High School Nerd – Tuesday

High School Nerd – Tuesday

Jasmine:

If it weren’t for the blackout curtains, my bedroom would be bathed in morning sunlight. Even though my room is dark, I have been tossing and turning in my silky sheets for at least the past hour, unable to get back to sleep. There have been too many thoughts, racing through my mind. I just as well get up.

I was pleasantly surprised with my experience with the school uber-nerd, Henry. Yesterday I thought it might be fun to explore a sexual relationship with him. He is cute, I think, since he no longer needs his coke bottle glasses. He is caring, funny when he loosens up, and a surprisingly good kisser. But, thinking about it this morning, I realize what my association with him will do to me, socially. I am a cheerleader, after all. My friends will shun me, and think that I am weird. I will probably get pushed off of the cheer squad.

I don’t feel rested, at all. Today will not be fun. I am tired and out of sorts. I dread what I know I must do today. I need to distance myself from Henry, and deal with the questions from my girl friends about him. They saw us together, so I will just have to deal with the fallout. Sitting on the edge of my bed, my phone chimes, indicating that I have a text message. Picking up my phone, I try to focus. It’s from Henry. Oh no, I hoped he would just forget about yesterday, or be too embarrassed to talk about it, or something. Reading his text, though, it is actually kind of sweet. He is just letting me know that he is thinking about me and thanked me for what I did for him. Maybe if I ignore him he will go away.

***

At school, Sandra caught up with me in the hallway. “Hey, Jazz, hold up.” She steps in close beside me. “So, how did it go with you and Henry, yesterday? Did you guys do it?”

So it begins already. “Do what? No-o!” I shook my head in mock disgust. Anxious to change the subject, I ask, “Don’t we have cheer practice today after school?”

“Don’t want to talk about it, huh?” Sandra asked. “That bad?”

“No. There just isn’t much to talk about. Henry is a nice guy, but he’s not really boyfriend material.” I tried to deflect again. “We’re supposed to be practicing our tumbling today, aren’t we?”

We walk right by Henry, at his locker. I kept talking to Sandra, pretending not to notice him. He looks at me and I see that Sandra smiles at him and stares as we walk past. I feel bad for ignoring him, but what happened yesterday just needs to go away.

At lunch, I worry that the girls will ask me about Henry, but they must have forgotten, for it doesn’t even come up. Henry sits by himself, studying from a textbook as he eats. Typical Henry. I catch him looking my way a few times, but I never made eye contact with him.

At study hall, I sit with the girls from my cheer squad. Henry sat alone and I was aware that he eyed me, from time to time. At the end of study period, he stands near the door, waiting for me. As I walk by, he beckons to me. Coming over to him, he asks, “Is everything OK with you?”

Without meeting his gaze, I say, “Yeah. I’m good.”

“You seem to be dodging me. I just wanted to make sure I didn’t do something to upset you,” he says.

“No, really, I’m good. You’re cool, I just don’t think we have a future together.” Honesty is the best policy. Walking away, I left a very sad and puzzled Henry, standing by the doorway. Hopefully I have laid this matter to rest.

After school, I am surprised to find that Sandra did not show up for cheer practice. That’s not like her to skip practice. She does not respond when Linda text her to see where she is.

***

Sandra:

The more I think about Henry and study him, the more that I realize that Jasmine is right. He’s not bad looking, he’s very smart and he is a caring person. He’s just not interested in the stupid things that many of the guys are interested in. Jazz won’t admit it, but I suspect that she made out with him, yesterday. I don’t think they went all the way, but I’ll bet they came close. I’m more than a little jealous.

I changed into my cheer uniform at the end of school in preparation for practice. I always feel sexy, walking down the halls in my cheer outfit. I put a little extra sway in my hips as I walk. Ahead, I see Henry, heading down the hall in my direction and an idea strikes me. Reaching him, I pause, touch his arm and with my best smile say, “You’re Henry, aren’t you?”

He turns, surprised, and smiles in return, “Sure am. And I believe you are Sandra? Aren’t you Jasmine’s friend?”

“Yeah. We are on the cheer team together.” His eyes are light blue and striking, up close. He doesn’t put off that tough guy vibe like most of the jocks that are popular. His smile is genuine and warm. He has a reputation for being brilliant.

“Look, can we talk?” I asked.

“Sure. How can I help you?” he asks, waiting for my request.

Looking around I ask, “Can we go somewhere private? I want to ask you some questions.”

Henry hesitates for an awkward moment, his eyebrows raised. “I might know a place. You mean right now?”

“Well, yeah. Now would be good. Do you know a private place around here?”

“Come with me.” Taking me by the hand, he leads me into the back of the auditorium, and up a long flight of steep, narrow stairs. At the top of the stairs, he fishes a key from his pocket, inserts it into the lock and the door squeaks on its hinges as it swings into a dark space.

The first thing to hit me is the smell that brings to mind an old attic, full of forgotten treasures.