The Great High School Love Game Read online

  The Great High School Love Game

  By Marcia Carrington

  Copyright 2012 Marcia Carrington

  All Rights Reserved

  Credits for cover photographs from the first photograph in the top left-hand corner rotating clockwise:

  (C) Vladitto - Dreamstime.com

  (C) Yuri Arcurs - Dreamstime.com

  (C) Dmytro Konstantynov - Dreamstime.com

  (C) Olena Kryzhanovska - Dreamstime.com

  *The persons in the four images depicted on the cover of this e-book are all models and in no way connected with the characters depicted in this e-book.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter One

  “Amy, I’ve got something great to tell you,” Peter said, with a broad smile.

  “What?” Amy asked, eyes full of wonder.

  Peter shuffled his feet excitedly, and looked at Amy.

  “Wanna come with me to the fancy dress gala?” Peter asked Amy. Amy was taken aback by Peter’s offer, and her mouth fell open in surprise. To be asked to the gala by Peter, one of the school’s cutest guys, was a dream come true for Amy, and something she never expected to happen — ever. “So, what do you think?” he asked, watching for Amy’s response with much anticipation.

  “Well — sure — yes!” Amy replied. “I’d love to!” she declared, to Peter’s delight.

  Amy’s face was awash with happiness, as one of her dreams was finally coming true. Her elusive search for a date for the fancy dress gala had, finally, come to an end, to her great relief. Amy looked over at Peter, who was still smiling at her, and smiled back at him. Yes, dreams do come true after all, and today was Amy’s chance to live this out. All of a sudden, to Amy’s confusion, Peter’s expression mysteriously changed from a happy one, to one of mischief. While Amy knew that Peter was often temperamental, she could not understand him sometimes, and was puzzled by his change of mood.

  “Ha — tricked ya!” Peter said, brown eyes gleaming with naughtiness. “If you think I wanna take you to the gala — you — you’ve got another thing coming. I’d go with a piranha than you to the gala; it’d be better company.”

  Amy was stunned by Peter’s comments, and shook her head in disbelief. While she knew that Peter was a joker, and loved to play tricks on everyone, this was a bit rough, even by his standards.

  “You’re not serious — you — just can’t be,” Amy said, squinting her eyes in uncertainty. Amy again looked at Peter, thinking that maybe he was having her on, but he was still watching her with the same cheeky expression.

  “I am, dead serious,” he said, looking slyly at Amy. “I’d never wanna take you to the gala — ever. Don’t think anyone else would, either — they’re smarter than that.”

  With these words, Amy felt shattered, and began to cry inconsolably. It was as if the whole world had just caved in on her, engulfing her in misery.

  “Why’re you doing this to me, why me?” Amy wailed, to Peter’s accompanying laughter.

  “Because you deserve it!” Peter said ominously. “Can’t think of anyone who deserves a date less than you!”

  Amy began to wheeze, and Peter pointed his index finger at her, laughing hysterically all the while.

  “No, no, no!” Amy yelled, as she collapsed onto the ground, her head in her hands, Peter’s laughter ringing in her ears like a shrill siren. “This can’t be happening to me, it just can’t be,” Amy said.

  At this point in time, Amy realized that she had just had a really ugly daydream. Amy tossed aside the book she held in her hands with disgust, and blinked nervously, thinking for a moment that she was in a dream within a dream. As Amy gradually eased back into reality, she consoled herself that Peter was not a real person; he was just a creation of her imagination, and a horrible one at that. Amy took a deep breath, and, after finally calming down, noticed that she was being watched by her friend Carrie, who was in her bedroom with her.

  “Amy, what’s up?” Carrie asked, putting aside the book she was reading to look over in Amy’s direction.

  “Nothing Carrie, nothing at all,” Amy said, picking up the book she had flung on the floor.

  “You sure?” Carrie asked, watching Amy in alarm.

  “No, I’m okay, just a bad daydream,” Amy said, still a little queasy. Carrie nodded at this, and, feeling that Amy was really okay, returned to her reading. While Amy had just seen an unsettling daydream, this was the opposite of what was taking place outside in the real world.

