by DC Wilson
ON TOP THE PEDESTAL
By DC Wilson
Copyright © dcWilson 2013
"On Top the Pedestal" is the prequel for the story "After the Storm" and the sequel to the stories: "After the Late Bell Rings", "He Loves Me... He Loves Me... He Loves Me Not" and "Chemistry".
Synopsis: After graduating from high-school Maggie returns to Good Heart High for the five year high school reunion searching for true love...
PROLOGUE
On top the pedestal way up high
I can see the moon and touch the sky
I wish someone could find me here
Because the weather is cold and no one cares
I thought I saw you the other day
But I could not find what words to say
It’s all in vain this dream of mine
That I'd see you again sometime
That I'd make a wish and it would come true --
Happily ever after lived me and you...
It is funny how time flies; all I have to say - the more things change the more they stay the same. It's only been five years since I graduated from Good Heart High School, but it feels like eons since I’ve seen any of these people. To be honest all I remember is my three crushes; Jake, Gavin, and Jeff. Social Studies was boring, Math was too complex, and I dropped out of typing to leave early and beat the 3:30 rush hour.
I always dreaded the bus ride home. I was going to get my license, but I dropped out of driver's education for the same reason I dropped typing. I had to leave early because during the 3:30 rush hour, there was always someone who wanted to talk; an interruption to my daydreams.
I was harsh. Anyone who interrupted my daydream either got the silent treatment or I'd pretend to talk on my phone and move to another seat.
I try to convince myself I have high standards, which I do and which is why I don’t have a boyfriend, which is why I am here at the five year Good Heart High School reunion celebration and dance.
Oh who am I kidding? Why did I even come? Nobody remembers me.
“Maggie! How are you! I haven’t seen you in ages!”
Spoke too soon. Maybe they do remember me. Oh goodness, I can’t remember this gal’s name. Her face is familiar, but I am never good with names, I’ll have to fake this one,
“Hey! Good, I’m doing well. And you, how are you doing?”
“Not bad. Hey do you remember Jake from Chemistry class?”
“Yes! I remember I had a huge crush on him, like every other girl in Good Heart High”
“You did?”
“Yep”
“Well anyway, we got married”, she sang waving her ring finger.
“What! You’re kidding? Let me see that ring, it is gorgeous!”
The girl outstretched and rippled her fingers. I gaped at the sparkly diamonds.
The ring fit so neatly on her finger. That must mean they were meant for each other, I guess. Oh I wished I could remember this gal’s name.
“Daria!” A male voice called out. It was Jake.
Oh he was so good looking. Eek he is coming over here!
Daria, that's her name. I think I remember now, she used to always sit next to Jake in Chemistry class. Poor girl, she was always drooling over Jake. I guess he liked her drooling, if they got married.
Jake jogged over to stand next to Daria,
“Jake you remember Maggie, from Chemistry class?”
“Uh, oh yes. Maggie, hi how's it going with you?”
“Well, I work at...”
My rehearsed story was interrupted,
“Jake, my man, it's good to see you!” Gavin said patting Jake on the back.
Ooh Gavin gave me goose bumps. I hope he is still single,
"Hi", I said, swirling my martini glass,
"Giggle, Giggle, hehe...Gavin!" Miranda and Paige called out.
I remember Miranda and Paige from prom night. Miranda was crowned homecoming queen and Gavin was her date but for some reason he and Miranda were looking for Paige all night.
I remember the rumors on Prom night that Paige fell down four flights of stairs. I‘m still unsure what really happened that night but it looks like they are all friends now.
Paige and Miranda surrounded Gavin on either side and laced their elbows with his,
“Gavin, how are you,” I said coolly, ignoring the two girls at his side,
“Good! I’m doing well. But if you might excuse me for a moment, I do have my hands full at the moment, Ladies”, he politely nodded good bye as he left with Miranda and Paige clinging to his arms.
Dammit, he is so good looking. I’m jealous. I turned to Daria,
“Hey, have you run into anyone else,”
“Yes, Chloe and Sage are here.”
