Small Problem -14- by Melanie Brown

Small Problem

Part 14

I sat on the steps for the door leading to the gym. I drew my legs up and wrapped my arms around my legs, and rested my head on my knees. I got angry with myself for letting the tears flow. I shouldn’t let them get to me. I sucked in a deep breath. They’re still my friends, the only ones I have so far at school. But just really thoughtless friends. They’re just kids, after all. Yeah, I’m just a kid, too, but I do have a different perspective.

It calmed me to watch the boys during their practice. My eyes easily followed Chad’s frame. He really is quite handsome. And well-built. I felt a smile grow slowly on my face. My sobs changed to a giggle as I thought about how my life had changed. It wasn’t that long ago that I’d have different emotions watching these boys practice.

My eyes kept coming back to Chad. Why do I like him? I giggled when I thought that I had really spent more time with Owen than with Chad. I shook my head. Well, it wasn’t because I wanted it. True, Owen is cute and funny, and it wasn’t his fault I got arrested. Okay. Back up. Yes, it was his fault. I wouldn’t have been arrested if he’d just taken me home.

I watched several of the boys high-five each other and start clowning around as their practice ended.  Several broke into a run toward the gym. I’m about to get trampled, I thought. I stood up and leaned against the wall.

A few of the boys who ran past me and slammed the gym doors open said, “Hi Amanda!” They didn’t give me time to greet back. At first I was taken aback because when I was in school previously, it was rare for me to be greeted by anyone and certainly not the football team. I grinned when I realized it was because I’m a cheerleader. Everyone will know me this time around. Is that good or bad?

I didn’t have long to ponder as Chad ran up to me and flashed me a dazzling smile. “Hey, babe. You waitin’ for me?” He placed a couple fingers under my chin, lifted my face up and then kissed me. I closed my eyes and felt the kiss all the way down to my toes.

A coach ran up and shouted as he passed us, “Daniels! You can play with the girls later. I need everyone in the gym!”

Chad grinned at me. “Catch ya later!” He then darted through the gym doors. I followed through the gym doors and headed toward the girls' gym.

Approaching the girls’ gym, Marcia and Cathy were just walking out. When they saw me, they stopped walking and turned towards me.

Before I could react, Marcia reached out and hugged me. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Amanda. We didn’t think and thought we were just being funny. Coach read us the riot act, and we all feel ashamed. I hope you can forgive us.”

Cathy looked at me with penetrating eyes. “We all make mistakes, right Amanda?  I know I have. I’m sure you have. My dad made a lulu of a mistake. So let’s all forgive so we can all be friends again. Do you agree?”

I took a deep breath and sighed. “I suppose if I don’t forgive this, then the adhesion of the cheerleaders will be irrevocably broken. So I’ll be the bigger man… er woman, and forgive you. Let’s not bring this up again.”

Marcia threw her arms around my neck again. “I’m not sure about such big words, but I’m glad you forgive me and, well, all of us.”

Cathy said, “Coach ordered everyone to delete any saved copies of your mug shot.”

I sighed again. “Good. I never want to see that picture again!”

Cathy chuckled. “Yeah. Wendy wanted to try to get it to be the picture in the yearbook.”

Scowling, I said, “I will kill her!”

Cathy laughed. “Cool your jets, sis. Ain’t gonna happen. Has to go through too many people.”

“Amanda, she didn’t mean it,” said Marcia. “Let’s just forget this ever happened.”

Cathy looked down at her phone. “Come on, Amanda. We gotta split. Mom’s waiting for us out front.” She then grinned at me. “And today is your turn at kitchen duty!”

I shook my head. “This day just keeps getting better.”

*  *  *

I had just finished watching one of my favorite show tunes on my computer when the doorbell rang. I just ignored it since I figured Mom would get it. And she did.

“Amanda! Chad is here to see you!”

What is Chad doing here, I thought. It was just turning six o’clock. The summer sun was still bright in the sky. As we passed each other, Mom said, “Make this quick, honey. We need to get started on dinner.”

I nodded. “Okay, Mom.”

I walked up to Chad standing in the doorway. “Hey, Chad!” I said brightly. “What’s up? I have to help with dinner in a minute.” I leaned out the door frame. “Where’s your Dad?”

Chad grinned. “Oh, I just rode my bicycle over here since it was so nice out. I wanted to give you…”

Interrupting, I asked, “You have a bicycle?”

Grunting a laugh, Chad said, “Doesn’t everyone? Anyway, I wanted to bring you this.” He held up a thumb drive.

Grinning broadly, I said, “We should go riding sometime.” I looked at his hand that he was holding up. “Whatcha got?”

“It’ll be easier to show you. Can we go to your room?”

I stepped aside so Chad could enter. As I closed the door behind him, I said, “Sorry, but this needs to be quick.”

We entered my room, and he walked up to the computer. I closed the door behind us to keep down the noise. Ten nanoseconds later, the door opens and Mom says, “This door stays open.” She walked away.

Chad laughed. “Yeah, my sister has to keep her door open as well. But anyway, check this out.” He inserted the thumb drive, and the computer began to access it.

Looking curiously, I asked, “What’s on it?”

He clicked on a file. “I remember you telling me you like J-Pop and anime. This drive is just loaded. This is one of my favorite girl bands.” The word Moxie filled behind the girls who started playing. “I especially like Haruna.”

I closed my eyes and smiled at Chad. “This is so cool. Thanks, bunches. Now I have something new to annoy Mm with!” Chad laughed.

Through my open bedroom door drifted my Mom’s voice, “Honey, we need to get dinner started.”

I chuckled. “I need to get dinner started.”

Grinning, Chad said, “I guess I need to go. See you at school.”

His phone beeped. He looked at it a moment and then asked, “What the hell is this?”

He showed me the picture on his phone. It was my mug shot.

End of Part 14 Small Problem.