The Great High School Love Game Read online

  “Mark my words Amy, someone’ll ask you to go to the gala with him”… “I bet you that sooner than you know it, you’ll have a date for the gala, and be the belle of the gala.”

  After remembering Carrie’s words, Amy was a little perplexed again, as thoughts of the fancy dress gala, and the fact that she did not have a date yet, again entered her mind. She sensed that a change of scenery might do her some good, and walked out onto her bedroom balcony. Amy leant against the railing, and peered out at her lovely view of the city, which she always found relaxing at times like these whenever she was confused, or upset.

  She sighed profusely, and pondered whether anyone really would ask her to the gala, or was she just wasting her time. Thoughts of her previous nasty daydream again came to mind, but Amy shook her head, finding the strength to dismiss these, and sat on her Adirondack chair. Amy took a deep breath, and closed her eyes, taking in the gentle afternoon breeze.

  Chapter Two

  “5:59 and fifty-six seconds, fifty-seven, fifty-eight, fifty-nine…”

  The alarm clock on Amy’s bedside table came alive with soothing music, indicating that it was 6:00AM; time to get up for school. Today was Monday, the beginning of the school week. Amy found it pleasant to be roused from her sleep with soft instrumental music, because it helped her get into a better mood for the day. She peacefully awoke from her blissful sleep, had a stretch, and slowly arose from her bed.

  “Hope today’s a great day,” Amy said, finally standing up straight, and yawning slightly.

  Amy was curious to see what the weather was like, and walked towards her bedroom window, pulling open the curtains, and keenly looking outside. The sun was gently nestled amongst several clouds, peering down on the earth like an inquisitive child. While it was not the sunniest day around, there did not seem to be the promise of rain, which made Amy happy. Amy did not enjoy the rainy times of the year, but only whenever she had the urge to curl up and read a good book.

  After viewing the weather outside, Amy sensed a beautiful, contented feeling sweep through her body. As if in a fantasy, she began to get ready for school, uplifted by the scene outside her window. After making her bed, Amy quickly had a shower, and prepared herself for school.

  After getting dressed, Amy descended the stairwell, and went to the kitchen for breakfast. She was warmly greeted by her parents, and ate breakfast with them at the table. The comforting aromas of freshly brewed coffee, bacon and eggs, and luscious croissants filled the air, and Amy sighed at this idyllic atmosphere, thoroughly enjoying her breakfast as she always did. Amy especially loved croissants, as they were easier, and more interesting to eat, than normal toast, which could sometimes be dry if cooked too much.

  After finishing breakfast, Amy looked at her watch. It was already 8:00AM, with the school day beginning at 9:00AM. Although there was still plenty of time before school began, as she lived close by, Amy decided to leave home earlier today. Amy did not want to rush to school, and become all puffed out from the walk, but arrive there comfortably. She felt in too good a mood today to let anything spoil this, especially the hassle of being late for school.

  After chatting with her folks, Amy bid them farewell, and walked out of the kitchen into the lounge room. Amy quickly went upstairs, brushed her teeth, and raced back downstairs. She collected her school bag from the clothes hook, and made her way out the front door.

  As Amy walked to school, taking in the fresh early morning air, she remembered Carrie’s confidence in her finding a date for the fancy dress gala, and smiled slightly. Amy contemplated whether anyone really would ask her to the gala, but as no one had yet asked her, there was no promise that they would, anyway. Amy believed she would have to attend the gala alone, or, be escorted by her younger brother, and this made her downhearted.

  Amy considered how some of her other friends already had dates for the gala, and felt even worse. What were they doing that she was not? Was it her fault, or were guys just not interested in her? Amy stewed on these thoughts for a few more moments, and could not come to any satisfying conclusion. Amy’s mood took a turn for the better, though, when she spied Carrie waving to her.

  Carrie was waiting for Amy at the school gate, with her regular friendly smile. Amy waved back, and excitedly sped up her walking pace to approach Carrie. If there was anyone Amy wanted to see first thing in the morning, it was Carrie.

  “Hey Amy.”

