The Great High School Love Game

by Marcia Carrington

  “By the way, you’re not bad yourself,” she said, looking at him intently. Francine felt Chad had never looked handsomer; they seemed to blossom in each other’s presence.

  “Thanks,” Chad said, charmed by Francine’s compliment. He rolled his eyes, as he was a little taken aback by Francine’s comment, and wanted to return to safer ground with her. “Know what Franci?”

  “What?” she asked.

  “I can hardly wait,” Chad replied. “They’ll be ours’ soon.”

  Francine nodded at Chad’s sentiments, eyes focused upon him.

  “Just one more night, Chaddie, just one more night,” Francine assured him. With this announcement, Chad smiled at Francine, and they elegantly headed out her front door. They made their way to Chad’s car, which was waiting on the curb, and drove to the gala.

  * * * *

  “My dream’s finally come true — Jake’ll be taking me to the gala tonight,” Amy sighed, face full of bliss.

  Amy was still at home, and seated at her dressing table. She had slipped into her costume early in the late afternoon, as she did not want to do this at the last minute. Amy wanted to be relaxed as possible, and soak up the atmosphere of the evening as much as she could, instead of worrying about minor details.

  Amy looked in the mirror, and thought about everything that had happened to her up until this point in time. While just a few weeks ago she was uncertain anyone would ask her to the gala, Amy was going to be escorted by Jake. Tonight was going to be her night, and the beginning of many happy days with Jake.

  Amy wanted to look her very best for the gala, and cautiously took another peek in the mirror. She observed that her hair needed a little attention, and brushed it slightly, putting the brush back on her vanity table. Amy also noted her lipstick needed just a little touching up around the top lip area, and quickly corrected this. Now happy with her appearance, Amy smiled at her reflection in the vanity mirror.

  Amy arose from her seat, and took a final peek in the full-length mirror. Amy had earlier worn her shoes and was very comfortable in them. Her costume was immaculate, and perfectly suited her. Amy felt she was now finally ready for the gala, and sighed happily. At this moment, Amy heard the doorbell, and spun her head around. Jake was coming to pick her up, and Amy steadily descended the stairwell, as if any fast actions on her part would disturb the pleasant mood she was in. Amy quickly opened the door, and was ecstatic when she saw Jake’s face again.

  “Hey Jake!”

  “Hi,” he said chirpily. He looked so dapper and handsome Amy could not help staring at him. Jake felt the same way about Amy, and was in awe of her. He had never seen Amy so radiant, or beautiful, before, and gasped upon seeing her, but, the reality of the gala’s approaching time, though, was creeping up on Jake and Amy. They had to begin making tracks pronto, as parking at the school always filled quickly for such events.

  “Amy, you ready? Jake asked, holding out his hand for Amy.

  “Never been so ready before,” Amy replied, accepting his gesture, and closing the door behind her as they made their way outside. Jake walked Amy over to his car, and opened the door for her. As Amy moved into the car, Jake smiled at her, and she did likewise. After Jake got in and started the engine, they were finally off and running. Amy and Jake sat in a friendly silence, the only thing to be heard being the slow humming of the engine, its rhythms perfectly in sync with their heartbeats. Jake periodically smiled at Amy in between checking his rear view mirror, and this made her warm inside.

  In what seemed like lightning speed, Amy and Jake arrived at the school, and quickly found a spare parking space. Jake emerged out of the driver’s side, and opened Amy’s door for her. She felt like she was walking on air, and that still, none of this was real. Jake and Amy walked arm-in-arm to the hall’s entrance, which was swarming with eager students who were talking, and having fun. Carrie was at the front door with James, and greeted Amy and Jake as they arrived. Jake shook James’ hand, while Carrie embraced Amy, happy to see her friend so thrilled.

  The friends walked together into the hall, talking avidly amongst themselves. They were greeted by some of their teachers, who tipped their heads in approval at them, and said hello. After this the friends settled to the side of the hall, and Carrie stood back from both Amy and Jake in admiration, nodding her head.

