Dark Hearts

by P. L. Midnight

  “You look just fine, Anne,” I said to the sandy blonde haired girl. She could use some fashion sense I thought, but who was I to say anything. Look how long I’d worn the same kind of stuff she was wearing. I observed her sweatshirt and baggy pants and wondered why I’d never realized before how unflattering they were.

  Anne is a pretty girl with both smarts and athletic abilities. She wears her long hair in an unflattering ponytail most of the time, just as I’d once worn mine. Maybe a change would help, but I’ve always envied her talent and five-foot, eight-inch slender athletic figure.

  I knew she was kidding about her looks. I don’t know anyone less interested in their looks than Anne. She just plain doesn’t care. I love the girl, but she’ll never change. Anyway, she likes Mark and he likes her just the way she is. That guy should count his blessings that she likes him. His appearance was about as important to him as meeting a famous rock star. I didn’t think he even knew who any of the famous rock stars were. Mark was a classical music kind of guy and that was it.

  Mark Thomas was another member of my circle of friends. He was goofy acting at times, but was one of the smartest people I knew. He had bright red hair and a thin, but sinewy build.

  Mark is a typical six-foot, two-inch geek. He’s handsome in his own way, with big brown eyes and a great smile when he takes the time to use it. Mark has liked Anne for as long as I can remember, but the guy is just so intense that he rarely smiles.

  They are like the typical childhood sweethearts. It’s too bad neither of them does much about it. Oh, they’re best friends and always sit next to each other whenever possible, but they never go out much. It’s just rather assumed that one day they’ll marry and have children that are little geeky athletes with four point averages. Although, I’m not sure Mark will ever get the courage to ask her on a date and that should probably happen before marriage.

  Tori brought me back to the present when she poked me in the ribs. “Stop daydreaming. I wonder which one of the guys is occupying your thoughts. The first day of school and you already have three guys.” Oh goodie, I thought, the three guys junk again. It was getting a bit annoying, I thought, as she continued on her relentless tirade, “I’m so jealous. I’d be more than happy to lure Alex away.”

  “Lure Alex away, you still make it sound like he’s a fish. I already told you that you’re welcome to him. He’s not my type. For your information, I’m not thinking of any of them. Love you like a sister,” I said. That is my way of lovingly saying f_ _ _ you. I try not to swear like Tori. Anyway, my mom would have a fit if I talked like my friend. Tori is like my sister and I do love her, but her language is really bad at times. She’s actually cleaned it up a lot. It’s just that sometimes her cursing and persistence with things like this Alex obsession are annoying.

  “You know it’s true that they all like you. Poor Vince will be left in the dust now. As for Alex, I believe I will start flirting with him.”

  I didn’t mention that she’d already been blatantly flirting with him. The guy hadn’t even had a chance to walk through the school doors and she’d been ogling him. However, he’d been doing a good job of ignoring her and most of the other girls that were crushing on him. I wished he’d start ignoring me, too.

  “I wanted my life to be more interesting and now it might actually happen, so I shouldn’t complain. I’ve dreamed of Raven being with me. I’ve always wanted him to notice me. On the other hand, as I said, Tori, I’m not at all sure that Alex is interested. He just started school here. He’s a new guy that doesn’t know anyone yet. I think he just likes to get me irritated. As far as Vince is concerned, I’m not even sure if he really knows I’m a girl, but whatever.”

  “Oh, he knows, but I’ll let the subject alone for now. Let’s talk about Saturday night. You know all the guys will be there. What are you going to wear? Never mind, we both know it’s my job as your BFF to coordinate your new look.”

  At that moment, my phone sang out with The Phantom of the Opera indicating that I had a voice message. What can I say, the ring tone fits the place where I live, creep town, right? It was from Vince: Hi Emma, I’m sorry I have football practice. You looked so different. I just couldn’t think about football. I saw Raven talking to you. I didn’t even know that you were friends until lunch. By the way, Alex said you were pretty. I think I have some competition. I’ll call you tonight.

