I reached school at the usual time and went straight to my Economics class. I met Tess at the entrance of class
" Hey " she said, a friendly smile on her cute face, too friendly infact.
" Hey " I replied. We hadn't really talked much since that day at the supermarket, just friendly smiles were exchanged.
I went to my seat and spotted Jenny and Jerome, like always they came before me
Jenny gave me a cold look and looked away, I was getting used to her being like that all the time. I fist bumped Jerome and settled for the lesson .
" The list for qualifiers is out, it's been put on the notice board " I heard one of my classmates say to his friend. After the lesson.
It had already been two weeks and I hadn't noticed. Days go by so fast.
" Hey Chilly, I hope you didn't go through " Jenny said and smiled. Is that a sarcastic comment ? Does it mean the opposite ?
" Hmm, why. . . why do you hope. . . that ? " I said.
" You weren't any good " she said then stood up clearly to dismiss the conversation.
I stood up too, and followed her.
" Stop following me " she said without looking behind.
" I'm not following you, I'm going to the notice board. "
" You're nervous ? "
" No. " I immediately said but that wasn't the truth. " I mean, yeah a little bit " I added.
She stopped and stared at me " You should be "
What's that supposed to mean ?
We reached the notice board and it was over crowded there. Many kids were there trying to see if they were selected. Crowded places make me uncomfortable. I stepped aside and reached my pocket for some pills. I swallowed them and closed my eyes to calm myself.
" Wow you look a little tense than I'd imagined, I didn't know you took it too serious " Jenny said and stood beside me.
" No it's. . . just nothing " I said and looked the other way I didn't want her to notice my eyes, maybe they had turned red I felt a little headache. I saw Tess and Ralph on the other side walking, Ralph's hand around Tess' shoulder. She looked happy. Why was she hiding from him that day ?
Why did she kiss me ? It wasn't necessary.
Or was it a joke ? I was thinking too much, I reminded myself it wasn't good for me.
" It's now less crowded. . . let's go and check " Jenny said.
" Get ready to be disappointed, Chilly " she added and walked to the notice board.
I reached the notice board and searched for my name, it was right under the name Mulo Sydney.
Only three names were there, how brutal ? A lot of guys had wasted their time at that training and only three got in. I felt a little guilty. My eyes wondered to the other sheet and I read Jenny's name. It was easy to spot because it was the first on the list.
" Jenny you got in " I said with a smile.
" What ! "
" See, your name is right here " I pointed to her name and she leaned in to read it.
I sensed she wasn't comfortable being too close to me, maybe she thought I would try to kiss her, again. I moved a bit.
We also hadn't talked about that properly, she just displayed discomfort whenever I came too close to her. And sometimes she would be rude to me. It scared me.
" Did you read the last thingy down here " she squinted her eyes.
" Wha. . . what does it say ? " I asked and remained still.
" It says we should meet at the court today after lessons " she said to me .
" We ? "
" No dummy, only those who qualified "
" Oh "
" How did you get in ? " she quizzed me as if I didn't deserve it.
" I don't know, guess I'm just. . . lucky " I said.
" Luck is a talent you know that "
" Maybe "
" Did you want to be a cheerleader ? " I asked her. She looked at me like I'd offended her.
" No " she looked away.
" So you're not going "
" When a chance comes to you why not give it a try "
I didn't quite get what she meant but I nodded.
Over the last two weeks I had started liking being around Jenny. Home and even school she distracted me from the need and she was fun to be around. A little bossy, mean at times and sometimes really cute but I could handle it. I guess I qualified as clingy.
She was also my only friend, Jerome was always being quiet, staring at Amanda all the time.
I liked that Jenny initiated conversation even though sometimes it was provoking.
" Should we tell Jerome " I said, I always tried to bring in Jerome whenever I was with Jenny.
For one because I was scared of him, he'd warned me. And another was that I didn't want Jenny to tag me clingy, If we were three that would be neutralised.
She rolled her eyes and said " It's none of his business.
" Maybe we should just. . . " she glared at me and I kept mum.
We went back to class, Jerome was seated with Amanda and anyone could make out what they were saying, their body language said it all.
I wasn't always socially active but it gave me chance to study people from a far, admiring them wishing I too could be like them. I always observed everything. Some of the reasons I was always depressed.
We walked over there .
" Hey " Amanda said to me and Jenny.
" Hey Amanda " I replied but Jenny didn't.
" I better get back to my seat " Amanda said as she stood up .
" You do that " Jenny muttered under her breath, I'm the only one who heard.
" See you at lunch time " Jerome said to her with a smile, not a normal smile those smiles guys reserve for pretty girls.
I looked over to Jenny but she looked really pissed.
The bell was sounded for the next period, I didn't have any lesson in that period, Jenny had literature, Jerome I'm not sure had any but he wouldn't hang out with me, he would find Amanda, Tess had Maths not like she'd also hang with me at the library but atleast I could stalk her.
High school sucks. I was alone again.
*********to be continued******....