Unknown

by Admin

  “Hey man,” David said. “How’s it going?”

  “Did you understand a word of math?” Henry asked, struggling to reach his toes as he leaned his body over his right leg.

  David elbowed him. “Math is about numbers, not words, you dope.”

  Billy smirked and plopped down, splaying his left leg as he seamlessly touched the toe of his shoe. So that he didn’t look obvious, he hated that in people, he deliberately avoided looking in Raylee’s direction. He knew that she was just a few feet away, next to Katy, but he didn’t want to give her false hope. If he looked at her, she might think that he liked her that way. Honestly, he didn’t. But what he did feel was something more than just a friendly emotion. Not romantic, but not platonic either. The feeling was paradoxical. He shook his head, more confused than he’d ever been in his entire life.

  Crystal: Homecoming ‘92

  I

  t was happening. Crystal Jordan and Billy Thurman. Gina had said that no matter what he’d tried to say back at Halloween, he would be unable to resist her beauty once he picked her up tonight. If Gina was right, then junior year was going to turn out to be the best year of her life.

  The banner had been dangling from the ceiling of their school for so long that Jennifer’s and Gina’s names had all but faded. Interestingly, only the letters in Crystal’s name remained bright and sharp.

  The Homecoming game, of course, was taking place just before the dance. They were playing against their nastiest rival, Royal High. Ryan hadn’t totally gotten over Crystal breaking up with him, and he avoided her, out of shame or hurt, she couldn’t be sure. But feeling so confident that Billy would be hers tonight, she thought it right to show her support for Ryan. Fortunately, for her, he was walking a ways ahead of her, which gave her the chance to talk to him before the game started.

  “Hey!” She ran to catch up to him. He was already dressed in his uniform, and when he stopped to face her, she saw that he wasn’t all that glad to see her.

  “What is it? I have a game. It’s important.”

  “I’m sorry, Ryan. For the break-up. But, I want you to know that I am here to support you, to cheer you on.”

  “I know that. You’re the head cheerleader.”

  “No, I mean, me personally.”

  “Great. OK. Well, gotta go.”

  He abruptly turned around and headed toward the field.

  She couldn’t believe it. Ryan was really angry with

  her.

  Gina’s hand was suddenly on her shoulder. “Don’t let him make you feel bad, Crystal. He’s just a sore loser.”

  Crystal cracked a grin. But inside, she felt like she had made a serious mistake. She couldn’t even remember why she’d broken up with him in the first place. Just last week, Gina had dumped her latest boyfriend. It was a routine with her. Date for a few months, dispose of them, move on to someone new. Supposedly, that helped you figure out how to find the right guy. Yes, that was why she’d broken up with Ryan. To find someone new. But she didn’t really get the whole idea. How long were you supposed to keep switching boyfriends?

  “You seem deep in thought.” Gina slung her arm around Crystal and chewed off a bite of red licorice.

  “Oh, yeah. Just thinking about the dance again. How amazing it’s going to be with Billy.”

  As if on cue, Raylee walked across their path just then. “He’s so in love with me, Gina.” She reveled at Skinny Penny’s pained look, which she tried to hide too late.

  “Oh, I know. You guys make such a great couple,” Gina added in an extra loud voice. Raylee was picking up her pace. “Look at her run!” She laughed, Crystal joining in as they made their way to the bathrooms to change.

  By the time they got to the sidelines, the stadium seats were packed.

  “What, is the whole town here or something?” Crystal said.

  “Looks like we better win or run away in shame,” Gina said. Then, lowering her voice, she said, “There she is again. Let’s give her another show.”

  “My parents totally splurged on the dance. It’s going be so amazing, Gina.”

  “You are so lucky. I wish I had parents like that.”

  “Oh, and I heard Billy and Henry talking. Listen to this. They’re renting us a limo!”

  She knew Raylee was within ear shot because her shoulders slumped. It was too easy.

  “Come on, Gina, let’s go show them Vikings who the real winners are.” Leading the way, Crystal pasted on a smile, held her head up high, and pranced to the football field.

  Feeling on top of the world, believing Billy would soon be hers, knowing she was the prettiest girl in town, Crystal began the cheer. “Victory. Victory will be ours. We’re wild. We’re cats. We’re wild cats!”

  With the other cheerleaders, Crystal and Gina huddled, whispering about the new move to surprise the football team, but more importantly, to impress the visitors.

  When they broke from their circle, Crystal was surprised to see Billy talking to the coach. She remembered him mentioning something to Henry about playing next year, that he had been part of a team back in New York, the star quarterback, but had to take a year off after some kind of football injury. Her heart swelled as she eyed her man. He must be discussing joining senior year.

  She’d heard out of Henry that Ryan wouldn’t be returning next year, that his focus was turning to the military. Apparently, he was going to follow in his father’s footsteps and join the Marines, which meant that a spot would open up for Billy. It was perfect.

  She didn’t think it possible that life could get any better than tonight. She could see it now. Varsity quarterback and head cheerleader lead Silver Canyon High Wild Cats to number one.

