Library Aide, my last class of the day, seemed to drag on forever. It was an easy class. I just had to re-shelve books, check them in and out for patrons, and make sure students sign in and out of the computer lab. During that time, I usually spent it reading or working on assignments. The librarian of our school requires students to place their cellphones on a shelf by the door with an ID tag to make sure no one would be taking phone calls or disturbing library patrons with vibrations or ringtones from messaging. Because of this I wasn't able to let Cheyanne know I had some big news. Besides, she wanted to be on the cheerleading team so badly. She had a crush on a lot of the football jerks, and she thought if she could make the cheerleading team she would be able to spend more time around them at games and after school. The jocks often invited the Cheerleaders to parties on Friday and Saturday nights. Cheyanne was pretty, and I was surprised she still didn't have a boyfriend. She had lots of boyfriends in middle school, and her first kiss happened in Elementary with a boy that lived on her street. Her mom was a nurse and her dad was a radiologist. They both worked long hours at the hospital, so they were rarely home. Even when they were home, they were trying to sleep. That's why Cheyanne wanted to keep busy with school activities. She tried gymnastics and ballet, but her parents could never make it to her recitals, so she quit. But if Cheyanne could be on the cheerleading squad, she wouldn't care if her parents made it to the games because she would be trying to hook up with the jocks afterward. And now that she had a car and could drive herself to games and practice, she wouldn't have to worry about tardy penalties from her coach or letting her team down. I love that Cheyanne is so outgoing, but I don't really like the types of people she wants to impress. She's been my friend ever since the 7th grade.
She was in my English class, and she liked a presentation I made on the controversial topic of euthanasia. I chose FOR euthanasia, and I thought I gave a pretty sound argument, and I had done excellent research. It is always nerve-wracking to give a presentation in front of an entire class by yourself, but I got through it without getting choked up. When I looked up, the other students seemed like they appreciated my stance and the points I made. Feeling proud of myself, I gathered up my presentation and started toward my seat when the teacher stopped me and said, "Before you sit, can I ask you a question?"
Who am I to tell the teacher "no." "Of course," I said, swallowing and mentally preparing myself.
"It's interesting that you chose that stance on the topic. Tell me this. Do you believe in miracles?"
I wasn't quite sure how to answer her. She didn't try to debate with any of the other students on their topics, and I thought the purpose of the assignment was to make sure we did our research and gave at least two reasons why we chose this stance. I didn't really attend church, but in a small town in Arkansas that is mostly Christian, any opposing ideals are seen as threats.
I thought about what my teacher asked me and said, "I do think that miraculous things happen every day, but..." The teacher interrupted me before I could get out that the person requesting euthanasia should have a right to say whether they are ready for the pain to end or not, especially if their quality of life shows little chance of improving. So then it would be better to allow them the relief of assisted suicide rather than continuing their suffering on the slim hope that a miracle would happen and they would suddenly improve and be well again. Right after I "agreed" with her, she said, "Well, there you go then. Your arguments, as well done as they were, are invalid. Now you may take your seat."
That truly shocked and hurt me. My teacher asked me a question, didn't let me completely answer, and humiliated me in front of the entire class. I didn't get the grade I deserved on that presentation, and I was too meek to confront my teacher about it. She just sat at her desk, smiling smugly to herself, thinking she was right.
After the class was over, Cheyanne caught up to me in the hall and said, "Hey, Mrs. Johnson is a mean old hag. Don't let what she said get to you. I thought you did a great job, and I agree with you. If I was the one in pain with little hope of recovery, I'd want it to be over too. I'd at least want the option instead of just hoping prayers work." She said the word 'prayers' with such disdain. I had to smile, and I was glad not everyone took the teachers side, or at least admitted that they didn't. Ever since then, she came to find me at lunch and gradually, I realized she was my best friend. We did have a lot of fun together, but she didn't truly enjoy the things I enjoyed. I mostly sat and listened to her talk about her crushes and went along with her in whatever she wanted to do.
It wasn't until last year that I finally also had a crush to talk about. Cheyanne talked about a new guy every week it seemed, but I've been fawning over Finnegan since the first day of 9th grade. And now he was my partner for a two-week science project, I have his number in my phone, and he's coming over to my house this Saturday!!!! AHHHH!
Just as she said she would, Cheyanne came straight to my locker at 3 o'clock while I was depositing the books I wouldn't need tonight. "Wow, History is super boring. And Joey Turner sits in front of me in that class. I'm pretty sure he was passing gas the whole time. Gross! I wish Mr. Whitaker would re-assign seats. Anyway, ready to walk to the gym?"