“Oh how are they doing?”
“Chloe is engaged to Chad, and Sage is still seeing Marty. Not much has changed with them, everything seems to be the same, except now we all have jobs.”
“True, this is true. Well that's good isn't it?”
“Yes of course. We all married our high school sweethearts!”
“You’re so lucky; I wish I could say the same. Now that I look back, I realize, I was just another face in the crowd at Good Heart high; I had a crush on all the popular boys and never took the time to find out who really liked me.”
Daria grabbed my arm,
“Maggie! Don’t do that to yourself! Putting everyone up on a pedestal is no way to make friends! I am sure your crushes would have asked you out if you told them how you felt. You are right, I was lucky. I had Mr. Beland as a teacher. If it wasn’t for Mr. Beland I would have never met Jake outside of my daydreams. I had Jake's heart up on a pedestal for a while until Mr. Beland suggested I go to the spring dance. If I had not gone to the spring dance, I would have kept Jake on top the pedestal and we would never have married; we would have never become friends. Do you get what I am saying?”
“Sure. I should have been friends with my crushes... but that’s easy for you to say, you and Jake are set.”
Daria laced her arm around Jake’s elbow, and sighed,
“You’re right we were lucky we found each other,”
Jake quickly jumped in,
“We were not lucky, it was destiny, and we were made for each other.”
He pulled her closer and kissed her neck. She massaged his back, soon they forgot I was standing there, and became lost in a passionate kiss.
“Ugh, get a room!” I groaned and walked away.
I had to get a grip this reunion was not going as planned. Soon I found myself in the ladies room staring at my reflection in the mirror.
My gaze faded into a blurry haze as I reminisced skipping 4th period to avoid the rush hour. Maybe my true love was in 4th period?
The bathroom door swung open, it was Sybil and Breanne. Sybil was talking,
“...yes Melanie looks good. I am so happy for her. She is a Model now I heard.”
“Hi.” I interrupted.
“Hi, you are...?” Breanne questioned
“Maggie.”
“Hi. How do you like the Good Heart High reunion so far?”
“Okay I guess. I haven’t found what I am looking for though.”
“What do you mean?” Sybil asked
“A boyfriend... ”
“There are lots of guys here, which one?”
“Well, I was one of those girls who always had a crush on someone but never went out with anyone.
“Oh. I did not know that type of girl existed”, Breanne said
“Yes we do exist. Basically, I am hoping one of my high school crushes is still single, so far no luck.”
“Tell us more. What guy are you talking about, maybe we can help.” Sybil insisted
“Well, I used to have a crush on Jake Wilder, but he is taken with no room for negotiation. Then I thought about Gavin Hunter, but he literally has got his arms full...”
“Yeah, I saw that.” Breanne interrupted
“Then that leaves my last hope. Jeff. I used to have a crush on Jeff Morris. Do you guys remember him?”
The bathroom door swung open. A girl bursting into tears came rushing into the room and locked herself in a bathroom stall.
We all rushed to her aid. Breanne knocked on the door,
“What’s the matter?”
“Leave me alone!”
“Why are you crying?”
“I said just leave me alone!”
We stood in silence for a few seconds.
“Let's just leave her; she’ll come out when she’s ready.” Sybil whispered
Breanne and I nodded in agreement.
We walked away from the bathroom stall and stood next to the mirrors to continue our conversations,
“So anyway, do you guys remember Jeff Morris?”
Sybil answered without hesitation,
“I remember him, he was friends with Christian Bowers; the guy I had a crush on.”
Suddenly there was a squeal from the bathroom stall,
“EEahh, Christian Bowers is taken! Sniffle”, the girl from the bathroom stall emerged and repeated, in a clear voice,
“Christian Bowers is taken.”
My eyes widened in surprise that she was listening,
“Is that why you are crying?”
She nodded and cringed.
“What’s your name?”
“Emma.”
“I’m Maggie. We have the same problem Emma, except I’m not crying. I should be, but I'm not.”
“Really,
