Then & Now

by Karen A. Leppert

  He headed in their direction but was cut off by a petite figure flitting toward him, singing his name in a girly, high-pitched voice that made him shudder. Corin Nelson. A nice enough girl, pretty in fact, whose unabashed flirting had become the stuff of legend. Maybe he would take advantage of her over eagerness; he would have to see how the evening went.

  “Corin, how have you been?”

  Corin went on a spiel on how she’d spent her summer and a host of other boring tidbits about her life. Seth feigned interest in her every word. Well, he was interested in something, but even her cleavage couldn’t hold his attention after a while. With a wink, he escaped, though only after promising to catch up with her later.

  Seth turned from her hopeful gaze to Derrick and Pat, leaning against a car. Might as well check in like a good little boy.

  Pat and Derrick were too busy making goo-goo eyes at one another to notice him.

  “What’s up?” he asked, taking pleasure in interrupting their private moment.

  “As if you didn’t know.”

  Pat pushed Derrick away. “Derrick!”

  “I didn’t mean to interrupt,” Seth said.

  “Then why did you?” his brother asked.

  “Carry on.”

  “We will.” Derrick turned his attention and his lips back to Pat.

  Seth headed toward his friends Kyle, Johnny, and Matt while opening a beer.

  About halfway to his destination, someone tapped his shoulder. Not again. He turned to see a familiar face, though one he couldn’t place.

  “I guess you got paroled,” the girl said.

  “Yeah,” he said, trying to remember how he knew her. Then it hit him. The egg girl. “My mom got tired of me sulking around the house and, since Derrick’s here, she thought it must be safe enough.”

  The egg girl motioned to their fellow partygoers. “I’m sure this is tamer than most of the parties you go to.”

  Her blue eyes gave him a jolt. “It still got me out of the house.”

  “Well, have fun, and if you get into trouble, don’t get caught. You wouldn’t want to be put in solitary confinement for a repeat offense.” She chuckled at her joke and turned to leave.

  One of Seth’s cohorts in crime, Johnny, approached, waving and grinning. “Hi, Sarah.”

  That’s it. Sarah.

  Sarah acknowledged him with a pretty smile. “Hi, Johnny.”

  “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

  “I couldn’t miss the last party of the summer.”

  “Save me a dance?”

  “Sure will,” Sarah answered.

  “Promise?”

  “Promise, Johnny.”

  This is downright sickening. First Derrick and Pat, and now Johnny and this girl. Whatever they’re drinking, I don’t want any of it.

  “Who’d you come with?” Johnny asked.

  “I’m meeting up with Katie and Diane, but I haven’t seen them yet.”

  As if on cue, her name resonated from across the bonfire. Seth turned in the direction of the voices to see three girls giggling and waving.

  Sarah waved back. “I’m being summoned. You know us girls!” She gestured with her hands, imitating incessant yapping.

  So much for thinking this girl might be different.

  Sarah seemed to read his mind. “It’s probably something of catastrophic proportions, maybe a national crisis. You know, someone’s wearing the wrong shoes with their outfit.” She winked at the two of them. “I’m sure it’ll be on the eleven o’clock news, and I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  Seth tapped his foot on the ground.

  Sarah laughed at his obvious dismay. “I’m sorry to disappoint you. If it’s something juicy, I’ll be sure to let you know.”

  “Spare me.”

  “You never know, it could be about you. Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to make you look good.”

  “Oh, I always look good.” What are you doing flirting with this girl? Even more disconcerting, Seth doubted Sarah had been flirting with him. After all, she’d spoken to Johnny the same way. Maybe Sarah talked to everyone like this. His stomach lurched with disappointment.

  “What an ego! Just the same, I’ll make you look even better.”

  Johnny chimed in. “Don’t forget me.”

  Seth had forgotten Johnny was standing with them.

  “How could I, Johnny?” Sarah said with a coy smile.

  “Remember our dance?”

  “I look forward to it.” She turned toward the music. “Oh, I love this song. See you later,” she said to Johnny, and to Seth, “Enjoy your reprieve.”

