Before he knew it, Jake was almost near Carrie’s home. Jake slowed down a little before reaching it, as he had been cycling at an accelerated rate. After stopping completely, Jake hopped off his bike, and opened Carrie’s front gate. He wheeled his bike in, rested it on her front porch, and keenly knocked on her door. Jake knew Carrie had not been very well for a few days, but, from what he had heard, was getting better. Carrie took a little while to open the door, increasing Jake’s growing anticipation to see her, but his wish was finally answered when she appeared to him.
“Hi Carrie.”
“Hi Jake,” she replied, with a faint smile. While a little surprised by Jake’s appearance at her front door, Carrie, nevertheless, was happy to see him. She had been worried about him and Amy, and could not help them because of her recent illness. “Come on in,” Carrie said. While she looked a little washed out, and worse for wear than usual, Carrie’s boundless enthusiasm, though, was still present, if, in a more restrained way. Carrie led Jake over to the sofa, where they sat together. She beckoned to Jake not to get too close to her, which he brushed off, and Carrie sank into her comfortable sofa, making herself comfy.
“So, feeling better now? Heard you were under the weather,” Jake said, looking concerned.
Carrie momentarily coughed a little, and looked away from Jake as she did this. Carrie rolled her eyes as she was tired of lying around, as she was normally very active.
“I wasn’t really good at all, but I’m better now,” she said, smiling slightly. “I was in bed nearly all day for about a week.” Carrie nodded at Jake, philosophical about her illness — sometimes one has to become sick so they can become well.
“Know what Jake?”
“What?”
“At least I now know there are some great TV shows on during the day,” Carrie commented, to which Jake laughed. “And, I forgot sometimes it’s great to be lazy.”
“Yeah, I’m with you,” Jake said, nodding his head, to which Carrie smiled. There was a slight gap in their conversation, and Carrie and Jake looked at each other. Carrie noticed Jake was a little quiet, and wanted to learn why he came to see her today.
“Anyway, thanks for coming over. It’s great seeing you again, and don’t gemme wrong, but I know you’ve come over for another reason,” Carrie said. Jake bowed his head after Carrie said this, thinking about Amy. “You’ve come to me ’cause of Amy,” Carrie said, eyes full of sadness. With this statement, Jake arose from the couch, and looked away from Carrie. He started to pace around the room in a nervous manner.
“Carrie, Amy won’t speak to me, answer my emails, phone calls, zip. I dunno what I’ve done to her. Can you help me?” Jake said, looking desperate.
Carrie nodded her head in understanding.
“I know Jake, I’m sorry how Amy’s acting. I’ve tried everything to convince her you’ve done nothing wrong to her, but she won’t listen.”
Jake stopped pacing for a moment, and scratched his head in confusion.
“What should I do? Seems like everything I do makes her even worse. Oh yeah, and Chad keeps getting in the way with her. Dunno what Amy’s thinking sometimes.”
Carrie thought about Chad, and how he really was hanging around Amy much more than before. It seemed to Carrie as if Chad followed Amy everywhere like a love-sick puppy; even more amazing was the fact Amy actually seemed to like this. Carrie, though, did not want to make things worse for Jake, and knew if she said anything negative about Chad, this would give Jake even more fuel for the fire. If Jake attacked Chad without proof of anything, this might drive Amy further from Jake, but closer to Chad.
“Jake, maybe, I think you should give Amy some more time.”
“What do you mean?” Jake said, looking confused.
“Well, it might be good for Amy to think about how she’s been acting, and what she’s done to you,” Carrie said. “Give her just a bit of space, and it might all blow over, before you do anything else.” Jake, though, shook his head, disagreeing with Carrie’s thoughts.
“I think if I leave her alone, she’ll get closer to Chad, and it’ll all go haywire,” Jake said, looking worried. Carrie watched Jake, and rolled her eyes at his comment, but Jake shook his head in puzzlement, wondering what Carrie meant by this.
“Jake, I don’t think that’ll ever happen. Do you know why?”
