Chapter 11
Just like that the two weeks were up. It was Friday, September 8th. That meant it was the start of the new school year. It was also the start of my junior year at Smith High. Also meant I had to start waking up early in the morning.
The last two weeks went relatively quick. Nothing dramatic or new happened.. I basically did what I was doing for the whole summer. Dashaun and I were hanging out for the rest of vacation. Well I guess there was one change that happened. Jessica was with us most of the time.
Jessica in the last two weeks hung out with Dashaun and I more frequently. Every time Dashaun and I went somewhere or did something Jessica was usually there. I actually did not mind it. We were her only friends since she got here for the time being. What kind of made me upset was the way Dashaun was acting.
Every time we were going to chill, Dashaun would come to my house even if the place we were going was up near his house. He always wanted to invite Jessica. Jessica usually accepted unless her and my mom had plans already. That would make Dashaun a little upset.
Jessica coming along was not that bad. She did not want to be bored. Dashaun was the problem. When Jessica was around, his actions changed. Everything he did was to impress Jessica it seemed. Like when she came with us to Raymond Park. I was surprised she did not leave from the smell actually. She complained about it once and then she just sat on the bench and watched us play. She sometimes moved to a new place I guess to get away from the smell a little.
Dashaun tried to put on a show just for Jessica. We were there to train, but he acted like he was playing for a college recruit sometimes. When I played him one-on-one he was aggressive. He tried to drive to the hoop. One time he tried to dunk knowing he can't. On defense he tried to press me knowing that wasn't going to work. Other times he show-boated. When he made a shot he did a dance or something. When it was just the two of us he never played like that. It had to be because of Jessica. I do not just say that because I think that either. He was dedicating all of his shots to her. Before he shot a three he said 'this is for you Jessica'. He only made 3/10 threes too. Not only was it embarrassing, but it was really annoying. The truth was he was getting nothing out of the training when Jessica was there.
That wasn't the only thing. Dashaun and I last week were going to see the new movie Avengers. It was like our last bro day you can call it I guess. Of course he managed to get Jessica to come along. I thought he was pushing it. He managed to convince me that two guys going to the movies were weird. Well not convince me, but finally got me to submit. We're best buds so it was fine, but still a girl coming along was fine. I just thought we was going to chill as bros.
The problem, like always, was him. He sat next to her in the movies and I was somehow isolated. I was fine with that. I was not going to talk anyway. After the movie it continued. Jessica tried to talk to me about the movie. I could only say two words because Dashaun kept jumping in the conversation. We went to McDonalds after to eat. Even then I couldn't talk to her. I was feeling like a third wheel with my best friend and… I guess friend.
Even with all this nonsense I kept my cool with him. I understood what he was trying to do. I guess he really did like her. I still don't think he loved her though. I still don't know how Jessica felt about this. I did not want to ask Jessica about how she felt about Dashaun if he did not ask me to do so. I did not want to mess up what progress he thought he was having. Personally, I did not think he was making any progress. At least that is what I thought from the actions of Jessica. She did not seem she was liking him anymore or any less. Then again girls never make clear signs of who they like. I don't see how she could like him. All he did when he was around her was talk, talk, talk, show-off, and talk some more. I think he was trying way too hard to get this girl. Now it was time for school and he had no girl.
The time now was seven. In an hour my junior year begins. I was ready for the day, but still felt like I was running late. One reason was because Dashaun was not here yet. I'm usually ready by six forty-five and Dashaun is at my door at seven. It was already seven ten and Dashaun was not here yet. I went into the living room and turned on the television. Before I sat down the doorbell rang. I went to the door and opened it.
"My bad, Ray. I woke up late." said Dashaun. "Have to get used to the school thing again."
"No problem. I just finished getting ready too." I said.
"We heading out now?"
"Yea."
We began to walk out the door. Then I heard someone on the stairs.
"Hold on guys!"
