The Great High School Love Game

by Marcia Carrington

  Chapter Fourteen

  “My chance with Amy’s finally arrived. Now Jake’s out of the way, the possibilities are endless,” Chad said, nodding his head, green eyes full of fire.

  Several days had passed since Chad planted the letter into Jake’s parka pocket for Amy to find, and then, distrust Jake. Chad thought it best to leave Amy alone for a few days before moving in on her. He had been taught by Francine timing was everything for them, and he could not let a single mistake occur. Chad’s goal was to have Amy — he had fought long, and hard, to get her to notice him at all.

  Chad was in his bedroom, and had just arrived home from basketball training. He felt particularly good with himself today, and had changed into some comfortable clothing which he recently purchased. Chad liked smart casual wear, and was considered one of the best-dressed guys outside of school. Many girls at school had noticed this, and were in awe of him for this, and several other reasons. They especially flocked to see Chad whenever he was at basketball practice, and his recent showing at the fancy dress gala as Marc Antony was much talked-about by all present. The truth of the matter, though, was that Chad interested much of the school’s female student population for one major reason.

  Chad had the habit of removing his t-shirt whenever basketball training had finished, seemingly soaking in sweat, and this had become one of the events for the girls at school to witness. He had been chastised many times by the coach for doing this, but, it was a habit too hard for Chad to break. The coach had given up reprimanding him, as he believed Chad meant no harm, but, did it just to show off. Chad recalled some of the clashes he had with the coach over the years, and smiled to himself. He loved to upset the coach a little, as he was a man prone to outbursts, but, in spite of this, they had a deep respect for each other, as both were committed to the game, and winning it.

  Chad thought again about Amy, and smiled. He was very anxious to see her, and the fact she was ignoring Jake made him even more excited to see her. Chad noticed for the past few days Amy was not around Jake at school, but, despite this, he still had some minor reservations. He wanted to see exactly what effect the letter had upon Amy’s feelings for Jake, and was hoping she would be really turned off by Jake’s shenanigans. Chad took a final look at himself in the mirror, making his way down the stairs, and out the front door.

  He could not wait to see Amy, and was not in the mood to walk to her house. Even though their houses were only a five minute walk apart, Chad hopped into his car, and drove to Amy’s house. Before he knew it, Chad was parked in front of Amy’s home, and quickly got out of the car, and moved towards her front door. Full of eagerness, and eyes wide with enthusiasm, Chad knocked on Amy’s door. Although he waited a little for her to open, Chad was calm, and knew he could wait a little longer just for the privilege of seeing her. Amy slowly opened the door, but did not seem to be her usual, happy self. Chad noticed this, and wanted to brighten her mood.

  “Hi Amy!” he said happily.

  “Hi,” Amy replied after a spell, looking sad. Chad could immediately tell the letter definitely had an impact upon Amy, as her face was drawn, and she seemed to be teary-eyed. Amy again paused, and looked blankly at Chad. Chad realized Amy was hesitant to speak to him, and knew he had to take the priority with Amy.

  “Can I come in? Haven’t seen you much at school lately.”

  Amy wearily nodded her head.

  “Okay,” Amy said drearily, clearing the way for Chad’s entrance. Amy led Chad over to the sofa, and they sat down together there. Chad noticed Amy’s head was bowed, and she did not appear to be in much of a mood for conversation.

  “So, how’ve you been?” Chad asked. Again, Amy did not reply, and Chad further confirmed his and Francine’s letter had very much affected Amy. Amy did not offer Chad any eye contact, but raised her head, and looked out her front windows. “You and Jake looked really good together at the gala,” he said.

  Amy shook her head, and looked at Chad.

  “Were together’s more like it,” Amy said. Amy was not in the best mood to talk about this with anyone. She noticed, though, Chad was intently watching for her every word, and that he had always been kind to her. Amy felt Chad might be sympathetic to her troubles, and understand what she was going through.

