"No, I think the 100-meter dash is next," I gasped after finishing the 1600-meter run (equivalent to one mile). Kaylee, who was waiting for the dash to arrive, leaped up and jogged to the starting line, her mousey brown ponytail trouncing behind her. I pushed myself up from the ground and took another gulp of my icy water. Slowly I strolled nearer to the blanket of my friends who were chatting animatedly during track events.
As I approached I saw one of my long-time friends, Carly leaning on her boyfriend, Ryan and laughing loudly. He smiled back at her with his bright blue eyes glistening and his dark, curly hair floating in the wind. My heart skipped and my stomach rumbled.
She knew I liked Ryan, but she dated him anyway. I tried to swallow the envy that swelled in my chest, and attempted to convince myself I didn't have a chance anyway.
It wasnt that he was older, or better than me. On the contrary, he was in 7th grade, I in 8th. So that should mean I would have a good chance, yes? Not quite.
Carly had always been a tomboy. She never had a boyfriend, she didnt even talk about boys like the rest of us. She wasnt interested in doing make overs at sleepovers (that was even if she attended our sleepovers), and she played football for a year with the guys. Then that year she changed, all the guys began to like her. I guess you could say 'their eyes were opened to the beauty that was Carly'. So Ryans happened to be opened, and I lost the guy I liked.
"Well, thats over. Thank god." Kaylee collapsed by me and grinned, wiping the sweat from her forehead.
Kaylee was in 7th grade, just as Ryan. But she had a crush on my friend Levi. Him and his cousin (also my friend) Sam, were relaxing on a blanket just off to the side of the large group we were watching. Well I was watchingI suppose Kaylee was off in another world.
"Oh look at them, all cuddly and wuddly andshe made a face, Uck, just look at that!" She nodded her head in Levis direction where he was getting cuddly with his soon-to-be girlfriend Katelyn.
"Hush Kay, youre just jealous," I scolded playfully.
"Psh, uh, jealous? Of them? Are you kidding?" She rolled her eyes and waved her hand, "This is a public trackmeet. If they want to get all lovey, they can find a room." She stood slowly and dragged me from my feet.
"Umpf, whatre you doing?" I gestured to Ryan and Carly, "Im a little busy."
"They arent talkin to you girly, lets go get a candy bar or something," she held her stomach, "Im starving!"
I gave in and we approached the concession stand. I hoped the scrawny boy from a neighboring school would hurry. I needed some chocolate.
"Im sorry, but Coke is $1.25," the elderly man working the stand apologized to the boy.
"Oh, well do you have anything for a dollar?" The boys face fell a bit, he looked tired; worn out.
I had been rolling a quarter in my fingers when I automatically handed it to the boy and said 'Here you go.' He grinned, I mean really grinned.
"Thank you!" He turned and handed the dollar and quarter to the man who in turn, passed over a Coke.
"You've got a nice girl there," the old man smiled.
Kaylee started laughing incredibly hard the moment we left the stand. "Thank you, thank you!" she chanted.
After finally getting her to shut up, we made our way back to the group of friends in the middle of the track, cheering for the current event. At last, we boarded the bus and started home.
"What does he see in her?" Kaylee sobbed, pointing at Levi and Katelyn. I tapped her on the shoulder and held up her iPod earphones. She reluctantly shoved one in her ear, folding her arms adamantly.
She ripped the iPod from my hands. She ferociously jabbed at the rewind button.
This went on, over and over until her anger calmed. Right when I thought she had made her nerves relax, she spun around, chucked an empty water bottle at Levi, and ducked back down next to me.
"I understand your bitterness Kaylee, I really do. Look at one of my best friends and Ryan," I looked at her with sincerity, my hand soothingly stroking the smooth skin at her wrist.
She just pulled her hand away and rolled her eyes, gazing out the window. "Yeah, but Ryan never liked you."
My jaw clenched. Kaylee had a reputation for saying what was on her mind.
"What do you mean by that? That he will never like me?"
"No. But me and Levi, we, you know."
I stared at her blankly even though I knew exactly what she was talking about. They had liked eachother and were close to dating when all of a sudden, Katelyn came in the picture and her and Levi started dating.
"I wouldnt expect you to understand," she sighed, shoved the earphones back into her ears before I could reply.
Pondering the interesting meet and bus ride; that included: Sour Straws, throwing water bottles and listening to Girlfriend very, very loudly with Kaylee that night, I fell asleep trying not to think of Ryan and Carly laughing happily together.
School, a few weeks later
Its the last day of track practice which consisted of mostly messing around on the high jump mats and I changed out of my running clothes to go home. Unfortunately, my dad was going to be late picking me up so I had to wait around with my friends, and Ryan.
"Um, so whatre you doing this weekend Carly?" I asked her lamely trying to start a conversation that consisted of other things than her and Ryan.
