My parents are too cute. They are cuddled together on the couch, watching The Bob Newhart Show. They watch this show every Saturday night and laugh the whole time. I really hope I can have that when I get married.
Just as I get to my room, the phone rings. One of the great perks of our new house is I have a phone in my room. I really think Mom and Dad did that for two reasons. One, they don’t have to get up and answer it every time one of my friends call, which I assume they are expecting me to have more of in the future, and two, they don’t have to listen to me on the phone while they’re trying to watch TV. I’m not really sure, but whatever the reason, it makes me happy.
I pick up the receiver and bring it to my ear. “Hello?”
“Jayden?”
I recognize that voice. It’s Jake. I assume he got my number from the phone book. I play dumb. “Yes, this is Jayden.”
“Hey, it’s Jake. I, uh… Well, I wanted to apologize.”
“What for?” I can’t even begin to imagine what he thinks he needs to apologize for. He’s been wonderful and a great friend. So help me if he says he’s sorry for liking Melissa and not me… I swear I will scream.
“I should have walked you out and waited with you until your ride came, so I thought I’d call to make sure you got home all right. I was worried.”
His thoughtfulness never ceases to amaze me. You would think a guy like him would be so into himself and not pay attention to the people around him, let alone care about them. I’m touched. “That’s really sweet of you, Jake, but you don’t need to worry. As you can tell, I made it home in one piece.”
“That’s good. Well, uh… I guess I’ll let you go.”
Can a conversation get any shorter? It’s obviously all he has to say, so I follow with: “Okay, see you Monday at school.”
“Yeah, see ya,” he says and hangs up the phone.
Still holding the receiver in my hand, I shake my head.What on earth was that about?I put the receiver back on the cradle and grab my book,Pride and Prejudiceby Jane Austen. It’s our extra credit reading assignment for English lit class. We have to read it by the last week of school, and along with our final exam, we have to write a synopsis of the book to get the extra credit points. Jane Austen is one of my favorite authors, so readingPride and Prejudice, for the third time, is no chore at all. I get lost in the story. The speech and the mannerisms of the time engulf me.
Before I know it, several hours have passed. I put the book down, get out of bed, and walk to the door. Mom and Dad’s door is closed, which tells me they have gone to bed. I yawn. Yep, so should I. I walk down the hall to the bathroom, brush my teeth and wash my face, and head back to my room. I pull my covers over me, turn out the light, and pray I dream of Jake. If I can’t have him in real life, I can always have him in my dreams.
***
When I get to school on Monday, it is obvious Jake and Melissa are going steady. While I feel I missed an opportunity, I am genuinely happy for them. I guess Jake just wants to be friends with me after all. I was really hoping for more but am not surprised. I have only known him for a week.
The smart thing for me to do is to forget about “going steady” with any boy and concentrate on making friends and getting settled in my new school. My entire world can’t revolve around Jake and Melissa. I need to expand my friend base and broaden my horizons… or something corny like that. Especially with them going steady. I don’t want to put myself in a position where I am always the third wheel.
I decide some extracurricular activities are a must, but what? While walking down the hall after first period, I see a sign on the bulletin board outside the principal’s office.
CHEERLEADING TRYOUTS FRIDAY MAY 10.
If you have dance or cheerleading experience, please speak
with Mrs. Mitchell to reserve a tryout spot.
That’s it!I think to myself. I was a cheerleader at my old school and figured I’d missed tryouts here, but according to this notice, my timing is perfect. I place my backpack on the floor and dig out a piece of paper and a pen. I jot down Mrs. Mitchell’s name and place everything back in the small zipper compartment of my bag. I’m pretty sure Mrs. Mitchell is my gym teacher, but I have met so many teachers over the last week, I can’t get all their names straight. I will go see her on my lunch break. I go through my morning classes spending more time thinking about being a cheerleader again than actually paying attention to my teachers. I can’t help it. I’m just thankful I didn’t miss tryouts.
At lunchtime, I skip the cafeteria and go find Mrs. Mitchell. I’m hoping she will be available and will have time to give me the details I need. I head down the hall toward the gym.
As I work my way through D quad, I remember I am right; Mrs. Mitchell is my gym teacher. When I get to her door, I knock. From behind the door, I hear “come in.” I open the door slowly and walk inside.
“Mrs. Mitchell, I hope I am not bothering you.”
“Jayden, right?”
I nod.
“You’re not bothering me at all, young lady. What can I help you with?”
“Well, I am interested in cheerleading tryouts. I was a cheerleader at my old school and thought it might be something fun to do here. You know, help me meet people and make new friends too.”
“Oh, goodness!” She gets up from her chair and gives me a hug. “I am delighted you are interested, and you are right, it is a good way to meet the kids in your class.” She rests her hands on my shoulders and says, “Tryouts will be this Friday after school. You’ll need to make sure you have a ride home because we will be later than the buses run. You will be responsible for putting together a dance routine and making up a cheer. Acrobatics and good jumps are always a plus.” She walks back to her desk and pulls out a sheet of paper from her top desk drawer. “This is a permission slip you will need to have signed by both your parents.”