“Why Carrie?” Jake asked, eyes squinted in uncertainty. Carrie looked at Jake, who was intrigued by what she meant by her remark, to which she threw her head back, eyes wide with excitement.
“One, because Amy loves you too much to let Chad get close to her. But, there’s another reason, too,” Carrie said.
“What Carrie?” Jake asked, in suspense. Carrie watched Jake with a determined expression, wanting him to sweat it out just a little more.
“’Cause I won’t let it happen,” Carrie said, with a sly grin. Jake smiled at this statement, and Carrie loved seeing him happier again. Carrie could not accept seeing either him, or Amy unhappy, this going for all her friends. “But you’ve gotta be patient, Jake, ’cause it’s not gonna be easy. Remember, I want you guys together more than anything. I’m the one who encouraged Amy about you,” Carrie said proudly. “And don’t you ever forget that,” Carrie said, clicking her tongue. Jake stopped pacing around the room after Carrie said this, and beamed at her; Jake knew Amy was lucky to have Carrie as a friend, and also, have her on his side, too.
“Thanks Carrie.”
“It’s nothing,” she said, with a slight cough. “Just keep at it, like me, and whatever happens, don’t give up. I think, maybe Amy has to lose you just to know how much you really mean to her.” Jake smiled at Carrie, and she readily returned his smile. Jake was really appreciative of her kind words, and moved closer to Carrie, almost kissing her on the cheek. Carrie turned away so she would not give him a cold, and looked at him in amusement.
“I know you’re grateful, but we can’t stretch the friendship that far,” she said, with Jake laughing at this. “I don’t want you to get a cold, or what’s left of it.” With this, Jake blew Carrie a kiss, and she did the same in return. After their fun had died down, Jake again looked a little solemn, thinking about Amy, and, seeing him this way, Carrie cleared her throat. “Remember what I said?” she asked Jake, to which he nodded. “I’ll keep an eye on it, and do my best for you. Okay?” she said reassuringly.
“Okaaaaay,” Jake replied enthusiastically, to which Carrie laughed. Jake saw Carrie obviously needed a rest, as she had curled up on the couch, and seemed tired. “Carrie, I’ve wasted enough of your time with my stuff. I’ve probably given you a headache. Hope you’re better really soon.”
“Thanks Jake. By the way, you never waste my time,” she said, and yawned a little. Carrie’s energy, by this time, had now reached a low point, and she seemed to have already used most of it. Jake moved to the front door and clutched the doorknob, feeling a little livelier than before.
“Bye Carrie.”
“Bye Jake,” she said, as he exited.
Once outside the front door, Jake’s mood had improved for the better after his talk with Carrie. It was the best he had felt for many days, and Carrie’s words only helped perk him up. Jake believed maybe if he did not speak at all with Amy, this might give her space, like Carrie said, and raise his chance of winning her back, if he played it cool. Jake opened Carrie’s front gate, and moved his bike out of her front entrance. He wheeled it onto the curb, and rapidly mounted upon it. Jake happily set off homewards, the cool afternoon breeze consuming his entire body.
Carrie was a little drained after her talk with Jake, and eased back into the large, comfortable sofa. She tossed and turned until she found just the right position, and sighed in relief when she did this. Carrie thought about Jake and Amy, and how to convince Amy she was wrong about him. Carrie closed her eyes, and put her hand on her forehead to motivate some positive thinking. After a little while, she opened her eyes, and had come to some insights about what to do with Amy. Carrie
now knew exactly how to proceed with Amy, and nodded her head with assurance at what she would do next.
* * * *
“I’ll give Amy some of her own medicine today — she sure needs it,” Carrie said with conviction, closing her front door.
Several days after Jake came to see her at home, Carrie was slowly walking to school. Her parents had offered to drive her there, but Carrie believed the walk to school might do her some good, as she had been inside for quite a few days. She was tired of lying down all day, especially as she was always very active. Carrie, though, did need the rest as it had been a busy few weeks both at school, and at home, and she had become burnt out from all the non-stop goings-on.