  “Hi Carrie.”

  “What you been up to?”

  “Nothing much,” Amy stated, with a blank expression. “The same old stuff.”

  Carrie swiveled her head to face Amy, which took her by surprise.

  “No, I dunno,” Carrie said, looking annoyed with Amy. “What’re you telling me? Haven’t you found a date for the gala yet? Thought that was your permanent job from now on.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding,” Amy said, rolling her eyes at Carrie. She had not gotten out of bed yet this morning, and Carrie was already at it. This was pure Carrie for you, even at 8:30 in the morning. Amy smiled at Carrie, who responded with a naughty grin, satisfied at her own mischief. Amy and Carrie began walking up the path, which led towards the center of the school.

  Amy and Carrie were both juniors in Year Eleven, and attended a medium-sized high school, which was highly celebrated for both its sporting, and academic, achievements. As they continued walking, Amy and Carrie passed by the school’s auditorium, which was the setting for many sporting events, and other cultural activities. The upcoming fancy dress gala was going to be held there, and Amy stared vacantly at the hall. Amy thought about how she still did not have a date yet, and her face was a little glum. Carrie noticed this, and looked at Amy with a steely expression, as if she was overdoing the seriousness of the situation.

  “No, I’m not kidding, Ames. A lot can happen in a few hours,” Carrie said, with Amy looking at her in disbelief. Amy was still convinced that no one was going to ask her to the fancy dress gala, and looked at Carrie in suspicion, shaking her head at Carrie’s words. Carrie shook her head back in defiance at Amy, standing her ground with her.

  “I’m serious Amy, things can change at any time — maybe, even in a few minutes,” Carrie said.

  Amy thought about what Carrie just said, but rolled her eyes.

  “Carrie, don’t be dumb,” Amy said.

  “Don’t you be dumb, and don’t forget about our bet,” Carrie said, pointing at Amy.

  “Even if I tried, you wouldn’t let me,” Amy said, with a sigh.

  “Course not Amy — what do you think I am, stupid?” Carrie replied, to which Amy giggled. For Carrie, ‘never’ was not a word to be taken seriously. Everything for her always had a solution, despite how negative things sometimes appear to be. Problems for Carrie were always followed through, and never dropped suddenly without a solution. ‘Determination’ could have been Carrie’s first name if she wanted it to be.

  Amy considered what Carrie had said about life taking an unexpected turn for the better, and thought that, yes, maybe Carrie was right — you never know what can happen from one moment to the next. Amy temporarily felt as if she was on cloud nine, but reality, again, quickly crashed back down on her. Amy reasoned she should not become too optimistic, as she did not want to become even more discouraged than she was already.

  The path which Amy and Carrie were crossing was filled with teachers busily scurrying around like bees, in preparation for the morning classes, and groups of guys and girls talking. There were also younger students playing ball, shouting excitedly each time they won a game. It was a high school where staff and students got along well, as if they were an extended, if sometimes noisy, family.

  Amy and Carrie glided up the path, locked in conversation, but, to their surprise, they were unexpectedly interrupted. Jake bumped into Amy, and the books she was carrying in her arms tumbled helplessly to the ground. Both Jake and Amy knelt to retrieve them, but he saved her the trouble.

  “I’ll pick them up, it’s my fault
anyway,” Jake said in a breathless voice, smiling nervously at Amy. As Jake gathered her books, Amy felt as if she had lost her voice, and could do nothing but stare at him. Amy really wanted to thank him, but, to her frustration, no words would come out of her mouth. This was the first time Amy had ever felt this way, and she was dumbfounded how to overcome this.

  Every time Amy tried to say something, even just a word, it was as if her voice was being blocked by some sinister force. Amy swallowed hard, but even this did not help, and all she could do was look on helplessly at Jake. After Jake finally picked up Amy’s books, and handed them to her, their eyes met, pausing momentarily, as if in a deep trance. Jake saw that Amy was not being very responsive, and broke the uncomfortable silence between them.

  “Sorry for being such an idiot Amy — wasn’t watching where I was going,” Jake’s expression one of both concern for Amy, and embarrassment for knocking her over.