"Well, we might go to the movies, right?" She looked at Ryan who was sitting beside her. They were not holding hands and she wasnt smiling.
"Yeah, if you want too!" He sounded excited. My stomach ached.
"Okay, well I have to go then," I excused myself from the pack, mumbling hasty goodbyes before climbing into my dads truck.
The crowd dispersed as we walked away, my close friend MacKenzie and Carly ambling toward the baseball fields and Ryan and his cousin (MacKenzies boyfriend) Curtis in the opposite direction toward town.
The last day of school
The best last day ever.
It started out like anyday. But then the power went out. Like no lights in the whole school. Oh yeah that was fun. So we go outside. Almost simutaniously, a waterfight breaks out. All of the rebel boys look out toward the softball fields. A half dozen sprinklers dusted the outfields with water. About half of the student body broke into a run toward the sprinklers. Me, of course, within the group as well as my friends Carly, MacKenzie, Harley and Sam (this was an 8th grader thing, so Kaylee and Ryan were in school).
Harley was a friend I had since grade school, like my other friends. But she had to move to Colorado at the end of 8th grade in the middle of the summer. As a surprise, she is moving back and she will be home by New Years!
Anyway. The waterfight was seized and the sprinkler ambush wrecked by a mob of teachers who were trying to be serious, but the hilariousity of the situation prevented them from doing so. I went home satisfied and looking forward to a great summer.
A few weeks later
I was on IM when all of a sudden:
Ryan (Basketballdude): Hey
I shook in my rolly-chair. Ryan!
I scrambled to answer.
Stella (vballshortie): Hey! Whatcha up too?
Ryan (Basketballdude): Nm, u?
Stella (vballshortie): Ah, nothin rilly. Chattin with people. So how r u and Carly doin?
Pause.
Stella (vballshortie): ?
Ryan (Basketballdude): She dumped me
My jaw dropped. 'NO WAY! Maybe I have a chance?' I thought selfishly. I decided to play the sympathy card.
Stella (vballshortie): Omg! I am so sorry, did she say why?
Ryan (Basketballdude): Nah dont ,b its fine. she said she wanted 2 b friends.
Stella (vballshortie): Well keep ur eye out, I know youve got other admirers out there.
I blushed at my own stupidity. But before I could cover up with a dumb excuse
Ryan (Basketballdude): Oh rilly, who
My hands were frozen, my eyes wide. What do I say???
I fumbled with a strand of straight brown hair and bit my lip.
Ryan (Basketballdude): nevermind I have to go talk to you later
I sighed. 'Nothing is as good as it first seems.'
I flipped off my computer and went to sleep.
2 weeks later
Me and Ryan were getting on well, and I was convinced I was fond of him. I got to know his family and household through him. We talked online every night he had access to a computer (when he was at his moms), and it seemed he was fond of me also. Well, MacKenzie had to play matchmaker
Me and MacKenzie
MacKenzie (browneyedbeauty): YOU LOVE EACHOTHER!
Stella (vballshortie): well I dont think he likes me Kenzie, you are just fantasizing there.
MacKenzie (browneyedbeauty): Look at this Ryan (Basketballdude): Yeah I like Stella but me and Carly just broke up. Besides Stella doesnt like me. MacKenzie (browneyedbeauty): w/e Ryan I know you guys have been flirting. Ryan (Basketballdude): From Stella? MacKenzie (browneyedbeauty): Who else?
Stella (vballshortie): that doesnt prove nething.
MacKenzie (browneyedbeauty): wanna bet?
I clicked accept.
In the conference
Stella (vballshortie): what r u doing Kenzie!?
MacKenzie (browneyedbeauty): YOU WANT EACHOTHER!!
Stella (vballshortie): Uhh.
Ryan (Basketballdude): Um.
Back in me and Ryans box
Ryan (Basketballdude): Stella?
Stella (vballshortie): Yeah?
I was more nervous than a deer on opening day.
Ryan (Basketballdude): Is it true? Do u really like me?
Stella (vballshortie): ya.
Ryan (Basketballdude): well, the truth isI like u 2.
My heart screamed. It felt like my insides were being ripped out and hugged tightly. I felt like I could conquer anything.
Stella (vballshortie): so
Ryan (Basketballdude): Will
Ryan (Basketballdude): U
Stella (vballshortie): Yeeeeesss?
Ryan (Basketballdude): go out with me?
Stella (vballshortie): Yeah.
Ryan (Basketballdude): Rilly? Cool.
Stella (vballshortie): Yeah, but I gotta go, and Ryan?
Ryan (Basketballdude): Yeah?
Stella (vballshortie): Thanks
Ryan (Basketballdude): No problem :D Good night
Stella (vballshortie): Night.
Remember: This is my life. And it should be copywrited to me. Since I lived it, you may not take any of my life events and alter/change them to your liking. Thank you.
You have been warned. :P
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