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[Original] How To NOT: Know What You're Getting Yourself Into


Jakeronijo

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So Hey Guys, I may or may not be an aspiring author under the pseudonym Eric Cooper. But nevertheless I have found that posting stories on Facebook for people I know to read is not working. So I'm enlisting the help of strangers on the internet. If there is interest I will edit this post with further chapters. Thanks in advance.

 

[spoiler= Chapter 1]

 

 I never knew how to make plans. I always liked to be spur of the moment and that landed me in a ton of trouble. Take Karen for instance. Karen was your run of the mill cutie. She was beautiful in every way imaginable. She had beautiful blue eyes, blonde hair, and full lips. But I knew from a mile away that it wouldn’t work, but somehow that major detail got lost in translation with my heart and I was head over heels “in love” with her the first day I saw her. You know, I doubt it’s a coincidence that that was the first day of high school either.

Let me set the stage. The town was, Greenburg, New Jersey. The School, Franklin D. Roosevelt High and I had lived there all my life. Well that’s not entirely true, I was born one town over, and I really only lived there for the first ten years of my life before moving to Florida for a year before my parents got a divorce and my mother decided she needed a “Change of Scenery”, as if moving to a different state than the one I was born in wasn’t change enough. Anyway the point is I was out of the loop on Greenburg for a long time. It’s in no way a small town, and people are moving in and out quickly because of the schooling system. You see for some reason, the elementary and middle schools in Greenburg are absolute garbage, like I wouldn’t send animal kids to these schools. However, the High Schools are terrific, in fact they are some of the best in the nation, probably to make up for the sucky early learning system. And the colleges there aren’t too shabby either.

So there I was, I had only been back in Greenburg for a month so I only had time to reconnect with my only best friend Derek Evans. And he lived on the other side of town now so we weren’t even in the same school, and for some reason that made me, “the New Kid.”

Not that it’s bad to be new or anything, it leaves an air of mystery. But, I was pretty well known growing up, and now I had to make friends from scratch. That wasn’t going to be easy or fun so I decided to play it safe and, keep to myself, at least that way I wouldn’t get beat up.

“Okay everyone settle down.” Mrs McCurry said as she began to write on the dry erase board. “I know everyone is excited to finally be starting High School but you must realize it’s just a few more responsibilities, a little more homework, and a different building.” I rolled my eyes from the middle of the classroom. As if that was supposed to reassure us. “I know you all want to sit with your friends, but as my first class of the day, on the first day of highschool I decided to assign seats just to make sure we have a focused class, but don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of time to fraternize during homeroom announcements which start as soon as this class is finished.

“Aww Come on,” A kid from the very back corner groaned as he slouched in his chair.

“Thank you for volunteering to go first Mr. Avery, you will be seated in the front, closest to the door.” The whole class grew silent as Mrs. McCurry began to read off her clip board where everyone would be sitting. Ironically I was sitting exactly where I was assigned, I just didn’t know if that was a good sign… Or a bad one.

“Karen Horwitz,” I looked toward the back of the class to see who would be sitting to my right since the guy to my left Ian McCalister already looked like he wanted to bite my head off, so he wouldn’t make a good math partner, and that’s when I saw her.

She had a sudden smile that lit up the entire room and filled your heart with hope. I tried not to stare as she picked up her purple and pink patterned back pack and sat beside me. She gave me a quick glance and a wave before turning back to her notebook where she was writing a list. I didn’t want to seem nosy but it looked like a to-do list. I couldn’t see much else so I decided to see what else I could discern. But from what she wore and what she carried with her, I couldn’t get much else, so I gave up and decided to keep looking for my summer math packet I had only received a week ago on account of me just moving back.

When class was over I decided to try and say something to Karen. As we filed out of the room at the sound of the bell I tapped her on the shoulder. She had a confused look on her face as she turned around. The look changed to something I couldn’t place but I was distracted by how perfectly her hair seemed to flow.

“Hey I was wondering if you knew where Mr. Gerome’s History class is.” I asked trying to make it seem like I had a good reason to bother her.

“Um, we’re both freshmen on the first day of school.” She gave a pained smile. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

“Oh yeah, right sorry.” I bit my tongue and tried to think up a save. “Say what class do you have next?” I asked. She reached in her pocket for the folded schedule and glanced it over.

“Oh um,” She looked up at me and I could tell in that glance she was taking me all in for the first time. Not that I was much to look at at 5’ 5” even I was one of the shortest boys and a bit on the chubby side. “It looks like we have the same class.” This time her smile was a little inviting, but still hesitant.

I took that as a cue. “Well I guess we could walk there together then.” I said as if it was settled and began walking. Looking back at the situation that may have been a bit bold, and maybe I should have paid more attention to her reaction but that was just how I was.

WE didn’t have much time between classes and we probably wasted a good minute outside of first period so the walk to the opposite side of the school was spent in rushed silence. She was considerably faster than me too so I was out of breath and breaking into a sweat as we stepped over the threshold in the history room just before the bell rang. Karen managed to snag a seat a little towards the front that her friend had saved her, which only left the seats in the vacant back row. I took my pick and was dismayed to hear the teacher say these would be our seats for the rest of the year.

