Poison -15- by Melanie Brown

Poison

By

Melanie Brown
Copyright © 2024

Part 15

The restroom adventure was the highlight of the morning. I couldn’t figure out if I was the victim of selective targeting and it was just my turn or the galactic wheel had rotated alignment to conspire against me. I was hit on four times before the lunch bell. All by boys I didn’t know. They somehow knew about me.

I dutifully informed the would-be suitors of my parental restrictions. You’d think the word would get around. But it continued. And what does it mean that an increasing number of these boys are cute? If it wasn’t for Mom’s wise decision, I might have said yes to a couple of these boys. And that’s just plain crazy. I wouldn’t mind being friends with some of them. They seemed nice. But I can’t honestly see myself dating a boy.

When I was in high school and after getting a part-time job, I started asking girls out and had several dates. And I’m reminded of that song by the Kinks where I’d wind up blowing all my wages for the week only for a cuddle and a peck on the cheek. And now it’s reversed. Boys are willing to blow their wages for the week on me. That’s insane.

As I exited the lunch line carrying my tray, I saw Karen and John sitting at their usual table. And seeing them reminded me of my task for today. My youngest son, my big brother, wants to join the insanity. And he’s allowed to. Why am I being bothered by the patent unfairness of my restriction? I stopped walking and closed my eyes a moment. Damn! I’m so conflicted. I’m losing my mind!

I set my tray down next to Karen. “Okay if I join you?”

Both Karen and John said, “No problem!” at the same time.

Karen looked at me curiously. “You look bothered about something. What’s up?”

I sighed. “A couple of things. One, I think every boy in school has asked me on a date. I’m like, just leave me alone!”

Karen nodded knowingly.

Grinning at me, John said, “Well, you’re new, and you’re the prettiest girl at school!”

Karen scowled at John and asked, “What am I? Chopped liver?”

John shrugged. “Am I wrong, or am I wrong? I mean, look at her! She almost looks lab-created!”

I grunted. “Funny you should say that…”

Rolling her eyes at John, Karen said, “You said you had a couple things on your mind. What’s the second one?”

I stabbed my salad before answering. When did I start liking salads? “I’ll be blunt. Are you dating anyone right now?”

Karen laughed. “Oh, Diane! This is so sudden!”

I chuckled. “I’m not asking for me, goofus! I know a boy who wants to know.”

Karen narrowed her eyes at me. “Just one?”

I grinned. “So far.”

Karen sighed. “Everyone thinks Johnny and I are dating. But yuck, no!”

Looking hurt, John asked, “What am I? Chopped liver?”

Karen shook her head. “Going out with Johnny would be like dating my brother.”

John asked, “What’s wrong with your brother?”

Karen punched John’s shoulder and looked at me. “To answer your question, no. I’m currently not seeing anyone. Who’s asking?”

Grinning, I said, “It’s a secret.”

Karen looked at me sideways. “Hmmm. You only know four boys that I’m aware of. Johnny’s my social secretary, so he wouldn’t have asked. Gene has the hots for you, so he wouldn’t have asked you.  Your brother Zach will soon be off to college, so I’d be too young for him to be interested in. That just leaves Corey.  Is that him?”

I folded my arms. “I will neither deny nor confirm the boy was Corey.”

Karen laughed. “Tell Corey I’m available. But just for the rest of the day. He must act quickly.”

“I’ll let him know.”

Karen pointed at me and exclaimed, “So I was right! It was Corey!”

Laughing, I said, “You win!”

Karen nodded. “He’s cute. I might even say yes.”

                    *

It was the start of fifth period when the overhead speaker clicked a few times. And then came an announcement. “Attention. We’re requesting all female students starting high school in the fall to come to the auditorium for a special presentation. Again, all eighth-grade female students come to the auditorium.”

The girls in the class just sat there and stared at each other for a moment. The teacher said, “Don’t look at me. I don’t know what it’s about. Hey, you won’t be coming back to this room when the presentation is over, so be sure to take all your stuff.”

About half the girls in the class got up and picked up their packs and purses, and left the room.

I caught up with Karen in the hall as we headed towards the auditorium. Everyone was questioning what was going on.

“Hey, Karen. What’s going on?” I asked Karen.

She just shrugged. “Beats me. It’s just us 8th graders.”

Grinning, I said, “I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”

In a few moments, we joined the small crowd of girls entering the auditorium.  Down front was a woman wearing a coach’s uniform and a girl dressed as a cheerleader.

The coach waved us in. She said, “Welcome, girls. Come on in. Come down to the front so I can see you better.”

Karen and I found two seats together on the aisle near the coach. It’s amazing how loud a bunch of girls can be.

As the last few remaining girls took their seats, the coach said, “Good afternoon, girls. Thank you so much for coming. I’m Coach Patterson. I’m the girls’ coach. And this young lady next to me is Marcy.”

Marcy said, “We’re here to try to recruit some of you to join the cheerleaders. I’m the only one left, so we need five girls to fill the ranks.  We want all of you to try out in August.”

Karen nudged me. “I’m going to try out. Try out with me!”

I shook my head. “No. I don’t think so.”

Karen grinned at me. “Oh come on. It’s a blast. I’m a cheerleader here. I know you’ll have fun.”

“You’re a cheerleader?” I asked, somewhat surprised.

Nodding, Karen said, “It’s the last week of school, so we’re not doing anything, but yeah.”

Coach Patterson said, “So. If any of you girls think you’d be interested, just come see me or Marcy. We have some handouts with details of our cheerleading program, the cheers you need to know and other valuable information. The date of the tryouts is on the handouts. We’d love to have you join our team.”

Marcy looked over at us. She grinned and walked over to us and pointed at Karen. “You better come try out! And bring your friend.”

Karen laughed. “I’m trying to convince her.”

Looking at me, Marcy said, “We’d love to have you. Seriously. We work hard, but we have a lot of fun. Our squad ranked third in the state this year.”

Coach Patterson walked up to us. “Good to see you, Karen. You’re going to try out, right?”

Karen grinned. “You bet, coach! I can’t wait.”

Coach Patterson looked at me. “What about you? Will we see you in August?”

Karen poked me in my shoulder. “This is Diane. She’s shy.”

Coach Patterson laughed. “We’ll fix that.”

Karen laughed. “She’ll be at the tryouts, even if I have to tie her up and drag her!”

Marcy handed me the information sheets for trying out. “Really. We have a load of fun. Just ask Karen. Hey, see you guys in August.” She turned and followed the coach to talk to some other girls.

As Karen and I stood up, I said, “Honestly. I don’t think this is for me.”

Looking serious, Karen said, “Think about it. I can come over sometime this summer and walk you through some cheers. Honestly, I think you’ll love it.”

“Maybe,” I said as we exited the auditorium.

As I started to head down the hall, Karen turned and clutched my arm. “Hey. You are coming to the end-of-school party on Saturday night, right?”

I gave her a confused look. “I didn’t know anything about it. I’d have to ask my mom.”

Grinning, she gave me a light punch in the arm. “I bet Gene will ask you. Hey, see ya.”  She turned and scampered away.

Oh great.

End of Part 15