As Carrie walked to school, she cherished the fresh morning air, which she felt she had not breathed for a long time. Carrie took several deep breaths in, and, gradually, exhaled out. She found this relaxed her, and helped clear her mind of negative thoughts, especially whenever she was tense, or a little worried. Although still not totally well, Carrie wanted to test herself, and see how she would manage a full day at school. Carrie was a little behind in her studies, but was reassured by her teachers that her days off school would not affect her, which was good news.
Amy was waiting for Carrie at the school gate, looking a little dumbfounded. She had offered to walk Carrie to school this morning, but Carrie had politely refused her. Carrie arrived soon thereafter, but, to Amy’s frustration, was not her usual happy self. Her face was drawn, and she seemed a little angry. Amy picked up on Carrie’s mood, but sensed maybe her illness had made her a little irritated.
“Hi Carrie.”
“Hello,” Carrie replied frostily, to Amy’s surprise. While Carrie could be quiet at times, she was never catty, but Amy let this slide, knowing Carrie was still not well. Amy and Carrie walked together for a while, but in complete silence. They strolled past the school auditorium, and settled into the center of the school. It was a hubbub of activity here, as usual, but Carrie was not in the mood for this today. Carrie moved away from there, and sat down on a bench, in a quieter section of the school. She did not look at Amy at all, which Amy found rather peculiar - while Carrie had been ill other times, she had never before treated Amy so coldly. Amy took her cue to open the conversation on a happy note, as she sensed Carrie was angry with her for something.
“Are you better now?” Amy asked cheerily.
Carrie turned her head, and gave Amy eye contact for the first time today.
“I’m okay, but’ve you asked yourself how Jake is at the moment?” Carrie asked, with Amy’s head bowing at the mention of Jake’s name. Amy slowly raised her head, and looked at Carrie, never seeing her so strong-minded before. While Amy knew Carrie was gutsy with the best of them, there had to be a special reason for Carrie’s treatment of her today.
“Why, has Jake been talking to you? What’s he been telling you?” Amy said.
“He’s miserable with everything, and how you treated him. Know something?” Carrie asked, looking at Amy point blank.
“What?”
“I don’t blame him, I don’t blame him at all. If someone did that to me, I’d be really smoking,” Carrie said, face red with passion.
Amy pursed her lips in defiance, and cocked her head back.
“Really? I thought he’d be with anyone around. Remember Jane, oh, has he forgotten about her already? Who is it now? Gee, just can’t keep up with him,” Amy said, rolling her eyes.
“Well Amy, if Jake’s to blame, you haven’t exactly kept up your end of the bargain,” Carrie said, nodding her head. “You’re to blame too.”
“What do you mean? I’ve done nothing wrong,” Amy stated firmly, her eyes widening at Carrie’s accusation.
Carrie saw Amy was becoming defensive with her, and thought maybe this tactic was not working as well as she expected it to. She paused for a spell, and believed she possibly should approach things differently with Amy.
“Look Amy, I’ve seen you with Chad. Now be honest, do you really know what you’re doing?” Carrie queried, in a softer tone of voice.
Amy’s face hardened, and her body stiffened.
“Yeah, I do,” Amy said, nodding her head. “Chad’s been a great friend to me, and has been there when I really needed him.”
Carrie shook her head, unconvinced what Amy was saying was really true. Amy’s actions made no sense at all to her.
“Sorry to say Amy, but’re you only using Chad to forget about Jake, and make yourself feel better about how you treated him?” Carrie said.
Amy shook her head in alarm, eyes boggling at Carrie’s words.
“No, no, Carrie, you’re wrong. Jake got exactly what was coming to him, and it’s better I know what he’s really like,” Amy said. Amy looked at Carrie, who had a disapproving look on her face, and felt uneasy. Amy never fought with Carrie, as they always seemed to find a common ground, but this problem with Jake, though, found them on opposite sides of the issue. Amy just wanted to agree with Carrie and end this argument, but could not, as she felt cheated by Jake. She smiled at Carrie, and hoped she would do the same in return. “Come on Carrie, everything’ll be okay.”
Carrie turned, and watched Amy unhappily.
“For your sake Amy, I hope so — I really do.”
