek. Tulia blushed. “You too. Um…we should sit and talk.” Jimmy nodded and they sat on the couch. They didn’t say anything for a while, just looked at each other and sat. “So…how was your day?” Jimmy asked finally breaking the silence. Tulia tucked some hair behind her ears. “It was fine. How was yours?” “It was okay. I…I picked up your gift,” Jimmy said taking out the thin box from his pocket. Tulia opened up the box. Inside was a gold necklace with a heart pendant on it. She looked up to him and smiled. “James, you didn’t have to do this. It looks so expensive.” Jimmy smiled back. “You’re worth it.” “It’s gorgeous. Will you put it on me?” she asked lifting up her long hair. Jimmy slid behind her and clipped the necklace around her neck. He ran his fingers down her neck and shoulders. He never could get enough of her silky skin. Tulia felt electricity as he did this. “You look gorgeous with it on,” Jimmy said moving back next to her. Tulia felt herself blushing. She looked at him and opened her mouth to talk. “Tulia,” Jimmy cut in. “I’m sorry if I scared you yesterday. I know it feels early for you but I don’t think so. I’ve loved you for a while and it was only a matter of time before I said it. I love you, Tulia and I want you to know that.” Tulia nodded her head and locked her green eyes with his dark ones. “At first I was scared, James. It’s only been five months and already you’re telling me you love me. Since yesterday I kept thinking about how I’m only 16 and I can’t be in love. I don’t anything about love so how could I feel it? I tried to figure out a way so we won’t get too hurt in this. I figured that I don’t want to stay with you and hurt you because I can’t say it back but I don’t want to break up because I really like being with you…so breaking up is the only option…” “If that’s what you want to do,” Jimmy cut in and took a deep breath o stop him from breaking down. Tulia noticed his reaction and quickly grabbed his hand so she could see his eyes again. “But I don’t want to break up with you. You make me happy and I want to stay with you as long as I can. Besides, James…” Tulia took a deep breath. “I think I’m in love with you.” Jimmy’s mouth fell a little before it turned into a huge grin. “You do?” he asked not believing. Tulia smiled back wide. “Yeah, I love you.” Jimmy practically leaped on Tulia, kissing her hungerly. “I love you so much,” he said between kisses. Tulia smiled and leaned back, letting herself enjoy the benefits of being in love. |
| Remedy was in a transe. Homework was supposed to be done. But no, she kept on thinking away, her pen resting in her hands. She had been accepted to write for the school newspaper! It was so exciting. She already had three friends, three new friends, and this new experience was going to be good for her. She was going to interview people, which gave her even more practice about getting away from her whole social anxiety. She wasn't totally over it, but she was getting better. She looked down at her pen. English homework couldn't wait. School started in an hour, and she needed to get this homework done before she drove to school -- yep, she had gotten her license just two months earlier -- and she was working at a job, a movie theatre in the mall. She hated work, but it was money and she needed it for her car, her insurance, and her future college. But this was so exciting! She was going to be a reporter for the newspaper! It was at exactly 6:55 that she finished her English homework. And that she got a strange telephone call, right before she headed out to school on Valentine's Day morning. |
| Ten years later... "You have to tell him, Mia," Ryan said to his wife who sat at the table. they were married now for three years and they were never happier. Mia rolled her eyes as she rubbed her well rounded stomach. "I don't have to tell him anything, Ryan. Jimmy will figure it out on his own, if he doesn't see her first." "Do you really want to wait until he sees her to figure it out?" Mia sighed and slowly stood up. she waddled to the door and glared at ryan. "I can't believe you are guilting your pregnant wife into telling a man something that he'll find out anyway." Ryan smiled and walked up to Mia and kissed her. "Keep my babies safe." "Trust me, the twins aren't going anywhere," Mia said before leaving. At Jimmy's House... "Jimmy! Open the door!" Mia yelled as she knocked hard. Jimmy opened his door and rubbed his unshaven face. "What do you want?" "Ryan made me come all the way over here to tell you something that you were going to find out anyway." Jimmy scratched his head. "And that would be what oh hormonal one?" "Tulia is coming back to Hebetude today, and only today. cya," Mia said trying to walk away. Jimmy moved in front of her. "Why only for a day and why after a year of staying away?" Mia kept walking. "Why don't you ask her yourself? She is at home already." "What time is it?" he asked. "It's three already. you know, the off season is really treating you like shit." "Tell the NBA that," he said before going back into his house. he had to see her. Tulia's House.... Tulia sat on her entertainment glider, letting the summer air run through her hair. she was lost in her thoughts when her brother, Ben, sat down besides her. "What are you thinking about?" he asked. Tulia sighed. "Everything. It feels so weird being back. I haven't been to Hebetude in a year and still not much has changed." "Well that's Hebetude for ya." Ben looked at the expression on his sister's face. "Are you thinking about him?" Tulia quickly looked at him before bringing down her head. "Yeah," was all she said. They just sat there, looking