The next day as I arrived on campus, I saw Ronnie standing at the bus shed looking.
Why is he there? He must be waiting on someone.
I came off the bus and I decided not to disturb his morning so I turned the opposite direction and started walking to class.
"Hey, wait up" I heard from exactly 10 feet away.
I stopped.
"Didn't you see I was waiting on you"
Really! I knew I saw my name on the sign!
I didn't have a sign!
Exactly, then how was I supposed to know? Hmm?
He shook his head.
Why are you arguing? It's too early.
Am not, thank you for waiting, but let me tell you where the argumentative spirit came from and then I want to hear yours. Save all your comments, questions, and concerns for the end.
"Got it" he lied
A few months before my student council presidency began, I took my guardian angel up on the offer to become the President of the Debate team.
"You were Student Council president too? What do I know about you?
"Stop interrupting me Ronnie"
She was thinking about re-branding the team, and frankly my demeanor in class gave her one more reason to consistently persuade me to take on that role.
I took the challenge, mostly because I knew I had her to walk me through the process, and the perks sounded attractive.
Who would turn down the opportunity to visit different parishes to persuade a crowd that my team's stance is right in the aim of winning cash, prizes, and school recognition?
Not me.
"That's for sure"
Ronnie!
We did some marketing and promotion for students to join and by the time we officially started meeting we had well over fifteen students.
The numbers slowly decreased in a few weeks though, but we got to see the students who were serious about making the team.
Factors that aided the team selection process were.
· Consistency of student attending meetings and showing up prepared
· Personality
· Taking initiative
· Asking the right questions
· Communication skills
Most of the students had one or more of the traits, but if we really evaluated the team how we wanted, there would not have been a team.
We both looked at each other and smiled.
Our first match was a week away when we received our moot. We were also alerted that we would be playing the school that I first attended.
What was the moot?
"I don't remember"
Anyway, I did not have an interest in debate before now, because have you ever seen how the people on the debate team operate?
"You said leave my comments for the end"
I rolled my eyes, "So now you want to listen"
They are always super cocky and outspoken and somehow knew the right things to always say and I just hated their perfection.
"Because you are one of them" He cracked
You are not wrong, I had to play against my new personality in a different uniform and it was ugly.
My former school whooped our little butts and sent us out of the competition.
Funny thing, I thought our speech was the bomb until it got bombed.
We now knew it was prep time because we had another competition to enter out of town.
** Ding Ding*
It's ten minutes before class and my story isn't finished.
Can we finish this later?
No, I listen to you talk all the time, it's just five more minutes.
As I was saying.
We met every day for several hours all in the aim of coming up with a great argument.
The day of the event we arrived at the school before dawn to get our game plan right and to prepare our mind for the trip and the games ahead.
At 10'o'clock we got to our destination having time to spare for restroom stops and a quick snack.
All my stops were to the restroom.
We completed 3 rounds of debate and we lost to the opposing team.
I am a bit furious, but with all honesty, they deserved it, so I realize I was being a sore loser.
The end!
"So, are you telling me you became argumentative because you never won a match?"
"Is that all you got from the story?"
"Oh, yea!
Hissing my teeth, what's yours?
My family is Jamaican.
Doh!
"That's my story"
I am fuming, I talked for over twenty minutes, and he gave me his story in two seconds.
The one time I was interested to hear him speak, he had nothing.
Okay, see you later!
You mean after class? We are going to the same class.
Do I have every class with you?
No, just five.
I was taking five classes this semester, he knew that, so clearly, he was trying to annoy me.
Or just be himself, who knows.
~
I was no longer in the mood to talk, so I sat in silence beside him because all the other seats were taken.
Thirty minutes into class, he placed a note on my desk.
" Don't forget the student council story because I want to hear it"
I stared at him thinking, he is so sexy, and I really want to stay mad at him, but I can't.
He stares back at me with his magnetic eyes that sucks me in every time.
As I looked away, I remember feeling this exact way about the guy I was with last year.
Everything about him was lustful.
To my detriment, though not forced, I did things I would never want to talk about.
These things have scared me so heavy, it's surreal that I allowed myself to have a crush on someone.
I want more with Ronnie, but every time I acknowledge how I feel about him, the past invades my mind and reminds me of why I shouldn't.
** Ding Ding**
Before you leave, remember that presentations begin next week, no excuses, we only have one week before summer. Enjoy your weekend!
Before I could leave, he grabbed my hand.
It felt sweaty and disgusting. I flashed him off.
Maybe it was my mind, I don't like people touching me.
I felt something else though, it felt so electric when we touched.
What?
I want to hear the story.
" I stormed off, not now"
He didn't follow me.
I was hoping he would.
I should have just said that, right?
Sigh! I think it's best if we don't see each other for a while, I have other things to think about anyway.