  “Why? What happened?” Chad asked. With tears welling up in her eyes, Amy filled Chad in on what happened with Jake, and how Jane’s letter to Jake turned up. Amy continually dabbed her eyes with a tissue, but choked back the tears long enough to speak with Chad. Throughout Amy’s discussion of her sad tale, Chad acted as her understanding friend, but internally was thrilled events were finally going his way, and Jake was not so dazzling in Amy’s eyes anymore. After Amy had finished talking, Chad smiled at her, and shook his head. “Sorry about everything that’s happened,” Chad said.

  Amy looked at Chad, and smiled shyly. Out of appreciation, she placed her hand on his, and nodded at him.

  “Thanks Chad, for hearing me out,” Amy replied. Chad looked down at Amy’s hand, and at Amy after this, and smiled. The warmth of her hand on his was a great sensation for him, and the closest he had gotten to her, apart from their almost-kiss awhile back. Chad was ecstatic Amy was responding so positively to him, and wanted this to continue.

  “If there’s anything I can do to help you, just yell,” he said. “You’ve got my phone number.”

  “Thanks, but I’m okay,” Amy said, smiling wistfully.

  Chad shook his head, his smile turning serious.

  “Know something Amy,” Chad said softly.

  “What?”

  “I can’t believe Jake’d ever do that to you, but it shows you can’t trust anyone anymore,” Chad said.

  Amy looked away from Chad, a little upset by what he said. Chad noticed Amy’s reaction to this, and asked her,

  “I’m sorry Amy, have I upset you? I didn’t mean to do that to you.”

  Amy again started to cry, and drew some more tissues from the box. Chad pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket, and offered it to Amy. She used it, and looked at Chad, smiling through her tears.

  “No, I’m okay. Thanks for asking,” she said, smiling gratefully. While she was upset by what Chad said about Jake, Amy felt Chad was trying to help her, and was at least thankful for this.

  Chad, though, was very satisfied he knew exactly about Amy’s current feelings for Jake, and abruptly arose from Amy’s couch, to her surprise. Amy looked at him with a puzzled expression, as she found she did want Chad around.

  “Why’re you going so soon? Hope I haven’t turned you off or something.”

  Chad looked at Amy with a determined expression, as if all was continuing on the right track for him. He straightened his trousers confidently, and shook his head at Amy’s statement. Chad would put up with anything to be with Amy, even if it meant she would sulk about Jake sometimes.

  “No, you could never turn me off. Remember, if you want anything, anything at all, gimme a ring, anytime,” Chad said.

  Amy looked up at Chad, and smiled wistfully.

  “Thanks Chad, I’m really happy to have you as a friend.”

  Chad looked down on Amy, who was still seated on the couch, and left her with a message.

  “Hope everything works out for you, Amy.” Amy paused for a second, and did not say a word, thinking about what Chad said. She smiled at him, and he did the same.

  “Thanks Chad, for listening to me,” Amy said. She looked at Chad with admiration, and he again smiled at her. After this, Chad headed towards Amy’s front door, and froze for a moment. He turned around to face Amy, and said to her,

  “Know what, Amy?”

  “What?”

  “That’s what friends are for. Remember, I’m only a phone call away. See you soon, Amy,” Chad said, turning the door knob to exit, and giving her a compassionate smile.

  “Bye Chad,” Amy said, looking at him intensely as he exited her home.

  After Chad closed her front door, Amy arose from the sofa,
and walked up the stairs to her bedroom. She was both happy, but also a little baffled, by Chad’s appearance today. At the very least, though, Amy felt better someone had listened to her, and took her side in the problem with Jake. To Amy’s surprise, thoughts of Jake appeared again to Amy, but she shook her head to dismiss these. Amy felt some fresh air would help take her mind away from Jake, and walked out of her bedroom onto the balcony, looking out at the leafy view.

  As Amy eased back into her Adirondack chair, she sighed, and visions of Jake again entered her mind. She tried to distract herself with the beauty of the lush houses she was blessed to observe from her balcony, but Jake’s letter to Jane kept entering her mind. In utter frustration, Amy arose from the chair, and went back inside her bedroom. Amy knew exactly what she had to do to next, and nodded.

