My new best friend

It was just another day in the month of April and Reese was just getting ready to go home after her cheer leading practice. She was not in a very good mood; annoyed, irritated and a little mad even. Jenny had taken her to task during practice. It felt like she was her target today. She was not really a fan of Jenny but today Reese just wanted to punch her in her face. The more she thought about what had happened during practice the more irritated and furious she felt. “It is not fair. Why is she picking on me? I am doing my best. I can do almost all the routines even the new ones we learnt yesterday. Why did she target me? Especially I am the only one who could do the whole sequence. I think she hates me.” She was talking to herself when the other girls came into the locker room to gather their things.

She overheard two of them talking, “Did you see the Brian and Paul checking us out?” and they both giggled. One of them turned towards her friend intentionally pointing to Reese and said, you know Paul invited me over to his party next Saturday. I think he likes me.” They both started giggling and her friend responded, “Ya I saw him checking you out. He likes you. You should go. He is a catch.” She paused and added, “Not everyone is fit to be his girl. You both are a perfect match. I can see you guys dancing at the Prom.” They both laughed and she nodded in agreement and they left the room.

Reese stormed out of the room with her backpack and started walking towards home. She was fuming as she was playing the events of the day earlier. She had a major crush on Brian. Brian was tall, handsome, and cute with a dimple in his right cheek, hazel eyes. To top it all he was the captain of the basketball team. Reese was distracted when Brian smiled at her. But what she didn’t know was that Jenny had a crush on Paul and trying to show off when he and Brian came around.

As if justifying the verse “April showers bring May flowers”, it starting to rain. Reese has to walk a bit and knew she was going to get drenched. She screamed, “Are you kidding me?” looking at the sky as if adding oil to the fire. She wanted to cry but the sky was doing it for her as if it could read her mind. When she was just about to lose it, a car pulled over next to her. To her surprise it was Brian and his friend Paul. She couldn’t believe herself when Brian said, “Hey! Hope in and will give you a ride.” She hesitated for a second and Brian opened the back door and she got in. She was delighted.

It took her a few minutes to realize that it was not a good idea. Paul moved with so much ease and within seconds he was so close to her she felt suffocated. The conversation was absolutely not going in the right direction. She was struggling and was very disappointed since Brian was just laughing and driving and didn’t realize she was uncomfortable and try to help her. To make it worse she realized Paul was drunk, at least that is what she thought. What happened next made her push him away and scream forcing Brian to slam the breaks.

She got out of the car and started running and didn’t turn back until reached home. She stood there under the shower digesting what had happened. She felt disgusted and hated Paul and now Brian as well. Turned on the music and decided to focus her mind on her homework. When she opened her bag she was shocked to see what was in her bag. Paul was not drunk but high and had placed some stash in her bag. She didn’t know what to do. She just froze unable to move staring at it.

Her mom came over to her room and saw her holding the stash in her hand and was furious. Reese couldn’t get any words out and was just starring at her mom. Her dad joined her and it was not a pretty sight. In the meantime the front door bell rang and her sister opened the door. It was Jenny at the front door. Realizing she was there to see Reese, they decided to table this conversation after Jenny left. Jenny was directed to Reese’s room and it just took Jenny less than a minute to understand what was going on.

She looked at Reese and said, “You took Pauls’ jacket by mistake. I brought yours. I told him I will get it from you. He was instant on getting it immediately and wouldn’t wait till school tomorrow. Here you go.” Reese’s parents looked at each other. Jenny exchanged the jacket and left. Reese looked at her parents and tears rolled down her eyes. Her parents understood and sat next to her and hugged her.

Reese wanted to talk to Jenny and thank her. She was just as usual. Tough during practice. Paul or Brian didn’t show up and Jenny was still tough on Reese. But this time it didn’t bother Reese. She tried to talk to Jenny, but there were other girls around. All Jenny said was, we girls must watch out for each other. You will someday take my place and lead this squad, I got your back and walked away. Reese wanted to scream, Jenny, you are my new best friend.