“It’s okay, I overreacted too.”
“So, I assume you said yes.”
“Oh my God, Jake, I did.” She goes on like nothing happened between us. “I know I’m not going to get an ounce of sleep tonight. I try not to think about it, and I realize I can’t and then I get all giddy inside.” She rambles on for another five or so minutes, and I let her because it’s the right thing to do. If I were a girlfriend best friend, naturally I would be there for her—well, unless the girlfriend best friend secretly likes the same boy, then there would be all kinds of issues. My reaction is tame to what she would have had to deal with in that scenario.
Taking a step back and leaving all other feelings at bay, I have to be that girlfriend friend because it is what she needs right now. I push aside my anger and jealousy—yes, I said jealousy—and let her talk. After about fifteen minutes, we finally say good night, with a “see you tomorrow,” and I hang up.
My anger and jealousy come back. Jayden has a boyfriend, and it’s not just any guy. It’s the most popular guy in school, and he’s dating my girl.She’s not your girl, Jake!
“Oh, shut up!” I say aloud, hoping my subconscious gets the hint. I pull my covers up, turn out the light, and try to get some sleep. It takes me a while. Visions of Jayden with Randy fill my head. I swear, I am worrying for nothing. Randy is older than Jayden. It can’t last. Her parents are not going to let her date a ninth grader. I chuckle to myself, knowing I pretty much won this one. I close my eyes and fall asleep.
***
The next day, after scrambling around the house, I make it to school just in time for the homeroom bell to chime. I swear it doesn’t matter how much I prepare for something, I still forget things and find myself running around the house like a chicken with its head cut off. I run into homeroom as the teacher is closing the door, and I take the empty desk next to Jayden. We had already compared our schedules and knew what classes we had together, including homeroom. She saved me a seat. The thought causes me to smile.Randy Jackson who?I scoff to myself. It’s still me and my Jayden, and it always will be.
I don’t know why I get so pumped up for the first day of school, because by the end of the day, I am likehow many days left?It’s nice to reconnect with friends I lost touch with over the summer, but I miss the little bubble I had with Jayden the past few months.
We did everything together. Melissa and I broke up at the beginning of the summer. I had Jayden all to myself, until Randy came into the picture. There were times we did really cool things, like going to concerts at the Westend Pavilion. Her parents or mine would drop us off, and we would drag a cooler and blanket, sprawl out on the lawn with our own little concert picnic, and jam to the music. We have the same tastes, except she likes David Bowie and I think he is kinda odd. They would pick us up right after the concert at the McDonalds across the street.
Other times, she wouldn’t feel like doing anything, so we would hang out at her house or mine and listen to records. Sometimes, we would spend the night too—not in the same room, but our guest rooms were always made up for the other. My parents love Jayden, and I think her parents like me too. They both always talk to me like a grown-up, and her mom is the best cook. It’s like they gained a son, and my mom and dad gained a daughter.
If I didn’t know better, I would say Jayden and I were going steady. At least, that is what it looks like to many people. But nope, we’re just really good friends. We’ve never even kissed. Although, I have to say, I have thought about it a time or two, but then I remember how kissing can screw up everything. The last thing I want to do is to screw things up with her. I know I have only known her for about six months, but I honestly can’t imagine what things would be like without her. I worry about her dating and not having time to spend with me. Randy is the first guy she has gone out with since she moved here. Will there be room for me too?
When I get home after school, I do homework, eat dinner with my parents, and call Jayden. For over an hour, we talk about our classes, teachers, and oh my God, did you see Jillian Sykus and what she did to her hair? We laugh most of the time and then say our good-byes.
“See you tomorrow,” she says, and I reply the same and hang up the phone.
***
The first two weeks of classes flew by, and it’s already Football Friday. Tonight is the first game and JJ’s first cheerleading gig. Fifth period has been canceled, and the entire school is to meet in the gym for a pep rally. I believe the coach is going to talk, the cheerleaders will do a few cheers, and some of the players will speak—including me, as captain of the team. Everyone will be encouraged to attend the game.
The pep rally begins with Coach Decker getting all the students, players, and cheerleaders pumped up. Everyone is cheering. The cheerleaders take the court and show us some of their best dance moves. JJ does great, and I love seeing her have so much fun. It’s weird, but I am at my happiest when she is happy. I guess that makes her pretty special. It’s truly an amazing feeling when someone else’s happiness makes you happy.
When the cheerleaders are done, Coach Decker takes the mic. “I’m sure you all are ready to hear from this year’s team captain and our star QB, Jake Starr!”
I blush. I’m a decent quarterback, but it’s not all me. Our wins come from a team effort. I walk up to the mic as everyone rises to their feet.
I wait for the gym to quiet down a bit. “I have only one thing to say today.”
A hushed silence falls over the gym.
“We will rock you, Springfield!”
As I finish, the song with same name by Queen begins to play over the loudspeaker. Everyone stomps to the beat on the bleachers. The student body is going crazy. As the cheering dies down, Coach Decker says a few more words, a few announcements about parking and concessions at the game, and dismisses everyone. I walk out of the gym on a high, planning to make my way down to the field. As I get to the door, I hear my name. I turn around and see it’s JJ.
“Hey, you did great out there today!” I say to her with a wink.
She smiles. “Thank you. It was so cool and all that energy! It was so cool! It felt so good to be cheering again, and the game is gonna be so fun.”
“Yeah, you can expect that every week. Everyone goes to and cheers at the games. We have an awesome fan base between students, parents, and a lot of folks around town who are alumni to Ridgefield. It makes playing worth it and so much fun.”
“I can see that.” She hesitates for a second but leans in and kisses me on the cheek.
My skin tingles everywhere. What the heck just happened?
“I just wanted to wish you good luck,” she whispers in my ear.
Amazing chills run through my body as my skin begins to prickle. I’ve gotta get out of here and get some fresh air.