  “Idiot,” Amy thought, was not a word she would use to describe Jake. Jake was the handsomest, most popular guy at school, and a high achiever in both his studies and especially, in sports. Amy recalled what Carrie had been drumming into her about her luck changing at any time, and thought about Jake for a moment. She felt, though, that someone like Jake would never, ever, give her more than a passing glance.

  Amy remembered how other girls at school had swooned over him, saying that he was really hot stuff, and they would do anything to have him. Amy shook her head, dismissing these impossible thoughts of Jake. Suddenly, Amy was awakened from her ponderings by Jake’s deep, but friendly voice.

  “Again Amy, sorry,” he said, his gray eyes intently watching Amy for her reaction, before quickly walking away from Amy and Carrie. This incident with Jake made a great impression on Amy, and she eagerly reflected upon it, repeatedly seeing his face in her mind. Carrie, to her amazement, saw Amy’s face take on an expression she had never seen before.

  “Mmn, what was that all about?” Carrie asked.

  “Oh, it was nothing,” Amy said, shaking her head.

  Carrie flared her eyes in disbelief.

  “Nothing? What do you mean nothing?” Carrie said. “I felt enough electricity to keep an entire city going for days,” Carrie said. “And I’m talking pure electricity.”

  Amy looked at Carrie with doubt, and shook her head.

  “You dunno what you’re saying. It was just an accident. Jake bumped into me, said sorry, and picked up my books for me; that’s all. I’ll probably never see him again,” Amy said.

  Carrie looked at Amy, and gave her a wink.

  “No Amy, the way I see it, it was more an accident which should happen, and for you, did happen. These are accidents you should be having, all the time,” Carrie said, eyes alight with mischief.

  Amy frowned at Carrie’s comment; she knew that once Carrie had an idea in her mind, it was very hard for anyone to get it out of her mind.

  “Come off it Carrie, will you ever stop matchmaking? Will you ever give up peacefully?”

  “Don’t think so, ever,” Carrie replied, with a naughty smile. “If I stopped, the world’d be worse off, don’t you think?”

  Amy and Carrie laughed together at this comment, and looked at each other warmly. Carrie felt that she had had enough fun at Amy’s expense, and began talking about other things with her. As Carrie was speaking to her, Amy found her mind wandering over to Jake, and she pictured his face again in her mind.

  While they had been together at school for years, Amy had never noticed until now how beautiful his gray eyes were, and, that he had one of the friendliest faces she had ever seen on a guy. Jake, in this way, left all the other guys at school for dead. Amy, though, sensed that Jake would never be interested in her, and it was only stupid to give him any more attention. She quickly released him from her thoughts, and continued walking up the path with Carrie.

  Further down the path from Carrie and Amy, Chad and Francine were onlookers to Jake and Amy’s meeting. Chad was one of Jake’s friends at school, and equally as good-looking. While Jake was fair-haired, and could be described as a ‘golden boy’ in appearance, Chad was darker haired, and more intense looking than Jake. Like Jake, Chad also excelled in his studies, and was his friendly rival in the school’s many sporting events.

  Chad’s friend Francine was a gorgeous brunette, and a highly talented drama student. She was a beautiful but cool young woman who resembled one of the great beauties of the Hollywood silver screen, Hedy Lamarr. Chad and Francine, though, both nursed painful crushes on Amy and Jake. Their witnessing of Amy and Jake’s encounter brought their feelings for them to the surface, and they sighed heavily.

  “Franci, we’ve been together at school for years, and it’s like Amy’s never noticed me. If I asked her to go with me to the gala, I bet, she wouldn’t want me. She might even laugh at me,” Chad said, his normally rapacious green eyes rather dull.

  “Don’t be so negative,” Francine told him, her own green eyes gleaming with mischief. “Anything can happen.”

  Chad looked at Francine in disbelief, and scowled.