  Amy retrieved the letter from her bottom desk drawer, and slowly opened it up. Butterflies rumbled in her stomach as she did this, and thought for a moment she would become sick, but Amy bravely took control of her emotions. As Amy reread the letter, tears began to well up in her eyes, the idea of Jake having used her filling her with disgust for him.

  “Yeah, Chad’s right, you really can’t trust anyone anymore,” Amy said, sighing deeply. Amy continued over to her waste paper basket, and ripped the letter into multiple pieces, which quickly fell to the bottom of the bin. Amy looked numbly at the remains of the letter, and nodded. “I trusted Jake too much, and was wrong to do this. I’ll never let anyone do that to me again, ever,” Amy said, with a stubborn expression on her face.

  Chad was outside of Amy’s home, and standing on the porch, near Amy’s front door. Chad felt his talk with Amy had given him the certainty he could eventually win her over if he played it safe. He smiled when he remembered Amy’s break-up with Jake, and that he was now in a better position to have her. Chad recalled how teary-eyed Amy was this afternoon, and how much she now doubted Jake, but seemed to trust him. With a relaxed smile, Chad said,

  “Yeah Amy, everything’ll work out — for both of us. You’ll see — in a few weeks, the name Jake will’ve been wiped from your memory.”

  Chad was content with his achievements for the day, and opened the large fleur de leys design gate at the front of Amy’s house, and left her house. He hopped into his car, and happily drove home.

  * * * *

  For the next couple of days, Amy avoided Jake, both by not accepting his phone calls or letters, and by shunning him at school. Although Amy felt terrible each time she did this, she knew there was no other way of handling Jake. Amy did not have the courage to face him, as he had hurt her deeply, and was not about to fall into the same trap again with Jake.

  Jake, on the other hand, could not understand Amy’s attitude towards him. While they had become so close to each other, it was now as if they had been split apart for reasons unknown to him. Jake was determined to find out why this happened, and why Amy was acting this way towards him.

  * * * *

  After school one day Amy was at home, doing her homework. Amy was seated at her desk, in her bedroom, and feverishly doing some writing. Her problem with Jake had constantly been in her thoughts, and she found the only way to take this off her mind was to concentrate on her studies.

  Amy had been studying so much lately she felt a headache coming on, and decided to have a short break, and drink some water to recharge her batteries. Amy sighed, and closed her heavy textbook, putting it to one side. She gradually arose from her comfortable leather desk chair, and made her way downstairs.

  Amy was almost at the foot of the stairs when she heard a heavy banging noise at the front door. Alarmed by the commotion, Amy froze on the spot, and could not move. Amy did not know who it was, and felt a little frightened to open up, in case it was a burglar trying to break in. She waited for a few moments, and hoped the noise would stop, but, unfortunately, it did not, and the racket continued, even heavier than before. Amy considered calling the police, and was about to pick up the phone when she heard a voice, one which seemed very familiar to her.

  “Amy, open up, please open the door.”

  Amy gathered it was Jake outside the front door, and remained motionless on the spot she was standing. Jake sounded as if he was losing control of his emotions, and was going to cry at any minute. Amy did not want to speak with him, and felt she could not face him at all. At the same time, though, Amy wanted to see him again, but felt she could not move, as if both of her feet were stuck to the ground. Amy did not want to be swept away by Jake’s sweet talk, and give in again to him.

  “Amy, why don’t you wanna speak to me? Why? What’ve I done to you? Maybe we could talk. Please gimme a chance,” Jake offered in desperation.

  Amy listened to Jake’s constant appeals to her, and almost opened the door, but suddenly pulled back. She counseled herself that no, she was not going to open the door to speak to Jake, but, at the same time, headed towards the door.

  “Amy, please,” Jake said fanatically, proceeding to bang again on the door, sensing her hesitation. “I know you’re in there. Please don’t do this to me Amy.” Amy could hear Jake’s voice growing hoarser in despair, but, she was not about to give in to him.

