Small Problem -16- by Melanie Brown

Small Problem

Part 16

“Can I call you?” asked the boy I’d seen for the first time in my life less than five seconds before.

I slowly shook my head. “Sorry, no. Thanks for asking, though.”

Still grinning, he continued, “Oh come on. I’d love to take you out. Dinner. Movie. Dancing.”

“I’m sure you’re a nice person and all, but seriously, I’m seeing someone already.”

“Who?” he demanded accusingly.

“I’m dating Chad, the football player,” I said quietly.

His face twisted in anger. “You led me on! Why didn’t you tell me you were dating someone on the team?”

I stood up, ready to slap him. “Are all boys at this school as stupid as you?” I looked him in the face and laughed.

“Did I say something funny?”

“Huh?” I blinked a couple of times.

“Is there anything you wish to share with the rest of the class, Ms Moore?” asked Mr. Lee my Algebra I teacher.

Feeling sheepish. “No, sir.” Several people in the class laughed.

Mr. Lee frowned at me. “Please try to pay attention, Ms. Moore.” I could teach this class in my sleep, so it’s pretty easy for my mind to wander. I was having fun with my daydream.

I was still pretending to take notes when the bell finally rang. As we were all beginning to stand up, Bobby said, “Hey, see ya tomorrow!”  Not if I see you first.

A girl who had been sitting behind me and who had long and shockingly red hair said in my ear, “Don’t let Bobby get to you. He hits on everyone and with the same results.” She laughed. “I’m Maggie, by the way.”

We both walked towards the classroom door. I turned to her and said, “Nice to meet you, Maggie. I’m Amanda. And I’m trying not to let him bug me. But I’m sure he won’t be the last today.”

We stood outside the classroom. Maggie grinned. “Nature of the beast, I guess. Hey, do you need any help with Algebra? I had Mr. Lee for Basic Math last semester, but I think I might be starting to understand this crap better.”

I said, “Thanks. I think I’ve got it. In fact, I created an army of tiny robots that accidentally remade me over as a girl.”

Maggie stared blankly at me for a few moments, then burst out laughing. “You’re hilarious! But hey, my next class is across the campus. Catcha later!” And with a wave, she was gone.

I remained standing outside Mr. Lee’s class, studying my schedule. Geez! How the hell did I get signed up for “Keyboarding”?

While trying to figure out which direction to go, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around.

“Hey, remember me? Douger?” asked the boy with the gorgeous blue eyes.

“Booger, right?”

He frowned and said, “Douger! Be nice. I’m nice to you.”

“I’m sorry. So, what’s up?”

Douger smiled at me. “You looked lost. I thought I might offer my assistance.”

With time running out before my next class started, I admit I was grateful for any assistance at this point. “Thanks! Any idea where this classroom is?” I showed him my schedule and pointed at the keyboarding class.

Douger grinned. “Sure, no problem.” He turned and pointed. “It’s the room right next to Mr. Lee’s Algebra class.”

I groaned. “I feel so stupid!! It’s right there!”

Chuckling, he said, “Don’t. You’re new here. Everyone has trouble at first. Hey, how about I give you a lift home on my bike after school?” I love motorcycles, but I’m sure Mom would throw a fit.  She made me sell mine after we got married.

I said, “Thanks but I have cheer practice after school and Mom picks my sister and I up.”

Douger shrugged. “It’s a permanent offer. And you’re welcome. I enjoy helping little girls find their way.” He turned and ran off.

I took a deep breath and walked into the keyboarding class.

“Oh hey. My name’s Tom…”

*  *  *

As promised, Cathy was waiting outside the lunch room. She waved to catch my attention.

Grinning, Cathy said, “I see you survived the morning.”

Laughing, I said, “Barely! It was crazy. I swear. I think every boy in school tried to hit on me.”

Continuing to grin, Cathy said, “Well, come on. The cheerleaders have a boy-free table.”

I followed Cathy into the lunch line that was already starting to get too long. “Hey Cat. Are we going to have time to eat? This line is ridiculous. Why not the burger line?”

Cathy shrugged. “You can if you want if you don’t mind mystery meat. At least with a salad, you’re more or less sure of what you’re getting.”

“I suppose that’s true.” I followed Cathy’s example, but it was really hard to resist a burrito that was calling my name. I might have to try it tomorrow.

Following Cathy to the self-designated cheerleader table, I heard someone call my name. I looked to my right and saw Owen sitting with a few other guys I’d heard were part of the bad boy crowd. I caught Owen’s eye when I glanced over towards him.

“Amanda! Why don’t you come over here? Your mother won’t have to know.” He then laughed.

I shook my head. “I’m sitting with the cheerleaders. Thanks anyway.”

“You don’t know what you’re missing!” shouted Owen.

One of the boys sitting with Owen said, “Man, you are so full of shit. A girl like her would never go to jail with you.”

Owen said, “Man, I’m tellin’ ya.”

As I sat down next to her, Cathy said, “Owen is such a piece of garbage.” At the same time, Chad got up and slowly walked over to Owen’s table.

I could barely hear him, he spoke so softly. “I don’t appreciate you guys talking shit about my girl or any of the cheerleaders.” He glared at Owen. “You pickin’ up what I’m putting down?”