  Gina squealed extra high for David as he tackled one of The Vikings to the ground. It was now the third quarter. It was time. Crystal nodded at Jenny. She straightened her body while a couple of the girls lifted her high, placing her onto their shoulders, then pushing her up until they had formed a pyramid. At the top of it, Jenny balance on one leg, hopped to the other, her arms akimbo, then was bounced into the air where she tumble-flipped and was caught by the whole band of cheerleaders. They couldn’t have timed it any better, for just as Jenny came down, the Wild Cats scored the winning point.

  The crowd erupted in shouts and hollers and whistles. It was great. It was unbelievable. Crystal was on top of the world.

  ***

  There was only an hour before the dance started, leaving the cheerleaders and football team almost no time to shower and change. Billy, Henry, and David were picking up Gina, Jenny, and Crystal right at 7:00, thirty minutes after the dance began, so they could make their late entrance and be noticed by everyone. David was coming along as a friend. Crystal had made sure he was okay with it, that he didn’t end up a third wheel, and he’d convinced her that he was fine and totally over Gina, who seemed to care less.

  Crystal and Jenny went with Gina to her house to get ready. In her deep emerald dress, Crystal knew she looked stunning. The gold rope necklace accentuated her strapless gown. Billy wouldn’t be able to resist her. At what seemed like five minutes later, the boys arrived.

  “Come on!” Jenny was excited. Henry was her date, her first date ever. Crystal remembered what that feeling was like, and she was confused when she found

  herself missing it. Shaking it off quickly, she and Gina followed Jenny to the door and all of their jaws dropped open when they saw the shiny black limo waiting at the curb.

  “Oh my gosh, it’s so amazing!” Gina exclaimed. David opened the door so they could all step in. Billy greeted with a white corsage, which he pinned to her dress.

  “Thank you,” she said softly, trying hard to remain calm when inside she was melting. Not even Ryan had elicited such emotions in her. For the first time, she was nervous around a guy. She just hoped no one could tell.

  The boys had sprung for apple cider and chocolates. It all tasted so good, Crystal couldn’t keep her e
yes off Billy, and when he looked at her something incredible happened. She could see her future.

  Paul

  S

  pending Christmas Eve with Raylee’s family was a treat. The church service was amazing. Bright colorful lights winked from the large evergreen behind the pulpit. A golden baby Jesus replica perched at the edge of the pastor’s platform. Overhead, a ceiling of stars spread across the pews, though one shined brighter than the others, a symbol of Christ’s birth.

  Paul was sitting next to Raylee and her mom. The congregation was dressed up, the women and girls in their best dresses or dressy shirts and pants, the men and boys in suits. Paul felt a little out of place as he had come dressed in a polo t-shirt and blue jeans.

  Pastor Johnson proceeded with Jesus’s birth, reading from Luke 2, expounding on the miracle birth and emphasizing how God, Jesus incarnate, had come to rescue us from our sins. The picture painted in the sacred writings was incredible. A tiny perfect baby brought into this world, a baby who would one day be a man that died for the world so that they could have salvation.

  Paul had grown up a Christian. He knew the story. He knew the mysterious miracle. But listening to it now, paying close attention to each word in his Bible as the pastor spoke them, reminded him of how incredible it all was. For him, for his parents, for this church, for Raylee, for anyone who wanted it and desired his Love, it was there, a free gift.

  Just a year and a half ago, he’d been convinced that moving to Silver Canyon was a mistake. But he’d found a good set of friends, especially in Raylee. He didn’t have any romantic feelings for her, and neither did she for him, so it made their friendship relaxed, easy. He’d never had

  a close female friend before, but he was thankful that he’d found her. They’d had a lot of good times together, and school was much better with her.

  And knowing that she believed in the Bible as God’s Word, that she cherished it and loved Jesus, reassured him in their friendship.

  “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Pastor Johnson closed them out with this verse, then proceeded to a final prayer, giving thanks for the wonderful gift of Jesus.

  Pauls’ heart swelled with peace that could only come from knowing Him. As he bowed his head and closed his eyes, he felt Raylee take his hand. He thanked God for this friendship, for this church, for bringing him here to this small town.

  After the service, Raylee’s parents invited him over for dinner. He obliged. He and his parents wouldn’t be celebrating Christmas until tomorrow, and they had already made plans for a night out, just the two of them.

  Raylee’s dad had prepared a juicy ham, homemade macaroni and cheese, and fresh hot Italian bread. He loved watching the way her parents bantered; they were in tune with each other. His parents got along well and enjoyed each other, but they both worked too much, in Paul’s opinion, and didn’t spend enough time with one another. He hoped that one day he would find a companion that loved him as much as his parents and her parents loved each other. For now, though, he wasn’t interested in dating. In fact, he’d already made a promise to himself that he wouldn’t date anyone until he found someone he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

  “Did you see the new shine on the Thunderbird?” Raylee’s dad was saying. “It was just baptized, cleansed

  from its sins.”

  Raylee groaned. “Dad, that is both cringe-worthy and stale.”

  He simply chuckled and sipped his iced tea. “So, Paul, what plans do you have with your parents for Christmas?”

  He wiped his mouth with a napkin. “We open presents under the tree, then head out into Waterman to see all of the neighborhood Christmas lights. The work they put into decorating their homes is incredible.”