  While Sarah strolled over to her friends, Seth watched her, dejected and feeling like he’d just taken part in a verbal sparring match…and lost. Sarah had made no apologies for listening to her friends’ gossip even though it looked silly. She had laughed at herself and hadn’t shied away from teasing him. He’d never experienced this. Most girls giggled and agreed with whatever he said, playing it safe so as to not ruin their chances with him.

  And therein lay the difference. Most girls wanted him. Not Sarah, or so it appeared. The thought made him dizzy, and his ego took a hit. He then suffered a knockout when Sarah danced. She seemed to be in a world of her own, lost in the rhythm of the music. Her arms moved above her head, seductively tangling around each other while her body moved with the tempo. Her eyes remained closed for most of the song, oblivious to her surroundings, only opening them now and again to flash a flirtatious smile.

  Seth felt like a voyeur peeking into Sarah’s bedroom window while she undressed. This unsettling feeling didn’t stop him from ogling her, and he found himself moving toward her. Much to his dismay, so did several of the other boys lingering around the bonfire.

  Johnny broke through his stupor. “How do you know Sarah?”

  “I don’t really. My mom knows her. What about you?”

  “She’s on the girls’ soccer team.” Johnny played on the boys’ soccer team at school. “I’ve asked her out a couple of times but can’t get her to say yes.”

  “Why waste your time?”

  “Easy for you to say.” Johnny took a swig from his beer and motioned to Kyle and Matt, who headed toward them. “Let’s get this party cranking.”

  “I don’t think that’s possible, but let’s give it a try.”

  The second scenario played out just down the hill from the bonfire while the boys threw a football by the water’s edge.

  Kyle called to a group of boys standing nearby. “Up for a game?”

  “Sure,” one of the bigger boys answered. It was Brian Walters, Madison High’s varsity quarterback.

  Seth tossed the football to Brian. “Want to make this more interesting?”

  “Why not. What do you want to wager?”

  After a minute, Seth answered, “Whoever loses has to run around the bonfire, naked.”

  Seth couldn’t resist the gamble, unfazed by the prospect of fulfilling the bet if he lost. Johnny, Kyle, and Matt nodded, though they flashed nervous smiles. If Brian and his team felt intimidated, they didn’t show it.

  “You’re on,” Brian said.

  Word spread, and a large crowd gathered at the top of the hill. The stakes grew when kids placed bets. Seth surmised the odds were for Brian’s team, but having grown up playing football with Derrick, one of the best players in town, Seth felt confident his team would beat Brian at his own game.

  Derrick joined them on their makeshift field to referee. No one questioned Derrick’s ability to remain impartial, and Seth knew his brother would enjoy seeing him lose.

  Sarah’s warning whispered in his ear. Have fun and if you do get into trouble, don’t get caught. He dismissed her words, too tempted by the possibility of beating varsity football players at their own game.

  After gathering in their respective huddles to strategize, the teams approached the midfield, where Derrick went over the rules.

  “The first to score five points wins.”

&nb
sp; Derrick placed the football in the middle of the “playing field,” and the teams lined up on either side of it. Cheers for Brian’s team resonated from the top of the hill, confirming Seth’s assumption his team was the underdog. He smiled and flashed his middle finger at the traitors. Derrick let out a shrill whistle, and the first play began.

  SARAH

  When Sarah caught up to her friends, they were abuzz about her conversation with Seth Mathis. She had told them about the embarrassing incident at Seth’s house. They’d agreed that, while it was mortifying, at least she’d seen him shirtless.

  The “dance floor” emptied, and people left the warmth of the bonfire to gather on the hill overlooking the lakes. Curious to see what had garnered so much attention, Sarah and her friends joined the other kids, some of whom had moved their cars to the edge of the hill, their headlights on to spotlight the scene below.

  Sarah deduced from the gossip Seth and his friends had challenged Brian and his friends to a touch football game. This wasn’t especially exciting or interesting until she learned the wager placed on the game.

  Miranda giggled with excitement. “This isn’t a losing situation for us.”

