The Great High School Love Game

by Marcia Carrington

  Carrie snuggled closer to James, and he securely put his arm around her. She watched him lovingly, and he did the same.

  “Just hold me — even angels need their halos polished sometimes,” Carrie said to James, with James smiling at her comment.

  * * * *

  A few days later, Carrie was at home, decorating her family home for Christmas. She was especially concentrating today on the Christmas tree, and had unpacked a lot of decorations this morning. Carrie had gone down in the morning to the basement storeroom especially for these, and brought them up on a trolley. Her mom had helped her a little with this, as she had some spare time in the morning.

  Carrie and her mom had assembled the tree earlier in the morning, and had first applied the Christmas lights, then the baubles, and slowly, the other decorations. As her mom had various other jobs to do, she left Carrie on her own to decorate the remainder of the tree. It was something Carrie loved to do every year, and she had become known as a great tree decorator by both family and friends.

  Carrie had boxes and boxes of decorations to choose from, and used different ones this year than she had last year. She always tried to adorn the tree in a different manner each year, so that it would not be the same as last year. After putting the final touches on the tree, and applying a large star at the tree top, Carrie stood back, and observed it. Carrie, though, squinted her eyes in confusion, as she felt something was missing from the tree, but, could not put her finger on it.

  What she had forgotten to turn on were the Christmas lights, and Carrie quickly bent down to turn on the switch. After doing this, Carrie stood back, and watched the flickering lights work their magic. The tree looked wonderful, and positively sparkled from top to toe. Carrie was very happy with the final results of her labor, and smiled, taking a photo of the tree with her cell phone. After spending some quiet moments admiring the tree, Carrie remembered she had some Christmas party invitations to send out, and sat down at the lounge room writing desk.

  She quickly opened the drawer, and took out the invitations and their coordinating envelopes, and began writing them. Carrie placed those invitations which she was going to send to Amy and Jake into individual envelopes, and carefully sealed them. She happily blew two kisses, and planted one each for Jake and Amy, then placing a stamp on each envelope.

  Carrie had considered personally delivering these to Amy and Jake, but thought it would be a nice surprise for them to receive these by mail. She hoped her gesture would make them think of each other, and they would then come together to the party. Carrie put the invitations to the side, and sat back in her chair. She looked at the invitations, and, confident with her plan to reunite Jake and Amy, said,

  “I hope it’ll be a very Merry Christmas for everyone this year, but, I haven’t forgotten about you either, Chad and Francine.”

  * * * *

  “Christmas is in two weeks, so get ready for a busy time ahead!” announced the excited TV presenter.

  Amy was alone in her family lounge room, watching TV. She was sitting on the sofa, drinking a steaming hot cup of coffee. Amy loved drinking coffee, and, for an extra treat, had put a little whipping cream on it, the coffee practically becoming a Vienna coffee. She was enjoyed viewing the Christmas TV specials whenever they were on, and was watching a great show today.

  The program Amy was watching talked about forgiveness, and how at Christmastime people should temporarily forget their differences with others, try to work these out, and celebrate the season together in harmony. In between sips of her coffee, Amy would watch TV, and smile in sadness. She recollected how Jake had treated her over the past few months, and how she did not feel that she could be forgiving towards him. Amy had tried to make up with him, but, putting it simply, it was beyond her to forgive Jake, especially after seeing him with Francine.

  Amy thoughts were interrupted by the distinctive sound of the postman’s motorbike whizzing away, and she realized he had left some mail in the box. She quickly put her coffee on the table, and opened the front door, going outside to collect it. Amy rifled through assorted pieces of mail, some of which were bills, others Christmas cards from relatives, and found Carrie’s Christmas Eve party invitation. Amy excitedly ripped open the envelope, and pulled out the invitation.