  Today was a beautiful day, and being Sunday, a day when one could easily kick back, and savor the slow pace of the weekend. It was the kind of day that would seduce anyone into either having a leisurely picnic by the lakeside, or reading the weekend newspaper in bed. The weather was always beautiful in the fall because it was neither humid like in summer, nor chilly like in winter time. Today was one of those days, a day too stunning to spend inside. This was clear from the ample sunshine which filtered through the bedroom balcony’s French doors, illuminating the whole bedroom with its warm radiance.

  Amy was lounging on her bed, her back leaning up against her padded headboard, while Carrie sat in a cozy armchair close by. Amy and Carrie were browsing through books about fictional characters and real-life personalities, trying to decide how they were to attend this year’s school fancy dress gala. There were several books scattered across the bed, and Carrie was carefully examining one of these, slowly flipping its pages. Amy put down the book she was reading, and looked over at Carrie. She had recovered somewhat from her previous daydream, and was interested to discover how Carrie was to attend this year’s gala.

  “You look really happy to be going to the fancy dress gala this year, as usual,” Amy stated.

  Carrie was smiling from ear to ear, and peered at Amy from behind her book.

  “I am, I am,” said.

  “You always go as such great characters. Do you know how you’ll go this time?”

  “Well, James and me might be going down-market this year,” Carrie said. Her blue eyes twinkled upon mention of James, with whom she had a playful on-again, off-again thing.

  “What does that mean?” Amy said, her own blue eyes intently watching Carrie.

  “Well, after being Queen Victoria one time, Mona Lisa the next, don’t you think I should be different this year?” Carrie said.

  “Okay, maybe, but what’re you planning this time?” Amy asked.

  “Well, I won’t be ‘noble’ this year, but, I’m gonna be different,” Carrie announced, curling her lips.

  “What do you mean by different?” Amy asked, shaking her head.

  “Wanna know how different?” Carrie expressed brightly. “Well, I’m …I’m not sure,” Carrie said, seeming suddenly confused. “I’ve got so many ideas in my brain, I think I’ve lost the plot.” Carrie sighed heavily, and hurled aside the book she was reading, as if she was fed up. She looked at Amy with assurance, and nodded her head, as if she did something good for once. She very quickly contradicted herself,
though, and took another book to take its place, smiling cheekily at Amy all the while. Carrie was clearly very pleased with her own antics, and plumped her golden hair with her hand, and chuckled, as did Amy.

  After Amy and Carrie’s laughter began to die down, and the joke began to wear off, there was an abrupt silence in the room, which was out of synch with the previous cheery atmosphere. Carrie observed that Amy gradually froze after their laughing, and found it weird that Amy, normally so chatty, would quieten like this. Carrie put down the book she was reading, and watched Amy. Amy was staring at the book she held in her own hands, and seemed lost in her thoughts. Carrie felt something was preoccupying Amy, and wanted to find out what.

  “Okay Amy, I’m blank how I’ll be going to the gala; what about you? Do you know how you’ll be going?” Carrie asked.

  Upon hearing Carrie’s question, Amy arose from the bed, and walked towards her bedroom window. She was really dreading the topic of the gala, hoping that Carrie would not ask her about it. Amy tried to forget her worries by looking out of her window, and thinking about what a beautiful day it was outside. The flowers in her lush garden below were all in full bloom, and there was not a cloud in the sky, in stark contrast to the chill Amy felt in the pit of her stomach. Amy took a deep breath, and replied to Carrie, in a soft voice,

  “Haven’t decided how I’ll be going to the gala, Carrie.”

  “Really? Why?” Carrie asked. “Having trouble deciding how you’ll go?”

  Amy sighed, and looked at the floor.

  “No, that’s not it.”

  “If that’s not the problem, what is?” Carrie asked Amy, watching her with care.

  Amy took another deep sigh, and faced Carrie.

  “Carrie, I don’t have a date for the gala,” Amy said, thinking that her throat was going to close.