Jessica appeared at the bottom of the stairs. Like always she was stunning. She was wearing slips, jean shorts and a black shirt. A simple outfit, but she looked so good in it. The outfit was also appropriate because it was still technically summer. Our school does not have a dress code so the shorts were fine. She also was wearing make-up. Not too much, but you could still tell she was wearing it.
"You two was just going to leave me?" Jessica said.
"My bad. I forgot that you were going to school with us." I responded.
We all walked out of the door. Getting to our school by foot usually took thirty minutes. It was already seven thirty. School starts at eight o' five. We still might be late. The first day of school they usually allow people to be late a couple minutes.
Fifteen minutes in I noticed that the walk to school was a little awkward. No one was saying anything. At first I thought it was because everyone was tired (I was at least), but after walking for this long people had to be awake. Jessica was walking ahead of Dashaun and I. I showed her where the school was last week so she knows the way. Dashaun was right behind her. I found that weird because normally he tries to walk next to her every chance he got. Today he has not said a word or anything towards her. What was wrong?
Five minutes went by and we passed Alvin High. Dashaun and I both looked at the school. We truly hated them with a passion. They got more money than Smith so the equipment Alvin got was high quality, top notch stuff. Last year they got a brand new gym. We played them at their school because of that. We lost the regular season and playoff game there. I don't expect to lose again just because of the hard work I put in over the summer. I knew Dashaun felt the same way.
We finally arrived at school. Kids were already entering the school.
"Everyone knows where they are going?" I asked. These were actually the first words that were spoken for the trip.
"Why are you asking me that?" said Dashaun.
"It was mainly directed towards Jessica." I responded.
Jessica turned towards us. "Yea. You said go to the main office to get my locker that I would be using for the year. After that, head towards homeroom which is…" she stopped and pulled out her schedule. "Room 215. Ms. Arger."
"Mhmm." I said for confirmation. "And all the 100s is on the first floor. 200s are on the second floor. Lunch and gymnasium is ground floor. They go in numerical order."
"Okay. Got it." She turned and went into the building.
"Well, she is independent." said Dashaun.
'What is your problem anyway?" I asked him. He's been acting weird all morning.
"What you mean?"
"Ever since you met Jessica you've been all over her. Today you have not said a word to her".
"I feel like she doesn't like me as much as I thought. I don't want to crowd her anymore. Let things happen. You know?"
"You could at least say hi to her. Smart choice though. Why the change of tactic?"
"Dude, have you seen her? Every other guy in this school will be all over her. I think if I fall back a little she'll notice because I'm not part of the crowd. A form of reverse psychology."
"Wow. You're actually thinking for once. Impressive."
"Shut up and get to HR." Dashaun walked in the school.
For Dashaun to be thinking and not acting on impulse means he really did like her. He also said something else that was true. Every other guy would be all over her. I could try to be big brother and look out for her, but I won't be with her for the whole day and she could take care of herself. I'll keep an eye out though because she is new here even though she acts like she's not. I started to walk into the building.
"Yo Ray!"
I heard someone call my name behind me. I turned around fast and saw one of my teammates. Our six-five center, Dameek.
"What's good brooooo!" he said and gave me the pound.
"What's up, Dameek" I responded. "You got bigger. Pause."
"Yeah that sounded gay." he laughed. "Yeah I grew an inch and put on twenty pounds of muscle. I ran and worked out and played summer ball. Got some new post moves.��
"Good. You'll need it. Heard about Alvin's new center?"
"Yea. I saw him too. Big, but he's slow and I'm stronger. I got it."
"I know you do. I trust you with the ball and on defense. I've been training too."
"Of course you have."
We walked into the building. It was still crowded. People meeting up with friends again I guess.
"Who's your homeroom teacher?" Dameek asked.
"Um. I'm room 120. Mr. Hollock."
"Alright. I'm upstairs. Ms. Arger. Peace, Ray."
"Iight. See you later." I said. He went walking off to the staircase. Ms. Arger. He has the same homeroom as Jessica. I guess it's just one of those things.