  “Amy, Jake, you look great together. I really believe you’ve walked out of a storybook romance,” Carrie said, referring to Amy and Jake’s appearance at the gala as Cinderella and Prince Charming. Indeed, Amy seemed every bit the fairy tale princess.

  She wore a pure silk white dress, layered in beautiful tulle, and which was closed to the neck. Amy also wore Cinderella’s magical slippers, and proudly displayed a diamante tiara on the top of her head. Jake was also very much in character, and wore a grand, white military suit, which was adorned with shiny military regalia. He also seemed to be the perfect Prince Charming, complimenting Amy’s Cinderella to a tee. Carrie was delighted that Amy, at long last, had found Jake after all she had been through.

  “You both look so romantic,” Carrie commented, to which Amy and Jake both smiled, “And so beautiful, but, look at us,” Carrie stated, referring to herself and James attending as a scullery maid, and a pauper. Carrie’s hair was rolled up in a bun, and she wore a loose fitting dress, with a large apron around her waist. She was wearing minimal makeup, in order to appear tired from slaving all day over a hot stove, and performing other domestic duties. James was dressed in a blue pauper’s uniform, with a small axe at his side. He also wore a large, wide-brimmed hat that made him appear even more in character.

  Amy thought that James and Carrie appeared cute together, and definitely looked the part in their costumes. To attend the fancy dress gala as this type of character, though, was very much suited to Carrie’s nature. The scandalous side to the scullery maid especially appealed to Carrie, as she loved reading about world history, and famous scandals, or scandalous people, of the past. She knew scullery maids had generally gotten up to a lot of mischief in the past, and this made them all the more interesting to her.

  “Well Carrie, beggars can’t be choosers, just for tonight,” Amy said, gently teasing Carrie. Carrie looked at Amy with defiance, taking her scullery ‘role’ seriously.

  “And you know what, Milady?” Carrie asked, with a British accent.

  “Have you something to say, Young Miss?” Amy asked Carrie, with James observing Carrie with an ironic expression.

  “Milady, I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Carrie said cheekily. Carrie curtsied at Amy and Jake, and the friends all laughed at this. Carrie loved to make fun of herself, and life in general. This was pure Carrie for you, and just an example of how, and why, everyone loved her.

  “Mmn, mmn, a sign of things to come for you, Miss Carrie?” Amy enquired.

  Carrie’s previous sweet smile was replaced by a more severe expression.

  “Of course, I’m not dumb, I know exactly what I’m doing,” Carrie deadpanned to Amy, returning to her normal voice. The friends laughed at this comment, this helping to kill some time before the gala began. Around this time, many gala attendees were beginning to filter through the auditorium, and the place was becoming noisier by the second. While Jake, Carrie and James continued to talk amongst themselves, Amy looked around the hall.

  Amy observed, among various sights, the bandleader and his company tuning their instruments, teachers talking amongst themselves, and the refreshments bar employees working away frantically. What was most interesting to Amy, though, was the sheer number of different characters staff and students had attended as tonight.

  Characters ranged from movie stars such as Charlie Chaplin and John Wayne, to former politicians, and movie characters such as Scarlet O’Hara and Rhett Butler. It was obvious the gala was going to be much enjoyed this year by the school’s students and staff, as confirmed by their lively conversations and laughter, which infused the already bustling room with a robust atmosphere. Am
y’s pleasant interlude, though, was distracted by something taking place at the hall’s entrance.

  Amy looked over, and saw there was a couple dressed as Marc Anthony and Cleopatra, their arrival causing a mini-sensation of sorts. Amy could not work out who the couple was, as they did not appear familiar to her. Upon closer inspection, Amy finally realized who was representing these characters tonight, and was very surprised.

  Amy tapped Carrie on the hand, and the entire group eventually looked over to see who was wearing the evening’s showstopper costumes. They were none other than Francine and Chad! Looking high and mighty, Francine and Chad gradually made their way closer to the group, being intently watched by the other students, and staff members in the hall. Amy felt a strange sensation in her stomach upon seeing them, but Carrie viewed Chad and Francine with much interest.