  Even though Sarah didn’t know much about football, let alone touch football, she could tell Seth was his team’s quarterback. He positioned himself behind Johnny, with the other boys lined up beside him facing Brian’s team. Derrick whistled to signal the beginning of play. Johnny hiked the ball back to Seth for a pass, which Kyle stretched to catch, sending him splashing into the water.

  “First down!” Derrick shouted.

  On the second play, Brian tackled Seth before he could release the ball. The game continued much the same until Seth’s team scored a touchdown. The crowd erupted with applause or booing based on how they’d placed their wagers.

  Now Brian’s team took possession of the ball. Of course, Brian was the quarterback, with his friend Ryan the receiver. Ryan hiked the ball to Brian, who passed it off to Scott for a quick touchdown. They body slammed each other in celebration.

  The game continued with everyone falling into the water and getting soaked and muddy until it became hard to tell them apart.

  Brian’s team scored another touchdown, giving them the lead. Seth’s team rebounded to tie the game. The next team to score would win. With Brian’s team possessing the ball, it looked grim for Seth’s team.

  Scott hiked the ball to Brian, who made a long pass to the left side of the field. Out of nowhere, Johnny jumped in front of the ball and intercepted it to score the winning touchdown. Johnny, Seth, and the boys body slammed each other, mocking Brian’s team and gloating in their victory.

  Everyone froze with a combination of shock and awe. Brian’s team had lost. Realizing what came next, the crowd fell silent.

  Some thought Seth’s team might let them off the hook. Wrong! Instead, they escorted Brian’s team up the hill to the bonfire. Even though Brian, Scott, Ryan, and Jesse put on brave faces, everyone could see their anxiety. Sarah considered leaving the scene but couldn’t pull herself away.

  The crowd lined the bonfire and watched the losers strip down to their underwear while Seth’s team whistled the “striptease” song. In one sudden motion, Brian’s team dropped their boxers and took off running, covering their crotches as best they could. The crowd chanted off-color remarks when they passed.

  Sarah and her friends stretched to see over the people in front of them but only got a glimpse of Brian’s and Scott’s butts when they raced by. After circling the bonfire, the boys bowed to their captivated audience, ran into the woods, and returned moments later to the crowd’s applause. They bolted for a cooler to drown their humiliation in beer.

  The music sounded louder than ever, calling Sarah’s attention to how little time remained before heading home.

  “Let’s dance!” she called to her friends and headed for the bonfire, where they danced until the flames died to smoldering embers.

  Sarah got into her car feeling exhilarated, though a twinge of melancholy hovered over her buzz. While Johnny’s unabashed infatuation flattered her, Seth’s disinterest in her bothered her. She surely hadn’t made an impression on him when she delivered Mrs. Mathis’s groceries or tonight.

  Still, it would be fun for him to visit me in my dreams.

  SCHOOL DAZE

  SARAH

  The first day of school came with much anticipation. Sarah actually looked forward to a new routine, even if it did mean lots of homework. She rode her bike, knowing the weather would soon turn cold and she would be relegated to the bus or the kindness of friends who had cars.

  Her schedule was arduous, with one exception: her last class of the day, Home Economics.

  Mrs. Holcomb, the Home Ec teacher, pointed Sarah toward a workstation at the back of the room.

  Oh, no. How could fate be this cruel?

  Seth Mathis sat at her station. “Hey there, Humpty Dumpty.”

  “Very funny.”

  Mrs. Holcomb ordered silence and proceeded to explain the objectives of the class, the supplies needed, and other pertinent information. Sarah jotted down significant points. Seth didn’t bother, leaving Sarah to surmise he planned on cutting a lot, especially with it being the last class of the day.

  Fifteen minutes into the class, Corin Nelson entered the classroom and handed a note to Mrs. Holcomb.

  “It seems we have an addition to our class. A schedule change, huh, Corin?” Mrs. Holcomb asked.

  “Yes, Mrs. Holcomb. I was scheduled to take shop, but I had it last year.”

  “We have an uneven number of students now, so you’ll have to join Sarah and Seth and work as a threesome.”