I went straight to my homeroom. At Smith High School you are assigned the same locker for your four years there. People who graduate or drop out their lockers are recycled for the freshmen or new students. My locker is upstairs. I rarely use it because I don't carry much. There was no need to go upstairs now because all I had was a notebook and pencils. Math is the only class that gives work the first day. I was in Calculus so I knew I was getting work.
I went in my homeroom class and looked around. I saw two people I knew. A boy named Sam and the other was a girl, Kaytlin. I don't talk to them a lot, so I just gave them a head nod. There were other people in the class, knew a couple by appearance, but never talked to them. Then there was like three hoodlums in the back. That's to be expected.
"Who are you?" asked Mr. Hollock.
"Raymond Anderson." I answered.
He looked on the list. "Oh. There you are." He handed me a stack of papers and told me to get them signed and look them over. Usual Procedure.
I walked towards Sam and Kaytlin and sat behind them.
"Why don't you express your rights and sit in front of us?" said Kaytlin.
Class has not started and I have to deal with her. She wants to be a civil rights activist and everything I do she has a comment on. She comes from a sophisticated black family with her parents being in politics. Not really sure what they do. I think they're on some committee. She's a great girl if she just chills out with the equal rights stuff. She does sometimes which is why I talk to her.
"I'm expressing my rights to sit wherever I want, Kaytlin." I said. "Hey Sam."
"Hey Ray. Had a good summer?" Sam asked.
"It was interesting."
"Well I went to Washington DC." said Kaytlin. I participated in many marches with people from NAACP. It is an experience I will never forget. You guys should have been there. WE walked all through the streets of…"
"I played basketball and played video games." I interrupted.
"I worked." said Sam.
"You guys are losers." Kaytlin said.
"Just because we're not into the whole rights stuff? That's being judgmental." I said.
"No it's not. You guys should be more into this stuff. It will help…"
"TIME FOR YOUR MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS. STUDENTS PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLEDGE"
Principal James Mosco interrupted her. I was happy because I did not want to listen to another one of her lectures. I stood for the pledge then sat back down. Homeroom was only ten minutes. People usually try to rush to finish HW in homeroom. I usually rest. Today was no different. I just sat back and waited for the bell.
The first five periods were excruciatingly boring. The first day of school always is. First period I had English with Ms Francis. That was just about what to expect from the class. Second period was World History with Mr. Donnell. Again, what to expect from the class. Third period was draw and paint. I don't know why I got the class because I don't have any artistic skills. I'm too lazy to change it so I'll stick it out for the year. Fourth period was chemistry. Need I say more. Fifth was health class. Another class I don't want to be in which makes it worse. Of course there is no one I care about in my classes. Dameek is in my Chem. class, but he's sleeping in that. Other than him I'm alone for the first half of the day.
Now it was time for sixth period lunch. I knew the rest of my day was good. Dashaun and I lucked out by having the same lunch period. Jessica was even in the same lunch period as us. Seventh period I had a free period. Eighth period was gym and Dashaun was in that class too. A ninth period is optional in our school and is only required by people who need to catch up with their graduation requirements. Dashaun and I had no ninth so we were going to head home. Jessica had no ninth because she was only going to be here for a year and was not going to graduate from our school.
I entered the lunch room two minutes before the bell rang. It was still relatively crowded on the lines.
"Yo Ray."
I heard Dashaun's voice. I looked around a little and saw him in front of the line. I went and stood in front of him. He doesn't care.
"Today is a drag." he said.
"Yea. I have all these papers my mom and dad have to sign. My book bag was empty." I said.
"I know. I hate the first day of school. All I got is this stupid computer exploratory class and gym then we're out."
We got our food and went to the table we always sit at, located in the far left corner of the cafeteria. We sat talking about our classes for a little while. Then Dameek came and sat with us. Following him were three more players.
Six-two senior, Adam Lloyd. He was the small forward on the team. He is a really good player. He scored 1200 points and his career and is being scouted by Louisville, Georgetown, and North Carolina.