  “Great, a Christmas party! Thanks Carrie,” Amy said after closing the door, and moving back inside her house. Amy sat again on the sofa, and drank some more of her delicious coffee. She had been to all of Carrie’s Christmas parties in the past, as Carrie had been to hers’, and they were always great fun. Carrie always put a monumental level of preparation into her parties, and one felt the Christmas spirit was alive and well there; from the food, to the decorations, to the company, the atmosphere was always wonderful. This also reflected upon Carrie herself, and what type of person she was. Carrie always wanted the best for everyone, and for them to enjoy themselves. Amy smiled at these past memories, and thought about Jake.

  Amy wanted to go with him to the party, but, this was not going to happen. As she and Jake had broken up, and he was obviously very interested in Francine, this was a dead issue, and sighed forlornly. Amy knew, though, there was someone else who would definitely go with her to Carrie’s party, and nodded her head as she remembered him.

  “It’d be great to go with Chad to Carrie’s party. I’ll ask her if I can bring a date,” Amy considered, nodding her head. Amy excitedly went over to the phone, and speed dialed Carrie’s number. Carrie was in her lounge room, doing some reading, but quickly picked up the phone, happy to hear Amy at the other end of the line.

  “Yeah, bring who you like,” Carrie replied, rolling her eyes. Carrie was happy her plan was already working, and knew that all now was just a matter of time. Amy and Carrie’s conversation ended quickly, as Amy sounded upbeat, and Carrie did not want Amy to become suspicious of what she was really doing.

  Jake, on the other hand, was outside of his house, playing basketball in front of the garage. He had been playing around, shooting a few hoops when the mail man arrived. The postman waved to him, and left the mail in the box, quickly speeding off on his motorbike. Jake dropped his basketball near the grass, and grabbed the mail from the box. Like Amy, he was surprised to see Carrie’s invitation, and immediately thought of how he wanted to go with Amy, but that she did not want him anymore. Jake, though, remembered Francine, and how she had helped him with his problems with Amy.

  Jake felt it best he take Francine to the Christmas party, and, like Amy, asked Carrie whether he could bring a date for the Christmas party. Carrie also told Jake he was welcome to bring a date to the party, anyone he liked, which rang a little unusual to his ears, but, which maybe meant Carrie had finally accepted Jake and Amy’s split. This was also against what she told him weeks ago about helping him get Amy back, but, Jake realized Carrie was human, and could not do the impossible with Amy. Carrie also said to Jake that things would work out for the best for him, which was a comment Jake also found confusing, but, which he quickly forgot about.

  The same afternoon after receiving their invitations, to their mutual delight, Jake and Amy went to see Francine and Chad, and asked them to be their dates for Carrie’s party. This was like a godsend for both Francine and Chad, and the next few days felt heavenly for both of them. The people they wanted more than anything else in the world — Amy and Jake, were finally, at long last, responding to them. The Christmas party was going to be a turning point for Chad and Francine, when they could show everyone, especially Amy and Jake, that they were finished with each other for good.

  * * * *

  “Watch out department stores, here I come!”

  The same day of Jake’s happy announcement to her, Francine ventured out to the local mall to choose an outfit she believed Jake would like. Francine visited three department stores before finding something she really loved, but, this was not an ordeal for her. She loved to shop, and it was, apart from acting, one of Francine’s favorite hobbies.

  Francine ch
ose a gown from the evening wear section which she thought would be perfect, and, after trying it on, headed out of the fitting rooms. The sales assistant complimented Francine on her choice of dress at the purchase counter, this making her feel even more over the moon. Before long, the outfit was packed in a bag, and Francine sailed out the store’s doors excited, and thoroughly hyped up.

  She quickly walked home, and, after flying through the front door, tried on the dress in front of her bedroom mirror. Francine moved around the mirror in excitement, smiling from ear to ear. She had never felt so thrilled before in her life, and Francine’s face literally glowed with joy.

  “This is for you, Jake — only you,” she said softly, admiring her reflection in the mirror. After sashaying around in her dress for a little longer, and, by now tired from her afternoon at the mall, Francine sat on her bed, and sighed. She had not seen Chad for a few days, and wanted to share her great news with him. Francine knew only he would be happy for her, as she always was for him. She decided on a whim she would go see him, and eagerly took off her dress, and hung it in the wardrobe. After putting on some comfortable clothing, Francine raced out of her bedroom, and out the front door.