"Yeah, and I would have texted you earlier, but I had Library last period and my phone was on the shelf. I have some news! Big news!" I put a couple other notebooks in my bag and zipped it up. I slung the bag over my shoulder and we started walking toward the gym.
"Don't distract me with other news just yet. I've been psyching myself up since lunch. I have butterflies. I'm excited about your news, but please let me see the results of the tryouts first. Then we can go get some ice cream to celebrate, or whatever." Cheyanne looked so nervous. I smiled at her, "Ok, but you're buying either way since you're making me wait to tell you the biggest news ever," I told her.
"Deal."
We walked up to the gym and there was a crowd forming around the doors where the results of Cheerleading tryouts, Football tryouts, and Volleyball tryouts were posted. Cheyanne was bouncing in place with anxiety. We waited for most of the football players to get out of the way because they were bumping chests and shaking each other by the shoulders aggressively out of excitement.
"Go, Elise, go! Please, I can't wait anymore and I'm freaking out. Hurry. Go find out if I made it." Cheyanne pushed me into the crowd until I had no choice but to go forward until I reached the door because other hopefuls had appeared behind me and continued pushing me into the crowd so they could get closer. That moment between Cheyanne's push and when I finally could see the result sheet I thought, "Why is there no order? Couldn't we just politely wait our turn instead of pushing and shoving to see this stationary piece of paper? Why are people so crazy and rude?"
The Cheerleading list was on the far right. I used my finger to scan down the list of names, looking for 'Townsend, Cheyanne.' The names were in alphabetical order by last name and only 20 new girls were selected out of the 50 or so that tried out. My finger went all the way to the bottom. I ducked through the crowd again and made my way out. Cheyanne yanked my arm and pulled me away.
"Well, tell me. Did I make it?" She looked at me hopefully and held onto my arm tightly. I tried to feign an apologetic look, but I couldn't help it. "You made it! I wasn't sure at first, but your name was the last one on the list. Congratulations!! You did it, Chey!!!"
Cheyanne gasped, "Really!! you're serious. AHHH! Oh my gosh, I can't believe it. I thought for sure I messed up on half of the cheers. Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!!!" She was jumping up and down with renewed energy. "I'm gonna go look and see who else made it."
I stood back while Cheyanne pushed her way to the list. On her way back to me, she was getting congratulated by other girls who had also tried out. She stopped and chatted with them excitedly. While I watched her, I started to feel her pulling away from me and being lured into the world of bubblegum girls. I didn't want to dwell on it. When she finally made it back to me, she said, "I know I promised you we'd get ice cream, but Julie and Amanda invited us to meet them and the new football team at Buffalo Wild Wings. Do you want to do that?"
I could tell that I wasn't going to be able to penetrate her elation long enough to tell her my good news. And I didn't want to steal her thunder. So I gently bowed out and let her enjoy her victory. Go Team! I mentally punched the air. "No thanks, Chey. I'm so happy for you though. I told you there was nothing to worry about. Have fun. I'll see you tomorrow." She gave me a hug and let out a squeal through a wide smile. That meant something along the lines of "Thank you, I love you, I'm already having a blast!" I waved at her back until she rejoined the crowd, then I turned and walked to the curb to sit and call my mom.
As I was dialing the number, a dark grey Honda Civic with peeling paint pulled up. I stood to see who would park right where someone was already sitting, but to my surprise, Finnegan rolled down the super tinted window. "Hey, science partner."
My heart might have stopped, but somehow I managed to choke out the words, "Uh, hey. What are you doing here, Finnegan? I thought you already went home."
"I tried to catch up to you at your locker, but I saw you and your friend walking to the gym, so I just waited. I was gonna ask if I could follow you to your house today so I would know how to get there. I don't really like using the GPS on my phone. But do you not drive to school?"
Oh my gosh, this is a little embarrassing. Not only is he gonna see how tiny my house is, but now he knows I don't have a car yet. I'm the lamest high schooler I know. If I hadn't been able to get a phone last year, I'd be the biggest loser ever.
"Uh, no. My mom said I had to get a job first, but it's kinda hard to go look for jobs when you can't drive. I either ride the bus or catch a ride with Cheyanne, but she's going out to celebrate with the cheerleading squad. I..."
"Well, hey, jump in. I don't mind giving you a ride today. Besides, you can tell me the way and I won't have to keep up with your tail lights." He smiled and I felt relieved and giddy. His dimpled grin was everything, and he truly didn't judge me at all for being lame. My Finnegan is so perfectly wonderful. He doesn't care about all those things. Oh my GOD! He is driving me home! Be still, my heart.
"Sure, thank you," I finally answered him, and I got in.