Another six-two player was Ricardo Bently. He was our senior Power Forward. Another good player, but probably not going D1.
The last player to sit was our six man. Five-eleven newly Sophomore point guard, George Canton. Still developing behind me, but the kid got potential to lead the team when I graduate. He just gets too cocky sometimes.
Nonetheless, the best of the team was here. Of course there are six other players, but that was yet to be determined. Five of our seniors graduated so a couple of kids will move up from JV and some from tryouts. This was basically the team though.
"Hey it's the two butt buddies!" said Adam.
"Don't you have a scout to go talk to, Adam?" responded Dashaun.
"Nope. That's after lunch."
"You guys are suspect." said Ricardo. "Always hanging out together. Walk home together. Kinda gay."
"Why you Seniors are such A-holes." I said.
"Well, they got a valid point, Ray." George laughed.
"Not my protégé! Not you too."
"I'm sorry, master" then George bowed.
"You guys are losers. Why do I hang out with you?" said Adam.
"Because you love us. And without my assists how are you getting those points?" I said.
"Simple, Ray. Coast to coast."
"You need a team, Mr. D1." said Dashaun.
"I know. You guys are still weirdos."
'Love you too." responded Dashaun.
All this time we were having this conversation, Dameek and Ricardo were discussing something as well. I only heard a bit, but it was about a new girl though. I decided to listen into the conversation more.
"I'm telling you Ric, she is like an Asian goddess or something."
"Dude, I don't believe you. No one is that pretty."
"I'm not lying, she…wait. There she goes right over there. First table!"
All six of us turned to look. Of course it had to be Jessica he was talking about. Not that many "Asian goddess" in this school. Especially new students. I just remembered that she is in our lunch period.
Dashaun looked back at me. I held my finger up to my lips. I was signaling him not to say anything about what happened over the summer.
"Not yet. I'll tell them." I whispered. No one else heard because they were preoccupied by Jessica.
Dashaun gave me a head nod to show that he understood. I don't think Dashaun wanted them to know her anyway. The more boys that knew about her meant that there was more competition. Dashaun likes to compete, but not when it comes to girls.
"DAMN! She is bad." said Ricardo.
"Deadass." said George. George does not even worry about girls like that, but when he agrees to something like that you know the girl looks good.
"What's her name?" asked Adam
"I think Jessica." said Dameek.
All of them continued to stare at her. They all were going to be screwed if she looked up from that book she was reading. That's when I noticed she was sitting alone. People were at the table, but on the other side. That was to be expected because she is brand new to the school. I figured out a good way to show that I knew her. I stood up and started to walk over. The guys turned to me and were confused.
"You're crazy man. Don't do it." said Adam.
"Someone's about to get rejected." said Ricardo. "RIP Ray."
I ignored them and kept walking. When I got five feet in front of the table she looked up at me and smiled. She had a damn great smile.
"Hey Ray. How's it going?" she asked.
"Good. Boring, but it's school. That's to be expected."
"Yeah."
"What you reading?"
Some book I saw in my English class. It looked interesting so my teacher said I could have it because it was in a pile of books she was giving away."
"Why you sitting alone?" Want to sit with me?"
"I'm okay. I'm just reading right now. Who are those guys you with?"
I looked over my shoulder and saw them. They were still looking over there. Adam, Ricardo and George looked shocked that I lasted so long. Dashaun had a smirk on his face, and Dameek seems like he knew something.
"Oh. Those are my teammates. The guy next to Dashaun on the left is Adam and the guy on the right is Ricardo.. The two on the other side is George and Dameek.
"Dameek is in my homeroom."
"Yea. I know. You guys talked?"
"Not really. We just said hi to each other. Why they looking over here anyway?"
"They think I'm trying to hit on the pretty new girl."
She paused for a second. She started to laugh and I did too.
"I guess that's understandable." she said.
"So are you walking home with Dashaun and I after eighth period?"
"Sure."