  “Indeed. We drove through some of the neighborhoods a few years back when Raylee was just a little thing. Beautiful, absolutely beautiful. It just warms the heart to see the beauty of the holiday celebrated.”

  “Raylee tells us that you want to follow in your dad’s footsteps?” Her mother asked.

  “Yep, ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved cars, everything about them.”

  “You should see his room. He’s got Tonka Toy Corvette replicas everywhere.”

  Paul gave her a look. “Hot Wheels, Raylee. A very important distinction.”

  They both laughed. Then her dad asked, “What do you think of the T-Bird?”

  “It’s gorgeous, Mr. Johnson. Spotless as sin.”

  Mr. Johnson loved that and laughed so much that he started choking. Mrs. Johnson lightly tapped his back and handed him his water. Raylee shook her head, grinning as she glanced at Paul.

  “Thanks for the invite. We don’t usually laugh this much at dinner at my house.”

  After their meal, Mrs. Johnson presented dessert. “Chocolate Cream pie. Raylee’s favorite,” she announced,

  setting down a silver platter of the whipped cream pie.

  Raylee’s eyes lit up and she hurried to scoop a piece onto her plate.

  “Manners!” her mother joked.

  To Paul, Raylee said, “This is the best chocolate cream pie you will ever have. Trust me!” Without asking, she slid a fat slice onto a dish for him.

  Laughing, he grabbed his spoon and cut into the piece. She was right. It was delicious.

  “See?” she said. “I told you.” Raylee was already finishing hers and getting ready to cut another slice. “Just two. Please,” she said to her mom, who nodded and smiled back.

  “How’s school treating you, Paul?” Her mother asked.

  “Not bad. Can’t complain.”

  Leaving them to spend a little time alone, her parents escaped to the living room where they enjoyed some hot coffee.

  Finishing her second slice of chocolate pie, Raylee said, “Guess what Katy told me yesterday?”

  Paul looked over at her, waiting for her to continue.

  She set her spoon down. “That Crystal and Billy are not an item. Not only did she lie about her parents paying for the dance, she lied about her relationship with him. Katy said everyone knew they would be crowned king and queen and that was the reason they went together. The only reason,” she stressed.

  “So, maybe it will work out with him and you.”

  Her face lit up at the suggestion, but her words came tumbling out in doubt. “No. He doesn’t like me like that. I can tell. You know what’s weird? I always thought that once

  I got to high school that relationships would be easy, but they have been anything but.” She suddenly seemed so serious, and it concerned him.

  “Donald was okay, right?” He asked, hoping to infuse some light-heartedness into the conversation.

  “Yeah, but we didn’t really mesh in a permanent kind of way.” Something else was clearly bothering her. He remembered to a couple of weeks ago at Homecoming, how much fun they had, how much food they’d eaten, but he also remembered the way she practically froze when she noticed Crystal.

  Completing changing the subject so that he could try to get at the root of the issue and help her feel safe, he asked what happened with Crystal.

  Frowning, she looked over at him as if wondering how much to tell him. “Why are you asking?”

  “Whenever she’s around or whenever her name comes up, you tense up.”

  “That obvious, huh?”

  “Sorry, Raylee, I know it’s a sore spot, but I just want you to be okay.”

  She grabbed his hand and nodded. “I appreciate it.” Her smile revealed gratitude, but her eyes reflected something close to fear.

  Paul was frustrated. She obviously was experiencing something terrible, and he felt bad that he couldn’t feel it with her, for her. Sure, he was here for her, physically, but he felt helpless to do anything other than sit there and hold her hand. He worried that it wasn’t enough.

  Billy

  S

  pring time, and the Baby Blue Eyes were in bloom. Thei
r blue-purple hue bordered an inner white ring, giving the blooms the appearance of an eye. It was fascinating Billy for two reasons. One, the eye, as they said, was the window to the soul, and he could have sworn that he saw that deeply into Raylee, not anything he'd ever experienced before. And two, the eye, on the literal level, was an organ that allowed one to see, but in this flower it symbolized sight, and he was starting to see people, purpose, life, more clearly than ever before.

  He hadn't ventured this far out of town before, down to the outer part of the valley, but he was glad to have made the decision to do so, for the experience gave him the ability to further clear his mind. Closing his eyes to block out all distractions, he drew in a deep breath, enjoying the scent of the plant as he reminisced the past year.

  Quite a lot had happened to Billy since he'd moved here, all of it good. Crowned Homecoming King, approved to play varsity football next year, good friends.

  But it was Raylee Johnson who meant the most. He wasn't interested in dating anyone, so it wasn't that sort of attraction, but she seemed to know things that no one else did. There was something (look at the end of Intent to see how he explains once he realized they were of like souls to show what he is currently starting to realize).

  Out of all of the encounters he'd ever had with people, not one came close to resembling the one with Raylee, when their lives intersected, something enchanting sparked between them. But what really

  amazed him was how that spark didn't fade each time they interfaced. He wasn't quite sure why it was there, but he knew that the passage of time would make it clear, so he was patient, albeit eagerly patient.