  I wasn’t so sure that I should’ve played the message aloud based on the glance I got from Tori. I couldn’t see the screen very well and pressed the wrong button. I didn’t want to put my glasses back on so I had little choice. I only wore the darn things to read really small print now.

  Tori just smirked. The conversation between Anne and her about my looks and my luck in attracting three such good-looking guys continued. I only half listened and made no comment. Actually, I was happy about how the day had gone. I just wasn’t ready to talk about it and was sick of hearing about it. I wondered if things would go back to the way they’d been last year with all of us being ignored again.

  It was obvious that Vince was already fitting in. Who would’ve thought he was the football-playing type. I didn’t think footballs would fit under a microscope. Tori had always rather fit in, though she’d never admit it. Sarah was, well, just Sarah. Anne and Mark didn’t care what school society said. After all, they had each other and our circle of friends. Anne excelled in any sport with very little effort and that worked for her, as well as her academic standing did.

  They finally stopped talking about me. Then the girls started talking about how different Vince looked this year with his new haircut and bulked up muscles. They both noticed that he’d bulked up over the summer. I concurred, but I didn’t think I’d ever get over him joining the football team. He knew fractions and formulas not football. Maybe hanging out with Raven was changing him. I hoped it worked out for him. Vince looked good. Having brains and brawn might land him a real girlfriend.

  Then we conversed mostly about the first day of school, including some of the usual school gossip. You know the kind of thing: “so and so broke up,” “this guy did this or that” and the trivial details of daily high school life. Tori dropped Anne off at her house first.

  When we got to my house, she said, “I’ll call you later. Mom and I are going to have our nails done tonight. She’s been eager to visit that new nail salon in Springfield. One of her old friends manages the shop. I guess it’s supposed to be very exclusive or some such shit. I have to go. You know how she gets when I’m late. I’ll talk to you later. We can talk about what we should wear Saturday night later. You must look your best if you want to capture Raven’s heart. I’d sure like to attract Alex. All that work this summer is about to pay off for us both if we don’t blow it Saturday night by looking frumpy again.”

  I only half heard her as my mind strayed to a certain set of lavender eyes. Then I began thinking about a set of fire eyes that seemed to ignite from their amber depths when he looked at me. Immediately afterwards, icy blue eyes flitted across my mind as well as short white messy hair with a familiar friendly face and a little smirk just for me, like always. I wondered why I’d never noticed that Vince had the cutest dimples.

  I came back to earth as I opened the car door and bid Tori goodbye. My mind was still dazed from daydreaming about three different guys. I had never daydreamed much about any guys. So why was I thinking about all three of them now, especially annoying Alex with the adorable dimples? Perhaps my new look had bemused my mind. More than likely, it was the fact that I’d never actually had the attention of any guys at school. Vince didn’t count because I was never able to compete with his latest science project before. Somehow, now I thought I might.

  This was all new territory for me…

  Chapter Five

  I walked into the house, finding it empty as usual. Mom was probably still at work. She’d tried to work as much overtime as possible since Dad was gone. Money was tight, but we got by. I tried to help when I could, but
Mom insisted that I spend my money this summer on some new clothes and makeup. She said I’d worked hard to lose weight, that I should embrace the change with some new female trappings.

  She was pleased with my weight loss because she’d always said it would be better for my health if I lost a few pounds. Mom had fought her weight her entire life and knew how hard it was to lose. She maintained that food was everywhere and socially acceptable, because it was necessary to eat to survive. What with the scrumptious food and restaurant ads on television, it was no wonder that so many people were overweight, she’d say.

  I think Mom knew how hard it was in school for overweight girls. If you were a fat girl, you weren’t normally very popular. It’s not that being popular is the most important thing in the world, but it’s hard enough being a teen without being fat and living on the fringe of student life.