  Corin looked in their direction. “Awesome!”

  Seth groaned. “Great.”

  Sarah delighted in Seth’s displeasure. This might not be so bad after all.

  Corin offered a dismissive hello to Sarah before directing her attention to Seth.

  Or maybe not…unless. She tapped Corin’s shoulder.

  Corin swung around. “What?”

  “Did you say you transferred out of shop?”

  Seth leaned in to hear the conversation.

  “Yeah, why?” Corin answered.

  “Maybe I could switch from this class to shop.”

  “That’s a great idea. You should go to the office after class to check into that.”

  “I will.”

  Sarah left as the bell sounded.

  Seth called after her, “Sarah! Wait a minute!”

  Afraid she might succumb to his pleas, she ignored him and rushed to the corridor and down the steps. She didn’t, however, anticipate Johnny being at the bottom of the stairs.

  Seth shouted from the top of the stairs, “Johnny, stop Sarah!”

  Johnny caught her when she landed on the bottom step. “What in the hell’s going on?”

  “Sarah, please don’t change your schedule,” Seth begged while pushing his way down the crowded stairs.

  Another solution presented itself. “I know. Why don’t you change your schedule?”

  “I can’t. I took shop freshman year.” His shoulders slumped. “Come on. I can’t spend the entire quarter with Corin as my partner.”

  Sarah supposed his reputation of loathing high school girls must be true. She kept him waiting, not wanting to give in too easily. “Okay, but what do we tell Corin?”

  “I’ll tell her they couldn’t change your schedule. She’ll believe me.”

  Sarah didn’t doubt him.

  SETH

  After school, Seth headed to the garage where he and Kyle had worked since they were fourteen years old. He liked his job, especially working with his boss and mentor, Joe.

  While changing the oil in several cars, his thoughts wandered to Home Ec class. He was happy he had talked Sarah out of switching classes, but one thing troubled him. Sarah had tried to talk him into changing the class if she couldn’t. This meant she didn’t want to be in class with him, instead of Corin. Had he mi
sunderstood? It gave him a sick feeling to think she didn’t want him around. Or maybe it was having to hear Corin’s high-pitched voice the entire semester. That he understood.

  Seth went home, wolfed down a plate of leftovers, took a shower, and did his homework before going to bed. To his dismay, nagging thoughts about Sarah kept him awake. He wasn’t used to people not liking him, especially girls. The fact that this bothered him upset Seth most. While he hadn’t thought about Sarah since the bonfire, he did dream of her often. She danced in every one!

  LUNCH

  SARAH

  Tuesday’s classes resembled Monday’s, with each teacher giving out the curriculum, supply list, etc. Lunch proved much different. At first, Sarah couldn’t find anyone to sit with.

  Johnny must have seen her frantically searching for a familiar face, and he came to her rescue.

  “Sarah, over here.”

  Though thankful for his devotion, Sarah grew dismayed by the people at his table: Seth, Kyle, and Matt. She liked them well enough, yet she hesitated to eat with boys and wondered if they minded her joining them. It appeared Seth couldn’t care less, his thankfulness from the day before forgotten. Kyle and Matt seemed indifferent as well.

  The conversation lagged until she mentioned Friday’s football game. The boys took the opportunity to gloat over their victory over Brian’s team at the bonfire.

  “Speaking of the weekend.” Kyle’s face brightened. “We’re still going to the party Saturday?”

  Matt slapped his hand on the table. “Hell yeah. I hope we run into those girls from the last time.”

  Seth jerked his head in Sarah’s direction. “Let’s not talk about this now.”

  “That’s okay.” Sarah feigned a cool bravado. “I’m sure nothing you boys have to say would surprise me.”

  Johnny squirmed in his seat. “Seth’s right. Sarah doesn’t want to listen to our boring plans for the weekend.”

  Kyle interjected, “Boring, my ass. Remember that girl? What’s her name?”

  “Gina,” Matt answered.

  Sarah continued her charade. “Wow, this Gina made quite an impression on you guys.”