Chapter 2.4
Jackson
Today was the day. I was going to get the nerve up to ask out Sandra Nunez. The Snowy Day dance was a few weeks away. I could only hope she didn’t already have a date.
Today was the day. I was going to get the nerve up to ask out Sandra Nunez. The Snowy Day dance was a few weeks away. I could only hope she didn’t already have a date.
“Hey, bro, what’s up with that weird as fuck look? Didn’t get enough sleep last night or what?”
I could never hide anything from my best bud, Ro. “Nah...just thinking is all. Hey...meet me in the music room. Need some advice.”
Once we got in there, I was glad Ms. Nunce wasn’t around. She’d have been on my case to practice my chords. I was the best in my music class, but had a long way to go in mastering the art of guitar playing. She said I was a natural. I guess I have strong fingers, taking after my dad. Only he used his fists when he was my age.
When I told Ro I was going to ask out Sandra, he shook his head. “Are you nuts? She’s going out with Mickey 'The Douche' Watts.”
I lurched my head back. “Dude. They broke up ages ago. Where’ve you been?”
“All I know is I wouldn’t even go for her, dude. Mickey is still hung up. Why not ask her sister, Diva? She’s hot. See? We took some pictures in chemistry. It was a fun lab for sure.”
“First of all, her sister has like a million dates a month with different guys. I want a girlfriend, bro. Diva is not the settling down type.”
“Why do you want to settle down? This is our senior year! Time to play the field.”
I laughed. “You’re one to talk, Mr. I’ve-never-had-a date-in-my-life.”
Shrugging, he said, “Just picky. Not like you.”
“Whatever.”
Suddenly the bell rang. Time for computer class. My stomach jumbled in knots because I’d see Sandra. My mind spun on how I was going to be suave enough to convince her to go to the dance with me. But during class would not be cool. I had to wait.
Locking eyes on her gorgeous, milky brown face, my heart froze, and I whipped around, trying to play it cool. “H-Hey, Livvy,” I said to the girl behind me. “Where’s your sidekick?”
“If you mean me, Jackson, you can just blow it out your ass.”
“Nice as usual,” I smirked. “You’re in a good mood today, Jenny.”
“I always feel tingly inside when I’m next to you, Jackson,” she said in a dreamy voice. Jenny Garraph was like a sister to me. We’d sat next to each other in almost every class since kindergarten.
Just then, Mr. Lawson walked in. “Cut the chatter and get to your work stations. We have a lot to cover today.”
Lawson was the weirdest teacher in the school. You never knew what he was going to wear next or what kind of mood he’d be in. Today, he was in a shitty one. Oh well. Time to work and NOT steal any peeks at Sandra. Which was going to be hard to do.
The day rolled along slowly until it was finally lunch. I was meeting up with Manu and Clarke. “Hey, dudes.” I waved.
“Well if it isn’t loverboy?” Clarke laughed.
“Man, news travels fast,” I said, putting my hands in my pockets.
“Well, don’t blab to Atsukari if you don’t want the world to know,” Manu chided.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“So, are we shooting hoops Friday night or are you gonna have a hot date?” Clarke asked.
“Hey, guys, will you lay off? Sandra doesn’t even know I like her. I haven’t asked her to the dance yet and at this rate, the whole school is going to know before I get the guts up to do it.”
“What’s the hold up, dude? Ask her already, do some serious making out and then come out with us to San Myshuno. We’ll have fun.”
“I’m not like you, Clarke. I don’t have girls falling for me like I’m some rock star.”
“Work on your sound, bro and you’ll have them eating out of your hand.”
Manu slapped Clarke on the back. “Not all of us have your movie star looks, Clarke. And besides, that patented hair style gets the ladies every time.”
Changing the subject, I said, “I’ll make it down to the park on Friday, just have to ask my folks.”
“Yes!” Clarke cheered. “And don’t worry about Sandra. She’d be stupid not to like a rich fuck like you.”
Just then, Leo Woods wandered up to us. “What’re we doing this weekend, guys?”
Leo was our tag along. I liked him, but he usually was just one step behind us. I laughed at him and hit his back. “You’re too late, Woods. Plans already made.”
His face fell.
I chuckled. “Just kidding, dude. San Myshuno hoops. Friday. 8 pm.” That put a smile on his charmingly dorky face.
Turning to Clarke, I said, “Prepare to go down because I’m going to score so many points, your head is going to fly off.”
“Dream on, loverboy.”
The day flew by and I didn’t see Sandra again. Something must have happened to her since we had music together and she didn’t show. I felt doomed like it was never going to happen. I didn’t even have her number yet. I was such a dork.
*****
The next day, I decided to seek out my best girl friend, Victoria Boudreaux. Maybe she’d give me some tips on how to approach Sandra.
“So, yeah, like I like her like her. What should I do? I’m so dang nervous whenever I’m around her, I feel like I’m going to piss my pants.”
“First of all, don’t talk about your bodily fluids in front of her. Ever.”
“Geez, Victoria. Of course I won’t.”
“Well, you just did with me.”
“Yeah, but you’re not like a...girl.”
“Huh?”
“Well, to me you’re like one of the guys.”
“Thanks.”
“Hey, that’s a compliment.”
“Yeah, feels like one.” She snapped her fingers. “Here’s an idea! Take a selfie with her. That will break the ice. Try it with me. Grab her phone and give her that million dollar smile of yours. Then she’ll swoon over your picture for later.”
She plunked her phone in my hand. “Go ahead!”
Shrugging, I lifted her cell phone and said, “Say cheese!”
Looking at the picture, she shook her head. “Bad idea. You really have your dad’s sweet vibe going on. Are you sure you’re not gay?”
That's what I loved about Victoria. She was always joking around. Poking her head, I asked, “Are you sure you’re not?”
“The jury is out on that one.”
I laughed. She was such a tease. “I guess I’m on my own then?"
Smiling, she leaned her head on my shoulder and said, “Sorry, Chigger. This kind of thing must be done by yourself.”