We’d met in 8th grade, where we had the same homeroom. She sat on the opposite side of the room as me and for the first half of the year, I don’t think either of us knew the other existed. The second half, I think we talked once or twice.
9th grade we had an art class together. She sat in front of me. We worked together on a couple projects. She was always quiet and hardly spoke. I found out later it was because she had braces and was embarrassed. Eventually, she opened up and we talked more.
I could tell stupid jokes that made her laugh. She would smile, then realise her braces were showing. She’ put one hand over her mouth and punch me in the shoulder with the other.
My mother told me her hitting me was a sign of affection.
She also told me she’d tan my hide if I ever hit a girl.
She didn’t say anything about lightly wadded up pieces of paper!
This led to an epic paper wad fight involving all the “uncool” students in class.
It also led to three days detention for “fighting”.
Mom thought this was hilarious.
She still grounded me for getting detention.
I didn’t mind. This girl sat next to me in detention.
We started to occasionally have lunch together in the cafeteria. We would talk about stuff.
We liked different TV shows. We listened to different music. Her family had money, mine... Well, we had money, we just had to be very mindful of it.
Aside from school, we had nothing in common...
We graduated junior high.
In the middle of August, I went to the registrar’s office of the high school I would be attending to get my schedule and student ID. While I was looking for my locker, I heard someone call my name. I turned and saw her running down the hall towards me. She was blushing (at the time I thought it was because she’d been running) and told me how great it was to be going to the same school. She then gave me a hug. She backed away from me, looking like she was trying to smile while biting her lips. Excitedly, she asked about my schedule. Turned out we had 3rd (Chemistry), 4th (American Literature), lunch and 5th (Geometry) periods together. She insisted I help her with lit. I agreed only if she would help with math. I remember she nodded and smiled and then had to go, her mother was waiting for her in the parking lot.
She seemed to float down the hallway. He chestnut hair bouncing behind her. Waving her arms. Halfway down the hall she stopped, turned around and waved.
Embarrassed, I waved back, then we both turned and walked in separate directions.
As I headed for the bus stop I wondered why I never noticed how cute she was before. Her hair was longer and seemed fuller. She also seemed to have filled out in other areas, too... She seemed to have gotten a tan, and the white sundress she wore... WOW!
The year went by and I managed to pass Geometry, thanks to her. She passed American Lit, thanks to me and we both passed Chemistry, by the grace of God we decided. We’d also grown closer as our friendship grew. We still had little in common, but we were more willing to try what the other liked. She was really into some guy called David Bowie, while I was into The Who. We had many of the same friends and we all hung out together at school and afterwards.
Over summer break, she would send me postcards from wherever she was while her family traveled Europe. I was stuck at home, working. While she was gone, some of her mutual friends set me up on a date with her best friend. This was a mistake. All I can really say about her is: “Bitch goddess from Hell”.
Apparently, they had a falling out right after school got out, and I guess I was supposed to be some sort of pawn.
Two days before having to go into the registrars office, she called. She’d gotten back from Europe the day before and wanted to meet up with everyone. We all compared schedules. She and I had English Literature and Algebra II together. I was the only one with a different lunch period.
Like last year, I helped her with lit, and she helped me with math.
But a distance started to build between me and my old friends. I made new friends, and I mostly hung out with them. She and I would meet up at a coffee shop to help each other on our respective subjects. We seemed to be drifting apart. In a weird sort of adolescent logic, I think this made us closer.
Before, it was finish up our lessons and leave, but it eventually wound up being us, usually on our own, some times with other friends, sitting there talking about those fatuous and vapid things teenagers talk about that are so deep and meaningful at the time. We were always the last to leave. We would make our goodbyes and she would insist on a hug. Each time seemed longer than before. I didn’t mind.
She came to mean so much to me.
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