  Having friends and a social life is important at any age, but as a teenager, acceptance is crucial and Mom knew it.

  I was already feeling much better about myself after today. I wondered who’d invite me to the prom this year. Last year, I hadn’t even thought about going to the homecoming dance or the prom. It’s okay to be dateless at some events. However, you cannot go alone to the most important dance of the year or the prom. It was just too important for you to show up without a cool dress and a date.

  I put the leftover vegetable lasagna in the oven to heat and went upstairs. I put on one of my old baggy t-shirts and some of my old jean cutoffs. They didn’t look too great, but it was still warm in Ohio in September. The cutoffs were all I had except my new stuff, which I wasn’t wearing around the house. Besides, I didn’t expect to see anyone tonight and my clothes were comfortable threads.

  I went back downstairs, grabbed an apple, sat at the table and began the pile of first day homework. I was about halfway through when my phone rang. I’d just sat back down from making the salad for dinner and turning down the stove. I didn’t recognize the telephone number.

  “Hello?”

  “Hello, Emma. It’s Alex. I hope it was okay to call.” He didn’t allow me any time to answer him before he continued, “I slipped away from practice a little early. I wanted to talk to you. I was watching the guys since I’m not much of a football participant.” Long pause before he continued, “I was surprised when Vince told me that he’d never played before. You should come watch them practice sometime. He’s really good. Raven’s an amazing quarterback, too, but I guess you already knew that.”

  Okay so what was weird. What was the real purpose of his call? I was sure he didn’t call to tell me about Vince and Raven.

  “Yes, most of the school is familiar with Raven’s football skills. I was surprised that Vince joined the team this year, too. But I’m sure you didn’t call to tell me that Vince and Raven were great football players. Is there something else? I’ve got to finish dinner and my homework before my mom gets home from work.” I didn’t mean to sound bitchy, but my teachers had loaded on first day homework. I wanted to get it done so I could talk to Tori later. There was a long, uncomfortable pause without either of us saying anything. I finally mustered up the courage to ask him what he really wanted in a more cordial voice, “Alex was there something else you wanted?”

  I wondered why in the world he was calling me and why he deserted his friends before practice was over. How did he even get my telephone number? After practice, the guys usually went somewhere with a few of the cheerleaders and football junkies to get something to eat and hang out. It seemed strange that he hadn’t stuck around to join them. I was sure that his new friends, Raven and Vince, would’ve invited him.

  “I didn’t mean to interrupt, but I have a question about the French assignment. I wondered if you could help me.”

  I remembered him telling me he was a scholastic achiever and still wondered why he was really calling me. This was only my second year of French, but he wouldn’t know that, I guess. I let him talk.

  “Emma, are you there?”

  “Yes, sorry. I was working on a Math problem. You said you had a question about the French class assignment. Sure, I’ll help you if I can.”

  “I noticed they really piled on the homework. I won’t keep you. I’m afraid I lost the assignment for French class. I must have dropped it somewhere on the way to football practice. Vince invited me, you know.” I assumed that much. “I think he’s going to be a real asset to the team.” Didn’t he just mention that? “I’m not into football like Raven and Vince. You know Raven pretty well, I guess. I saw him talking to you after study hall.” How did he know that and why did he care?

  This was shaping up to be a weird conversation. Did he know that Raven seemed interested in me? I decided not to mention it. It really wasn’t his business anyway. I just found it strange that he’d noticed me talking to Raven after study hall. I wondered if he really had a question about the French assignment.

  “Yes, I do know Raven pretty well, Alex. I think most of the students know him. He’s quarterback of the football team, as you know, a track star and on the wrestling squad. Brittany was his main squeeze for a couple of years, as you probably already heard, too. Now, what was it about the French assignment you needed?”

  “I believe she mentioned that she had dated him.” He said, ignoring my reference to the French assignment.