  Carrie noticed Amy’s face turned pale with despair, and knew that something was definitely wrong with her. She quickly put down the book she was reading, and joined Amy at her side.

  “Amy, what’s up? Have I upset you or something?” Carrie asked, lightly stroking Amy’s long, honey blonde hair, and looking at her with concern.

  “No,” Amy replied, in a hushed tone of voice.

  “Come on, you can’t fool me. Something’s up, isn’t it?” Carrie asked. They had been friends for so long Carrie could almost read Amy’s thoughts, and sense her feelings. Again, Amy did not reply immediately, but turned to face Carrie.

  “Carrie, I feel left out,” Amy said.

  “Why, what do you mean?” Carrie asked.

  “Well, I mean, you and James are so fun together. Other people at school are like you and James, and they’re so happy. I wish I could be as lucky as you are,” Amy sighed, eyes still focused on the floor.

  Amy gazed at the floor for some time, until she realized that she was being watched by Carrie. After Amy finally lifted her head, Carrie gave her an oddly comical look.

  “So that’s why you’re so down? Amy, you need a reality check, now,” Carrie said.

  “Why Carrie?” Amy asked, looking at Carrie in confusion.

  “Amy, you’re lucky to be without someone,” Carrie said, nodding her head.

  Amy was bewildered by Carrie’s remark, and her eyes were wide with doubt.

  “Why Carrie? What do you mean?”

  “What do I mean? Let me give it to you straight. Take James and me. I’ve known him for a long, long time and look, we’re sick of each other. Doesn’t it show?” Amy looked at Carrie, not taking her comments too seriously, and shook her head in disagreement.

  “It’s really sad, don’t you think? And our folks think we’re perfect for each other,” Carrie said, rolling her eyes, to which Amy responded with a smile. “Anyway, at the rate we’re going, how’re we ever gonna get to the wedding?” Carrie said, with a wicked smile on her face.

  Amy laughed at Carrie’s comment, clearly seeing the irony behind her statements. She always felt better after one of Carrie’s pep talks, and this released some of the tension she was feeling. After they stopped laughing, and recovered their self-control, Carrie continued, but looked at Amy with a serious expression. “Amy, you shouldn’t get down about it,” Carrie said.

  “But I do. I do. It’s now like weeks to go before the gala, and nobody’s asked me to go with them yet,” Amy stated.

  “Well Amy there’s still time — wouldn’t give up yet if I were you,” Carrie said.

  “Oh, I dunno,” Amy said, frowning. Her anxiety about not having a partner for the gala was returning to haunt her. “Carrie, you’ve been my friend for a long time now.”

  “Yeah,” Carrie stated, unsure what Amy was getting at.

  “You’d tell me the truth about anything, wouldn’t you?” Amy asked.

  “Yeah, again,” Carrie said. Carrie was becoming a little impatient with Amy’s line of questioning, and looked at her with curiosity. Amy’s self-doubts made no sense whatsoever to Carrie; nevertheless, she maintained a calm front for Amy. “Come on Amy — you know the saying — just spit it out. I don’t have all day. I’m getting old just listening to you,” Carrie replied, rolling her eyes. “The way you’re going, they’re gonna cart me away soon.”

  Amy paced around the room for a moment, and stopped. She looked at Carrie, her usually bright blue eyes solemn with insecurity.

  “Carrie, is something wrong with me?”

  “What!” Carrie said, her eyes widening after hearing this. “Am I going crazy, or what?” Carrie asked, shaking her head in amazement. “Or maybe I didn’t eat enough breakfast today?”

  “Is there a reason why guys avoid me at school?” Amy restlessly awaited Carrie’s response, and looked into her eyes for support. Carrie, though, could not accept what she was hearing from Amy, and was positively floored.

  “Are you crazy? Look Amy, if things are like you say, not even one guy would dare look at you. I see how guys look at you at school. It’s just that you don’t see yourself like others do.”

  “Really?” Amy asked.