“It will be Carrie, you’ll see,” Amy said, smiling wistfully. Amy knew what Carrie was saying made sense, but she could not get over Jake and Jane. Amy looked at Carrie with fondness, but Carrie was not in any mood to convince Amy of her opinion, but would leave that for when she was feeling better.
Amy and Carrie’s talk was interrupted by the school bell, which signaled the beginning of morning classes. They were not in the same class this morning, but Amy offered to help Carrie, as she was still a little unwell.
“Nope, I’m okay, I’ll get there soon,” Carrie said to Amy, smiling slightly. “See you later.”
“You sure?” Amy asked.
“Positive,” Carrie stated firmly.
Amy was disappointed after Carrie’s rejection, but, nevertheless, smiled at her with understanding.
“Okay Carrie, see you later.” Amy gloomily walked off to class, leaving Carrie on her own. A little after Amy had walked away, Carrie little by little, step by step, arose from the bench. Carrie thought about what Amy had just told her, and concluded maybe time was the only thing to change Amy’s mind about Jake. In situations like these, though, time was also of the essence. Both making moves, and not making them, could affect things either for the better, or the worse. With a serious expression on her face, Carrie said,
“Yeah Amy, time’ll really tell how right you are about Jake.”
* * * *
“You just can’t stop smiling today. What’s been going well in your life?” Chad asked Francine, to which she smiled in triumph.
Francine and Chad met at her house after school to catch up with each other, which was something they did often, but not so much recently. They had not had the chance to connect lately as they were really busy with everything. Having a full load at school took away much of their spare time, but, that really did not matter to them, as it was just how things were. Francine and Chad felt more comfortable together at home, though, for two major reasons.
At home they did not have the prying eyes of the whole school upon them, and could say and do what they liked. Apart from this, Chad and Francine felt Carrie was always around the corner from them at school, and, this was getting on their nerves. They thought that they should not seen together as it would make them look suspicious, especially because of Amy and Jake’s break-up.
Chad was seated in an armchair, looking relaxed, while Francine sat opposite him on the couch. He was anxious to hear Francine’s latest news, and lurched forward to get closer to her. Francine rolled her eyes in excitement, and smiled at Chad.
“Well, what’s happening?”
“Lots,” Francine said, unable to contain her excitement.
“Like what?” Chad asked. “You’ve
been smiling like it’s going out of fashion.”
“I’ve got every reason to,” she said.
Chad looked at Francine with suspicion. He knew Francine loved to keep him hanging like a fish from a reel, hanging onto her next word.
“You’re trying to keep me on a string again. Franci, now be a good girl and let me know now,” Chad said.
Francine threw back her head, and gave Chad a wink, to which he responded with a confused look.
“Well, I got a perfect mark for my last Theater performance,” she said, all smiles.
“That’s great,” Chad enthused. “And I’m not surprised…do you ever get less than one hundred percent?” Chad said, to which Francine chuckled. After the enthusiasm of the moment had settled, Chad found it strange Francine would be so excited about this, as she always did so well in Theater, and it was not shocking to hear this. Chad knew there was more to her excitement than that, and waited patiently to see what she would next say.
“But Chaddie…” Francine intoned.
“What?” he enquired.
“That’s not all that happened,” Francine said enticingly.
“Thought so,” Chad said, nodding his head. “Seemed weird you’d become excited about your Theater mark. Anyway, what else happened?”
“Remember that application I made to join the Drama School a while back?”
“Yeah, I remember that.” Chad thought to himself for a moment, and felt he knew exactly why Francine was in such a good mood. “Let me guess, you won a place there?” Chad said.
“Yes! I just found out today. I won a full scholarship after I graduate from high school next year. I’m so excited!” Francine arose from the sofa, and went over to the occasional table, retrieving the letter from the Drama School, and handing it to Chad. Chad read it carefully, and Francine watched him closely for his reaction. Only Chad really expressed any interest, and excitement, in her achievements more than anyone else, and she did the same for him. Whenever he won a sporting trophy, Francine would always be the first to congratulate him.
The Great High School Love Game Page 19