It turns out those were the only two classes I had with Karen, so I paid more attention in science, gym, English, and Spanish. At lunch I didn’t have the guts to approach her so I sat with a bunch of kids who didn’t seem to want to talk to each other so despite my school having over a thousand kids, I never felt more alone in my painfully short life.

 
[spoiler= Chapter 2]
 

I went to school the next morning. I don't know what I expected. But what did happen was totally not that. I got to class a few seconds late and while the teacher gave me a pointed stare she ignored my tardiness.

      Karen was at her seat already and while she look positively radiant she also looked... Happy. To see me.

    "There you are," She gave me a sideways glance. "I was afraid I was going to have to do this without you" and she smiled.

My heart leapt out of my chest. Her smile shone like diamonds and nothing else that happened that day would matter.

I pulled out my summer work and began to pay attention to the teacher. Karen reached over and touched my hand to get my attention.

“Hey, did you get this problem on the homework?” She tilted her notebook towards me but I couldn’t focus. It was like my skin had caught fire where she touched. This was new, why couldn’t I focus, why was I feeling this? Plenty of girls had touched my hand. Why was this one different?

“Um, yeah I did.” I smiled at her and she smiled back.

We laughed and joked between the busy work the teacher gave us. She was actually pretty good at math and aside from the obvious this was going to be a valuable partnership.

We walked to class side by side this time and talked about our favorite candy, she likes laffy taffy, and I’m a sucker for a butterfinger. When we got to history class she gave the softest warmest smile before going to her seat. I went to the back row and absolutely melted.

I don’t even remember what was happening in the rest of my classes. I might have said a few french words in spanish, or a few spanish in english. There may have been an incident with getting hit in the head with volleyball but I couldn’t tell you. I was in bliss. That smile was breathtaking and I don’t recall breathing again till I saw her in the cafeteria. I began to walk toward my previous table but she caught my eye and waved me over.

I took a deep breath and began to walk towards her table. Balancing my pizza and fruit cup on my tray I took in the sheer variety of people that were sitting with her. Everyone seemed to be represented, it was like the united nations of popularity at her table. It seemed like everyone had a place and they all seemed to be focused on her. CHeerleaders laughing at her jokes beside introverts. Jocks and Mathletes rubbing elbows with Theater Nerds. I steeled myself and realized there was no need to be embarrassed. As I began to look for a spot she pulled up a chair beside her. She introduced me to her group and they all chorused a hello. Then she looked at me again with that bright smile and leaned back.

“And this is my boyfriend Trevor.” My heart sank. And what’s worse. He proceeded to say.

“Hey I know this kid, we used to hang out with Derrick! Nice to see you again buddy.” And that's when I realized, you can’t beat that much history with three days of first period math.

 
Disclaimer this is my first time posting in this thread, let me know if I'm doing anything wrong.
 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

[spoiler= Chapter 3] 

 

I berated myself as I walked home. I couldn’t take the bus there was too much noise on it to function. How could I be so silly? How could I think that I had a chance with someone so perfect? Trevor had like an entire head on me and puberty had blessed him with decent muscle mass, not just a hearty appetite like me.

 

And Trevor, Oh man like I saw that coming. I had known him when he was smaller than me and a bit scrawny. We didn’t really talk much he had only hung out with us a few times. Derrick knew him better than I did. I can’t vouch for his character. But he seemed so cool! I was lost. I was resolved to be late to school. I knew I wouldn’t be able to face her in the morning.

 

And What’s worse… My train of thought was hijacked by a boy hanging from a tree. As I approached all I could see were his legs. It appeared that his arms were caught in the crook of two branches veering off in opposite directions.

 

“A little help?” the boy pleaded through strained breaths. I approached cautiously because I didn’t know what to do. I set my backpack down beside his at the base of the tree and rolled up my sleeves. I first tried pulling his legs but the pained groans from the tree told me that was just making it worse. After a bit more thought I was resolved to climb up a lower branch and push him up and out.

 

This proved to be more difficult than expected because i hadn’t climbed a tree since i was significantly younger, and smaller. The odd boy looked at me with a variety of pained expressions but had no choice but to bear with me as i struggled up a few limbs. I got out as far as neccesary and was able to  lift him enough so that he could slip his arms around and hit hit the ground with a thud.

 

“Holy cow I’m so sorry are you okay?” I Jumped down taking the shock of the fall directly to my knees. The boy stood up rubbing his rear, but he nodded in the affirmative. I let out a sigh of relief. I didn’t want to be known in the neighborhood as someone who pushes people they just met out of trees. The boy stuck out his hand.

 

“Jeremy Bates, a pleasure to meet you.” I shook it tentatively and let go.

 

“Nice to meet you too.” I gave a weak smile and looked around awkwardly avoiding eye contact. Jeremy, however, had a big enough personality to accommodate for my shy aloofness.