  “Yeah. Really. Dunno why you think like this,” Carrie said, troubled by what she was hearing from Amy. Amy was probably the most beautiful girl at school, and guys in her grade, particularly, found her gorgeous. The problem was that Amy could not see how attractive she was both physically, and spiritually, to those she came into contact with.

  Amy’s head was bowed, and Carrie felt that Amy was underestimating herself for some personal reason. Carrie lightly placed her hand under Amy’s chin, and lifted her head.

  “Mark my words Amy, someone’ll ask you to the gala — trust me, I can feel it,” Carrie said, nodding her head. “If you just be yourself, good things will happen.”

  Amy shook her head, and looked at Carrie with great scepticism.

  “Oh, you’re just saying that to make me feel better,” Amy replied.

  “No Amy, I’m not,” Carrie said, looking at Amy sternly. “I’d never lie to you about anything. Stop putting yourself down, it’s not good for you,” Carrie advised, with a sigh. “Anyway Amy, you’ve got no right to do that to yourself.”

  Amy’s head was still bowed, but she raised it, and smiled at Carrie. It appeared that Carrie’s words were finally beginning to sink in, and seeing this, Carrie decided to take another tack with Amy.

  “Know what I think Amy?”

  “What?” Amy answered, with a little more enthusiasm than before.

  “I’m so sure I’ll make a bet with you,” Carrie offered.

  “What kind of a bet?” Amy enquired, Carrie watching her with a straight face. “What’re you up to now?”

  “I bet you that sooner than you know it, you’ll have a date for the gala, and be the belle of the gala,” Carrie said.

  “Think so?” Amy said, looking in wonderment at Carrie, whose facial expression was solid in its determination. “Really?” Amy asked.

  “Yeah, I do,” Carrie replied. “And nothing you say, or do, will change my mind.”

  “You believe in
me that much?” Amy asked. She was touched by Carrie’s faith in her, and tears of joy sprung up in her eyes.

  “Yeah Amy, I really do,” Carrie said, smiling at Amy. Amy realized that maybe she had been boring Carrie, and sensed that she needed to be more positive than she was.

  “Anyway, what is the bet worth?” Amy enquired.

  “I’ll tell you when I’ve won, because I’ll win, Amy. You know me; when I want something, I always get it in the end,” Carrie asserted, with her typical sassy smirk.

  Amy happily returned her friend’s grin, to Carrie’s glee. Carrie was always full of surprises, Amy thought; she really knew how to make people feel happy about themselves. Amy gave Carrie a warm embrace, to which Carrie equally responded.

  After a few serene moments in each others’ arms, Carrie broke away from Amy, wanting to see a look of contentment back on her face. Carrie was happy to see Amy a little more secure, and they watched each other in silence. Now in a better mood, Amy felt there were some things she wanted to tell Carrie.

  “Thanks Carrie.”

  “For what?”

  “For being here when I need you, and for putting up with me,” Amy admitted. If only there were more people around like Carrie, Amy considered; there to pick you up when you are down, and offer their support when you need it most. Carrie, though, was a little embarrassed by Amy’s compliments, and shook her head comically.

  “Oh no, before you totally lose it, and get me all thoughtful and stuff, remember our deal? Let’s shake on it,” Carrie said, extending her hand out to Amy.

  “Okay,” Amy said, extending her own hand out to Carrie. After shaking hands, Carrie and Amy stood together in a warm silence. Carrie sensed that she had indeed helped Amy, as she was now in a better frame of mind, and turned towards Amy’s bedroom door, walking down the staircase. Amy followed her to the front door, and Carrie turned the doorknob to leave. She beamed again at Amy as she exited, as if to say,

  “Listen to me, I know what I’m talking about, so don’t worry about anything.” Carrie watched Amy right up until the door had finally closed behind her.

  After Carrie had left, Amy pressed her face against the front door, and stood still for a moment. Amy was uplifted by Carrie’s confidence in her, and turned around, and ascended the stairs to her bedroom. Once in her bedroom, Amy looked over at the books which she and Carrie had flicked through, and recalled Carrie’s comforting words from their afternoon together echoing in her mind.