"Alright. I'll wait outside for you. I'll leave the pretty new girl to her book."
She smiled and started reading again. I started walking back to the table.
"Hey Ray" she called.
I turned and looked at her.
"You called me pretty." she smiled.
"The guys called you pretty." I said.
"Yea, but what about the second time?" she smiled then started reading again. She was right. I inadvertently called her pretty myself. I smiled a little while I approached my table.
"You sly dog." said Ricardo. "How you do that?"
"Talk." I said.
"Master, teach me your ways!" said George.
"So did you get her number?" Ask Adam
"Yeah. And her address." I looked at Dashaun when I said that. He giggled a little.
"How the hell is that possible!" yelled Ricardo.
"Real easy actu…"
"You already knew her." said Dameek. "Isn't that right, Ray?"
Very observant, Dameek. I knew he knew something. "Yea. I know her already."
"Dashaun, you know her too, right? I saw you guys walking to school with her."
All the table's eyes were on Dashaun now. I was looking at him too. I was wondering what he was about to say.
"Yeah. I know her too." he said. Good Dashaun. Simple and to the point.
"How? When did you two guys meet her?" asked Adam.
"Wouldn't you guys like to know." I said. "Don't worry about that."
"So are you going to introduce me? Help me out?" asked Adam.
"You're D1. This should not be a problem for you. Introduce yourself. Say hi." responded Dashaun.
"Aren't we friends and teammates? Help a teammate out."
The bell rang. That was the end of lunch.
"Awe would you look at that. End of lunch. Got to go." I said. Dashaun also got up and left with me.
"Good job in not telling them anything." I said to Dashaun.
"I got you bro. Plus that just means more competition if they knew everything. I don't need that."
"I also don't want them over at my house every damn day."
"Aight I'll see you at gym." said Dashaun and he went to his class.
I had nothing to do, so I just went to the library. Hopefully the team won't work up the courage to talk to her. That would cause some problems.
The rest of the day went by relatively quickly. I just sat by myself in the library. In gym we did nothing so I just practiced free throws with Dashaun, Adam, Dameek, and George. All Adam tried to do was to get Dashaun and I talk about Jessica. He tried to make bets ( "If I make 10 straight you introduce me"), bribe, or even tried to threaten. We would not budge. If he wanted to talk to her so badly then all he had to do was say hi. Not that hard.
Well it's the end of the day now. Time to go home. First day of school is always so slow. I'm pretty sure it will pick up. Especially when basketball starts. All I do for fall is go through the motions.
After five minutes of waiting outside the school Dashaun arrived. He had to get stuff from his locker. A few minutes later Jessica came out.
"Hey Jessica." said Dashuan.
"Hi Dashaun. You finally decided to say hi to me today?" she said.
"Sorry about that. Something was off with me earlier."
"You okay?"
"Yea. I'm fine."
Jessica started walking ahead. Dashaun patted me on the back and smiled. I guess to say he handled that well. I knew she thought he was being a jerk. I guess her asking if he was okay made him think that meant something more.
We started walking. Once again no one said much. I decided to take the intuitive again and start a conversation.
"So Jessica, did you meet anyone new today?"
"That's a very broad phrase. Everyone is new to me." She said. She has a point.
"I meant did you talk to anyone."
"Not really" she paused. "Actually eighth period was the first full conversation I had with someone. I was sitting alone reading and she came over and introduced herself."
"What's her name?" I asked.
"Umm. It was" she stopped to think. I stopped too. Dashaun kept walking. "Jocelyn? Yea it was Jocelyn. Jocelyn um um…."
"Jocelyn Marie." I finished.
"Yea. That's her name. nice girl."
If Dashaun wasn't interested before he was now. He stopped and turned around. The biggest grinned grew across his face. Then he just started laughing.
"What? Who is she?" asked Jessica.
"No one. Shut up, Dashaun." I said.
"No one? You sure about that bro?" he laughed.
"Yea. No one. Drop it." I started to walk ahead of him.