  “Please let me in Amy, gimme another chance. Amy, I love you,” Jake cried out to her. “I love you.”

  With these last few words, Amy’s eyes filled with tears, and a down pouring of her emotions took over her entire body. It was as if a raging river had overflowed its banks, and Amy was dizzied from all of her conflicting emotions. Amy shook her head forcefully, and asked herself why she ever had to fall for Jake. Jake decided, after Amy’s total lack of response, that she was not going to respond to him, and eventually stopped pounding the door. After a minute’s silence, he left Amy with some final thoughts.

  “Amy, whatever’s happened, know I’ll always love you. We can work it out together, whatever the problem.” Jake dejectedly moved away from Amy’s house, and walked home, extremely upset he could not get Amy to speak with him. After Amy sensed Jake had finally left, she sluggishly walked to her front door, and pressed her face and hands against it. Amy wanted to open the door and run after Jake, and have everything the way it was, but knew this was not realistic. She remembered how Jake had two-timed her with Jane, and slumped to the floor, crying, unable to control the surge of sadness which had engulfed her.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “I’ve got to forget about Jake, I’ve just got to…there’s no other way,” Amy said, reading her book anxiously.

  The day after the incident with Jake, Amy was at school in the lush, secluded, but airy eating area. The early morning sun was finding its way into the gazebo, as the roofing was made of a transparent mesh material. This allowed limited, but comfortable sunshine to reflect into it, without being overly stark. This was perfect for Amy as she did not want to be in the sunshine, but needed some time alone. Carrie had not yet arrived for school, and Amy found herself all alone. Amy wanted to take her mind away from everything, and sat down, undoing the clasp on her schoolbag.

  Amy took out her Theatre notebook, and rehearsed some of her lines for an upcoming acting piece. Amy found herself reading the same lines over and over, and, in frustration, slammed the book shut, putting it into her bag. Amy remembered what had happened with Jake, and tried to get it out of her mind by looking around the eating area. She quickly realized, though, the quietness of the eating area made her think more about Jake, and decided to leave. Amy was heading to the front gate for Carrie when she was stopped by a voice calling her name.

  “Amy, Amy!” the voice insistently cried. Amy recognized it as Jake’s voice, and immediately became stiff, and began to walk away. Jake raced up to Amy, and touched her slightly on the shoulder, which made her jump. Amy did not know whether to stay or run, but remained on the spot for a few moments.

  “Amy, don’t go, I wanna talk with you,” Jake pleaded.

  Amy could not bear to confront Jake, and her back was facing him. She was growing angrier and an
grier by the minute, but, somehow, kept her calm. Jake, though, was not discouraged by Amy’s coldness towards him, and moved directly in front of her. Amy looked away from him, and did not give him any eye contact, but Jake shook his head at this.

  “What’s going on with you? Why won’t you talk to me anymore?” he asked, eyes wide with confusion. Amy could not withhold her fury with Jake any longer, and looked him in the eye.

  “Well, haven’t you been busy enough chasing all your extra school activities lately, and I don’t mean just basketball.”

  Jake stared at Amy, thoroughly perplexed by what she was saying. He could not understand why she was so abrupt with him — her irate face alone was upsetting enough for him to take.

  “What’re you talking about?” Jake said, growing even more bamboozled by Amy’s treatment of him. “My only activity lately’s been to chase after you.”

  “Really?” Amy said, folding her arms in defiance of Jake.

  Jake looked her in the eye, and signaled with his hands for Amy to calm down, but she looked at him with a disbelieving expression.

  “Amy, please, tell me what this’s all about. Maybe we can talk about whatever it is,” Jake said, in a calm voice.

  Amy shook her head in disagreement, and scowled at Jake.

  “No Jake, we’ve got nothing to talk about. Please leave me alone.”

  With this, Jake grabbed Amy’s arm out of desperation and said,

  “I can’t!” anger, confusion, and resentment disrupting his usually composed face and personality. Amy had never seen him this way, but thought maybe Jake was now showing his true colors to her.