 

“Sorry I couldn’t hang out more.” He laughed at his own joke. “I gotta get home, you live around here?” I nodded and told him I lived on Treetop Road. “What a coincidence!” He beamed. “Me too.” and with that I had a new friend to walk home with. He told me about his extensive baseball card collection, his family’s winter vacations (his father hated the snow), and he even explained how he got a pet burmese python.

 

“It’s huge” he said gesturing with his hands. “And it isn’t even fully grown!” We stopped in front of my house, his house was still a few blocks away. “You should come see it sometime.”

 

I nodded quickly and this time managed an authentic smile. “That sounds dope.” I cringed at my use of the word dope but Jeremy didn’t seem to mind as he gave me a fist bump and walked home singing about an american pie.

 

I laughed to myself as i climbed the stairs to my house. The thought of Karen, and that name’s woe temporarily forgotten. Temporarily.

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  • 4 weeks later...

[spoiler=Chapter 4]

The bus ride to school was filled with tales of daring space adventure, awkward tuna casserole dinners, and irritating sisters. Jeremy told me about how he had three, all in each grade of middle school. He dreaded the day he became a senior and he would have to worry about all three of them going to his school. I was enjoying the company and the constant prattle left me no time to think about, well anything. Jeremy explained that he didn’t usually talk this much because he kept to himself at home mostly, but he said I had a listening spirit. I couldn’t argue, my mother could talk the ears off a field of corn and I learned from my dad that it’s best to keep quiet. So far this practice had earned me two friends in the same week and I was excited what else was in store.

Before we got off the bus I learned that Jeremy was in a couple of my classes. In fact he was in all the classes I didn’t have with Karen. I wondered why I hadn’t noticed him and realized it must be because my mind was otherwise occupied. We said we’d see each other later and I headed to my math class. My heart suddenly began to race and i felt a bit dizzy. I smacked my lips but my mouth was dry. I wondered what in the world was going on as I found my way to the water fountain in the hall outside of class. I few big gulps helped, but i realized there were butterflies in my stomach. How could I act like everything was normal? Karen of course could she already knew she had a boyfriend, but this sudden development made me squirm.

And it was ironic, I didn’t even see myself having a chance with this girl. I didn’t think for one second of asking her out. But now that I knew she had a boyfriend it was like all I could...

“Hey dork you coming to class or are you going to open that locker with your mind.” Karen nudged me with her shoulder. Her mouth in a half smile, she rolled her eyes in a way that let you know she was kidding. And in that moment, I was home. I faked a cough and acted like I wasn’t standing in a hallway thinking about her and I.

We went into class and took our seats. Mrs. McCurry began to explain about long division and I took the time to stare out the window. Long division was something I was extremely good at. I glanced sideways at Karen, if only I was good at addition. To our teacher’s dismay this was something that was going to give the class trouble so after spending half the class explaining she paired us off into duos where one person who understood the concept was working with someone who was having trouble. Thankfully Karen is as smart if not smarter than I am, so we were working with different people.

During the walk to history class Karen was talking about a reality show she was watching.

“I don’t really go for these kinds of shows but there is just something about kids cooking for one of the most vicious chefs on television that draws me in.” She smiled at me to gauge my reaction. I smiled back and nodded. But internally I wasn’t smiling at the premise, however amusing it was, but at the way her two front teeth were a bit longer than the rest coupling with her cheekbones to give her a chipmunk-esq quality.

We got to Mr. Gerome’s class and went our separate ways. While the teacher began to talk about Jamestown I found myself writing a poem.

The Medowlark won’t sing in captivity,

And You’ve captured my heart like a hunter devoted.

But thinking of you is my favorite activity,

And I’ll carry a tune like a radio toted.

 

You smile and make the sun a whole lot brighter,

Sweep clouds away and create awesome rainbows.

I find my steps get a little bit lighter,

And why I’m grinning ear to ear only God knows.

 

I’d go to the ends of the earth,

To find something to show you how

Expansive to me is your worth,

And tell you why I need you now.

 

Before I knew it the bell was ringing.

“Whatcha writing there?” Karen asked as she walked past my desk. I stumbled over my words to say nothing and she just smiled and shook her head as she headed to her next class.

I asked Jeremy what he thought of the Poem during gym class as we walked laps around the gym.

“Well it’s a bit confusing at first.” He looked to the side a second to gauge my reaction. “But I think it gets your point across. You going to give it to her?”

I almost tripped and sprawled on my face.

“What No!” I began to stutter. “ I...I.. Couldn’t.. P.p.possibly..” Jeremy laughed out loud.

“I’m kidding dude I know she has a boyfriend.” I exhaled and tried to calm down. “But it’s almost as if YOU don’t know that.” I looked at him blankly. He was right of course. It’s like I forgot that every time she was close to me. All I could think about was how funny she was, or how brilliant she seemed, or the way she tucked her hair behind her ear before she leaned close to me to explain something.

I ran into the wall because i didn’t notice Jeremy turn at one corner of the Gym.

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