"I didn't know your first love was a nobody." He said. He really said it.
"First Love?" Jessica said. Now she was interested.
"Shut up, Dashaun!" I yelled. "I don't love no one."
"Well you just said she was "'no one'." This made him laugh even louder.
"Haha. Scumbag." I said.
"Jessica he loved her since freshman year. Ever since they worked together on a science project he was hooked. All that year all he said was 'Jocelyn did this' or 'I wonder if Jocelyn is in that class'. The boy was hooked."
"I was not. It was a little crush. No big deal."
"You liked her last year too. You may still like her."
"Whatever."
"And that proves you do." he went off laughing down the street.
"I hate you so much sometimes."
"You love me and you know it." He yelled. "Wait. Never mind. You love Jocelyn!"
That's when I took off after him. He ran and I chased him for at least 2 blocks. Then I remembered that we were walking with Jessica. I stopped and looked back.. She was walking behind us. I turned and went back. I looked back and saw Dashaun was headed back too.
"Sorry about that." I told her. I wasn't breathing heavy, but my heart was racing.
"It's okay." she said. "You had to like her a lot if you were willing to chase him."
"Not you too!"
"See? Even she thinks so!" Dashaun said when he approached us. "And you still can't catch me."
"She's a pretty girl. I don't blame you." Jessica said.
"It was a small crush. No big deal." I said. "Dashaun, don't make me go down your list of crushes."
"Chill, bro!" he said. "Don't blow my spot up. "
"Okay, Tameeka."
Now it was his turn to chase me. It was pretty fun. I actually got home in no time while we were running. He still did not need to say that stuff though. Sometimes he just can't shut up.
"Alright guys. I'm headed home. Trying to get these papers signed." Dashaun said.
"Ok. You going to be online tonight?" I asked.
"Yea. I'll text you when I get on."
"Alright. Peace."
"Bye Dashaun." Jessica said as she opened the door.
"Bye Jess." Dashaun said walking up the street and giving a two finger salute in the air without turning around.
"Cool guy." I thought to myself then snickered and walked in following Jessica.
It felt good to be home. It was really quiet in the house which was a great change from hundreds of kids shouting through a hallway. I threw my book bag in the living room and sat down. I clicked on the T.V and turned it on to ESPN. Jessica went to the kitchen. Few minutes later she came back with a banana and stood at the living room door.
"So Jocelyn, huh?" she said while smiling.
"Why you got to bring that back up?" I said while still looking at the TV to show I was not interested.
"Why are you so embarrassed about this?"
"I'm not. I just don't want to talk about it."
"Well I think it's cute that you liked her for so long. A lot of guys just run from girl to girl every week. You're determined for what you want."
I did not say anything, but she did have my attention a little. I'm starting to think she did not have good experiences with relationships. At least that's what I got from that. I'm also flattered by what she said about me. It was nice.
"So do you still like her?" she continued.
"I don't want to answer that." I said.
"It's okay if you do."
"I know, but I really don't want to discuss it right now."
She stood there for a few more moments. She said "ok." and went walking towards the stairs.
"Wait." I called after her. I don't know why I called her back. I didn't even know what I wanted to say. She came back into the door.
"You know about football, right?" I asked.
She just stared at me like I was stupid or something.
"Yea dumb question. Well I'm going to the first game of the season tomorrow at 3pm. You want to come with me?"
She stood silent for a second. "Sure. I'll go with you." she answered and turned around smiling up the stairs.
I honestly don't know why I asked her that. Maybe I didn't want her to be mad at me. She seemed upset that I wouldn't tell her anything. I guess I killed two birds with one stone there, she's not mad and she's not asking questions. Thought she would say no to football though. She really isn't into sports like that. Maybe it's rubbing off on her.
I went back to the couch and started watching TV again. I think I just asked her on another date, but I didn't want to worry about that now. I technically did not say the word date so I don't know what she thinks it is. I just wanted to go watch a football game honestly.