Looking sheepish, Owen said, “Yeah, I get it.”

Chad shot me a grin as he walked back to his table. I smiled back at him.

Sandy sighed. “You’re so lucky to have Chad.”

Douger and his biker buddies started to leave the cafeteria. He leaned over towards Owen and said, “You’re gonna let that goon talk to you like that?”

Owen didn’t look at him. “Shut the fuck up, asshole.”

Douger laughed. He looked over at me and winked. They continued walking out.

I frowned and looked over at Cathy. “Am I going to be subjected to this silly show of testosterone every day?”

Cathy chuckled. “They’ll tire of it. Hopefully.”

In a low voice, I said to Cathy. “I was never like that.”

Cathy shrugged. “And look where it got you.”

I stared at my fork for several moments, then muttering to myself, I said, “I wonder if that was a factor.”

Marcia looked over at me. “A factor in what?”

I shook my head. “Nothing. I just had a thought.”

Cathy laughed. “She gets those every once in a while.” I bounced a wadded up napkin off her nose.

Marcia tapped the table a few times.

“Girls, let’s get serious a moment.” Everyone turned to look at Marcia.

“Friday is our first pep rally. I really don’t want it to look like our first pep rally.”

Ariel said, “Well, we only have today and tomorrow to practice. We don’t have any skits to worry about this time.”

Marcia said, “No. But we do have some stunts that need work. Our pyramid was a bit shaky yesterday.”

Cathy said, “Don’t worry. We’ll get it.”

*  *  *

“You guys want Whataburger?” asked Mom after she picked us up from school. “I didn’t have time to plan a dinner for tonight.”

Cathy and I looked at each other and nodded. “Sure, Mom. That’s fine with us.”

Mom said, “Okies.” At the next intersection, she turned down the street that would take us to Whataburger instead of our house.

At the next red light, Mom looked at me in the rearview mirror. I usually sit in the back seat since Cathy has declared that being the older sister, she gets first dibs on where to sit. Of course, she uses my new declared birthday and not my actual. It’s okay with me. I’m not bitter or anything.

Looking at me in the mirror, Mom casually asked, “So Amanda. Who was that boy you were talking to ?”

Still looking out my window, I replied, “What boy?”

From the mild strain in her voice, Mom didn’t like my answer. “The boy you were talking to when I picked you guys up.”

I turned away from the car’s passenger window for a second. “Oh, that boy.” I looked back out the window. “He’s just a boy. I met him at Caine’s at lunch yesterday.”

Mom said in a slight accusatory manner, “He was on a motorcycle.”

I looked back at Mom and nodded. “That’s what we were talking about. It’s a really nice bike.”

“He didn’t take you for a ride, did he? You know how I feel about motorcycles.”

I narrowed my eyes at Mom. “He didn’t ask, and there really wasn’t any time for a ride. And yes, I’m well aware of your prohibition on having fun.”

Mom drove the car into the drive-thru at Whataburger.  “I will not tolerate that kind of attitude, young lady!”

I frowned at Mom. “Geez, Mom!” I cried. “You attack me for no reason! No crime in talking to a boy!”

Cathy grinned at Mom. “He’s the leader of a biker gang.”

I growled at Cathy, “It’s not a gang. Besides, he said it’s been weeks since they last terrorized a small town and did a shake-down on blue-haired old ladies in tennis shoes.”

Wide-eyed, Cathy asked, “He told you that?”

I grunted a laugh. “Of course not! I just made it up.”

We were next in line at the window. Mom said, “It sounds like you’re interested in this boy. I forbid you from riding with him.”

“It didn’t even come up!” I whined. “I like motorcycles. I used to have a really nice one.”

Mom turned to look at me. “This is the end of this discussion.”

Cathy asked, “Can I have a Dr. Pepper shake?”

*  *   *

“Hey.”

I paused the anime I was watching on my computer. It was on the thumb drive I got from Chad. I turned slightly and asked, “What’s up?”

From my room’s doorway, Cathy asked, “You got a second?”

I said, “One thousand one. Second’s over.” I turned back to my computer screen.

Cathy closed my door and then sat on my cot. Mom keeps promising me an actual bed. “Don’t be rude! I just wanted to ask you a question.”

I paused the anime again and turned to face her. “You may speak.”

Frowning at me, she asked, “Just curious. Do you like Douger? He’s cute and all, but he gets in trouble a lot.”

I folded my arms. “Seriously? You heard us. He was just bragging about his bike. It’s a nice bike.”

“Are you going riding with him?”

I shook my head at Cathy. “He didn’t ask, and there’s not a lot of passenger space on a crotch rocket. I’d love to take it out myself, though.”

Cathy grinned. “Mom’d freak. You had a bike?”

I nodded. “A CBR 900. It was fun to ride. Your mother made me get rid of it. I miss riding it.”

“So you’re not dropping Chad for Douger?”

I laughed. “Are you mental?”

Cathy shrugged. “Just asking since you seem to have poor choice in men.”

My arms still folded, I said, “Do you mind leaving?”

Cathy laughed.

End if Part 16 Small Problem.