  Francine was at Chad’s front door within a few minutes, and happily knocked on it, and waited for him to open up. Chad, like Francine, was overjoyed Amy was finally paying more attention to him, and was exercising more than ever to get into shape before the Christmas party. He was wearing exercise shorts, and his singlet was damp from sweat. Chad wanted to look his best for Amy, and was doing some weights in his bedroom when the door bell rang. Curious to see who had come to visit him, and, after putting the weights on the floor, Chad put on his jacket, and headed downstairs to open up. Chad was hoping it was Amy calling again to see him, and opened the door with high expectations.

  “Hi Franci,” he said, smiling as much as Francine, and happy to see his partner-in-crime. While disappointed it was not Amy, Chad was still very glad to see Francine.

  “Hi,” she beamed.

  Chad stood back and noticed Francine’s sunny face. She seemed really happy today, and seeing Francine happy only made him even happier.

  “You look really great,” he said.

  “Thanks, I feel that way,” Francine said, nodding in agreement with him. There was a slight pause between them, which Chad interrupted with an intentional cough.

  “Come in,” Chad said, intrigued by Francine’s happy disposition. “You’re in a really good mood today.”

  Francine walked impatiently into his house, and they headed together into his lounge room. Chad sensed Francine had something important to tell him, judging from her happy jitteriness. Francine looked as if she was about to do cartwheels from her delight.

  “I feel great, Chad — something I still can’t believe happened today. I’m so happy I’ll…I’ll burst if I don’t tell you.”

  Chad and Francine moved towards the couch, but did not sit down. They intently watched each other, each waiting for the other to speak.

  “I’ve got some great news too, but let me know first why you’re so happy,” Chad asked.

  Francine looked at Chad, wide-eyed with delight.

  “Chaddie, wanna know something?” Francine asked.

  “What?” Chad said, with a curious smile.

  “Jake asked me to go to Carrie’s Christmas party!” Francine said, barely containing her excitement.

  “That’s great!” he said, with a wide smile.

  Chad was not surprised at this, as he knew Jake would naturally ask Francine to go with him, as he was to be going with Amy. Chad smiled at Francine, and she returned a shy smile. It was not every day Francine showed the softer, more vulnerable, side of her personality to people. In all her excitement, Francine suddenly remembered Chad probably also had some great news for her, and felt dumb for thinking only about herself.

  “Sorry Chad, I’ve been blabbering on and on, and you prob’ly think I’m crazy. Did something great also happen for you, or do I need to ask?”

  Chad smiled slyly at Francine, and she watched him in anticipation.

  “Sounds like we should be congratulating each other.”

  “Why, what do you mean?” Francine asked.

  Chad looked at Francine with gusto, and she hung onto his every word.

  “Well, Amy asked me to go to the Christmas party with her,” Chad said, with a wide smile on his face. Like Francine, Chad also felt better than he had in weeks, now he was the center of Amy’s life. Francine was overjoyed to hear Chad’s news, and watched him with a satisfied, calm expression on her face.

  “I’m so happy Amy asked you to go with her — there’s nothing like a double win for us, is there?” Francine said, and he nodded at her comment. Francine knew she had a faithful friend in Chad — together they had been through a lot, from sharing their pain at being ignored by Jake and Amy, to finally getting them for themselves, at long last. Francine beamed at Chad, and said, “Chad, we make a wonderful team.”

  Chad watched her keenly, and smiled.

  “I agree.”

  Francine threw back her head, and looked away from Chad for a moment. She seemed very thoughtful today, as if she had finally found peace. Francine turned back again at Chad, and looked emotional. Was this the real Francine, and was her tough personality all just an act? This was a moment where Chad felt he was discovering another side to Francine, and one which he did not mind in the least.