  “That’s putting it mildly. They were like a thing. If they were still together, they’d probably be chosen as the prom king and queen this year. I guess that doesn’t matter anymore. So, you just need to know our French assignment?”

  “Yes, if you have it handy. I need to know what pages we’re supposed to read and which end of chapter questions we need to finish.”

  That sounded very lame. I knew he was aware of our homework assignment. It was the first day of school. We had to read the first chapter, duh. I wondered again, why he’d actually called me. I was about to find out.

  “We have to read the first chapter and finish the questions at the end of it.” It's standard on the first day of most classes, I thought, but didn’t mention it.

  “I figured that was it, but I wanted to make sure. Thanks.”

  “No problem, Alex. Have a great eve…”

  Then the real reason for his call came. “Emma, are you busy Sunday afternoon? I was wondering if you’d like to join me. I’m going to Mad River Mountain in Zanesfield. I understand it’s decent skiing. Do you ski, Emma? If you don’t, we could just watch. I was told they have a nice lodge. We could have a hot chocolate and just watch the skiers, if you want.”

  “I don’t know…”

  “Before you answer, I know we got off to a bad start. I apologize for teasing you so much. It’s just that you look so cute…can we start over? I’d like to get to know you better, Emma. I’m really not the guy you think I am. I know you think I’m interested in Brittany. I’m not. She just doesn’t give a guy much of a choice. I’ll do my best to avoid her in the future.” Good luck with that one, I thought. “I promise not to tease you, too much. I’ll try to behave. It’s just that girly blush thing you do is so cute. If you want, I could even teach you to ski.”

  He sounded sincere and I knew how pushy Brittany could be. It was odd. Alex was so good looking that he could have his choice of girls to date, but he’d asked me. I’d been rude, which was out of character for me. I guess I owed him, but what about Tori? I had no idea how she would take it, but it wasn’t really a date. He hadn’t actually done anything to merit the remarks I made about him.

  “I’m not really a bad person either, Alex. Honestly, I don’t understand why you’d want to have anything to do with me. I know you overheard the comments I made.”

  “I actually only heard a couple of them. Wow, were there more?” I could hear the smile in his voice when he said it. He was teasing me again. I guess he had a right to torment me after all the crap I’d said about him.

  “Unfortunately, you seemed to overhear every rather detrimental comment I made today. I owe you an apology, maybe mor
e than one. I’m sorry for the things I said, Alex. I’d like to start over, too. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions. It’s just that I’ve not had too many good experiences with great looking…” I stumbled over my words. It wouldn’t do for him to think I found him attractive just because all the rest of the girls in school did. I jumped in before I could embarrass myself further, “You know, Tori is interested in you. You could ask her to go.”

  I heard a bit of a chuckle before he cleared his throat and continued, “Yes, Tori has made that very clear. However, I’m not interested in hanging out with Tori. I’m interested in spending time with you, Emma. I, umm, accept your apology, if you’ll go with me Sunday. Anyway, assuming I was a jock wasn’t such a bad thing. It means I must not look too bad for a brainy kind of guy.”

  “You know you don’t look bad for any kind of guy. I think you’re aware that all the girls think you’re hot.”

  “Does that mean you do, too?”

  I could hear the teasing tone in his voice again, “Hardly, you’re incorrigible, you know that? Anyway, I’m not going to feed your over-inflated ego anymore today. Are you really serious about Sunday?”

  “Of course I’m serious, Emma. In spite of our bad beginning, I’d really like us to be friends. Vince has unofficially invited me to join the group. We just seemed to hit it off. He’s a good guy. It was probably all that scientific stuff we talked about. We’ll probably be seeing a lot of each other, so it would be nice if we could be friends. Go with me Sunday. It’ll be fun.”

  “I don’t know why you’d want my friendship, but I appreciate your asking me to go. Vince and I do hang out quite a bit. I doubt if it would matter if we got along or not, but it might be more comfortable if we did. Besides, I like the idea of a truce.”