no where, Ben stood up. "I have to get going. Remedy wanted me to pick up some stuff from the store. God, I can't believe I'm actually with her. it seems like a dream. Tulia, you should go see Jimmy." At Jimmy's house... Tulia walked up the two steps up to Jimmy's huge house. Being a basketball player really gets you nice things. she sighed, remembering all the times she went into this house that she and Jimmy shared for so many years, before putting her hand on the doorbell. As soon as she was about to ring it, the door opened and Jimmy was there. He was in a nice blue button down shirt and a pair of jeans. His face was freshly shaven as well. They just stood there, connecting light and dark eyes. “Tulia,” was all Jimmy said. Oh how he missed her! Tulia quickly dropped the gaze. Staring at him only gave her trouble. “Hey James, were you going out?” she said softly. Jimmy took in a deep breath at his name. “I was actually going to go see you. Um, do you want to come in?” Tulia nodded and walked inside. Jimmy closed the door behind them. “So,” he began. How have you been?” Tulia looked up at him but made sure to not connect eyes. “I’ve been…no, let’s cut the crap. I’ve been gone for a year. A whole year, James, and all you have to say is how are you?” “I know it’s been a year, Tulia,” he responded. “How long was it before you even realized I was gone?” she said with some anger. “I knew that night. I came back to the hotel room before the game.” “You knew and you still played?” “What did you expect me to do, Tulia? Those games are my job,” he said now with anger. Tulia paced around. “You didn’t even try and stop me!” “Like you would have stayed!” “You could have at least made an attempt.” “Why? So you could have told me off and leave anyway? What about you? Huh, Tulia? You just left without any notice. We were together for eight and a half years!” Jimmy yelled. Tulia got close to him. “They obviously didn’t mean anything! Was I not good enough for you to try and find? I was in New York this whole time, Jimmy. Why didn’t you look for me?” Jimmy grew soft again. “I did look for you. I knew you were in New York. I went there, Tulia. I went there a few months ago and you were with someone else. I couldn’t…I couldn’t see you with someone else anymore so I left.” Tulia once again, locked eyes with him. “You should have come up to me.” Jimmy grabbed her hands and held them in his own. “Why did you leave, Tulia?” Tulia shook her head slightly. “I couldn’t be second anymore. We were together for eight years and we were at a stand still. I wanted to move forward but I knew you weren’t ready. I didn’t want to wait anymore.” “I’ve been so depressed since you’ve left. You are the only thing that can make me happy. I still love you.” Tulia smirked a bit. “I still love you,” she whispered. Jimmy closed the small gap between them and kissed her. He put his hands on her face gently. Tulia leaned in a bit, letting the kiss deepen. She wanted to remember the feeling she had with jimmy for the rest of her life. Tulia pushed him back so they parted. “Wait,” she said opening her eyes. “What?” Jimmy asked missing the warmth from her. “We can’t do this.” Jimmy lifted an eyebrow. “Why? We still love each other.” Tulia felt the tears starting to fall. “I’ve moved on. That man you saw me with months ago is named Tom. He wants to marry me. He wants to have a life with me in New York. I’m sorry. Goodbye, James.” As Tulia was about to leave, Jimmy grabbed her wrist. “Tulia,” he said before capturing her in another kiss. Tulia wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. Jimmy put his arms around her waist and held her tight. The kiss was passionate and lasted a good minute before Tulia forced herself to break away. She looked at him with tears in eyes. “I’ll always love you,” she said before running out. At the train station… Mia wiped at her eyes. She knew she wouldn’t see Tulia for a while so she was pretty emotional. Tulia was as well. “Now you be careful on that train. It’s a long ride back to New York,” Mia said with a sob from her seat in the car. Tulia sniffed back some tears as she stood outside with her luggage and looked to Mia. “I’ll call you when I can, Mia.” Mia nodded. “Did you see Jimmy?” she asked. Tulia closed her and took in a large breath through her nose. Some tears fell as she nodded her head. Mia watched the tears fall and cried more. “I’m going to miss you, Tulia,” she said taking her into a hug. “I’m going to miss you too,” she said before ending it. “You need to get going before the train leaves without you.” Tulia waved as Mia’s car left. Tulia picked up her luggage and walked to the stop that she was supposed to be picked up at. She looked up and dropped her luggage quickly. “James?” she asked in disbelief. Jimmy smiled and walked to her. “I was an idiot and didn’t stop you from leaving last time. I let you go once, I’m not going to do it again. I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I was going to propose the night you left but I never got a chance to. I know that there’s the guy in New York that already told you he wants to marry you and I’m sorry that it took me so long to ask, but I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you. Please, Tulia, will you marry me?” Jimmy said ending on one knee and holding the ring. Tulia smiled. “Of course I’ll marry you, James. I love you.” Jimmy grinned and stood up before putting the ring on her finger. He kissed her furiously. “You have no Idea how much I love you.” They walked hand in hand back home and they lived happily ever after. The End |
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