  “Hi guys,” Francine and Chad said, their respective gazes fixed on Jake and Amy.

  “Hi,” all replied. There was an uncomfortable silence, and it seemed as if no one quite knew what to say to the other, with nobody wanting to take the initiative. Carrie was not afraid to speak, but wanted to see what Francine would next do, and say.

  “You all look really great tonight,” Francine said, lying wholeheartedly, really referring only to Jake. Francine looked at Amy, who was a little taken aback by Francine’s costume, and smiled at her, which Amy perceived as being of a friendly nature.

  Francine’s hair was styled in a bob, and she wore an elaborate crown seemingly made of pure gold. The beauty of her green eyes was emphasized through the use of eyeliner, which gave her an even more exotic appearance than she already had. Francine’s dress was of shimmering gold lame, sleeveless, with a revealing décolleté that made everyone, especially the guys in the room, sit up and take notice.

  Chad was equally as striking as Francine, and the girls in the room were in a tizzy just looking at him. Chad was wearing a gladiator’s outfit, and carried a sword at his side. He was wearing a skirt which only drew considerable attention to his muscular legs, and the same with his breastplate, which showed off his well-developed arms.

  Again, there was a silence, and Francine made her move once more. Francine enjoyed how both her, and Chad’s appearances had made everyone stop, and think for a moment. She was never a person to be modest about anything, and reveled in the attention she was receiving at the gala. Francine felt she had achieved what she wanted, for now, and said sweetly,

  “Okay, we’ll see you all later,” and with this, Francine and Chad gracefully moved to the opposite side of the hall.

  Carrie suspected something was going on with Francine and Chad, but, was unable to accurately identify this. She looked at them intensely for a few moments, but, finally gave up, and shook her head. Francine smiled innocently at Carrie from afar, mindful that while she could manipulate most people quite well, she could not do the same with Carrie. Carrie was not like Amy in character, even though she was kind-hearted. Carrie had never really trusted Francine, and Francine was well aware of this. Carrie again watched Chad and Francine, and shook her head.

  “Didn’t know Chad and Francine’ve become closer than close. I know they’ve always been friends, but I didn’t expect them to come together to the gala. Thought she might’ve come with someone else.” Carrie looked at James, hoping he could answer her statement, but he was stumped. In desperation, Carrie looked over at Amy and Jake, but was also unable to receive any suspicion from them about Chad and Francine. Carrie’s thoughtful moment was interrupted by the bandleader’s booming voice.

  “Come on everyone, you ready to dance?”

  “Ready!” the crowd replied, in a chorus.

  The bandleader shook his head in confusion.

  “Still can’t hear you all,” he shouted enthusiastically. “You ready?”

  “Ready!” the crowd replied.

  “Well, take your desired partners, and let’s go!” he said, at the top of his lungs. He signaled to the band to start playing the music, which they did without hesitation.

  Carrie looked at James, and smiled wickedly.

  “The man knows what he’s talking about — desired’s the right word,” Carrie said saucily. She looked at James, as if angry with him. “And what’re you gonna ask me next James?” she asked, as if irritated with him. James seemed a little embarrassed, and rolled his eyes.

  “My dear Carrie, I mean, my scullery maid, may I have the pleasure of this dance?” James asked. James bowed at her, and took off his wide-brimmed hat in respect, to which Carrie responded with a blank expression.

  “You know I do, so why ask, pauper Jamie?” Carrie replied in a mock serious tone, with all laughing as she took his hand. As James led Carrie onto the dance floor, Jake looked at Amy, and smiled at her. Jake held out his hand to Amy, and, on bended knee, asked her,

  “And will you, dear Cinderella, accept my invitation to dance?”

  Amy nodded her head slightly, eyes glowing with happiness.

  “With pleasure,” Amy replied softly. Amy joined hands with Jake, and they began to dance to the slow, romantic music. Whilst in Jake’s presence, Amy felt as if she was in paradise. Amy’s heart was skipping beats, and her feet hardly touched the ground as she danced. Jake looked at Amy and smiled, thinking that everything really had worked out for the best.

