“Come on, Jeremy! It is the biggest even in fall! You have to go with me,” cried Emily. “I am on the Homecoming Court and I want my boyfriend to be there and walk me onto the field!”
“I’m sorry Emily, but Mom and Dad won’t let me go. You know I am grounded because of that F.”
“Yeah, I know, ‘cause my boyfriend has not been able to go out for a month. In fact, I don’t think I even have a boyfriend anymore,” Emily spat out.
“Come on, Em.” Jeremy reached his hand out to touch Emily’s arm, as she turned away in a huff. “Come on, Em! Don’t do this!” Emily flounced away just as the tardy bell rang. Great, thought Jeremy, just what I need; to be late to Ms. Hudson’s class. She’ll tell Coach, then Dad will find out, and I will be grounded until Christmas.
***
“The 2009 Harvey High Homecoming Queen is Head Cheerleader, Emily Cooper, escorted by Harvey High Quarterback, Timothy Garner.” As the announcement came across the P.A. system, the crowd went wild with cheers and yells.
Emily couldn’t help but think about Jeremy and wish he was here. No, she thought, it’s over. Her smile was energetic, as she received the crown and flowers that were part of the homecoming tradition. Just then Tim leaned down and planted a kiss on her lips. Emily was startled and when she looked at Tim, she saw something strange in his eyes.
As they walked off the field, waving, Tim said, “More of that after the dance. I gotta go, Coach will kill me if I don’t get back to the team.”
They had reached the track that ran along the outskirts of the field. Tim ran off toward the field house, where the home team locker room was. His cleats making noise on the wooden boards protecting the track.
Emily just kept smiling. Tim’s comment going in one ear and out the other. She knew nothing would happen tonight. She had never gone further than kissing any boy, and her heart still belonged to Jeremy.
***
“Here ya go, Em,” Tim yelled over the loud music playing at the Homecoming Dance. Emily turned around and took the punch Tim handed her.
“Thanks,” Emily mumbled. She didn’t feel very will. Her head was starting to hurt and she felt dizzy. As she tilted to the left, she bumped into Ms. Hudson.
“Emily, are you okay?” Ms. Hudson asked with a concerned look on her face.
“Yeah, Ms. Hudson,” Tim answered for Emily. “She’s just hot. I will take her outside and get her some air.”
“Great idea. This gym has always been hot during dances.”
Tim took Emily’s arm and steered her toward the side door that backed up to the stadium.
“Tim, I’m not feeling so good. I think I need to go home.” Emily was startled to hear her words slurring.
“Don’t worry, Em. I’ll take care of you. You’ll feel better with some fresh air.”
Tim led Emily to his jet black Jeep, put her in the front seat, and buckled her in. Then he walked around the front of the Jeep and got in the driver’s side. As he pulled out of the school, he looked over at Emily. Her head was leaned back and her eyes were closed. Instead of turning toward her house, he turned toward the lake. Once at the lake, he took the black soft top off the Jeep. The only light was the full moon shining in the sky, reflecting off the water; the only sounds were the crickets and the small waves of the lake hitting the shore.
An hour later, Tim passed Harvey High on his way to Emily’s house. He was very disappointed. She did not get into it as he had hoped. He had heard that she was a virgin, but he could have sworn that Jeremy had gotten a piece of her. Now, though, he was not so sure. He would have to thank that guy in Senior English for giving him that pill to put in Emily’s first cup of punch.
1 comment:
Lisa, This is good. I didn't know you had that talent. Keep it coming. I want to know what happens
Post a Comment