  “Chad, this Christmas party’ll be like the icing on the cake for us — we’ll show Amy and Jake they’ve definitely moved on with us, and what they had was just a dream — a short, sweet, but bitter dream. Now Amy and Jake are no more, we’ve got a chance with them. I’ve wanted to be in this position for a long time,” Francine said, with a misty look on her face.

  “Me too,” Chad replied quietly, looking intently at Francine. With this remark, Chad opened his arms, and beckoned Francine to accept his embrace. Francine happily complied, confident in the fact she and her best friend were finally getting what they always wanted. Chad was a little disappointed, though, with the thought that he and Francine would now be seeing less of each other, and a lot more of Jake and Amy, and would not be able to connect in the same way.

  It was the first time Chad had felt this, but, he knew this was the price to pay for getting Amy for himself. Francine also felt the same way as Chad, but knew, in the end, everything was working out the best for both of them. Francine remembered something, and pulled away slightly from Chad’s embrace, and looked at Chad, their green eyes connecting like never before.

  “Know what Chad?”

  “What?”

  “Nothing could happen to ruin our happiness, don’t think, ever,” Francine said.

  “Me, don’t think so, either,” Chad said, nodding at Francine’s words, and looking at her lovingly.

  As if from nowhere, an unexpected, but highly unplanned urge gripped both Francine and Chad. They looked deeply into each other’s eyes, and each saw the other in a totally new light for the very first time. Chad tenderly stroked Francine’s long black hair, and looked intensely into her green eyes. Francine returned his deep gaze, and their faces moved slowly together, being only millimeters apart. It was as if, for just a few seconds, Amy and Jake did not exist for them, but they were all alone, and enjoying each other in a way they had never experienced before. This turn of events finally registered with Francine, and she abruptly pulled away from Chad’s embrace, unable to believe how she and Chad almost kissed.

  “What’re we doing?” Francine asked Chad in horror.

  Chad’s eyes were also wide with wonder at these events, but, was disappointed that Francine reacted so quickly.

  “Dunno – I can’t explain it,” he said, still savoring those stolen moments with Francine before she pulled away.

  Francine shook her head violently, and was visibly disturbed, her previous composure shattered.

  “We’d…we’d better not let this happen again, ever,” Fra
ncine said. She was very upset, and confused, as to how, and why, she and Chad nearly became more than friends for just a few seconds. Francine was bewildered by everything that had happened, and briskly moved away from Chad, and towards his front door.

  “Sure you don’t wanna stay anymore?” Chad asked, watching Francine with much interest.

  Francine neither replied for a moment, nor looked in his direction.

  “I’ve…I’ve gotta go, I’ll…I’ll see you later,” Francine said, still unable to face Chad. To Chad’s regret, Francine headed for the door, and quickly left his house.

  After Francine had gone, Chad sat on the sofa, and recalled what had gone on between them this afternoon. His green eyes glittered brightly, remembering just how close he and Francine had gotten, and how much he enjoyed the experience. After giving this some more attention, Chad concluded it was just a small thing that happened, and thought about Amy. Amy was the reason he had gone through all of this with Francine, and she was the one he always wanted, Chad reminded himself. Chad continued to think about what happened with Francine, and, becoming more and more confused, he returned back upstairs, resuming his exercise regime.

  Francine walked home in a state of uncertainty, and could not stop thinking about her encounter with Chad, and how they almost kissed. Only now did she realize just how strongly she felt for Chad, but, she did not want this to interfere with her feelings for Jake. After entering her front door, Francine closed it behind her, and went straight upstairs to her bedroom.

  She sighed deeply, and opened her wardrobe door, taking out her dress for the Christmas party. Francine thought about Chad, but knew getting Jake was her main aim, and the guy she always wanted. Francine stroked the dress’ soft silk material, and nodded her head, looking a little unsure of herself.

  “Forget what happened with Chad — I want Jake, and have him now. Chad’s always been, and will always be, my best friend. No one’ll ever find out what happened today, never,” Francine vowed.