  Further afar in the hall, Chad and Francine jealously watched Amy and Jake. They were also dancing together, but, all the while, kept a close eye on Amy and Jake. Their witnessing of Amy and Jake’s happiness was upsetting for them, to say the least, but they kept up a composed temperament. With a big sigh, Chad told Francine,

  “Know what? That should’ve been me dancing with Amy, and you with Jake. Looking at how happy they are makes me feel really empty inside.”

  Francine was determined her latest plan would work, and her self-confidence was sky-high. Not even Chad’s uncertainty could put her off her ambition to win Jake. With a determined expression on her face, and dripping venom from every pore, Francine replied,

  “Don’t forget Chad, we won’t have to wait too long before things fall into place — time’s on our side. Let Amy and Jake think they’re having the time of their lives, just to find out it was all just a dream, and they belong with us.”

  Chad smiled a little at Francine, looking a little glum.

  “Hope you’re right, Franci,” Chad said.

  Francine smiled at Chad, shaking off his lack of conviction. Still looking in Amy and Jake’s direction, Francine decided she would take the next step. To Chad’s sheer surprise she released herself out of his embrace, and looked at him.

  “Chad, now’s the time to make our move — right now,” Francine said, starting to walk together towards Amy and Jake. Carrie was still dancing with James, and saw Chad and Francine approaching Amy and Jake. She again felt a twinge of queasiness overcome her, but still could not work out exactly why she felt this way. Whenever she saw Francine and Chad together recently, Carrie’s intuition told her something was going on, but, she was unable to prove anything. All the same, Carrie kept a close watch on Amy.

  Amy and Jake were enjoying their time together tremendously, and were smiling from ear to ear. Chad and Francine stood directly in front of them, and stared blankly at the both of them. Jake and Amy were distracted enough to see Chad and Francine, and were surprised to see them.

  “Can we cut in?” Francine asked Jake and Amy, with her trademark innocent smile. Jake and Amy looked at each other in sadness. While they did not want to be away from each other, not even for a few seconds, Jake and Amy did the proper thing and separated, as they thought of Francine and Chad as friends.

  “Sure,” Amy and Jake replied. At Francine’s urging, Jake and Francine moved further afar from both Chad and Amy, so she could have a little privacy away from them. Francine wanted at least a few moments alone with Jake, as she knew Amy would be with him the rest of the night. Carrie, though, watched all of these events with keen interest.

  James noticed
Carrie was staring in the direction of both couples, and told her she should mind her own business, and leave Amy and Jake alone. Carrie told him to keep quiet, and would not let James dance with her in a way that would block her view of Amy and Jake. James became tired of this, and swiveled Carrie around, at which she gave into him, at least temporarily.

  Francine, though, was on top of the world, and looked at Jake, eyes gleaming.

  “Enjoying yourself tonight, Jake?” Francine asked slyly, as they began to dance. Jake smiled wistfully, and looked at Francine, his eyes twinkling, and full of admiration for Amy.

  “Yeah, I am.”

  “You look really happy. Never seen you look better,” Francine said, looking at Jake, then at his costume. “And really handsome,” she said, with a luscious smile.

  Jake did not respond to her compliment as she wished; instead, his mind was elsewhere.

  “I’ve never been happier. Me and Amy’re having a great time tonight,” he said, with stars in his eyes.

  Francine stiffened her bottom lip at the mention of Amy’s name. “Amy, Amy!” Francine thought. Francine was frustrated with how this conversation was going, and wanted to change the subject, now. She was not going to listen to any more of this. Francine remembered a detail she knew would definitely make Jake think of something other than Amy, and her Cleopatra eyes twinkled dazzlingly at the thought.

  “So Jake, how’s your shoulder? Feeling better now?” she asked, smiling naughtily.

  Jake laughed upon recollection of this event, and nervously rolled his eyes. Francine thought she might have embarrassed him so much so he could not reply, but, he eventually began to speak.

  “It’s okay, it’s better now,” Jake said, looking away from Francine’s tight gaze.