  “Anything can happen, oh yeah like what — being rejected?” Chad said. Francine looked at Chad with concern; she was very close to Chad, and did not like to see him sad, even though she felt the same way. There was something about Chad’s cynical, self-defeating attitude, though, which made her want to protect him. This, in turn, made her feel stronger within herself.

  “No dummy. While Jake doesn’t know I exist right now, the same going for you and Amy, in the end, they’ll notice us,” Francine said, a defiant expression forming on her face.

  “Oh yeah, when do you think that’ll happen?” Chad said. “Like Saint Never Never’s Day?”

  Francine smiled slightly at Chad’s unintentionally humorous comment.

  “Chad, I wouldn’t be too hung up right now — I have a feeling everything’ll work out for us, in the end,” Francine said.

  “Really?” Chad replied, his eyes widening at her prediction. He could not see Amy wanting him right now even less, later on. Chad did not know where Francine found her strength sometimes, and watched her with a stunned look. Francine responded with a serene expression, seeking to calm Chad’s anxiety.

  “Yeah Chad, just be patient, and it’ll all fall into place. Like the saying goes, good things come to those who wait,” Francine said.

  “Oh, I dunno, time’ll tell,” Chad said, shrugging his shoulders.

  Francine turned to face Chad, and nodded with assurance.

  “Yes Chad, time will tell, we’ll both see,” Francine asserted with conviction. Francine caught Chad glumly looking at Amy, who was off in the distance, and shook her head in disapproval. Francine was annoyed that Chad had become all serious on her, and tickled him in the ribs, so that he should lighten up. Chad smiled at her in spite of himself, and she grinned in return. Francine was one of the only people who knew how to make Chad laugh, vice versa for her with him.

  “Oh come on, don’t let it get to you — we haven’t started yet. Just let me have a think about it, and don’t worry yourself,” Francine said. Chad smiled at Francine, and she returned his grimace. In a moment of truth, Chad reflected that Francine was right — they had not even started anything yet with Amy and Jake. They did have hopes of getting them, and it really was dumb to give up at this point.

  Chad now felt a little better with himself, and continued looking in Amy’s direction, smiling at the thought of being with her. Like Chad, Francine also looked off into the distance, where she saw Jake talking with a group of his friends, and curled her lips seductively. Jake, for Francine, was nothing short of spectacular — to be with him would be a dream come true.

  The school bell rang, indicating the start of classes for the day. Students began walking to class, some briskly, while others shuffled their feet in unhappiness. The bell interrupted Francine and Chad’s admiration of Jake and Amy, and they looked at each other, disappointed at the unwelcome end to their interlude. Chad and Francine
exchanged quick farewells, and walked separately to their classes, as they each had different subjects for the morning.

  Chad was slightly more upbeat because of Francine’s claim they could win Amy and Jake, and walked with his head held high. Francine, on the other hand, thought about Jake, and knew that he definitely was the one for her. The only thing left now for Francine was to show Jake she was the one for him, and that her rightful place was beside him.

  Chapter Three

  Amy was in the middle of English class, looking vacantly out the classroom window. She was desperately trying to stay focused upon what her teacher was saying, but, her efforts were largely unsuccessful. He was discussing an upcoming major paper which she really wanted to hear about, as it was worth thirty percent of her final semester result. Amy attempted her best to concentrate, but it seemed every time she tried, visions of Jake would come zooming into her mind, totally sidetracking her train of thinking. Several days had passed since Amy bumped into Jake at school, and she still felt uplifted by this.

  Although Amy had not seen Jake since then, her thoughts tended to wander over to him during the day. Even the slightest mention of his name sent Amy into a daydream, something she had never before experienced. Amy eagerly relived her time with Jake in her mind, and smiled. Out of nowhere, the school bell emitted its distinctive chime, signifying that classes had finished for the day. Amy was relieved at this, as the repetitive school routine was only making her think more about Jake.

  Amy slowly collected her books, and put them into her bag. She did not want her solemn mood to be interrupted by the hordes of impatient fellow students retreating from the classroom, and waited for them to leave before vacating. After the majority of students had left, Amy leisurely walked out of the English block building, and made her way to the school’s front gate.